2026 Wood Products Infrastructure Assistance Program

The Wood Products Infrastructure Assistance (WPIA) program, announced by the USDA Forest Service, offers up to $50 million in financial aid from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) for Fiscal Year 2026. This program aims to support facilities that use byproducts from forest ecosystem restoration projects on federal or Tribal lands, with individual awards ranging from $50,000 to $2,000,000. Eligible applicants include for-profit entities, state and local governments, Indian tribes, non-profit organizations, and higher education institutions. The program prioritizes projects that procure substantial raw materials from at-risk federal or Tribal lands, are in close proximity to these lands, and demonstrate how facility investments will reduce restoration costs. Applications are due by April 22, 2026, and must be submitted through Grants.gov after registering with SAM.gov. Key unallowable costs include construction of new buildings, purchasing mobile equipment (except for Tribes), and labor for day-to-day operations. The evaluation focuses on the project's impact on ecosystem restoration, its technical and financial readiness, and the applicant's history.

The Wood Products Infrastructure Assistance (WPIA) program, a federal grant under the USDA Forest Service, offers up to $50 million in funding for Fiscal Year 2026. This program, outlined in Funding Opportunity Number USDA-FS-WPIA-2026, aims to support the establishment, reopening, retrofitting, expansion, or improvement of sawmills and other wood-processing facilities. These facilities must utilize byproducts from forest ecosystem restoration projects on federal or Tribal lands, particularly those at risk of severe wildfire or insect/disease infestation. Eligible applicants include for-profit entities, state and local governments, Indian tribes, non-profit organizations, higher education institutions, and special purpose districts. Individual awards range from $50,000 to $2,000,000, with no cost-sharing or matching funds required. The program prioritizes projects that procure substantial raw materials from at-risk federal or Tribal lands, are in close proximity to these lands, and demonstrate how facility investments reduce restoration costs while investing in surrounding communities. Applications are due by April 22, 2026, and must be submitted through Grants.gov after registering with SAM.gov. Funding can cover personnel, travel, equipment (excluding mobile equipment for non-Tribal entities), supplies, and contractual costs. Awards are anticipated in June 2026, with successful applicants subject to quarterly progress and financial reporting requirements.