Opportunity USDA-FS-UCF-01-2011

The summary for the Opportunity USDA-FS-UCF-01-2011 grant is detailed below. This summary states who is eligible for the grant, how much grant money will be awarded, current and past deadlines, Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) numbers, and a sampling of similar government grants. Verify the accuracy of the data FederalGrants.com provides by visiting the webpage noted in the Link to Full Announcement section or by contacting the appropriate person listed as the Grant Announcement Contact. If any section is incomplete, please visit the website for the Forest Service, which is the U.S. government agency offering this grant.

Opportunity USDA-FS-UCF-01-2011: The Secretary of Agriculture has a congressionally designated advisory Council that assists the U.S. Forest Service in establishing the grant categories and recommending the final proposals for the Forest Service to consider. This is the National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council (Council). The Council serves to advise the Secretary of Agriculture on the status of the nation's urban and community forests and related natural resources. The Council seeks to establish sustainable urban and community forests, by encouraging communities of all sizes to manage and protect their natural resources, which can, if well managed, improve the public's health, well being, and economic vitality, and create resilient ecosystems for present and future generations. Urban and Community Forestry Program Requirements: Through the U.S. Forest Service's competitive Urban and Community Forestry Challenge Cost-Share Grant Program, the Council only supports urban and community forestry projects that have national or multi-state application and impact. All proposals must apply to Urban and Community Forestry program authorities as designated by Congress in the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act (Section 9) [Section 9 Urban and Community Forestry only (PDF, pp. 19-24)] and the annual criteria set forth by the Council. A listing of the previously funded projects can be viewed at www.fs.fed.us/ucf/nucfac. Definition of Urban and Community Forestry: The art, science, and technology of managing trees, forests, and natural systems in and around cities, suburbs, and towns for the health and well-being of all people. The National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council is offering Innovation Grants for program development, research, and collaboration to address the following three (3) strategic priority issues widely seen as confronting the urban and community forestry community at a national or multi-state level: Climate Change, Public Health, and Economic Development. For the purposes of this grant process, the Council defines innovation to include new, unfamiliar, or uncommon efforts to address any or all of these three priority issues. The Council seeks proposals from organizations, agencies, and partnerships to fund innovative projects that will demonstrate the reach, resources, and expertise needed to address the three priority issues in ways that will lead to meaningful, replicable results. Potential Innovation grantees are encouraged to work collaboratively with other organizations and entities, particularly those not traditionally involved in urban and community forestry. Applicants should consider multi-year projects and other sources of funds, including other Federal cooperative conservation sources. (Note: Federal dollars may NOT be used as match to this grant program).Available Funding: The U.S. Forest Service anticipates that the statutory authority for the Fiscal Year 2011 Urban and Community Forestry (U&CF) Program will provide, under the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act (Section 9), approximately $855,000 in grant funds to be awarded through the 2011 National Urban and Community Forestry Challenge Cost-Share Grant Program. Funds are to support urban and community forestry projects that have a national or widespread impact and application. All awards are based on the availability of funding, which may be subject to change. Eligible Applicants: Any U.S. non-Federal organization, operating within the United States or its territories, may apply for the Challenge Cost-Share grant. While collaboration with Federal agencies is encouraged, a Federal agency may not receive funding or be used as match to the Federal funds being requested. (Conflict of interest issues will be addressed appropriately.) Individuals are not eligible. Note: Local tree-planting projects, capital improvements to property of any ownership, and/or projects that have only a local impact and applicability will not be considered for funding. Urban and community forestry projects with a local scope of work should contact their State Urban and Community Forestry Coordinator for assistance in identifying funding alternatives at the local level. The list of State Coordinators may be found at the following website: http://www.fs.fed.us/ucf/Related_Links/UCF_State_coordinators.htm.