Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA FS UCF 02 2024
The National Urban and Community Forestry Action Plan 2027-2037 RFP is a U.S. Forest Service discretionary funding opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number: USDA FS UCF 02 2024; CFDA 10.675) intended to fund one cooperative agreement to support the National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council (NUCFAC) in producing the next congressionally mandated ten-year National Urban and Community Forestry Action Plan. Congress created NUCFAC to advise the Secretary of Agriculture on issues affecting the nation`s urban and community forests and related natural resources, and the Council is legally required (16 U.S.C. 2105(g)(1)(A), as amended) to develop a new action plan every ten years and report annual accomplishments under that plan. The current plan (2016-2026) expires at the end of 2026, and the Forest Service is seeking a qualified organization or entity to coordinate the collaborative process needed to deliver the updated plan for 2027-2037.
Applications must be submitted through the dedicated application portal, which opens August 1, 2024, at https://nucfac-ten-year-action-plan-grant.urbanandcommunityforests.org. Proposals are due September 13, 2024. The project must be completed by January 30, 2026, which is the deadline tied to the Council`s statutory obligation to have an updated action plan in place. The funding level depends on availability of funds and may change, but the award is capped at 300,000. Selection is merit-based, and the opportunity anticipates a single award (Expected Awards: 1). The full RFP is posted at https://nucfac.org/forms/Final2020NUCFAC20RFP20617202420ADA20V05.pdf.
At its core, the funded work is not a tree-planting or direct service implementation grant. Instead, it is a planning, assessment, and national coordination effort: the awardee will coordinate, facilitate, and manage a comprehensive, collaborative process to develop the next National Urban and Community Forestry Ten-Year Action Plan (2027-2037), including publishing and rollout support. That means organizing and integrating input from NUCFAC and the Forest Service throughout the process, synthesizing evidence and stakeholder perspectives, drafting the plan and related materials, and iterating based on Council comments and recommendations until the final product is ready for release.
The RFP lays out several required content areas the proposal should be prepared to deliver through the project scope. First, the awardee must work closely with NUCFAC and Forest Service Urban and Community Forestry staff for ongoing input and guidance, which implies structured check-ins, draft reviews, and a clear process for incorporating feedback. Second, the awardee must assess the current 2016-2026 Action Plan by documenting accomplishments, identifying gaps, and recommending which items should carry forward into the 2027-2037 plan. Third, the work must include a national summary of the status of urban forest resources in the United States, explicitly covering both the biophysical condition of urban natural resources and the human dimension of urban forestry, such as community needs, stewardship capacity, workforce considerations, and equity-related factors affecting access to trees and benefits.
The RFP also requires a broad review of urban and community forestry programs and activities nationwide, including education and technical assistance. This review is expected to span the Department of Agriculture and other federal agencies, state forestry organizations, private industry, nonprofit organizations, community and civic groups, and Indian Nation and Indigenous communities, as well as other interested stakeholders. In addition, the awardee must facilitate and integrate public engagement recommendations aimed at improving the status of the nation`s urban and community forest resources, including potential modifications needed in existing programs and policies across relevant federal agencies. Practically, this points to a process that gathers stakeholder input in a structured way and turns it into actionable recommendations that can inform national priorities, program design, and interagency coordination.
A substantial component of the requested work is research-focused. The awardee must compile and review urban and community forestry research and related documents, including (a) a review of the past five years of research plus ongoing research on urban and community forests, arboricultural practices, urban forest management, work with disadvantaged communities, and the economic, social, and psychological benefits of trees and canopy in urban environments, with attention to work conducted by the Forest Service, other federal agencies, and associated land-grant colleges and universities. The plan must then include (b) recommendations for new and expanded research efforts aligned to the concerns and priorities identified in the Action Plan, and (c) a clear summary of research priorities along with an estimate of annual funding needed to implement that research agenda over the next ten years. Finally, the RFP calls for an estimate of the financial and technical resources required to implement the Action Plan and the broader Urban and Community Forestry Program over the succeeding ten fiscal years, which means the final plan is expected to be tied to realistic capacity and resource planning, not just aspirational goals.
Eligibility is broad and includes state, county, and city or township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; and 501(c)(3) nonprofits (other than institutions of higher education). Because the work centers on national coordination, synthesis, facilitation, and publication, competitive applicants will typically be those that can demonstrate strong project management, stakeholder engagement and facilitation capability, subject-matter expertise in urban and community forestry, and proven experience producing high-visibility national or multi-stakeholder plans and reports on schedule.
In summary, this RFP funds the end-to-end development of the next NUCFAC National Urban and Community Forestry Action Plan for 2027-2037, requiring an organized national process that evaluates the prior plan, assesses current conditions and emerging issues, reviews programs and research across sectors and governments, incorporates public engagement, and produces implementable recommendations backed by estimated resource needs, all delivered by January 30, 2026.Apply for USDA FS UCF 02 2024
- The Forest Service in the community development, environment, health, natural resources, other sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "National Urban and Community Forestry Action Plan 2027-2037 RFP" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.675.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2024-07-19.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-09-13. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the National Urban and Community Forestry Action Plan 2027-2037 RFP?
This is a U.S. Forest Service discretionary funding opportunity to support the development of the next congressionally mandated National Urban and Community Forestry Ten-Year Action Plan covering 2027-2037. The funded project is designed to help the National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council (NUCFAC) produce the updated plan through a coordinated national process.
What are the funding opportunity identifiers (FON and CFDA)?
Funding Opportunity Number: USDA FS UCF 02 2024. CFDA: 10.675.
How many awards are expected?
The opportunity anticipates a single award (Expected Awards: 1) made on a merit basis.
What is the maximum award amount?
The award is capped at $300,000. The funding level depends on the availability of funds and may change.
What type of award will be made?
The RFP intends to fund one cooperative agreement.
Is this a tree-planting or direct service implementation grant?
No. The funded work is a planning, assessment, and national coordination effort. The awardee will coordinate and manage the collaborative process to develop the 2027-2037 Ten-Year Action Plan, including drafting, synthesis, facilitation, revisions, and rollout support.
Who is NUCFAC and why is the Action Plan required?
NUCFAC was created by Congress to advise the Secretary of Agriculture on issues affecting the nation's urban and community forests and related natural resources. The Council is legally required to develop a new action plan every ten years and report annual accomplishments under that plan (16 U.S.C. 2105(g)(1)(A), as amended).
Why is a new plan needed now?
The current Action Plan covers 2016-2026 and expires at the end of 2026. This RFP supports creating the next plan for 2027-2037.
What is the overall purpose of the funded project?
The purpose is to coordinate, facilitate, and manage a comprehensive national process to deliver the updated National Urban and Community Forestry Ten-Year Action Plan (2027-2037), including integrating input from NUCFAC and the Forest Service, synthesizing evidence and stakeholder perspectives, drafting and revising materials, and supporting publication and rollout.
What is the application portal and when does it open?
Applications must be submitted through the dedicated application portal at https://nucfac-ten-year-action-plan-grant.urbanandcommunityforests.org. The portal opens August 1, 2024.
When are proposals due?
Proposals are due September 13, 2024.
What is the project completion deadline?
The project must be completed by January 30, 2026. This deadline is tied to the Council's statutory obligation to have an updated action plan in place.
Where can applicants find the full RFP?
The full RFP is posted at https://nucfac.org/forms/Final2020NUCFAC20RFP20617202420ADA20V05.pdf.
What major tasks or workstreams does the RFP require?
Based on the description provided, the scope includes coordinating the collaborative planning process; working closely with NUCFAC and Forest Service Urban and Community Forestry staff; assessing the current 2016-2026 plan; summarizing the national status of urban forest resources (biophysical and human dimensions); reviewing programs and activities across sectors; facilitating and integrating public engagement recommendations; compiling and reviewing recent and ongoing research; producing research recommendations and priorities with estimated annual funding; and estimating financial and technical resources needed to implement the Action Plan and broader program over the next ten fiscal years.
What does "work closely with NUCFAC and the Forest Service" mean in practice?
The RFP indicates the awardee must support ongoing input and guidance from NUCFAC and Forest Service Urban and Community Forestry staff. This implies structured coordination such as regular check-ins, draft reviews, and a clear process to incorporate comments and recommendations until the final plan is ready.
What is required regarding the current 2016-2026 Action Plan?
The project must include an assessment of the 2016-2026 plan that documents accomplishments, identifies gaps, and recommends which items should carry forward into the 2027-2037 plan.
What must the national status summary cover?
The RFP calls for a national summary of the status of urban forest resources in the United States covering both (1) the biophysical condition of urban natural resources and (2) the human dimension of urban forestry, including community needs, stewardship capacity, workforce considerations, and equity-related factors affecting access to trees and benefits.
What kinds of programs and activities must be reviewed?
The RFP requires a broad review of urban and community forestry programs and activities nationwide, including education and technical assistance, spanning USDA and other federal agencies, state forestry organizations, private industry, nonprofits, community and civic groups, Indian Nation and Indigenous communities, and other interested stakeholders.
What does the RFP require for public engagement?
The awardee must facilitate and integrate public engagement recommendations aimed at improving the status of the nation's urban and community forest resources, including potential modifications needed in existing programs and policies across relevant federal agencies.
What research-related work is required?
The awardee must compile and review urban and community forestry research and related documents, including a review of the past five years of research plus ongoing research. The topics explicitly include urban and community forests, arboricultural practices, urban forest management, work with disadvantaged communities, and the economic, social, and psychological benefits of trees and canopy in urban environments, including work conducted by the Forest Service, other federal agencies, and associated land-grant colleges and universities.
Does the plan need to include new research recommendations?
Yes. The plan must include recommendations for new and expanded research efforts aligned to the concerns and priorities identified in the Action Plan.
Are research priorities and budgets part of the deliverables?
Yes. The plan must include a clear summary of research priorities along with an estimate of annual funding needed to implement that research agenda over the next ten years.
Does the RFP require estimating resources to implement the Action Plan?
Yes. The RFP calls for an estimate of the financial and technical resources required to implement the Action Plan and the broader Urban and Community Forestry Program over the succeeding ten fiscal years.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility includes: state, county, and city or township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; and 501(c)(3) nonprofits (other than institutions of higher education).
What kinds of applicants are likely to be competitive for this award?
The RFP description emphasizes national coordination, synthesis, facilitation, and publication. Competitive applicants will typically demonstrate strong project management, stakeholder engagement and facilitation capability, subject-matter expertise in urban and community forestry, and proven experience producing high-visibility national or multi-stakeholder plans and reports on schedule.
What is the main deliverable by the end of the project?
The main deliverable is the completed National Urban and Community Forestry Ten-Year Action Plan for 2027-2037, produced through a collaborative process with NUCFAC and the Forest Service, and supported by assessments, reviews, recommendations, and resource estimates described in the RFP summary.
What timeframe does the new Action Plan cover?
The new plan covers the ten-year period 2027-2037.
What is the relationship between this project and annual NUCFAC reporting?
NUCFAC is required not only to develop a ten-year action plan, but also to report annual accomplishments under that plan. This grant focuses on producing the next ten-year plan (2027-2037), which serves as the foundation for future annual accomplishment reporting.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Community Development, Environment, Health, Natural Resources, Other
Next opportunity: FY24 Pathways to Removing Obstacles to Housing (PRO Housing)
Previous opportunity: Summer Research Education Experience Program (R25 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for USDA FS UCF 02 2024
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Inside Our Applicants Portal
Access Applicants Portal
- Grants Repository - Access current and historic funding opportunities with ease. Thousands of funding opportunities are published every week. We can help you sort through the database and find the eligible ones to apply for.
- Applicant Video Guides - The grant application process can be challenging to follow. We can help you with intuitive video guides to speed up the process and eliminate errors in submissions.
- Grant Proposal Wizard - We have developed a network of private funding organizations and investors across the United States. We can reach out and submit your proposal to these contacts to maximize your chances of getting the funding you need.
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Learn More
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "USDA FS UCF 02 2024", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.