Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA FS 2023 UCF IRA 01
The 2023 Inflation Reduction Act for Urban and Community Forestry (UCF) funding opportunity is a competitive, multi-year grant and cooperative agreement program administered by the USDA Forest Service (CFDA 10.727). Authorized by the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (Public Law 117-169), Subtitle D, Section 23003(a), it supports urban and community forestry work under the Urban and Community Forestry Assistance program in Section 9(c) of the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 2105). In practical terms, the program is designed to fund tree planting and closely related urban forestry activities at meaningful scale, with a strong emphasis on projects that benefit underserved populations and places, especially communities with low tree canopy and documented environmental justice needs.
A central priority of the program is alignment with the Forest Service Justice40 commitments. UCF is a covered program under the agency's Justice40 Initiative (tied to Executive Order 13985), and proposals that can credibly demonstrate that at least 40 percent of the benefits of IRA investments will flow to disadvantaged communities receive priority consideration. The Forest Service points applicants to established community-based partnerships as a key way to deliver those benefits effectively, and applicants are expected to describe who they are working with, what those partners will do, and how results will be tracked in the specific locations identified as disadvantaged.
Awards are structured with a five-year period of performance. All work and all costs must be completed within five years of the award date, and the Forest Service states that agreements will not be extended beyond that five-year window. Even though the performance period is long, recipients are expected to begin implementation quickly and show measurable progress within the first 12 months, which means applicants should propose a realistic ramp-up plan (staffing, contracting, community engagement, planting seasons, maintenance schedules, and reporting) that demonstrates early momentum.
The opportunity is open to a broad range of applicants, including state, county, and local governments; special districts; independent school districts; public housing authorities; federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations; public and private institutions of higher education; and nonprofits both with and without 501(c)(3) status. The Forest Service anticipates a large number of awards (the posting references roughly 200 expected awards), and the listing includes an award ceiling up to $50,000,000, suggesting that both smaller community-scale proposals and much larger regional or statewide efforts may be competitive depending on the category and design.
Cost sharing is a major program feature. As a default rule, federal funds must be matched at least dollar-for-dollar with non-federal contributions, and that match can include cash match as well as allowable in-kind contributions (such as salaries and fringe for time spent on the project, indirect costs where applicable, donated materials or equipment, and volunteer labor). The match must come from non-federal sources, and cash match cannot be derived from another federal grant. The agency also notes it will monitor spending and match levels over the life of the award to ensure the match requirement is ultimately met by the end of the performance period, consistent with 2 CFR 200.306 and other applicable federal cost rules in 2 CFR 200.
At the same time, the program includes an important match waiver option. The Secretary may waive the non-federal cost-share requirement for projects that deliver 100 percent of the funding or program benefits to disadvantaged communities. Applicants requesting this waiver have to clearly define the scope of work in those communities and support the disadvantaged-community designation using recognized screening and mapping tools such as the White House Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool (CEJST), EPA EJScreen, EPA EnviroAtlas, Opportunity Zones, or other government-sponsored vulnerability tools relevant to the proposed work. The application must also commit to tracking work at the geographic level used to designate those disadvantaged communities. If a primary applicant receives a match waiver and then passes funds through to sub-awardees doing the work in disadvantaged communities, the waiver must be passed through as well.
The Forest Service also explicitly encourages pass-through (sub-award) models to reduce administrative burdens on smaller, capacity-constrained groups and to move money more efficiently into the communities with the greatest need. Entities that apply as pass-through organizations are expected to demonstrate they can run a competitive subaward process, and at least 80 percent of the total funding awarded to a pass-through entity must be competitively sub-awarded to community-based organizations or other partners serving disadvantaged communities. Depending on the project structure and the level of Forest Service involvement, these awards may be issued as grants or as cooperative agreements, with cooperative agreements implying substantial federal involvement during implementation.
From an application and compliance standpoint, applicants must have an active SAM.gov registration and keep it active throughout the life of the award (a government-wide requirement referenced at 2 CFR 25.200). The application is submitted electronically through the Urban and Community Forestry Online Grant Portal, with the opportunity also searchable on Grants.gov under Opportunity Number USDA-FS-2023-UCF-IRA-01. The deadline stated in the notice is 11:59 pm Eastern Time on June 1, 2023 (with SAM.gov listing information also showing an original closing date of June 2, 2023), so applicants needed to follow the specific NOFO and portal instructions for the controlling due date and time. For Grants.gov technical issues, applicants are directed to Grants.gov support rather than Forest Service staff. The Forest Service provided application assistance webinars and hosts supporting resources at https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/urban-forests/ucf.
The application package is built around a short, tightly formatted project narrative plus separate budget materials. The project narrative is limited to seven pages, single-spaced, 12-point font or larger, one-inch margins, and numbered pages. Within those seven pages, applicants must include: a clear project title used consistently across all materials; applicant and primary contact information; a project summary of fewer than 100 words (covering scope, location, partners, and expected accomplishments); an explanation of how the project aligns with the opportunity goals and relevant priorities (including Justice40, State Forest Action Plans, and the Ten-Year Urban and Community Forestry Action Plan 2016-2026); a detailed implementation strategy with methods, timeline, milestones, and measurable outcomes plus evaluation plans; a capability and capacity section describing the qualifications and roles of key staff; a partner description covering who is involved and what they contribute; and a communications plan that includes on-site signage acknowledging the funding source and inclusion of funding information in press or promotional materials. If requesting a match waiver, the narrative must also include the disadvantaged-community evidence and the specific tools used to justify that designation, along with a commitment to track work at the appropriate geographic level.
Budget materials are submitted as separate attachments and do not count toward the seven-page narrative limit. Applicants must include a detailed budget narrative that explains and justifies each cost, shows how totals were calculated, ties costs directly to project activities, and identifies any items requiring prior approval under federal cost principles. The budget narrative must also show match commitments and clearly distinguish sources and types of match (cash and in-kind), with the key point that match must be committed at the time of application submission. A budget template is referenced in the NOFO and portal resources. Because costs must conform to federal requirements, projects must be designed with 2 CFR 200 in mind from the start, including allowability, allocability, documentation for in-kind contributions, procurement expectations where applicable, and readiness to meet reporting and performance tracking expectations.
For applicant questions, the Forest Service directs NOFO-specific clarification requests (dates, page numbers, discrepancies, and similar procedural questions) to SM.FS.UCFIRA@usda.gov, and it makes clear that it will not provide feedback on eligibility determinations for a specific applicant or on the merits of a particular proposal concept through that inbox. Finally, the notice indicates the Forest Service may increase funding available in the round at its discretion if other funds are available and statutory requirements are met, and it also notes that any remaining funds are expected to be made available in consecutive rounds through 2029, reflecting the longer IRA funding horizon for urban and community forestry work.Apply for USDA FS 2023 UCF IRA 01
- The Department of Agriculture, Forest Service in the community development, disaster prevention and relief, environment, health, law, justice and legal services, natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "2023 Inflation Reduction Act for Urban and Community Forestry" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.727.
- This funding opportunity was created on Apr 12, 2023.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 02, 2023 Any remaining funds will be available for each consecutive round of funding until 2029..
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $50,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 200 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, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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FAQs: 2023 Inflation Reduction Act for Urban and Community Forestry (UCF) Funding Opportunity (USDA Forest Service)
What is this funding opportunity?
This is the 2023 Inflation Reduction Act for Urban and Community Forestry (UCF) funding opportunity, a competitive, multi-year grant and cooperative agreement program administered by the USDA Forest Service (CFDA 10.727). It funds tree planting and closely related urban forestry activities at meaningful scale, with a strong emphasis on benefits for underserved populations and places, especially communities with low tree canopy and documented environmental justice needs.
What is the legal authority for the program?
The opportunity is authorized by the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (Public Law 117-169), Subtitle D, Section 23003(a). It supports work under the Urban and Community Forestry Assistance program in Section 9(c) of the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 2105).
Who administers the program?
The USDA Forest Service administers the program.
Is this a grant, a cooperative agreement, or both?
Awards may be issued as grants or as cooperative agreements. The notice indicates that cooperative agreements imply substantial Forest Service involvement during implementation, and the choice can depend on project structure and the level of federal involvement.
How long is the period of performance?
The period of performance is five years. All work and all costs must be completed within five years of the award date, and the Forest Service states that agreements will not be extended beyond that five-year window.
How quickly do projects need to start?
Even with a five-year performance period, recipients are expected to begin implementation quickly and show measurable progress within the first 12 months. Applications should include a realistic ramp-up plan (for staffing, contracting, community engagement, planting seasons, maintenance schedules, and reporting) that demonstrates early momentum.
What kinds of activities does the program support?
In practical terms, the program is designed to fund tree planting and closely related urban forestry activities at meaningful scale, particularly where projects benefit underserved populations and places and address low tree canopy and environmental justice needs.
What is Justice40 and why does it matter for this opportunity?
The Forest Service describes UCF as a covered program under its Justice40 Initiative (tied to Executive Order 13985). Proposals that can credibly demonstrate that at least 40 percent of the benefits of IRA investments will flow to disadvantaged communities receive priority consideration.
How can applicants demonstrate Justice40 alignment?
Applicants are expected to describe community-based partnerships (who they are working with and what those partners will do) and explain how results will be tracked in specific locations identified as disadvantaged, supporting a credible claim that at least 40 percent of benefits will flow to disadvantaged communities.
Who is eligible to apply?
The opportunity is open to a broad range of applicants, including state, county, and local governments; special districts; independent school districts; public housing authorities; federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations; public and private institutions of higher education; and nonprofits both with and without 501(c)(3) status.
How many awards does the Forest Service expect to make?
The posting references roughly 200 expected awards.
What is the maximum award size?
The listing includes an award ceiling up to $50,000,000, suggesting that smaller community-scale proposals and larger regional or statewide efforts may be competitive depending on the category and design.
Is cost sharing (matching funds) required?
Yes. As a default rule, federal funds must be matched at least dollar-for-dollar with non-federal contributions.
What sources are allowed for the non-federal match?
The match must come from non-federal sources. Cash match cannot be derived from another federal grant.
Can in-kind contributions count as match?
Yes. Allowable in-kind contributions can be used as match, including items such as salaries and fringe for time spent on the project, indirect costs where applicable, donated materials or equipment, and volunteer labor, as long as they comply with applicable federal cost rules.
When does match need to be committed?
The budget narrative must show match commitments, and the key point in the notice is that match must be committed at the time of application submission.
Will the Forest Service monitor match over time?
Yes. The agency notes it will monitor spending and match levels over the life of the award to ensure the match requirement is ultimately met by the end of the performance period, consistent with 2 CFR 200.306 and other applicable federal cost rules in 2 CFR 200.
Is there a way to get the match requirement waived?
Yes. The Secretary may waive the non-federal cost-share requirement for projects that deliver 100 percent of the funding or program benefits to disadvantaged communities.
What do applicants need to include to request a match waiver?
Applicants requesting a waiver must clearly define the scope of work in disadvantaged communities and support the disadvantaged-community designation using recognized screening and mapping tools (for example: the White House Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool (CEJST), EPA EJScreen, EPA EnviroAtlas, Opportunity Zones, or other government-sponsored vulnerability tools relevant to the proposed work). The application must also commit to tracking work at the geographic level used to designate those disadvantaged communities.
If a pass-through applicant receives a match waiver, does the waiver apply to sub-awardees?
Yes. If a primary applicant receives a match waiver and then passes funds through to sub-awardees doing the work in disadvantaged communities, the waiver must be passed through as well.
Does the Forest Service encourage pass-through (sub-award) approaches?
Yes. The Forest Service explicitly encourages pass-through (sub-award) models to reduce administrative burdens on smaller, capacity-constrained groups and to move money more efficiently into the communities with the greatest need.
What is required of pass-through entities?
Pass-through entities are expected to demonstrate they can run a competitive subaward process. In addition, at least 80 percent of the total funding awarded to a pass-through entity must be competitively sub-awarded to community-based organizations or other partners serving disadvantaged communities.
Where is the opportunity posted and how do you apply?
The application is submitted electronically through the Urban and Community Forestry Online Grant Portal. The opportunity is also searchable on Grants.gov under Opportunity Number USDA-FS-2023-UCF-IRA-01.
Is SAM.gov registration required?
Yes. Applicants must have an active SAM.gov registration and keep it active throughout the life of the award, consistent with the government-wide requirement referenced at 2 CFR 25.200.
What was the application deadline?
The notice states a deadline of 11:59 pm Eastern Time on June 1, 2023, while SAM.gov listing information also shows an original closing date of June 2, 2023. Applicants were instructed to follow the specific NOFO and portal instructions for the controlling due date and time.
What should applicants do if they have technical issues with Grants.gov?
For Grants.gov technical issues, applicants are directed to Grants.gov support rather than Forest Service staff.
Where can applicants find webinars and supporting resources?
The Forest Service provided application assistance webinars and hosts supporting resources at https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/urban-forests/ucf.
What are the project narrative formatting requirements?
The project narrative is limited to seven pages, single-spaced, using 12-point font or larger, one-inch margins, and numbered pages.
What must be included in the project narrative?
Within the seven-page limit, applicants must include: (1) a clear project title used consistently across all materials; (2) applicant and primary contact information; (3) a project summary of fewer than 100 words covering scope, location, partners, and expected accomplishments; (4) an explanation of alignment with opportunity goals and priorities (including Justice40, State Forest Action Plans, and the Ten-Year Urban and Community Forestry Action Plan 2016-2026); (5) a detailed implementation strategy with methods, timeline, milestones, measurable outcomes, and evaluation plans; (6) a capability and capacity section describing qualifications and roles of key staff; (7) a partner description explaining who is involved and what they contribute; and (8) a communications plan that includes on-site signage acknowledging the funding source and inclusion of funding information in press or promotional materials.
What additional narrative content is required if requesting a match waiver?
If requesting a match waiver, the narrative must include evidence supporting the disadvantaged-community designation, identify the specific tools used to justify that designation, and include a commitment to track work at the appropriate geographic level.
Do budget attachments count toward the seven-page narrative limit?
No. Budget materials are submitted as separate attachments and do not count toward the seven-page narrative limit.
What is required in the budget narrative?
Applicants must include a detailed budget narrative that explains and justifies each cost, shows how totals were calculated, ties costs directly to project activities, and identifies any items requiring prior approval under federal cost principles. The budget narrative must also show match commitments and clearly distinguish sources and types of match (cash and in-kind).
Are there federal cost and compliance rules that apply?
Yes. Projects must be designed with 2 CFR 200 in mind, including allowability, allocability, documentation for in-kind contributions, procurement expectations where applicable, and readiness to meet reporting and performance tracking expectations.
What is expected regarding partnerships?
The Forest Service points applicants to established community-based partnerships as a key way to deliver benefits effectively. Applicants are expected to describe who they are working with, what those partners will do, and how results will be tracked in the specific locations identified as disadvantaged.
What communications and acknowledgement are required?
The project narrative must include a communications plan that includes on-site signage acknowledging the funding source and inclusion of funding information in press or promotional materials.
Where should procedural or NOFO clarification questions be sent?
The Forest Service directs NOFO-specific clarification requests (such as dates, page numbers, discrepancies, and similar procedural questions) to SM.FS.UCFIRA@usda.gov.
Will the Forest Service provide feedback on whether a specific applicant is eligible or whether a proposal concept is competitive?
No. The notice states the Forest Service will not provide feedback on eligibility determinations for a specific applicant or on the merits of a particular proposal concept through the clarification inbox.
Could the amount of funding available change?
Yes. The notice indicates the Forest Service may increase funding available in the round at its discretion if other funds are available and statutory requirements are met.
Will there be future rounds of this funding?
Yes. The notice states that any remaining funds are expected to be made available in consecutive rounds through 2029, reflecting the longer IRA funding horizon for urban and community forestry work.
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