Grants and Agreements
What are the types of federal financial assistance the Forest Service awards?
Cooperative agreement: A legal instrument used to document assistance when substantial involvement is expected between the Forest Service and the recipient.
Grant: A legal instrument used to document assistance when substantial involvement is not expected between the Forest Service and the recipient.
You can find financial help from through Forest Service through grants and cooperative agreements, primarily through Research and Development and State and Private Forestry Units. Detailed information may be found though our Acquisition Management program.
Landscape Scale Restoration Grants
The purpose of the Landscape Scale Restoration (LSR) competitive grant program is to encourage collaborative, science-based restoration of priority forest landscapes, leverage public and private resources, and support priorities identified in State Forest Action Plans. The LSR request for applications comes out once per year.
What are grants?
Federal financial assistance comes under two categories:
- Cooperative agreements: a legal agreement used to document assistance when substantial involvement is expected between the Forest Service and the recipient.
- Grant: financial assistance that is used to carry out a specific project that will help the public but which does not require substantial involvement between the Forest Service and the recipient.
All federal grants and agreements must include:
- Federal cost principles
- Federal management standards
- Federal audit requirements
- USDA implementation regulations
These are defined by the Office of Management and Budget, Federal Acquisition Regulations and Code of Federal Regulations.
Grants are not:
- Individual loans
- Federal assistance
- Benefits
- Entitlements
How do I apply for a grant or agreement with the Forest Service?
- The fastest way is through Grants.gov, a centralized source to find and apply for federal grants.
- Read our Partnership Guide, which offers valuable information about working the Forest Service.
- Contact your local Forest Service regional office
- Create a private forest – The Forest Legacy Program gives grants to landowners.
Information gathered from the USDA Forest Service website. Click here for more information.