Grants and Agreements Resource Center

Grants and Agreements are distinct from traditional contracting, which is a common avenue that the agency uses when purchasing products or services. 

We collaborate with organizations like yours in identifying opportunities for grants and/or agreements in a variety of program areas.

Our grants and agreements program is focused to increasing access, expanding opportunities, and fostering strong partnerships. 

Each partnership agreement has specific requirements, limitations, and opportunities.

We work with you to align proposed projects with permissible activities authorized by Congress and available funding.

Grants and agreements are forms of Federal Financial Assistance f that support work benefiting the public good.

Grants and agreements are legal instruments that formalize the assistance between government agencies and external partners.

Cooperative agreements include substantial involvement from Forest Service staff while a Grant does not.

A grant is one of many different forms of federal financial assistance. Federal financial assistance is a broad term to refer to the various ways the United States government redistributes resources to eligible recipients and entities.

The System for Award Management (SAM) is the official Government website for federal awards.

Partners must have an active, System for Award Management registration and Unique Entity ID (UEI).

Without an active System for Award Management registration, your entity cannot apply for or receive federal funds.

You can register, update, renew or check your registration status on SAM.gov. For more detailed information visit the SAM.gov website by clicking the Related Content link in the upper left corner.

Project needs can be identified by either the Forest Service, your organization, or through a collaborative effort.

If a project ready to go, it can be proposed as a potential collaborative at any time.

Once we decide to partner, we will work with you to develop a proposal and identify the best agreement options.

Mutual interest and mutual benefit are an important REQUIREMENT for grants and agreements.

Forest Service partnerships, can take place both on and off National Forest System land as long as mutual interest and mutual benefit exist.

Mutual interest and mutual benefit distinguish grants and agreements from contracts.

Once a project is selected, we will work with you to refine aspects of the project proposal.

We will work with you to ensure any partnership agreement complies with all mandated laws and Forest Service policies.

We will work with you to make revisions and finalize agreement contents for signature, award, and execution.

Financial and budgetary planning for agreements can be discussed at any time.

All Parties must agree on clear, objectives, timelines, roles, funding and outcomes to determine the right type of grant or agreement that best fits the project.

For those seeking grant funding opportunities, grants.gov is the go-to resource for searching and applying for grants.

Visit grants.gov for more details by clicking the Related Content link in the upper left corner.

All participating parties must sign the agreement, before the work can begin.

Throughout the life of the grant or agreement, partners are required to submit regular progress and financial reports to the Forest Service.  Invoices must be submitted to the Forest Service after each segment of work is completed.

Partnership agreements typically last up to five years, or up to ten years for Stewardship Agreements.

To close out an agreement, all final reports and invoices must be submitted and unused funds returned to the respective entities.