This notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) is the first in an anticipated series of Forest Landowner Support NOFOs funded by four IRA provisions (Public Law No: 117-169. Subtitle D, Sec. 23002(a) (1), (2), (3), and (4)). These provisions encompass cost share and payment incentives for forestry practices and support participation of underserved landowners and small-acreage landowners (owning less than 2,500 acres) in emerging private markets for climate mitigation or forest resilience. IRA Forest Landowner Support falls under the USDA Forest Service's existing Landscape Scale Restoration Program, as authorized under Section 13A of the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 2109a). This program advances the Biden-Harris Administration’s Justice40 Initiative. Established by Executive Order 14008 on Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad, the Justice40 Initiative has made it a goal that 40 percent of the overall benefits of certain federal investments, such as climate, clean energy, and other areas, flow to disadvantaged communities.

This NOFO solicits proposals for two IRA provisions: Subtitle D, Sec. 23002 (a)(2) and Subtitle D, Sec. 23002 (a)(3). These provisions provide the USDA Forest Service with funding to: 

• Support the participation of underserved forest landowners in emerging private markets for climate mitigation or forest resilience
• Support the participation of forest landowners who own less than 2,500 acres of forest land in emerging private markets for climate mitigation or forest resilience

Estimated Total Program Funding: $150,000,000
Award Ceiling: $50,000,000

Application Deadline: Varies by track; Track A proposals are due by October 21, 2023; Tracks B and C are considered on a rolling basis.