LSR Program Purpose: Encourage collaborative, science-based restoration of priority rural forest landscapes, leverage public and private resources, and support priorities identified in State Forest Action Plans.

The instructions, project narrative fillable pdf, and budget spreadsheet template are attached to this email. These documents, FAQs, and other forms are available in the Grants.gov opportunity: USDA-FS-2025-LSR-Northeast-Midwest.

Eligible Applicants: State forestry agencies, nonprofit organizations, universities, local governments, and Tribes.

Note: There is a separate national funding opportunity for federally recognized Tribes: Grants.gov opportunity USDA-FS-2025-National-Tribal (proposals are due Dec. 16).

Webinar: The LSR webinar for applicants with projects in the Northeast and Midwest is Thursday, August 29, 2:00-3:30 p.m. Eastern (1:00-2:30 p.m. Central). This optional webinar will provide an overview of requirements and scoring criteria in the first 60 minutes, followed by 30 minutes for questions. Please register for this webinar in advance to place it on your calendar. The webinar recording will be posted in the Grants.gov opportunity when available. 

Submission Dates:

1.      September 27, 2024: Submit draft project narrative and budget spreadsheet to relevant State Forester(s) for sponsorship consideration.

2.      By 6 p.m. EST, November 15, 2024: Submit applications, including State Forester sponsor letter(s), in Grants.gov opportunity: USDA-FS-2025-LSR-Northeast-Midwest.