Deadline: 13-Jul-2026
The Collaborative Capacity Program for Forests & Communities 2026 provides $20,000–$50,000 grants to support collaborative planning and decision-making for managing U.S. National Forests and Grasslands. The program funds multi-stakeholder partnerships focused on wildfire resilience, restoration, and sustainable land use.
Eligible applicants include Tribal governments, nonprofits, local governments, and academic institutions, with a required 20% match and a 12-month project period.
What is the Collaborative Capacity Program?
The program supports collaboration-driven natural resource management across lands managed by the United States Forest Service.
Its goal is to:
- Strengthen partnerships among stakeholders
- Improve shared decision-making
- Support sustainable stewardship of forests and grasslands
- Build long-term collaborative capacity
Funding Details
Grant Amount
- $20,000 to $50,000 per project
Number of Awards
- Approximately 10–15 grants
Project Duration
- 12 months (October 2026 – October 2027)
Matching Requirement
- 20% non-federal match (cash or in-kind)
What Activities Are Funded?
Funding supports collaboration-based activities, not direct infrastructure or implementation.
Eligible Activities Include:
- Coordination and facilitation
- Stakeholder meetings and convenings
- Travel for collaboration activities
- Community outreach and engagement
- Strategic planning and governance development
- Monitoring and evaluation plans
- Writing and communications support
- Participation stipends
- Development of restoration project plans
Key Focus Areas
1. Wildfire Resilience
- Community preparedness
- Landscape-level planning
2. Land & Watershed Restoration
- Ecosystem restoration strategies
- Sustainable land management
3. Forest Health & Rural Economies
- Supporting economic wellbeing
- Sustainable forest use
4. Recreation & Public Access
- Improving access to public lands
- Sustainable recreation planning
5. Tribal Co-Stewardship
- Indigenous leadership and governance
- Inclusive land management approaches
6. Collaborative Governance
- Multi-stakeholder partnerships
- Consensus-building processes
Why This Program Matters
Forest and land management requires cooperation across sectors.
This program helps:
- Align diverse stakeholder interests
- Improve long-term land stewardship
- Support community-driven solutions
- Strengthen resilience to climate and environmental challenges
Who is Eligible?
Applicants must be based in the United States and include:
- Federally recognized Tribal governments
- Tribal organizations
- Nonprofit organizations
- Local government entities
- Colleges and universities
Additional Option
- Ineligible groups may apply through a fiscal sponsor
Geographic Scope
- Open across the United States
- Projects must benefit National Forest System lands
Application Timeline
Community Partner Applicants
- Deadline: 4 May 2026
Tribal Applicants
- Deadline: 13 July 2026
Project Start
- October 2026
How to Apply
Step-by-Step Process
- Complete Eligibility Quiz
- Required before application submission
- Build a Collaborative Team
- Engage multiple stakeholders
- Define Project Scope
- Focus on collaboration and planning
- Prepare Proposal
- Include activities, timeline, and budget
- Submit Online Application
- Through official platform before deadline
Selection Criteria
Applications are evaluated based on:
- Benefits to forest lands and communities
- Strength of collaboration and partnerships
- Feasibility and clarity of plan
- Alignment with program goals
- Budget reasonableness
- Potential for measurable progress
Tips for a Strong Proposal
- Demonstrate strong multi-stakeholder collaboration
- Clearly link activities to forest management outcomes
- Show realistic and achievable plans
- Include diverse community voices
- Highlight long-term impact and sustainability
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Proposing implementation instead of collaboration
- Weak stakeholder engagement
- Lack of clear outcomes
- Ignoring match requirement
- Overly complex or unrealistic plans
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the funding range?
$20,000 to $50,000 per project.
2. Who manages the lands involved?
The United States Forest Service.
3. Is a funding match required?
Yes, a 20% non-federal match is mandatory.
4. Can individuals apply?
No, only eligible organizations can apply.
5. What types of activities are funded?
Collaboration, planning, and stakeholder engagement activities.
6. Can projects be located anywhere?
Yes, as long as they benefit National Forest System lands.
7. What is the project duration?
12 months (October 2026 to October 2027).
Conclusion
The Collaborative Capacity Program 2026 is a strategic opportunity to strengthen partnerships and improve forest management through collaborative approaches.
By funding coordination, planning, and stakeholder engagement, the program helps build sustainable solutions that benefit both ecosystems and communities across the United States.
For more information, visit National Forest Foundation.