Applicant Resources

All Programs

Grant Programs User Manual  
This manual includes important information about NBRC funding policies and requirements, specifics on each competitive grant program, and an appendix with applicable waivers, scoring criteria, and other resources necessary for completing a pre-application and application. 

2026 Grants Program Q&A
Covers questions received in program information sessions, pre-application office hours, and application office hours for all NBRC grant programs.

Project Interest Form 
The Project Interest Form is not the pre‑application. It simply alerts NBRC and your State Program Manager that you intend to apply, and it should accompany any request for early project feedback. Forest Economy and Timber for Transit applicants are asked to complete and send a Project Interest Form to the NBRC Forest Economy/T4T Program Manager, Marina Caceres (Bowie), the NBRC Program Manager in the State(s) where the proposed project will take place, and/or a Forest Economy Program Advisory Board member. These individuals will be happy to assist you as you develop your projects and applications. This form is not required, but recommended, for Catalyst applicants to send to their NBRC State Program Manager. 

Catalyst Program

2026 Catalyst Program Overview

Forest Economy Program (FEP)

2026 Forest Economy Program Overview

Advisory Board Member List 

Timber for Transit (T4T) Program

2026 Timber for Transit Program Overview

Advisory Board Member List 

Pre-applications are a required first step when applying for NBRC program funding.

Blank Pre-Applications 
This is a reference to support developing pre-applications only. Only pre-applications submitted through the GMS will be accepted. 

• Catalyst Program Blank Pre-Application

• Forest Economy Program Blank Pre-Application

• Timber for Transit Program Blank Pre-Application

2026 Grants Program Q&A
Covers questions received in program information sessions, pre-application office hours, and application office hours for all NBRC grant programs.

Register Your Organization in the Grants Management System (GMS)
Step-by-step directions for registering your organization, setting up an Authorized Representative User account, accessing the system, and updating passwords.  

Managing Your GMS Account and Contacts
Set up and make edits to the points of contact for your organization, assign system user permissions, and more.  

Creating and Submitting a Pre-Application 
This technical guide walks through creating and submitting an NBRC pre-application through the GMS. This resource should be utilized in combination with the Program User Manual; reference the pre-application section for substantive guidance related to the content of the pre-application.

Registration and Pre-Application Narrative Guidance
This resource includes links, resources, and guidance for successfully completing a pre-application narrative in the Grants Management System.

Determining Your Project Match Requirement
All NBRC pre-applications and applications require matching funds (funds contributed by the applicant and/or outside sources) for proposed projects. See the full list of counties and communities to check eligibility and project match determination.

Watch Recorded 2026 Program Info Sessions

Information sessions provide details to help interested applicants determine their readiness and eligibility, changes for the 2026 year, and details for completing and submitting the pre-application.

2026 Program Info Session Q&A

Watch: Fall 2026 Pre-Application Office Hours (July 31, 2026)

View PDF Slides:

• Fall 2026 Pre-Application Office Hours

• Timber for Transit Overview and Project Development Webinar

• Catalyst Program Information Session

• Forest Economy Program Information Session

• Timber for Transit Program Information Session

Watch the 2026 Program Overview 7-Part Series

This pre-recorded series reviews the focus areas for the Catalyst Program, Forest Economy Program, and the Timber for Transit Program along with eligibility details, timeline and other information necessary for selecting the program that is right for your project.  

View PDF Slides:

• Part 1: Grant Rounds, Timeline & Milestones, Next Steps and Contact Information

• Part 2: Eligibility, Waivers, and Match

• Part 2A: Determining Required Match

• Part 3: Funding Policies & Requirements

• Part 4: Local Development Districts

• Part 5: Catalyst Grant Program

• Part 6: Forest Economy Program

• Part 7: Timber for Transit Program

After submitting a pre-application, you must receive an invitation to apply in order to submit a full application through the Grants Management System.

Application Supporting Document Checklist 
Checklist for supporting documents that are needed to submit a complete application.

2026 Grants Program Q&A
Covers questions received in program information sessions, pre-application office hours, and application office hours for all NBRC grant programs.

Authorized Official Resolution 
The NBRC requires a formal approval from the applicant’s legal authority to allow an executive, called the "Authorized Official," to sign all NBRC investment documents on the applicant's behalf. Applicants must submit this approval in the form of an Authorized Official Resolution with the application.

NEPA Intake Form 
The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires that federal agencies consider the potential environmental impacts of their actions before implementation or spending funds on the proposed action. You must complete this initial NEPA Intake Form as part of your NBRC application to provide NBRC Staff with project information relevant to the NEPA process. Visit NBRC's NEPA page for more information.

SF-424cbw Budget with Instructions  
Grant Application Detailed Budget Worksheet. View a sample form.

Project Map Guidance
Use this guidance document when uploading maps in the GMS detailing "Investment Locations” where NBRC funded work will occur.

Form 1001 - Debarment Suspension Certification
This certifies that the applicant entity is not suspended, debarred, or ineligible from entering into contract with the NBRC.

Creating and Submitting an Application
For organizations invited to submit an application. Step-by-step technical manual for submitting an application in the GMS (to be used alongside the Program User Manual).  

Application Narrative Guidance 
Includes guidance for successfully completing the Overview, Locations, Budget, Proposal, and Forms and Files tabs of the application.  

Watch Recorded 2026 Application Support Sessions

View PDF Slides:

• NEPA Intake Form Information Sessions

• Spring 2026 Application Office Hours

• NBRC Grant Programs Application Session

3-Part Application Workshop Support Guide

The following topics are covered in this PDF guide:

• Budgets - Covers all budget related pre-application and application requirements, from calculating match to developing a budget narrative to completing the detailed SF424cbw budget, and more!  

• The Technical Proposal – Approach and Methodology, Economic Impacts, Project Readiness, Capacity and Qualifications - Covers guidance and best practices for each of the narrative questions in the application. We highlight what narrative information gets carried over from the pre-application. At completion, funded projects will be asked to report on the project’s success in meeting the goals and outcomes set at time of application. In this session, we cover how to set realistic yet competitive economic development goals. 

• Application Forms, Files and Checklists - Covers the required forms and files to be completed for application, and common mistakes to avoid. We’ll make sure you have the resources you need to check all the boxes.