TIMBER FOR TRANSIT

NBRC's Timber for Transit program advances the use of wood materials and composites through applied research and demonstration projects that showcase the suitability of such materials in transportation and transportation adjacent infrastructure, in alignment with state and community initiatives.

The purpose of this funding is to advance the use of wood-based materials and composites (advanced wood materials) through applied research and demonstration projects that showcase the suitability of such materials to transportation and transportation adjacent infrastructure.

Highly competitive projects will demonstrate and widely promote the utility of high value forest products (e.g. glued laminated timber, cross laminated timber, composite materials, etc.) in transportation infrastructure and planning for extreme weather readiness. Transportation infrastructure shall mean construction, alteration, or repair, for the purpose of transporting people and goods, including fixed installations and rights of way necessary for transporting from one point to another, including infrastructure that improves economic mobility for individuals, and may include roads, railways, airways, waterways, canals and terminals such as airports, railway stations, bus stations, parking, refueling depots, and seaports.

TIMBER FOR TRANSIT will support a broad range of feasibility and implementation projects including, but not limited to, state or regional inventory assessments of the suitability of wood components to address needed transportation infrastructure improvements and/or new construction; architectural and engineering designs, cost analyses, and permitting necessary for implementation of transportation infrastructure projects; transportation infrastructure projects which utilize commercialized wood products and advanced wood materials; design and construction of pilot and demonstration projects that showcase the capabilities and benefits of utilizing advanced wood materials in transportation infrastructure; and transportation-adjacent structures that utilize advanced wood materials. Basic research projects will not be considered. Preference will be given to applied research and demonstration projects with a strong connection to industry.

TIMBER FOR TRANSIT will give preference to proposals that:

  • Commit to utilizing domestically sourced timber
  • Demonstrate evidence of planning for extreme weather readiness, including but not limited to carbon capture, increased frequency and intensity of storm events, and sea level rise.
  • Utilize projects as a tool for university and industry education and training
  • Demonstrates alignment with state and community initiatives.
  • Include promotion/publication/marketing as part of their project deliverables
  • Support, benefit, or engage communities that are impacted by specific socio-economic indicators.

Timber for Transit Program Award History

View a summary of awards that have been made through the NBRC's Timber for Transit Program.

A pre-application is required to apply for Timber for Transit.  

For those considering applications in 2025, complete the PROJECT INTEREST FORM and contact NBRC TIMBER FOR TRANSIT Program Manager Marina Caceres (Bowie), mcaceres@nbrc.gov 603.724.5802

Location Eligibility Guidance:

By statute, the NBRC is required to annually assess the level of economic and demographic distress within its region (40 U.S.C, Subtitle V, §15702). Assessing distress is important as the resulting designations reflect whether the Commission can provide grants within a county as well as what level of match is required of Commission funded projects. For more details on the Annual Distress Criteria, county designations, and matching requirements, visit the NBRC’s Assessing Distress Criteria webpage. 

Eligible Applicant Guidance:

  • State government (Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and New York only)
  • Local governments (village, town, city and county)
  • Secondary and career technical centers
  • Other political subdivisions of States (regional planning commissions, authorities of the state)
  • Non-profit entities (see Program Manual for additional details)
  • Indian Tribes (federally recognized Indian tribes, see Program Manual for additional details)

For-profit entities, LLCs and other entities that are not a 501(c) are NOT eligible to apply for Timber for Transit Program funding. 
 


T4T PROGRAM TIMELINE 

TIMBER FOR TRANSIT PROJECT DEVELOPMENT GUIDE

 

NBRC Resources Page for Grants Management Information

Timber for Transit Program One Pager - Click to download a full-size PDF:

  
 

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