[Chesapeake Bay Foundation](https://www.cbf.org)

January 23, 2026 (Proposal submission deadline, 4:00 PM ET)

Up to $100,000 total; project period through June 1, 2030

Supports research comparing two- vs. five-year maintenance regimes for urban tree survival in Maryland's Urban Trees initiative.

Both nonprofit and for-profit organizations are eligible; late proposals will not be accepted.

--- ## Description This opportunity supports research to evaluate the survival and health of urban trees in Maryland under two different maintenance regimes: maintenance through two years post-planting versus five years post-planting. The goal is to generate data that will inform cost-effective best practices for the Urban Trees component of the Five Million Trees for Maryland initiative. Findings will directly support efforts to green urban communities, improve air quality, reduce heat island effects, and mitigate climate change impacts. Researchers will compare a control group of trees receiving only two years of standard maintenance with an experimental group receiving an additional three years of maintenance (five years total). The project will quantify tree survival rates, health, and cost-effectiveness under both regimes, providing critical guidance for future urban forestry investments. --- ## Due Dates - January 23, 2026: Proposal submission deadline (by 4:00 PM ET) - Information Session: January 8, 2026, 12:00–1:00 PM ET ([register here](https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/c84NkSuuQHOQSLlYj3SJEg)) Late applications or deadline extensions are not permitted; proposals must be submitted via the online system before the deadline. --- ## Funding Amount - Up to $100,000 total funding available. - Project work begins by February 2026 and must be completed by June 1, 2030. - Proposals may request less than the full amount. - Firm, fixed-price deliverables-based contract; payment tied to deliverables. --- ## Eligibility - Open to both not-for-profit (academic institutions, nonprofits) and for-profit entities. - Disadvantaged, Minority, and Small Business Enterprises are encouraged to apply. - Applicants must not be debarred, suspended, or excluded on [sam.gov](https://www.sam.gov/). - Independence between the research team and the design/construction/maintenance of the trees studied is preferred for higher proposal ranking. --- ## Application Process - Download and review the full [Request for Proposals (RFP)](https://cbtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/Urban-Tree-Maintenance-Science-RFP_Final.pdf). - Proposals must be submitted through the [Chesapeake Bay Trust Online Application System](https://us.grantrequest.com/application.aspx?sid=1520&fid=35936). - Required application materials: - Project narrative (max 10 pages) covering introduction, hypothesis, methods, deliverables, team qualifications, and conflict of interest. - Project budget using the Chesapeake Bay Trust’s Financial Management Spreadsheet ([download here](https://cbtrust.org/forms-policies/)). - Additional supporting materials (e.g., resumes, letters of commitment) may be included. - Signed and dated IRS Form W-9. - File size limit for the application is 1 GB. - Proposals are irrevocable for 90 days after the deadline. --- ## Additional Information - The research will involve field data collection on subsets of trees planted in fall 2023, with both control and experimental groups identified by the Trust. - Deliverables include a final report, management/policy summary, and data submission; publication and conference presentations are encouraged. - The Trust may request ancillary services or modifications to the scope during the contract. - Professional liability insurance is required for the contract term. - For methodological guidance, see the RFP for specifics on experimental design, data collection, and analysis expectations. --- ## External Links - [Chesapeake Bay Foundation – Funder Home](https://www.cbf.org) - [Bidder Opportunities Page](https://cbtrust.org/grants/bidder-opportunities/) - [Full RFP (PDF)](https://cbtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/Urban-Tree-Maintenance-Science-RFP_Final.pdf) - [Online Application System](https://us.grantrequest.com/application.aspx?sid=1520&fid=35936) - [Urban Trees Grant Program Overview](https://cbtrust.org/grants/urban-trees-2/) - [Information Session Registration (Jan 8, 2026)](https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/c84NkSuuQHOQSLlYj3SJEg) --- ## Contact Information | Name | Email | Phone | Address | |--------------------------|-----------------------------------------|--------------------|-------------------------------------------------------| | Lianna Gomori-Ruben (Contract Officer) | [lgomori-ruben@cbtrust.org](mailto:lgomori-ruben@cbtrust.org) | 410-974-2941 x112 | Chesapeake Bay Trust, 108 Severn Avenue, Annapolis, MD 21403 | | Chesapeake Bay Foundation | [Contact Form](https://www.cbf.org/about-cbf/contact-us.html) | 888-728-3229 | Philip Merrill Environmental Center, 6 Herndon Avenue, Annapolis, MD 21403 | ---

Urban Tree Maintenance Research

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