Jim and Annie Barborinas Fund
Forecasted
The Jim and Annie Barborinas Fund supports research on nursery and root science to improve urban tree production and planting, administered by the Tree Research and Education Endowment Fund.
Funder: Tree Research and Education Endowment Fund
Due Dates (Anticipated): March 2027 (Letter of Intent) | March 2027 (Full application)
Funding Amounts: Up to $10,000 per project (minimum $5,000); 1-year projects typical.
Summary: Supports research to improve nursery and root science methods for producing urban trees that are planting-ready with minimal post-transfer root correction.
Key Information: Requires at least 10% matching funds; institutional overhead capped at 10%.
Description
The Jim and Annie Barborinas Fund, managed by the Tree Research and Education Endowment Fund (TREE Fund), provides support for research aimed at advancing tree production, planting, and transplanting techniques, with a strong focus on root science relevant to urban environments. The fund encourages projects that develop nursery methods and root systems so that trees are ready for immediate planting without the need for root or stem manipulation after transfer. This includes research from the earliest stages (seedling, tissue culture, propagation) through to the final transfer to the landscape installation industry, and the evaluation of different root packaging methods. The overarching goal is to improve the long-term health and establishment of urban trees by addressing root development and transfer practices.
