[Tree Research and Education Endowment Fund](https://treefund.org)

September 15, 2026 (Letter of Intent) | October 1, 2026 (Full Application)

Up to $15,000 for 1–3 year projects; one award per project.

Provides seed funding for innovative, early-stage research in arboriculture, with a 2026 focus on propagation, plant selection, and new practices.

Requires 10% match (cash or in-kind); institutional overhead capped at 10%.

--- ## Description This program supports start-up or seed funding for exploratory and innovative research projects in arboriculture and urban forestry. The grant is designed for early-stage, untested ideas that have the potential to transform the daily work of arborists. In 2026, priority topics include propagation, plant selection, development of new varieties, planting and establishment, and advancements in arboriculture theory and practice. Projects may use qualitative or quantitative methods, and interdisciplinary proposals are encouraged. --- ## Due Dates - Letter of Intent (LOI) deadline: September 15, 2026 - Full application deadline (by invitation): October 1, 2026 --- ## Funding Amount - Maximum award: $15,000 per project - Project duration: 1 to 3 years - Only one award per project; no renewals --- ## Eligibility - Open to research teams from a wide range of academic and technical disciplines. - Proposals must be submitted by an eligible institution (not individuals). - Not eligible: current TREE Fund trustees or their family members. - TREE Fund does **not** fund: - Grants to individuals - Municipal tree surveys/assessments - Tree planting programs - Studies primarily focused on forestry, timber, agroforestry, or conservation of natural areas - Product testing mainly for the benefit of the manufacturer --- ## Application Process 1. **Letter of Intent (LOI):** - Submit via the [TREE Fund online portal](https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=treefund) by September 15, 2026. - LOI must identify the Principal Investigator and institution. - Only approved LOIs will be invited to submit a full application. 2. **Full Application:** - By invitation only, due October 1, 2026. - Application requirements include: - Project summary and goals - Measurable outputs and outcomes - Review of current knowledge and past research - Detailed work plan (hypotheses, design, methods) - Dissemination plan for both academic and practitioner audiences - Budget (with minimum 10% matching funds, max 10% overhead) - CVs for PI and co-investigators (up to four) - All applications must adhere to strict word limits. 3. **Review and Award:** - Applications are screened for eligibility and completeness. - Competitive review by TREE Fund’s Research and Education Committee. - Awards announced in December 2026. --- ## Additional Information - Minimum 10% of project cost must be provided as matching support (cash or in-kind). - Institutional overhead limited to 10%. - Projects must result in outputs that are freely and widely available; publication in peer-reviewed journals is encouraged. - Recipients must acknowledge TREE Fund support in all publications and presentations. - Funds are typically disbursed in three payments: after agreement signing, after interim report, and after final report approval. --- ## External Links - [Program Details and Application Portal](https://treefund.org/researchgrants/duling) - [Application Requirements](https://treefund.org/application-requirements) - [TREE Fund Research Grants Overview](https://treefund.org/researchgrants) - [Instructional Video](https://youtu.be/aHc3ECHgM-4?si=39DDmEDEm-j12pTG) - [Contact TREE Fund](https://treefund.org/contact) --- ## Contact Information | Contact | Details | |------------------------|-----------------------------------------| | Phone | (630) 369-8300 | | Online Contact Form | [Contact TREE Fund](https://treefund.org/contact) | | Application Portal | [Grant Application Portal](https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=treefund) | ---

John Z. Duling Grant Program

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