TREE Fund has awarded more than $5.4 million in grants and scholarships since 2002 to empower tree care professionals, their customers, and the communities in which they live and work. All 2024 active research grant programs are listed below. Before applying for any research grant, carefully read the guidelines provided in the “Read More” links below. Contact TREE Fund directly should you have questions or require additional information about these grant programs.
SPRING 2025 RESEARCH GRANT OPPORTUNITIES
Utility Arborist Research Fund Grant Program
Supports work with real importance and benefit to utility tree care professionals.
Award amount: up to $50,000 (minimum $10,000)
100-Word Letters of Inquiry (LOIs) accepted January 15 to March 1, 2025
For approved LOIs only, applications accepted January 15 to March 15, 2025
Read more
FALL 2025 RESEARCH GRANT OPPORTUNITIES
John Z. Duling Grant Program
Provides start up or seed funding to support innovative research and technology transfer projects.
Award amount: up to $25,000 (minimum $10,000)
100-Word Letters of Inquiry (LOIs) accepted August 1 to September 15, 2025
For approved LOIs only, applications accepted August 1 to October 1, 2025
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Jack Kimmel International Grant Program
Provides funding for arboriculture research by applicants working primarily outside of the United States.
Award amount: up to $10,000 (minimum $5,000)
100-Word Letters of Inquiry (LOIs) accepted August 1 to September 15, 2025
For approved LOIs only, applications accepted August 1 to October 1, 2025
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Bob Skiera Memorial Fund Building Bridges Initiative Grant Program
Supports projects which will help arborists and urban foresters communicate the value of trees and urban forests on a global basis through technology transfer and engagement with developers, builders, civil engineers, city planners, elected officials and other policymakers.
Award amount: up to $30,000 (minimum $10,000)
100-Word Letters of Inquiry (LOIs) accepted August 1 to September 15, 2025
For approved LOIs only, applications accepted August 1 to October 1, 2025
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Safe Arborist Techniques Fund Grant Program
Supports original research that creates a safer work environment for people working in the tree care industry and the general public they serve.
Award amount: up to $15,000 (minimum $5,000)
100-Word Letters of Inquiry (LOIs) accepted August 1 to September 15, 2025
For approved LOIs only, applications accepted August 1 to October 1, 2025
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Tree and Soil Research Fund Grant Program (Tentative for Fall 2025)
Supports projects with research of interest to the landscape architecture community with special focus in the area of trees and soils that support them.
Award amount: up to $10,000 (minimum $5,000)
100-Word Letters of Inquiry (LOIs) accepted August 1 to September 15, 2025
For approved LOIs only, applications accepted August 1 to October 1, 2025
Read more
SPRING 2026 RESEARCH GRANT OPPORTUNITIES
Barborinas Family Fund Grant Program
Supports work with study of the processes of the nursery industry with the focus on root system and above ground structures.
Award amount: up to $10,000 (minimum $5,000)
100-Word Letters of Inquiry (LOIs) accepted January 15 to March 1, 2026
For approved LOIs only, applications accepted January 15 to March 15, 2026
Read more
Grants Currently On Hold Until
Hyland R. Johns Grant Program
Supports research that directly affects the work of industry professionals.
Award amount: up to $25,000 (minimum $10,000)
Read more
Sponsored Grant Programs
Organizations or individuals may directly fund research projects that are administered by TREE Fund, which will charge a 7.5% service fee to be paid by the sponsor(s). These projects must be compatible with TREE Fund’s mission, must be designed and documented with rigorous scientific protocols, and must not serve to promote proprietary products or services. The sponsor(s) may request an open, competitive award process, or may direct their grant award to a specific, qualified researcher. Full funding (including the administrative fee) for sponsored grants must be provided to TREE Fund prior to solicitation of any proposals or award of any contracts. Should a Sponsored Grant become available for application in 2024, a specific grant description will be added to the list above. Researchers applying for sponsored grants, either through open call or direct non-competitive award, must adhere to the following financial policies:
- TREE Fund requires a match of least 10% cash or in-kind support from other sources; applicant should be prepared to identify such sources;
- TREE Fund caps institutional overhead costs in its grant awards at 10% of the total TREE Fund-funded amount of the project; unrecovered institutional overhead costs above this cap may be counted toward the required grant match.
Directed Grant Programs (Applications Not Accepted)
TREE Fund’s Board of Trustees may occasionally select a topic of interest and solicit proposals from specific researchers. The general terms and conditions of the Sponsored Grant Programs (above) will be applied to any Directed Grant Programs as well.