The TREE Fund is currently inviting applications for the John Z. Duling Grant Program, which provides start-up or seed funding to support innovative research and technology transfer projects with the potential to enhance the everyday work of arborists.
This grant supports exploratory research in its early stages, especially projects that involve untested but potentially transformative ideas. Eligible proposals may include the application of novel approaches to existing research questions or integration of new disciplinary or interdisciplinary perspectives.
Funding Overview
- Maximum Award: $15,000 per project
- Project Duration: 1 to 3 years
- Note: Each project may receive only one award from this program.
Eligible Budget Items
Funding may cover:
- Institutional compensation, stipends, and benefits
- Travel and transportation
- Equipment (e.g., vehicles, growth chambers)
- Materials and supplies (e.g., paper, ink)
- Contract labor (consultants, speakers, etc.)
- Institutional overhead (maximum 10%)
- Other miscellaneous expenses
Cost-Share Requirement: A minimum of 10% must be contributed through cash or in-kind support from other sources (unrecovered institutional overhead may count toward this match).
Ineligible Activities
TREE Fund will not fund:
- Grants to individuals
- Municipal tree surveys or assessments
- Tree planting programs
- Studies primarily focused on forestry, timber production, agroforestry, or natural area ecology/conservation
- Product testing for the benefit of manufacturers
Eligibility
- Principal Investigators (PIs), Co-PIs, and Student Assistants are eligible to apply.
Selection Criteria
Applications will be evaluated based on:
- Track record and expertise of the research team
(Early-career researchers are encouraged to include experienced co-investigators or advisors) - Potential impact on the arboricultural industry
- Scientific approach, including hypotheses and experimental design
- Quality of dissemination plan for both scientific and practitioner communities
Application Components
- Project Summary (Max 400 words)
Overview of the problem and its relevance to arboriculture, urban forestry, and related professions; along with the goals of the proposed research. - Measurable Outputs/Outcomes (Max 250 words)
List of expected outputs (e.g., publications, outreach materials) and up to five measurable outcomes that will impact urban forest design or management. - Background and Literature Review (Max 1,000 words)
Summary of current knowledge, past research, and relevant literature addressing the issue. - Project Work Plan (Max 1,500 words)
Detailed methodology, hypotheses, design, and analysis. Applicants must disclose any proprietary elements, or TREE Fund may claim royalties from future commercial outcomes. - Dissemination Plan (Max 300 words)
Outline of strategies to share results with both academic and practitioner audiences. TREE Fund supports wide, open dissemination of funded research while respecting journal publishing requirements. - Literature Cited
References should be cited in-text using the format “Author(s), year” (e.g., “Smith, 2014”) and listed alphabetically by first author’s last name following American citation standards.
This grant offers a unique opportunity to advance early-stage, high-impact research in arboriculture. Applicants are encouraged to submit innovative proposals that can lead to meaningful improvements in urban tree care and management.
For more information and to apply, please visit the TREE Fund’s official website.
