Call for Grant Applications -Bridging Narratives Grant Program
Application Deadline:
20 November 2024
About Organisation
The Tree Research and Education Endowment Fund (TREE Fund) is a leading nonprofit organization committed to advancing knowledge in arboriculture and urban forestry. Since its founding in 2002 through a merger between the International Society of Arboriculture Research Trust and the National Arborist Foundation, TREE Fund has been instrumental in supporting critical research that enhances the care and management of trees, especially in urban settings. Over the years, TREE Fund has awarded more than $5.4 million in grants to support innovative programs and initiatives that uncover and share valuable insights into tree biology, tree care practices, risk management, and community forestry. The organization envisions a future where science-backed strategies ensure healthy trees, safer communities, and sustainable environments. It serves as a bridge between science and practice, bringing together arborists, researchers, and city planners to foster collaborative solutions. TREE Fund operates with the belief that urban trees and forests are vital components of public infrastructure and community well-being. By supporting groundbreaking research, educational programs, and professional development, TREE Fund plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of urban forestry and the arboriculture profession.
About the Grant
The Bob Skiera Memorial Fund, in collaboration with TREE Fund, the Skiera Family, the Wisconsin Arborist Association, and the International Society of Arboriculture, supports the Building Bridges Initiative—a grant program designed to enhance collaboration between arborists and professionals in related fields. This initiative honors the legacy of Bob Skiera, a pioneer in urban forestry who championed inter-professional communication, and John White, a passionate arborist and community leader. The Building Bridges Initiative encourages research that improves understanding of urban forest benefits and promotes cooperation between urban foresters and professionals in public works, engineering, soil science, wildlife, and more.
The 2024 grant cycle prioritizes research that strengthens collaboration among urban forest managers, arborists, and other stakeholders to increase the utility and value of urban forests. Suggested research topics include policy and program development, ecosystem services, nature-based solutions, and quantitative or qualitative analysis of community benefits derived from urban forestry. The grant seeks to fund projects that promote long-term, practical outcomes for urban tree management. A total of $30,000 in funding is available annually, with $25,000 provided by the Skiera Memorial Fund and $5,000 by the John White Memorial Fund.
Who can Apply?
TREE Fund welcomes grant proposals from a diverse array of academic, scientific, and technical disciplines focused on arboriculture and urban forestry. Eligible applicants must represent organizations or institutions such as universities, nonprofits, or public agencies that can be contracted for the proposed research. The Principal Investigator and affiliated institution must be clearly identified in the proposal. While interdisciplinary and collaborative projects are encouraged, TREE Fund does not provide grants directly to individuals.
Projects should demonstrate meaningful engagement between arborists and allied professionals—such as civil engineers, urban planners, soil scientists, or wildlife experts—with the goal of enhancing the impact and visibility of urban forests. Both qualitative and quantitative research approaches are accepted, provided the project aligns with the objectives of the Building Bridges Initiative.
TREE Fund will not fund municipal tree surveys or assessments, tree planting efforts, product testing for commercial benefit, traditional forestry and timber-related studies, or research focused solely on natural forest ecosystems. The grant specifically targets research relevant to urban forestry and its application within built environments.
Applicants must also ensure that the research scope is relevant to TREE Fund’s mission and must demonstrate the potential for tangible outcomes that support improved communication and collaboration in the urban forestry field.
How to Apply?
To apply, send a Letter of Inquiry (LOI) via email between August 1 and September 15, 2025, to hhupke@treefund.org. The LOI should be under 100 words and include your project title, a brief concept, Principal Investigator and affiliated institution, and a note indicating your intent to apply for the Bob Skiera Grant Program. Selected applicants will be invited to submit full proposals.
Application Deadline
The application process begins with a Letter of Inquiry, which must be submitted between August 1, 2025, and September 15, 2025. Full applications are invited upon selection.
Last Date to Apply
The final date to submit your Letter of Inquiry for the 2024 Building Bridges Initiative Grant is September 15, 2025. Proposals received after this date will not be considered.
Grant Amount
The maximum funding available for each selected project under the Building Bridges Initiative is $30,000, with $25,000 from the Bob Skiera Memorial Fund and $5,000 from the John White Memorial Fund.
Last Date To Apply
For more information, please visit the grant website here.
