SFI REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS: U.S. CARBON STEWARDSHIP PAYMENT-FOR-PRACTICE

Download the complete RFP

About

SFI is pleased to offer a payment-for-practice funding program to advance carbon stewardship activities in the Lake States and Northwest US. Successful applicants will respond to the RFP with a plan for implementing climate-informed forest management practices that maintain or enhance forest carbon storage above and beyond business-as-usual management while balancing ecological function. Applicants should include management practices and approaches that address at least one of the following goals:  

1. prioritize identification and management of locations that provide high carbon value across the landscape,  
2. enhance forest recovery following disturbance,  
3. reduce the losses from natural disturbances including wildfire, or  
4. enhance or maintain sequestration capacity through forest alteration.    

Funding for this effort is provided by a USDA Forest Service Forest Landowner Support grant and aligns with the goals of the  SFI Climate Smart Forestry Initiative. 

Funding Details

Grants may range up to $300,000 USD per applicant, and the funds are intended to cover costs to implement carbon stewardship practices and approaches. Proposed practices and approaches should target a minimum of 300 acres, and all project activities must be completed by June 2029. A detailed narrative, methodology, monitoring plan, and site location of proposed practices is required. Please refer to Data Sharing RFP Supplement for more detail.

Eligibility

Applicants must represent a large forest landowner (>50,000 acres) actively engaged in managing or sustaining forests and any proposed stewardship practices must be implemented on forestland in one or both of the following US regions:Lake States (MI, MN, and WI) and Northwest (ID, OR, WA, MT, Northern CA). 

Application Process and Deadline

We will accept applications through our online submission process until close of business February 27, 2026. Successful applicants will be notified approximately 45 days after this deadline.