Grants
SIP Grants
The goal of the SIP grants program is to overcome challenges that currently limit the application of innovative silviculture across BC through knowledge creation and knowledge sharing. The grants program will support research and extension projects that align with SIP mission and values and priorities identified at the Knowledge Summit (March 2023).
We are currently accepting applications for two grants: Innovation in Action and Capacity Building. These grants will support learning from action, implementing initiatives and trials with multiple value objectives and data-driven learning opportunities. They will support practitioners to develop relationships, receive mentorship and training, and translate knowledge into action. Register for the information session webinar on September 24 from 12:00-1:30 PM (PST).
Innovation in Action
Status: Open (closes November 1 @ 11:59PM (PST), 2024)
Innovation in Action Grants support operational research and/or implementation of small innovative silviculture projects. It is designed to support shovel-ready projects that need extra support to enhance learnings surrounding innovative silviculture.
Details of the grant:
- Applicants may request between $10,000 – $50,000 CAD.
- Two year grant (activities occurring between 2025 and 2027)
- Projects must deliver tangible outcomes that increase knowledge and extension of innovative silviculture in BC.
- Projects are expected to align with at least one of the Priority Themes or Open Themes and consider how project outcomes or processes will be extended.
- Read Grant Guidance for further details (below).
APPLY HERE
About the Grant
The Innovation in Action grant stream aims to meet the need for resources to carry out additional activities applicants may not otherwise have time or resources to complete, but that are critical to knowledge creation and knowledge sharing on innovative silviculture.
Preference will be given to projects that are “shovel ready” where all permissions and permits are in place. Project support can include planning, data collection, reporting and extension. In addition, we will accept some projects that are at a conceptual level but may require further time and effort to develop the details of the prescription or implementation plan, if the concept aligns with SIP mission and values and priority themes. Projects that are at the concept level will still be expected to demonstrate existing collaborations or partnerships.
Importantly, we note that this fund cannot be used to cover basic activities included in the stumpage system (such as layout, roads, logging and reforestation), as it is intended to support additional activities critical to knowledge creation and knowledge sharing on innovative silviculture. This could include prescription planning, research and monitoring design, equipment needs, data collection of data on multiple values beyond what is required for cutting permit issuance, developing knowledge sharing products, and extension of results.
Eligibility:
- This stream is an open call for proposals, with preference for projects that are led or co-led by First Nations. Non-First Nations organizations can apply but are encouraged to demonstrate First Nations support, such as project team members, letter(s) of support, or other demonstrable forms of support.
- Eligible applicants include all First Nations (bands, Treaty First Nations, and Indigenous National Governments with authority for lands and resources), non-profits whose mandate includes work on forests, forest management or sustainable forestry activities (registered charities, incorporated societies, community foundations), consultancies, community forest agreement holders, woodlots licensees, research forests, major licensees, and researchers from academic institutions and/or non-profits.
- The lead applicant must be located in B.C.
Priority Themes
Innovation in Action projects are expected to align with at least one of the Priority Themes or Open Themes. Projects may also address the intersection between and across the themes described below.
Download the Guidance Documents:
Grant Guidance (includes details on eligible applicants, eligible activities and expenditures, as well as other important grant expectations)
Summary of Application Questions (For Reference, please submit answers through application portal)
Capacity Building
Status: Open (closes November 1 @ 11:59PM (PST), 2024)
The Capacity Building grants are focused on addressing individual knowledge gaps (e.g. training, workshops, schooling) and/or development of relationships and capacity needed to identify gap or needs for larger projects.
Details of the grant:
- There is no minimum request.
- The maximum request is $15,000.
- Leveraging existing funds and in-kind support is not required.
- This is a 1-year grant beginning in the winter of 2025 and all final reporting due by December 31, 2026.
- Read Grant Guidance for further details (below).
APPLY HERE
About the Grant
Individuals may apply to improve skills, education and/or build collaborative relationships with the goal of advancing innovative silviculture in BC. This responds directly to the need for improved mentorship, education, and increasing available and relevant training opportunities.
Groups may also apply to build collaborative relationships with local rights holders, stakeholders, or other interested parties to explore opportunities for collaboration on a larger project. The grant would support relationship building and/or collaborative proposal building.
The outcomes of Capacity Building grants will be flexible and focus on supporting, the sometimes under-valued, intangible results, such as skill development, knowledge gained, training, mentorship, and relationships built.
The SIP is committed to fostering a community that is diverse, equitable and inclusive. To reflect this commitment to equity, preference will be given to individuals that self-identify as a member of a marginalized group(s) , described here as women and gender minorities, racialized minorities, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities and members of LGBTQ2+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, Two-Spirit, plus) communities.
Eligible Individuals:
- Individuals in a current role that contributes to forest management, OR,
- Individuals with a commitment to pursue work that will help support innovative forestry practices in BC.
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Applicants may be at any career stage, including students or unemployed.
Eligible Groups:
- Organizations that are seeking support to build collaborative relationships with local rights holders, stakeholders, or other interested parties
- First Nations (bands, Treaty First Nations, and Indigenous National Governments with authority for lands and resources), non-profits (registered charities, incorporated societies), community forest agreement holders, woodlots licensees, research forests, researchers from academic institutions or non-profit.
Download the Guidance Documents:
Grant Guidance (includes details on eligible applicants, eligible activities and expenditures, as well as other important grant expectations)
Summary of Application Questions (For Reference, please submit answers through application portal)
Frequently Asked Questions
This grant is dedicated to improving knowledge of innovative silviculture in BC. In principle, “innovative silviculture” includes systems for harvesting, growing and tending forests where the primary objective is to achieve holistic stewardship of the land. Innovative silviculture systems are driven by an appreciation of ecological, social, cultural, and economic values of forests, where stewardship is focused on maintaining dynamic ecosystem processes and functions.
In practice, innovative silviculture (or sometimes called “alternative silviculture” or “ecological forestry”) could include, but is not limited to: partial harvest systems, thinning, prescribed and cultural fire, intensive silviculture for achieving multiple values, climate adaptation planning and application, and managing for multiple values.
If you are unsure if your project qualifies for Silviculture Innovation Program funding, then contact the Program Manager at sip.manager@bvcentre.ca.
Strong applications will present a collaborative project proposal that aligns with SIP mission and values, and one or more of the priority themes or open themes, with a preference for projects that are First Nations led or co-led. Applicants should make it clear how their project will contribute to the growth of innovative silviculture by improving knowledge of these systems in BC.
Successful applicants will have thoughtful consideration for the 5 Project Elements, as described in the Innovation in Action Grant Guide (available under “Important Downloadable Resources”).
Applicants are eligible to submit one application to each of the grant types. Successful grantees will still be able to apply for grants in subsequent years.
No, the Innovation In Action grant cannot be used to cover basic activities included in the stumpage system (such as layout, roads, logging and reforestation). It is intended to target additional activities applicants may not otherwise have time or resources to complete, but that are critical to knowledge creation and knowledge sharing on innovative silviculture. This could include prescription planning, research and monitoring design, equipment needs, data collection of data on multiple values beyond what is required for cutting permit issuance, developing knowledge sharing products, and extension of results.
If you require resources to initiate and build collaborative relationships with rights holders, interested stakeholders, industry partners or government, and these relationships do not already exist, then you can apply for the Building Capacity stream.
One of the values of the SIP grant program is to advance diversity, equity and inclusion in the forestry knowledge space. As a result we have focused grant calls on First Nations led or co-led projects and supporting individuals that identify as members of marginalized groups through capacity building within a proposal meritorious framework. If you have concerns about accessibility of the grants, we will work with applicants to address barriers and improve access to support equity, diversity and inclusion.
We recognize the need for future grants to support other large interdisciplinary projects, and we are actively looking ahead to support future grant opportunities.