Forest Health Protection Grants
Working with Us
We provide forest insect, disease and invasive plant survey and monitoring information, and technical and financial assistance to prevent, suppress and control outbreaks threatening forest resources.
Requesting Special Project Proposals
Requests for Special Project Proposals for Fiscal Year 2021 in the following four special program areas administered by Forest Health Protection within State and Private Forestry.
Please review Matching and Indirect Costs for FHP Special Project Grants Document for additional information on indirect costs and matching requirements.
Please note: contents of submitted proposals and reports might be subject to public disclosure.
For best results filling out the PDF forms, on either PC or Mac, please use Adobe Acrobat Reader DC.
Forest Health Monitoring Program, Evaluation Monitoring (EM)
Gypsy moth damage. Photo by: Bill McNee, Wisconsin Dept of Natural Resources, Bugwood.org
A component of the Forest Health Monitoring Program designed to determine the extent, severity, and causes of undesirable changes in forest health.
2021 EM Proposal Instructions and Guidelines (790 KB PDF)
2021 EM New Project Proposal Form (725 KB PDF)
2021 EM Progress Report Form (860 MB PDF)
2021 EM Final Report Form (740 KB PDF)
Special Technology Development Program (STDP)
Scenic Forest. Photo by: Dave Powell, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org
A program to apply research results by developing cutting edge technologies and field operation methods that improve the ability of field specialists to restore and protect America’s forests.
2021 STDP Proposal Instructions and Guidelines (1 MB PDF)
2021 STDP New Project Proposal Form (1 MB PDF)
2021 STDP Progress Report Form (830 KB PDF)
2021 STDP Final Report Form (740 KB PDF)
Forest Service Pesticide Impact Assessment Program (FS-PIAP)
Aerial application. Photo by: Steve Dewey, Utah State University, Bugwood.org
The Forest Service Pesticide Impact Assessment Program evaluates the benefits and impacts of pesticide use in forest environments.
2021 FS-PIAP Proposal Instructions and Guidelines (920 KB PDF)
2021 FS-PIAP New Project Proposal Form (1 MB PDF)
2021 FS-PIAP Progress Report Form (720 KB PDF)
2021 FS-PIAP Final Report Form (725 KB PDF)
FS-PIAP Proposals
2016 FS-PIAP Proposals (35 KB PDF)
2015 FS-PIAP Proposals (73 KB PDF)
2014 FS-PIAP Proposals (99 KB PDF)
Biological Control of Invasive Forest Pests (BCIFP)
Adult lesser knapweed flower weevil (Larinus minutus), a biological control agent of knapweeds. Photo by: L.L. Berry, Bugwood.org
A component of the Biological Control Program designed to develop methods and technologies that address the spread and impacts of invasive forest pests.
2021 BCIFP Proposal Instructions and Guidelines (890 KB PDF)
2021 BCIFP New Project Proposal Form (1 MB PDF)
2021 BCIFP Progress Report Form (790 KB PDF)
2021 BCIFP Final Report Form (780 KB PDF)
BCIP Proposals
PROPOSALS RECOMMENDED FOR FUNDING
| TITLE | INVESTIGATOR | AFFILIATION | FUND |
|---|---|---|---|
| The dispersal of eriophyid mites with implications to host specificity testing and field releases. Proposal |
Littlefield | Montana State University |
$26,521 |
| Combining large-scale ecological, genetic, and insect agent data to improve Leafy Spurge management through biocontrol. Proposal |
West & Gaskin | USDA-ARS Pest Management Research Unit |
$21,940 |
| Biological control of hoary cress: mass-rearing, release, and monitoring of the mite Aceria drabae Proposal |
Ode | Colorado State University |
$17,243 |
PROPOSALS RECOMMENDED FOR FUNDING
| TITLE | INVESTIGATOR | AFFILIATION | FUND |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garlic mustard biocontrol: developing a screening protocol to prevent accidental field release of a parasitoid. Proposal |
Katovich | University of Minnesota |
$13,563 |
| Establishment of field nurseries for the production of M. janthinus to support a regionally coordinated yellow toadflax biocontrol program. Proposal |
Bean | CO Dept Agriculture |
$34,020 |
PROPOSALS RECOMMENDED FOR FUNDING
| TITLE | INVESTIGATOR | AFFILIATION | FUND |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biological control and management of Ailanthus with Verticillium nonalfalfae: treatment efficacy, post-release monitoring, and non-target effects Proposal |
Rebbeck | USDA Forest Service, Northern Research Station |
$19,800 |
| Buffelgrass Biocontrol in the Sonoran Desert with Foliar Pathogen Phytotoxic Metabolites Proposal |
Masi | Biotechnology and Biological Control Agency, University of Naples |
$27,000 |
| Improving the production, distribution and post-release monitoring of Puccinia punctiformis, a naturalized rust fungus for the biological control of Canada thistle, in the West Proposal |
Bean | Colorado Department of Agriculture |
$15,120 |
| Biological control of Chinese tallow: Measuring changes in plant demography and local plant communities in Louisiana Proposal |
Diaz | Department of Entomology, Louisiana State University |
$25,200 |
| Righting the ship: Using newly BCIP-Developed host specificity assessment techniques to demonstrate the environmental safety of the Houndstongue Root Weevil with the goal to re-petition the Biocontrol Insect for release in the United States Proposal |
Schwarzländer | PSES Department, University of Idaho |
$34,000 |
| Technology Development for the Biological Control of Invasive Native and Non-Native Plants Proposal |
Grevstad | Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, Oregon State University |
$23,931 |
| Suitability of the gall forming mite Aceria genistae for redistribution as a biological control agent of Scotch broom (Cytisus scoparius) in the western USA: Is the enemy of my enemy a friend? Proposal |
Pratt | USDA/ARS, Exotic and Invasive Weeds Research Unit |
$33,298 |
2016 BCIP PROPOSALS SUMMARY (33 KB PDF)
| TITLE | INVESTIGATOR | AFFILIATION | FUND |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biological control of Russian knapweed: mass-rearing, release and monitoring the gall stem wasp Aulacidea acroptilonica Proposal | Progress Report |
Ode & Bean | Colorado State University |
$33,813 |
| Rearing and evaluating Rhinusa linariae and Mecinus janthinus, biological control agents of yellow toadflax Proposal | Progress Report |
Norton | Colorado State University |
$24,800 |
| Knotweed biological control program FY2016: Phenology and voltinism modelling, permits and release preparation Proposal |
Grevstad | Oregon State University |
$42,515 |
| Assessing population sizes, biocontrol potential and mass production of the root boring moth Agapeta zoegana for areawide implementation and monitoring of spotted knapweed biocontrol Proposal | Progress Report |
Schwarländer | University of Idaho | $34,000 |
| Developing an integrated management strategy for flowering rush (Butomus umbellatus) Proposal | Progress Report |
Rice | University of Montana |
$34,148 |
2015 BCIP PROPOSALS SUMMARY (41 KB PDF)
| TITLE | INVESTIGATOR | AFFILIATION | FUND |
|---|---|---|---|
| Final Pre-Release Investigations of the Knotweed Psyllid Proposal |
Grevstad | Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR |
$51,538 |
| Using an Aggregation Compound Formulation to Focus D. carinulata on Tamarix spp. Proposal |
Weaver | Department of Land Resources and Environmental Sciences, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT |
$71,700 |
| Pre- and Post-Release Assessments of M. heydenii and R. brondelii Candidate Classical Biological Control Agents for Toadflax Proposal |
Sing | USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Bozeman, MT |
$37,650 |
| Leveraging Commercial and Agro-forestry Expertise to Identify New Agents for Biocontrol of Albizia Proposal |
Puliafico | USDA Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station, Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry, Volcano, HI |
$54,000 |
2014 BCIP PROPOSALS SUMMARY (48 KB PDF)
| TITLE | INVESTIGATOR | AFFILIATION | FUND |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biological control of garlic mustard: Completion of host-specificity testing of Ceutorhynchus constrictus and C. scrobicollis following TAG petition review. Proposal |
Becker | University of Minnesota, Department of Agonomy and Plant Genetics |
$35,983 |
| Biological control and management of Ailanthus: post-release monitoring and efficacy of Verticillium wilt in Ohio. Proposal |
Rebbeck | USDA Forest Service, Northern Research Station, Delaware, OH |
$21,500 |
| Using an aggregation compound formulation to strategically focus Diorhabda carinulata (Desbrochers) on Tamarix spp.: Enhancing the impact of a defoliating herbivore and improv- ing the operational efficiency of monitoring establishment and population expansion. Proposal |
Weaver | Montana State University. Department of Land Resources and Environmental Sciences |
$64,700 |
| Host Specificity Testing of the Chondrilla crown moth, Oporopsamma wertheimsteini, for the Biological Control of Rush Skeleton- weed Proposal |
Littlefield | Montana State University. Department of Land Resources and Environmental Sciences |
$36,316 |
| A Biological Control Feasibility Study of the Invasive Weed Japanese Stiltgrass, Microstegium vimineum (Trin.) Camus. Proposal |
Hough-Goldstein | University of Delaware Department of Entomology & Wildlife Ecology |
$25,000 |
2013 BCIP PROPOSALS SUMMARY (146 KB PDF)
| TITLE | INVESTIGATOR | AFFILIATION | FUND |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rearing and Release of Swallow-wort Biocontrol Agents Proposal |
Casagrande | University of Rhode Island, Dept. of Plant Sciences and Entomology |
$92,068 |
| Initiating a new yellow toadflax (Linaria vulgaris) biocontrol program with the stem galling weevil Rhinusa pilosa Proposal |
Sing | RMRS/Montana State Univ., Dept. of Land Resources and Environmental Sciences |
$27,025 |
Russian Knapweed Biocontrol: Propagation, Establishment and Monitoring of Jaapiella ivannikovi, the Russian Knapweed Gall Midge |
Ode | Colorado State University, Dept. of Bioagricultural Sciences |
$39,542 |
| Genetic Markers for Post-release Monitoring of Knotweed Psyllid, Evaluation of Knotweed/Tree Seedling Competition, and Other Activities Supporting Biological Control of Japanese Knotweed Proposal |
VanDriesche | University of Massachusetts, Dept. of Entomology and Environmental Conservation |
$48,835 |
| Incorporating Photoperiod in the Prediction of Biocontrol Agent Phenology and Voltinism Proposal |
Grevstad | Oregon State University, Dept. of Botany and Plant Pathology |
$44,767 |
| Buffelgrass Biocontrol in the Sonoran Desert with Foliar Fungal Pathogens and Their Phytotoxic Metabolites Proposal |
Meyer/Geary | RMRS/Brigham Young University, Dept. of Plant Sciences |
$21,763 |
2012 BCIP PROPOSALS SUMMARY (140 KB PDF)
| TITLE | INVESTIGATOR | AFFILIATION | FUND |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biological control of garlic mustard: host specificity of a seed-feeding weevil, Ceutorhynchus constictus Proposal |
Becker | Dept. Agronomy and Plant Genetics Univ. of Minnesota St. Paul, MN |
$75,000 |
| Using Mogulones borraginis, a potential biocontrol agent for houndstongue, to develop host-specificity testing methods based on olfactory and visual host selection behavior Proposal |
Park | Univ. of Idaho |
$115,000 |
| Collecting, redistributing, monitoring populations and estimating impacts of the rush skeletonweed root moth, Bradyrrhoa gilveolella Proposal |
Littlefield | Dept. of Land Resources and Environmental Sciences |
$67,000 |
| Preliminary evaluation of Pyricularia grisea as a potential biocontrol for invasive bufflegrass in the Sonoran Desert of Arizona Proposal |
Meyer | U.S. Forest Service
RMRS |
$38,000 |
2011 BCIP PROPOSALS SUMMARY (148 KB PDF)
| TITLE | INVESTIGATOR | AFFILIATION | FUND |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Biological weed control in your backyard" - Creating an internet portal to synergize youth and community outreach programs in the intermountain and northern regions Proposal | Final Report |
King | Bear River Resource Conservation and Development |
$33,000 |
| Role of an Ambrosia beetle (Euwallacea validus) in Dissemination of the Fungus Verticillium albo-atrum, Causal Agent of Verticillium Wilt of Tree-of-Heaven (Ailanthus altissima) Proposal | Final Report |
Davis | Dept. of Plant Pathology Pennsylvania State Univ. University Park, PA 16802 |
$18,515 |
| “Chem Herding” - Develop environmentally friendly controlled release formulations of Diorhabda biocontrol agent aggregate for field use Proposal | Final Report |
Weaver | Dept. of Land Resources and Environmental Sciences |
$15,000 |
| Tamarisk leaf beetle species and impacts on southwestern Willow Flycatcher, Riparian Avifauna, Herpetofaune and Microclimate in the Verde River and Tonto River Watershed, AZ Proposal |
M. Johnson | USGS |
$36,841 |
| Evaluation of Euclesia spp. for Biocontrol of Miconia calvescens in Hawaii Proposal |
M.T. Johnson | USFS - Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry |
$63,000 |
| Release and evaluation of impact for the knotwee psyllid (Aphalara itadori) in the northeastern area (MA, VT, NH and NY) on Japanese knotweeds (Fallopia japonica, F. bohemica, and F. sachalinensis) Proposal |
VanDriesche | University of Massachusetts, Dept. of Entomology and Environmental Conservation |
$35,000 |
| Implementing EDDMaps to support Forest Service – FHP biological control programs for invasive plants in the US Proposal |
Bargeron | Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health, University of Georgia Tifton, Georgia |
$32,969 |
| Development of Innovative Outreach Tools and Materials on Invasive Plant Identification and Biologically Based Management Proposal |
Schwärzlander | PSES Department, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho |
$22,000 |
| Student Technology Transfer Intgernship Program for Biological Control of Invasive Plants Proposal |
Sterling | Department of Land Resources and Environmental Sciences, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana |
$28,500 |
2010 BCIP PROPOSALS SUMMARY (151 KB PDF)
| TITLE | INVESTIGATOR | AFFILIATION | FUND |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biological Control of Spotted Knapweed in the Southeastern U.S. Proposal | Final Report |
Kring | Dept. of Entomology University of Arkansas Fayetteville, AR | $75,000 |
| Final Pre-release Investigations of the Gorse Thrips as a Biocontrol Agent for Gorse (Ulex Europeans) in North America Proposal | Final Report |
Grevstad | Dept. of Botany and Plant Pathology Oregon State University Corvallis, OR |
$59,426 |
| Continuation of "Biological Control of the Non-native, Highly Invasive Tree-of-Heaven (Ailanthus altissima) Using an Indigenous Fungus Proposal | Final Report |
Davis | Dept. of Plant Pathology Pennsylvania State Univ. University Park, PA 16802 |
$61,523 |
| Biological Control of Garlic Mustard with the Crown-bearing Weevil, Centorhynchus scrobicollis: Developing and Implementing Strategies for Rearing and Mass Release Proposal |
Becker | Dept. Agronomy and Plant Genetics Univ. of Minnesota St. Paul, MN |
$73,059 |
| Developing a Delivery System for Annual Brome Biological Control Using the Seed Bank Pathogen Black Fingers of Death (Pyrenophora semeniperde) Final Report |
Meyer | USFS Rocky Mountain Research Station Shrub Sciences Lab Provo, UT 84606 |
$67,000 |
| Assessing the Potential for Mecinus janthinus to Improve the Efficacy and Increase the Implementation of yellow toadflax biological control Proposal | Final Report |
Sing | USFS Rocky Mountain Research Station Bozeman, MT |
$67,451 |
| Development of a New Biological Cotnrol Agent for Yellow Starthistle to Test Host Specificity of Weevil Proposal | Final Report |
Smith | ARS Western Regional Research Center Albany, CA |
$67,092 |
| Implementing EDDMaps to support Forest Service – FHP biological control programs for invasive plants in the US Proposal | Final Report |
Bargeron | Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health Univ. of Georgia Tifton, GA |
$33,852 |