Redwood Research Grant Application Guidelines

Save the Redwoods League supports applied hypothesis-driven research on the biology and ecology of coast redwood and giant sequoia forests.

Two female scientists in the field
Outside the Point Reyes Field Station, Isabel Donovan and PhD student Rebecca Choi prepare core samples to be taken back to a UC Berkeley lab. Photo by Kathleen Ok-Soo Richards.

Call to Researchers — Apply for a Redwood Research Grant!

Accepting proposals to the 2025-2026 Redwood Research Grant Progam

Save the Redwoods League wants to welcome you to submit a pre-proposal to our 2025 Redwood Research Grants Program. We fund research that deepens our understanding of how to protect redwood forests in a changing environment. Proposals on all topics that advance conservation or restoration science for either coast redwood or giant sequoia forests are welcome, and we strongly encourage submissions for Indigenous-led projects. While we welcome submissions from all areas of coast redwood and giant sequoia research, we will giveS special consideration to research that can be applied to our work in the redwoods.

Redwood Research Grant Pre-proposals are due on October 10th, 2025. See Pre-proposal Instructions below for submission information. If your Pre-proposal is selected by our review committee for further consideration, a complete application with the full proposal (template will be provided) will be due on November 14th, 2025.

Please contact Laura Lalemand, Senior Scientist, at Science@SaveTheRedwoods.org to discuss how the proposed work may support the League’s conservation mission, as well as ask general questions about the Research Grant Program. Please note that past grant recipients must meet their prior grant obligations to be eligible for funding in the current grant cycle.

Pre-proposal Instructions

  • Please provide a two-page pre-proposal (excluding references) using the template provided here.
  • Create a single pdf of the pre-proposal followed by CVs for the Principle Investigators, and re-name the file as described in the template footnote.
  • Submit the Pre-proposal via email to our review committee at Science@SaveTheRedwoods.org by midnight PST on October 10th.
  • Please also include how these funds will be used as start up or catalyst funds and how they will help secure future funding and/or support for this work.

If your proposal is selected for further consideration, you will be notified by October 17th and invited to submit a complete grant application by November 14th.

RESEARCH GRANTS PROGRAM IMPORTANT DATES
Pre-proposals due October 10th, 2025
Invitations for full proposals October 17th, 2025
Complete application for invited proposals due November 14th, 2025
Grant award notifications sent End of December, 2025
Grant funding availability Early Spring, 2026

Application Eligibility

A female researcher wearing a red construction helmet collecting foliage in the redwoods
Yvette Ferreira collecting foliage samples in redwood forest. Photo by Laura Lalemand.

We only accept applications from nonprofit 501(c) organizations* that focus on research and education (this includes researchers from universities and public agencies) as described in 26 USC Section 170(b) (1) (A) [other than clauses (vii) and (viii)] AND from federally or state recognized Indigenous, Native, and Tribal nations and communities (on the condition that the research is solely for educational and/or charitable purposes).

  • Funding requests should be for $30,000 to $50,000 and matching funds are encouraged. 
  • The League does not fund indirect costs (these costs include but are not limited to overhead costs, administration fees, rent, insurance, etc.). 
  • The League will only fund reimbursement costs that are listed in the Grant Agreement Form; reimbursement costs include allowable costs and non-cancelable obligations incurred as a result of proposal performance. 
  • Past grant recipients must have submitted annual progress reports and a final report for all previous League grants in order to be eligible for funding in the current grant cycle. 
  • If your proposal is selected, it is a requirement to use the League’s Grant Agreement Form. Edits to the League Grant Agreement Form are not allowed; any questions regarding edits should be submitted in writing to the League before submitting a full proposal. 
  • All grant agreements must be processed and finalized by July of the following year. If grant agreements are not finalized by July, grant agreements and awards will be terminated. 

*Individuals may qualify for student redwood research grants under Save the Redwoods League’s BIPOC student starter grants program.