Timber in Construction Innovation Fund
Find out about the Woods into Management – Timber in Construction Innovation Fund and how you can compete for funding to help increase and facilitate the use of home-grown English wood and wood fibre in construction.
Applies to England
The fund is currently closed for applications.
Overview
The Timber in Construction (TiC) Innovation Fund has been designed to increase the volume of carbon stored in the built environment. By using more timber in construction, carbon dioxide can be removed from the atmosphere, storing it in products with a long service life. The TiC Innovation Fund supports the development of innovative timber products, supply chains and ways of working with wood. When sourced responsibly, timber can be considered a truly sustainable material, and the 25 Year Environment Plan, England Trees Action Plan and Net Zero Strategy commits us to work closely with others to increase the use of timber in construction. More widespread use of wood-based products has the potential to significantly reduce the carbon footprint of construction, whilst locking away carbon long term and driving investment into tree planting and establishment. Increasing the use of English hardwood timber can help owners improve the ecological condition of their woodland, address tree health problems and increase resilience to climate change.
The UK imports 80% of the timber it consumes and is the second largest importer of timber in the world. The vast majority of these products are softwood based. British grown softwood products are already widely used in construction, but there is scope to further increase demand and use of this resource by replacing imported products such as plywood and/or providing the base material for new construction systems such as off-site construction. Only a small proportion of our hardwood resource is suitable for use in conventional sawn timber products but could potentially be used in composite products. British hardwood could be mixed with softwood in some product ranges and there is potential to develop new ways of working with this underutilised resource. Other new products designed for modular timber construction also have potential to combine the benefits of using a sustainable low-carbon material with reduced waste, lower costs, and shorter installation programs.
The TiC Innovation Fund is now open for applications. Capital grant support for innovative project work will be available for a period of up to two-year years (ending March 2025). In order to be eligible for funding, proposals must have a minimum total value of £20K, and a maximum value of £100K per year (up to £200K over a period of two years).
Eight innovative Timber in Construction projects received funding under the 2022 call for applications. To learn more about these projects, and get an idea for what’s possible, visit: Woods into Management Forestry Innovation Funds: successful projects 2022.
Objectives
The objective of this grant is to increase and facilitate the use of sustainable English wood and wood fibre in construction from sustainably managed English woods and forests. Through the Innovation Fund, applicants are encouraged to develop new timber products for use in construction, or new methods of construction that will enable greater use of English timber.
In order to be eligible for funding, applicants must demonstrate how their proposals are innovative and will:
- increase the use of home-grown English timber in construction
- increase the amount of carbon stored in the built environment
- bring novel or improved wood-rich products, systems and/ or processes to market
By supporting projects that will increase and facilitate the use of English timber in construction, the TiC Innovation Fund aims to increase demand for domestically produced timber and, by extension, encourage areas of previously unmanaged woodland into active management.
We are particularly interested in projects that develop collaborative working amongst forestry businesses, conservation bodies and private woodland owners, and from projects that will help to sustain woodland management and creation in England. Projects may incorporate an element of original research but must include some practical application. Where possible, applicants should demonstrate how their proposals will help to sustain woodland management and creation in England.
Eligibility
The TiC Innovation Fund is open to a wide range of applicants from both public and private sectors, and we would strongly encourage collaborative bids. Wood processors, manufacturers and construction companies amongst others are identified as likely potential applicants to the fund. Lead applicants must be based in England to be eligible for funding but may partner with organisations based anywhere in the world. Applications from Forest Research (FR) will only be considered eligible where collaboration with external, private sector, organisations is clearly demonstrated.
Research and Development in the following areas are suggested as likely to fall within scope:
- development of new wood-rich modular and/or offsite timber construction systems that will meet or exceed current building standards for energy performance
- development of new long-lived softwood-based components and/or products suitable for use in construction
- development of new long-lived hardwood-based components and/or products suitable for use in construction
- development of new ways of building with wood
- development of new engineered timber products
- development of new modular timber construction systems
- solutions to overcome supply chain barriers for hardwood timber suitable for use in sawn or composite materials
- testing innovative products to ensure product performance is fit for purpose and complies with current environmental and materials standards
This list is not exhaustive, and the FC would welcome other innovative proposals that demonstrate alignment with the TiC fund objectives and eligibility criteria listed above.
What funding is available
In 2023, up to £1.7million will be made available through the Woods into Management Forestry Innovation Funds to support innovative project work. Proposals, whether single or multi-year, must have a minimum total cost of £20K to be eligible for funding. Projects may be costed at up to a maximum of £100K in any given financial year.
Eligible costs that may be claimed will include:
- personnel costs related to researchers, and other supporting staff to the extent employed on the project
- costs of equipment for the period of the project. Where such equipment is not used for their full life only the depreciation costs corresponding to the life of the project shall be eligible
- costs of contractual research, knowledge and patents bought or licensed from outside sources at arm’s-length conditions, as well as costs of consultancy and equivalent services used exclusively for the project
- operating expenses, including costs of materials, supplies and similar products, incurred directly as a result of the project
- travel and subsistence essential to the delivery of WiM Forestry Innovation Fund (FIF) grant activities, carried out in the most economically and sustainable way possible
The following expenditure is ineligible:
- costs or overheads such as rent, and utilities apportioned to those staff directly or indirectly employed on the project
- costs incurred outside of the project delivery window
- costs involved in preparing your application
Is my project eligible?
Projects can run for up to two financial years, ending by 27 March 2025. Applicants submitting proposals spanning multiple financial years should state this on the application form and clearly outline the activities, milestones and outputs that will be delivered by the end of each financial year.
Proposals must demonstrate that they will further the objectives of the TiC Innovation Fund. In order to be eligible for funding, projects must:
- be innovative
- increase the use of home-grown English timber in construction
- increase the amount of carbon stored in the built environment
- bring novel or improved wood-rich products, systems and/ or processes to market
To be eligible for funding:
- the lead partner in the work to be funded (i.e., the lead applicant) must be a UK based business, sole trader, or organisation
- the intended outcomes should be applicable to England (but not necessarily exclusively so)
- the work to be funded must not have commenced
- the project must be limited to pre-commercial activity
All eligibility criteria are fully described in the Woods into Management Forestry Innovation Funds Application Form.
How do I apply?
The fund is currently closed for applications.
Complete the Woods into Management Forestry Innovation Funds Application Form and accompanying finance spreadsheet. Guidance for applicants is available on the application form page to help you complete your application.
The Forestry Commission will be hosted a “Woods into Management Forestry Innovation Funds – How to Apply” webinar event at 2pm on Monday 3 April. If you missed the webinar you can watch again.
A single stage application process will be followed.
Applications must be written in English, (without alterations to layout or format). Send your completed application and accompanying finance spreadsheet to wimfif@forestrycommission.gov.uk. Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.
In the application form you will be asked to provide details about:
- what the project aims to achieve and how it fits within the scope of the fund
- the approach you will take and where the focus of the innovation will be
- who is in the project team and what their roles are, including details of partner organisations
- the impact that the project might have outside of the project team
- how the project will be managed effectively
- the main risks for the project
- the impact that an injection of public funding would have on the project
- the cost of the project and how it represents value for money for the project team and for the taxpayer
- the activities to be funded and outputs/outcomes expected
All costs and financial details should be in £ Sterling.
All questions in the application form are mandatory and you must submit a finance spreadsheet as part of your application. If any part of your application is incomplete, your application will be returned to you within two working days for you to revise and resubmit before the deadline should you wish. If any part of your application is unclear, the Forestry Commission may contact you – at any time prior to informing you of a funding decision – to request further information. If you wish to amend your application before the published deadline or withdraw your application at any time, please email wimfif@forestrycommission.gov.uk
There is no limit to the number of bids an applicant may submit provided each application is for a discrete and unique project.
Consortium applications are welcomed. A lead partner should be identified in the application. The lead applicant will become the sole agreement holder with the Forestry Commission; they will be responsible for the undertakings and obligations detailed in any grant agreement, in line with Terms and Conditions of Funding. If your application is successful, the lead applicant will become the sole agreement holder and will be the sole recipient of grant funding upon receipt of valid claims. The contractual arrangements held between the lead applicant and their co-applicants are not the responsibility of the Forestry Commission and the lead applicant will have sole responsibility for onward disbursal of grant funding to co-applicants, for example.
If you consider the information contained within your application to be commercially sensitive, you must notify the Forestry Commission of this when submitting your application.
The Forestry Commission reserves the right to change the deadline for applications or make changes to the Invitation to Apply and the application process at short notice. The Forestry Commission reserves the right to amend, add to or withdraw all or any part of the funding application process at any time during the process. All changes are recorded at the bottom of this page (click ‘show all updates’) and where these are made following the opening date the lead applicant for all applications already received will be contacted directly by email. Material changes (for example to the closing date or eligibility rules) will also be communicated via the Forestry Commission’s Grants and Regulations eAlert.
If you wish to clarify any application requirements or the application process, please email wimfif@forestrycommission.gov.uk. We will aim to respond to all requests for clarification within two working days of receipt. If we consider information requests relevant to any applicant, we will provide additional guidance to all applicants (via point of contact provided) by email to ensure fair and openness. We may be unable to respond to other support requests due to the competitive bid process.
Applicants who canvass FC or Defra employees associated with these innovation funds may have their applications rejected from the process.
Applicants who are unable to accept standard terms and conditions may have their application eliminated from the application process.
The Forestry Commission reserves the right not to answer clarifications where it considers that the answer to that clarification would or would be likely to prejudice commercial interests.
How will applications be assessed?
All applications will be evaluated by a panel with expertise and experience of woodland management and Timber in Construction in England. Any applications deemed to fall outside the scope of the fund will not be evaluated.
Applicants will be notified of their WiM funding decision by 22 June 2023.
The Forestry Commission reserves the right to not award all of the funding available if insufficient bids of an appropriate quality are received.
The Forestry Commission may carry out checks on each application using a variety of government tools including the Cabinet Office’s automated grants due diligence tool called ‘Spotlight’ and Bank Account Verification software.
As part of due diligence process, the Forestry Commission may share details of the organisations involved in applications to this Innovation Fund with other parts of government.
The Forestry Commission will regard all eligible applications as remaining valid for 6 months after the initial closing date for applications. If the funds are oversubscribed and additional funds become available. Valid applications may be reconsidered for funding.
Reporting and payments
Grant holders will be required to complete an interim and end of year report in each financial year covered by their agreement. These reports will detail achievement against stated outcomes and outputs, lessons learnt, a complete cost breakdown outlining how the grant has been spent, and any need for further development.
Interim reports are due on 31 October (31 September in Year 2), and end of year reports are due by 27 March of each financial year. Templates for both interim and end of year reports will be provided to successful applicants. Payments may be withheld or reclaimed if reports are not submitted on time. Applicants will be encouraged to work with the Forestry Commission to publish a short article in a suitable trade press after the work has been completed.
Multi-year agreements will be subject to an annual performance monitoring review by the FC. Where applicants are failing to deliver against agreed outputs and objectives, or it becomes clear that avenues of research are no longer worth pursuing, multi-year agreements may be terminated at the discretion of the FC.
Projects must not begin before the start date of any grant agreement offered by the Forestry Commission.
Payments will be made in arrears by BACS transfer following receipt of claim forms. Payment of the claim will be made within 30 days of the FC approving your claim. In any given financial year, applicants will be able to submit claims at both the interim and end of year reporting stages, and on up to two additional dates chosen by the applicant. All claims must be supported by evidence of eligible expenditure (i.e. invoices/ timesheets) and, where not accompanied by an interim or end of year report, a progress update to demonstrate that works have been carried out as per the grant agreement.
Further information
Intellectual property shall remain with the grant recipients, but the scope of the project and a summary of the outcomes and outputs shall be made publicly available via forestry trade publications.
Applicants must declare if they have received, have applied for, or intend to apply for any other government funds.
The Forestry Commission is not responsible for any losses, breakages or injuries incurred by the applicant whilst engaged in activities associated with this Innovation Fund.
Neither FC nor its respective advisers, directors, officers, members, partners, employees, other staff or agents:
- makes any representation or warranty (express or implied) as to the accuracy, reasonableness or completeness of this guidance; or
- accepts any responsibility for the information contained in the ITA or for the fairness, accuracy or completeness of that information nor shall any of them be liable for any loss or damage (other than in respect of fraudulent misrepresentation) arising as a result of reliance on such information or any subsequent communication
Contact the Forestry Commission
You can get further help from the FC by emailing your enquiry to WIMFIF@forestrycommission.gov.uk.
Make an appeal
Find out how to make a complaint or appeal.
Last updated 8 December 2023 + show all updates
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Added a note to confirm the fund is currently closed for applications.
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Application information has been updated for 2023.
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Page updated to reflect the re-opening of the Woods into Management Forestry Innovation Funds.
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First published.