John Z. Duling Grant Program

The John Z. Duling Grant and Evelyn Duling Endowment Fund Grant Program is administered by the Tree Research and Education Endowment Fund, an organization dedicated to advancing knowledge and best practices in arboriculture and urban forestry. The program originates from a bequest by John Z. Duling and Evelyn Duling of Indiana, who were strong proponents of research and innovation in tree care. The fund reflects a long-standing commitment to supporting research initiatives that improve the daily work and decision-making of arborists. The program aligns with TREE Fund’s broader mission to support scientific discovery and the dissemination of findings that benefit tree care professionals and the communities they serve. The primary objective of the Duling Grant Program is to provide start-up or seed funding for innovative research and technology transfer projects. These projects are expected to explore new, untested, or interdisciplinary approaches that have the potential to transform arboricultural practices. The program emphasizes early-stage research concepts that may not yet have substantial preliminary data but demonstrate strong potential for meaningful impact. Funded projects may include the application of novel scientific methods, the integration of expertise from different disciplines, or new approaches to addressing persistent challenges in tree care and urban forestry. Funding through this program is limited to a maximum award of 15000 dollars per project, with an expected project duration ranging from one to three years. The grant is intended to support exploratory work and cannot be used for certain ineligible activities. Specifically, TREE Fund does not support grants to individuals, municipal tree surveys or assessments, tree planting programs, traditional forestry or timber production studies, agroforestry, ecological conservation of natural forested areas, or product testing primarily benefiting a specific manufacturer. Each project may receive only one award from this program, reinforcing the intent to distribute funding across multiple innovative initiatives. Eligibility requirements are structured around institutional participation rather than individual applicants. Applications must identify a Principal Investigator and an affiliated institution that will be responsible for conducting the research if awarded. The program requires that applicants submit a Letter of Intent as the initial step in the application process. This LOI must clearly outline the proposed research concept and demonstrate alignment with TREE Fund’s priorities. Only applicants whose LOIs are approved will be invited to submit a full proposal, making this a competitive, multi-stage process with a strong emphasis on initial concept evaluation. The application timeline for the program follows a structured sequence. The Letter of Intent period opens on August 1, 2026, and closes on September 1, 2026. Applicants are notified by September 15, 2026, if they are invited to proceed to the full submission stage. Full proposals must be submitted by October 15, 2026. Final funding decisions are communicated in mid to late December 2026. The submission process is conducted through an online application portal, and applicants must adhere strictly to the stated deadlines and requirements, as determinations regarding LOI eligibility are final and not subject to negotiation. Evaluation of applications is based on alignment with research priorities, feasibility, and the potential for meaningful impact on arboricultural practice. TREE Fund assesses whether proposed projects demonstrate a reasonable likelihood of success and contribute to advancing knowledge in the field. Successful applicants are expected to complete their projects within the specified timeframe and comply with reporting requirements, including sharing research findings. The program strongly encourages publication in professional journals and presentation at conferences, with the expectation that findings will be made widely accessible to benefit the broader community. Recipients must acknowledge TREE Fund support in all related publications and communications.

Focus on innovative early-stage research ideas with strong practical impact; ensure LOI clearly aligns with TREE Fund priorities and demonstrates feasibility