Oregon Conservation Corps — 2027–29 Program Grant, HECC #27-001. This is the operational Program Grant track under Oregon Youth Works, not the separate $50,000 Planning Grant. The estimated applicant-level maximum is $600,000 per organization to operate a complete grant cycle and associated training and reporting. Awards are competitive, availability-dependent and may be partially funded.
Eligible work: Paid youth and young adult crews conducting wildfire fuel reduction in Oregon wildland–urban-interface communities, developing fire-adapted communities, and building industry-recognized natural resource and fire-management skills. Eligible treatments may include invasive-species removal, thinning, pruning, chipping, debris hauling and prescribed burns with authorized partners. Priority goes to meaningful Tribal partnerships and high wildfire-risk areas. Work must align with local fire agencies and grant safety standards.
Who may apply: Oregon-based or Oregon-registered nonprofit youth-development organizations, public entities and Tribal Nations providing forest- or rangeland-related job training and workforce development. Applicants must identify community partnerships including Tribal outreach, establish legally compliant site safety, orientation and emergency plans, and satisfy insurance and background-check requirements. Projects must take place within Oregon’s wildland–urban interface, coordinate with fire officials, and use the Oregon Community Wildfire Protection Plans (CWPP) mapping tool. Youth participants are ages 16–26; paid program participants must meet the RFA’s wage or equivalent-stipend requirement.
Deadline and submission: February 26, 2027 at 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time. Email the designated HECC single point of contact, copying HECC.Procurement@hecc.oregon.gov and hecc.oregonyouthworks@hecc.oregon.gov. Include the appropriate Attachment A or B application, Attachment C proposed budget, Attachment D certification, and Attachment E CWPP treatment-site screen captures. Questions are due February 17, 2027 at 3:00 p.m. Pacific Time. Late or incomplete applications are ineligible.
Funding terms: The overall competitive program budget is approximately $5 million, which is not the individual grant amount. Pre-agreement costs are not reimbursable; allowable project costs must align with the approved budget and agreement. The funder monitors reimbursement/allocation requests, requires twice-yearly progress reporting, and may partially fund applications. No universal applicant cash-match percentage is specified in the controlling RFA; review agreement and award terms before assuming how expenses will be paid.
Official materials: HECC’s current grant listing, forms and notices, controlling RFA #27-001, and Addendum 1 updating technical assistance providers. Free application coaching is available through state-designated providers. Verified October 25, 2026.