Best Plant Grants in Vermont

Students enrolled in degree-granting programs conducting plant science or botanical conservation research involving at least one species from the northeastern or mid-Atlantic U.S., including Vermont, can apply for the Bayard Long Award, which generally provides US $2,000. Funding can support field, herbarium, or lab work, including travel, living expenses, supplies, and minor equipment.

Vermont graduate students conducting botanical research on New England flora can access funding through the New England Botanical Society, with awards up to US $3,000. Support covers field, lab, herbarium work, and travel in the region for projects in systematic botany, plant ecology, genetics, plant conservation biology, and related fields.

Nurseries, farms, and other organizations in Vermont and the U.S. portion of the Lake Champlain Basin that can grow or sell native trees and shrubs can seek funding for infrastructure and workforce development. Lake Champlain Basin Program offers up to US $500,000 to expand native plant supply for habitat conservation projects benefiting Lake Champlain.

Vermont 501(c)(3) organizations restoring diminished native tree species through research, seed orchards, or forest land preservation can access funding via the Oak Hill Fund. This program supports project-specific work and related overhead across the continental U.S., and may benefit botanical conservation and land and habitat conservation efforts involving native trees.

Researchers proposing botanical field, herbarium, library, or archival studies on plants of northeastern North America, including Vermont, can access funding through grants from New England Botanical Society. Awards up to US $2,000 can cover travel, living expenses, supplies, equipment, and modest stipends for projects that are hard to fund through traditional academic or agency sources.

Undergraduate and graduate students conducting botany, plant ecology, or plant-focused research within the Northern California Botanists geographic range can receive US $1,500 research scholarships to support independent study, thesis, or dissertation work. Vermont-based students enrolled full-time at any accredited college or university may be eligible if their projects take place in this defined region.

Students planning natural resources careers in fields like botany, ecology, forestry, hydrology, or soil science who reside in select northeastern Illinois counties can receive scholarship support for full-time study. Focused on environmental and plant-related disciplines, the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois program may benefit those pursuing higher education in conservation and botanical fields.

Vermont students in plant sciences, conservation, environmental sciences, or landscape architecture can access funding through the Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region if they are third- or fourth-year undergraduates or graduate students. Applicants must demonstrate financial need and reside in specified Capital Region counties to receive this academic scholarship support.

Vermont plant science graduate students enrolled in U.S. PhD programs can access funding through Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens’ Botany in Action Fellowship to support plant-based research and outreach. Awards of US $6,000 fund research and education activities in the U.S. or abroad, plus travel to Phipps for science communication training and public engagement opportunities.

Graduating high school seniors planning to study landscape architecture, environmental science, environmental engineering, horticulture, botany, forestry, or agriculture can receive tuition assistance for college or post-secondary programs. Grants from Community Foundation of the Endless Mountains help students, including those in Vermont plant-related fields, pursue higher education in environmental and plant sciences.

Graduating high school seniors in Vermont planning to study natural resources, fish and wildlife, forest management, or similar conservation fields at a 2- or 4-year college can use this scholarship for higher education costs. With a mission to support conservation-minded students, Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation considers financial need and outdoor sports participation.

Undergraduate students from the U.S. and Puerto Rico interested in plant science and botanical conservation can receive full support to attend the 2025 Botany conference through the Botany and Beyond: PLANTS Grants. Focused on mentoring and immersive research exposure, Botanical Society of America offers travel, lodging, meals, and conference registration for selected PLANTS Scholars.

Individuals studying or preserving native orchids in North America, including work relevant to Vermont botanical conservation, can receive US $500 through the Philip Keenan Award. Focused on orchid research and conservation, the American Orchid Society honors students, amateurs, and professionals for significant contributions to native orchid study or protection.

Graduate students in biology, horticulture, or related fields working on botanical conservation in the U.S. can receive up to US $4,500 for research at a botanical garden. Grants from Garden Club of America support conservation horticulture projects, with preference for work on endangered flora of the Carolinas or the southeastern U.S., benefiting students in Vermont and beyond.

Tree Research and Education Endowment Fund (TREE Fund)

TREE Fund is a 501(c)3 nonprofit whose mission is to support scientific discovery and dissemination of new knowledge and best practices in the fields of arboriculture and urban forestry.

TREE Fund’s research and education programs shape industry best practices, improve workforce safety and contribute to the long-term sustainability of our communities in the following crucial ways:

• Improving the quality of nursery grown trees and overall tree survival through the development of hardier, drought- and disease-resistant species.
• Stopping diseases and pests while reducing pesticide use with the evolution of integrated pest management programs.
• Enhancing public and workforce safety with advanced tree risk assessment techniques and greater knowledge about why and how trees fail.
• Quantifying the benefits of trees which makes it easier for governments and businesses to project their return on tree care investment.
• Revolutionizing global best practices for growing strong, healthy landscape trees.
• Connecting youth with nature to promote environmental stewardship in the next generation and inspire them to consider careers in green industries.

Lucas Tree Experts Integrated Vegetation Management Endowed Research Fund

Since 1926, John Lucas Tree Expert Co. has worked with investor-owned utilities, electric cooperatives, municipalities, railroads, and pipeline customers throughout the United States and Canada. Innovation has always been a core value, and Lucas remains committed to innovation that makes the industry safer, greener, and more efficient. The Lucas Tree Experts Integrated Vegetation Management Endowed Research Fund is a new endowment fund of Tree Research and Education Endowment (TREE) Fund created to support research in Integrated Vegetation Management in the United States and Canada.

This fund program was created in 2026 to help celebrate Lucas Tree’s 100th anniversary. Lucas Tree’s anniversary marks a century of innovation, safety, and stewardship in utility vegetation management.

Projects are expected to be completed within one to three years. No project may receive more than one award from this program.

Application Requirements can be found here.

About The American Chestnut Foundation:

Our mission is to return the iconic American chestnut to its native range.

Our vision is a robust eastern forest returned to its splendor.

Small Grants Program

Are you looking for funding to support your American chestnut research? External small grants offer recipients a variety of benefits such as professional development and an expanded network. Grant activities contribute to the continuous renewal and development of faculty and staff, to the education and motivation of students, and achievement of our mutual interest — restoration of the American chestnut. This is a small grants program. TACF does not ordinarily fund projects in excess of $10,000.

Nonprofits, mission-oriented for-profits, and eligible housing entities working on equitable and affordable housing innovations in Vermont can apply for Enterprise Community Partners’ national Housing Affordability Breakthrough Challenge; awards US $2,000,000 for ready-to-scale solutions. Projects improving design and construction, finance, or service delivery for affordable rental or ownership housing may be competitive.

Ann B. Zekauskas Family Foundation

Empowerment through Food Awareness, Access, and Education

We are a private, family-directed, not-for-profit philanthropic organization, established through the estate of Ann B. Zekauskas. We are dedicated to educating students, families, and communities, especially the underserved, on producing, preparing, and eating healthy foods, and to supporting organizations focused on hunger relief and careers in the culinary arts.

We perform our mission through collaborations with and support of approved non-profit organizations within these key areas of giving: nutrition education, food access, and culinary arts training.

Nutrition Education

Ann B. Zekauskas believed that individuals of all ages — especially school-aged children and their families — should be provided with an education to understand how food makes its way from seed to plate —from planting and growing, to harvesting and sourcing, to cooking and serving.

Nutrition education empowers people with the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to make healthy food choices, promoting overall mental well-being and physical wellness.

In carrying out Ann’s legacy, we work with schools, community groups, and other like-minded organizations across the country, supporting their programs that encourage a lifelong practice of healthy eating.

Request a Grant

The Ann B. Zekauskas Family Foundation is committed to supporting qualified 501(c)(3) organizations that align with our mission and values. We welcome grant requests from nonprofit organizations seeking to make a meaningful impact in their communities in the areas of nutritional education, food access, or the advancement of cuilnary arts careers.

Nonprofits and educational institutions working on food system transformation, farmed animal issues, or related advocacy in Vermont and beyond can apply for Stray Dog Institute’s grants, typically US $2,500 - US $10,000. Grants may be unrestricted or project-based and can support research, policy, public outreach, and other initiatives that may benefit plant-focused and botanical conservation efforts.

AFL Community Grants aim to empower education, youth, and life advancement through targeted community support. The program is designed for non-profit organizations, focusing on STEM education, youth development, and the LEAP initiative for adult self-sufficiency. With grant applications opening in 2025, AFL Global seeks to make a lasting impact in communities by addressing their greatest needs and fostering growth through education and development initiatives.

Nonprofit ministries carrying out evangelism, leadership development, holistic outreach, media, stewardship, or youth programs can apply for project support from the Festus and Helen Stacy Foundation; grants are available internationally, nationally, and in South Florida. Vermont organizations working with plant-related or community-serving initiatives may be eligible if their work aligns with these ministry priorities.

U.S.-based 501(c)(3) organizations working on climate and clean energy policy or climate change education can apply for the Mayer and Morris Kaplan Foundation’s Environment Grant. Funding may support Vermont projects that reduce fossil fuel demand, address oil and gas infrastructure, or deliver scientifically accurate, action-oriented climate education for high school and college students.

Environmental and conservation nonprofits working on plant, habitat, or ecosystem projects in Vermont can seek funding to support biodiversity on private lands and related restoration work. Grants from Biophilia Foundation help U.S. organizations, with emphasis on the arid Southwest and Chesapeake Bay, with awards ranging from US $5,000 - US $25,000 and occasional larger, multi-year partnerships.

SITKA Ecosystem Grants support projects that enhance ecosystems and promote conservation efforts. These grants encourage both grassroots initiatives and larger organizational projects, aiming to improve habitat restoration, biodiversity, and the hunting experience. With funding ranging from $3,000 to $20,000, applicants must be 18 years or older and have relevant experience. The review process is ongoing, and projects should emphasize collaboration and measurable impacts on environmental goals, benefiting both society and ecosystems.

The Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) Corridor Community Grants, provided by Keep America Beautiful, aim to empower communities to revitalize and beautify MLK corridors across the U.S. These grants support various projects, including murals, community gardens, and cleanup efforts, contributing to the initiative's goal of beautifying 25,000 communities by 2026. Eligible applicants include nonprofits, local governments, and community organizations, with a focus on sustainable impacts and local engagement.

HCLTech Grant Edition II focuses on impactful climate action by investing $5 million over five years to support NGOs in the Americas. This initiative aims to enhance sustainable projects that align with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). With a history of significant contributions in India, HCLTech is committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2040 and fostering innovative solutions to address pressing climate challenges. The grant encourages collaboration and aims to transform communities through effective climate action.

The Ash Grove Charitable Foundation Grant supports public charities with 501(c)(3) status, focusing on capital projects that enhance community life in states where Ash Grove operates. With a commitment to environmental sustainability, education, and human services, the Foundation prioritizes funding for renovation and construction projects. Grants typically reach up to $25,000, aiming to foster better living standards and support local initiatives that are vital for community growth and resilience.