Center for Advanced Forestry Systems Releases Phase 3 Final Report and Transitions to Phase 4
The National Science Foundation-supported Center for Advanced Forestry Systems (CAFS) completed its fifteenth year of operation and successfully graduated from the NSF Industry-University Cooperative Research Center (IUCRC) program in December 2025. The newly released final report highlights research efforts that closed out the third phase of NSF funding for the program, and showcases the groundwork to establish a self-sustaining model (Phase IV) lead by Dr. Aaron Weiskittel, Director of the University of Maine’s Center for Research on Sustainable Forests, that will launch in 2026.
Report Highlights
- 27 active research projects addressing national and regional forestry challenges
- 70% of projects are multi-site collaborations spanning eight university partners
- $15 million+ in cumulative NSF funding received since CAFS inception in 2010
- Successful Phase III completion with robust engagement from industry and academic partners
- Transition to Phase IV with seed funding of $100,000 from committed university and IAB members
With declining federal research budgets, including significant reductions projected for the USDA Forest Service, the role of CAFS as a cohesive, cross-regional research network has never been more essential. For Phase IV, CAFS members are embracing a self-funded model with a project-based funding structure that links resources directly to demonstrable outcomes. The primary objective for the Phase IV is for CAFS to continue to serve as a national organization for research and development relevant to the forest industry, coordinating research activities to address emerging forestry challenges across the nation.
For more information on the CAFS program, including a comprehensive overview of its history, research, and accomplishments and future opportunities with Phase IV, visit the CAFS webpage: https://crsf.umaine.edu/cafs/ or contact us at crsf@maine.edu