Frequently Asked Questions
Michigan Mass Timber Catalyst Program
Applicant Questions
Prospective applicants are welcome to submit questions between October 22 and November 12, 2025. Answers to questions submitted by November 12, 2025, will be posted here by November 14, 2025.
Informational Webinar
The Michigan Mass Timber Catalyst Program team hosted an informational webinar and Q&A to provide an overview of the program. Prospective applicants asked questions, and the answers to those questions can be found at the bottom of this page.
For the 80% requirement, what if, through the design and engineering process funded by the grant, the amount of the structural component turns out to be <80%?
The 80% requirement applies to the intended use of mass timber at the time of application to the Michigan Mass Timber Catalyst Program.
Is this grant going to be offered annually, or is this a one-time opportunity?
The funding for this program was made on a one-time basis. There is no committed or identified funding for an annual program.
Will the grant cover the cost difference, or a portion thereof, between mass timber and conventional framing hard costs?
Selected project teams may use cash awards to support mass timber implementation on the project. Project teams may allocate the funds as they see fit to support such implementation. However, projects that are past the stages of design described in the RFP, including projects that are under construction, are not eligible to apply for the Michigan Mass Timber Catalyst Program. The cash award is meant to work in combination with the provided technical assistance – cohort meetings/trainings and office hours – to help teams work through questions and challenges commonly encountered by early mass timber adopters.
Can hemp be considered mass timber?
While there are many exciting sustainable building materials on the market, the Michigan Mass Timber Catalyst Program is focused on mass timber materials as defined in the RFP. These materials are engineered wood products. A project may incorporate other types of sustainable materials, but only mass timber materials will be considered as it relates to project eligibility for the Michigan Mass Timber Catalyst Program.
Would a mass timber addition be considered an entity of its own, not including the host building it is attached to?
As long as the addition meets the definition of a mass timber building and eligibility criteria outlined in the RFP, it could be considered an entity of its own and, therefore, eligible for the Program.
If the project is at the very initial stages, would the catalyst program still apply, or is this particular project not far enough along to qualify for potential assistance?
A project must be active and commissioned in order to be eligible. It cannot be at a conceptual stage.
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