The Challenge
Buildings are enormous generators of both operational and embodied carbon, accounting for approximately 40% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Unlike operational carbon emissions, such as heating and cooling, that can be upgraded over time, embodied carbon emissions from material extraction, transportation, manufacturing, and construction are locked in the moment a building is finished. With building floor area projected to double globally by 2060, addressing embodied carbon emissions is increasingly urgent.
Common structural materials like concrete and steel are especially carbon intensive and financially volatile. Mass timber is a material that offers a regional, renewable, carbon storing alternative. Large engineered wood panels, columns, and beams sequester carbon for the life of the building. Mass timber is consistently faster to build with, cost-predictable, healthier for occupants, and provides much needed partnership to forests looking to adapt to quickly changing business and climate environments.
Despite Mass Timber's innumerable benefits, however, as a relatively new building material, project teams still face uncertainty around key issues of cost, procurement, and design coordination.
About MASS Timber Assembly
MASS Timber Assembly is a 12-month cohort program for Massachusetts building project teams pursuing mass timber construction. Up to eight teams will be selected to receive grant funding, hands-on technical assistance, facilitated peer-to-peer learning, and workshop sessions with industry experts; all committed to sharing their experience about how to best advance individual projects and mass timber adoption more broadly.
MASS Timber Assembly is designed to:
- Advance the design and construction of mass timber projects in Massachusetts
- Build the capacity of Massachusetts-based project teams to design and construct mass timber buildings
- Generate knowledge to expand the market for mass timber in Massachusetts
Participants will receive:
- $40,000 in grant funding per project team
- A structured technical analysis of the project’s cost, construction schedule, and carbon impacts, developed collaboratively with the project team
- Dedicated 1:1 technical assistance from mass timber and embodied carbon experts
- Access to key decision makers in the mass timber supply ecosystem, including hands-on workshops and industry roundtables
- Peer-to-peer learning with seven other project teams navigating similar challenges
- In-person program sessions, including: a kickoff event, technical training from WoodWorks, a dedicated construction-management session, a mid-program industry roundtable, and a final showcase
- Shared team workspace and cohort communications tools
- A published case study in the MASS Timber Assembly project collection
Who's Eligible
MASS Timber Assembly is open to any active project team in Massachusetts committed to mass timber construction.
Applicant teams must include:
- A project owner or developer
- An architect
- A general contractor
Structural engineers are strongly encouraged as part of the project team.
Projects may be at any phase, from early design through pre-construction. Hybrid mass timber projects and existing building renovations and additions are welcome. Both first-time and experienced mass timber teams are encouraged to apply. All building types and most building sizes are eligible. Housing is a particular priority given Massachusetts’s current housing needs; housing projects must include six or more units.
Apply
How to Apply
Submit your completed application via the MASS Timber Assembly Application Form by August 28, 2026.
Teams are evaluated on:
- Application Quality. The application is complete, thoughtful, and clearly communicated.
- Project Readiness. Realistic path to execution and at a stage where the program will meaningfully shape outcomes.
- Mass Timber Intent. Clear commitment and ability to articulate why mass timber matters for this project.
- Sustainability and Carbon Reduction. Potential to reduce embodied and biogenic carbon relative to alternative construction approaches.
- Building Type, Scale, and Geography. Projects offer the potential for replicability across the Massachusetts market.
- Capacity for Full Participation. Teams have the commitment, bandwidth and authority to engage across all program elements.
MassCEC will consider a balanced portfolio across building types, geographies, and levels of mass timber experience. Finalists may be invited to interview prior to final selection.
Application Materials
Submit your question using this form. Questions received by July 21, 2026, 5:00 PM ET will be answered in writing by July 28, 2026.
Schedule
| Release of RFP | July 1, 2026 |
| Questions due via this form | July 21, 2026 |
| Questions with Answers Posted to MassCEC Website | July 28, 2026 |
| Proposals Due | August 28, 2026 |
| Interviews of Top Applicants | September 2026 |
| Notification of Award | Fall 2026 |
| Award Contracting with MassCEC | Fall 2026 |
| Program Kickoff | Fall 2026 |
| Program Final Report | Fall 2027 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a team apply with more than one project?
Yes, a team may submit multiple applications for different projects. Each application will be evaluated independently.
What if my project is a renovation/addition to an existing housing project, but the additional units are less than 6?
Write to us with your specific scenario and we can discuss!
My housing project is less than 6 units, do you have any resources for me?
Yes! Please write to us and we can connect with people doing this work.
What is the time commitment for participating teams?
This is a 12-month program. There will be mandatory attendance for select in-person sessions (including the Kickoff, Mid-point Roundtable, final Showcase, and other sessions determined by the group). In-person attendance is encouraged at all non-mandatory sessions, but virtual attendance will be accommodated knowing teams may be distributed across the Commonwealth. Teams are expected to participate in virtual office hours, attend one-on-one support sessions with WoodWorks and other outside advisors, and actively engage with the rest of the cohort in peer-to-peer sharing and learning.
What wood sourcing or timber transparency requirements are there?
There are no specific timber sourcing requirements, however, the program will emphasize the role of sourcing and transparency as essential elements in mass timber's growth, and will provide technical assistance to teams pursuing intentional sourcing requirements. At end-of-program reporting, teams will be asked to share basic information about the wood used in their project including manufacturer, panel specification, species, and Environmental Product Declarations. Additional sourcing and chain of custody information will be encouraged when available.
Will projects be required to complete a whole-building life cycle assessment (WBLCA)?
Yes. As part of the Mass Timber System Analysis, each team will complete a cradle-to-gate whole-building LCA for their project. The consulting team will provide technical assistance on LCA methodology and help teams access appropriate tools and resources. The program will develop benchmarks that draw on existing data to contextualize individual project results and estimate embodied carbon reductions.
When does the program begin?
Program selection will be announced in September 2026, and the program itself will kick off in September or October 2026.
Who delivers the program?
MASS Timber Assembly is funded by MassCEC and delivered by BC Productions (program strategy and stakeholder engagement), Cambium (program management, technical assistance, and data collection), and WoodWorks (education, technical training, and project support).
Additional Funding Opportunities
BETA: Project Planning
Each participating building will receive an electrification and decarbonization plan, including direction to financing options and a recommended implementation timeline.
Rolling
Green School Works Technical Assistance Services
Technical assistance worth up to $250k
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Request for Qualifications: Technical Assistance for Green School Works
August 26th, 2026