The Forest Service will evaluate all applications received by the State Foresters or equivalent officials of the Indian Tribes and award grants based on the following criteria:

1. (a) Type and extent of community benefits provided (§ 230.2);
2. (b) Extent and nature of community engagement in the establishment and long-term management of the community forest;
3. (c) Extent to which the community forest contributes to a landscape conservation initiative;
4. (d) Likelihood that, unprotected, the property would be converted to nonforest uses;
5. (e) Amount of cost share leveraged;
6. (f) Extent of due diligence completed on the project, including cost share committed and status of appraisal;
7. (g) Costs to the Federal Government; and
8. (h) Additional considerations as may be outlined in the RFA.