Oregon State is one of 12 universities in the US that is recognized as a national Wood Utilization Research (WUR) Center. It receives funding through a series of Special Research Grants appropriated by Congress and administered by the USDA Cooperative Research, Education and Extension Service (CSREES).

OSU research supported by the USDA Special Grant focuses on science, technology and business practices that will enhance the domestic and global competitiveness of the US wood products industry, especially in the Western US, and that will ensure more efficient use of available wood resources. A special emphasis is placed on the training of future scientists, researchers and practitioners.

The Oregon State WUR research programs are described on many of the faculty research pages and in our annual progress reports below. Wood Utilization research at OSU annually leverages over $2.50 in other funding for each dollar of the special research grant. WUR research has resulted in millions of dollars in savings for Oregonians and Oregon industry, created new business opportunities and helped to ensure rational science-based policy and regulatory decisions to enhance the benefits of Oregon's forests for all.

For an overview of the USDA Special Grant for Wood Utilization Research (WUR) please visit the national Wood Utilization Research Centers website.

Other WUR centers are located at:

University of Alaska, University of Idaho (in cooperation with Washington State University and the University of Montana), University of Maine, Michigan State University, University of Minnesota Duluth, Mississippi State University, North Carolina State University, University of Tennessee, West Virginia University.