CAL FIRE Forest Health Research Program (FY 2026-27) California Climate Investments Graduate Student Grants (RP-RFP-2026-02)

CAL FIRE Forest Health Research Program (FY 2026-27) California Climate Investments Graduate Student Grants (RP-RFP-2026-02)

The intent of CAL FIRE's Forest Health Research Program is to fund scientific research that expands our knowledge in topics related to forest health and wildland fire.  The outcomes of these projects will support agencies, organizations, landowners, and policy makers, while furthering the goals of the California Forest and Wildfire Resilience Action Plan and California Climate Investments.

The application will consist of a concept proposal followed by review and selection. Selected applicants will be invited to submit a full proposal followed by a second review and selection period. Concept proposals are due by 3 p.m. (PDT), July 30, 2026. Full invited proposals are due by 3 p.m. (PST), November 18, 2026. The Forest Health Research Program (hereafter “Research Program”) was established as part of CAL FIRE’s plan for implementing the California Forest Carbon Plan. It is one of several CAL FIRE programs funded through the California Climate Investments (CCI) program, Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund. The mission of the Research Program is: To identify and prioritize research topics in forest health and fire science critical to the State of California To fund sound scientific studies that support forest landowners, resource agencies, and fire management organizations within the state To ensure scientific information generated from the program is made available to support decision making and policy To further the goals of the Wildfire and Forest Resilience Action Plan, California Forest Carbon Plan, the California Natural and Working Lands Implementation Plan, CCI, and AB 32 Global Warming Solutions Act The program, procedures and requirements apply only to “stand-alone research” projects, where research-related activities are the only activities proposed. The following topics have been identified as priorities for study for the Research Program for FY 2026-27: Recovery, restoration, regeneration and reforestation strategies following wildfires and other disturbances in an altered future climate. Implementation, effectiveness, impacts, and tradeoffs of current and alternative management strategies to reduce unwanted wildfire impacts to communities, improve hydrologic functions including water quality and supply, improve air quality, sustain and promote biodiversity, mitigate impacts of pests, pathogens, and invasive species, and/or increase beneficial fire effects.  Methods of ecological monitoring to continually evaluate effectiveness, impacts and benefits of vegetation treatments at various scales.  Community resilience to wildfires and other ecological disturbances under current and future climate conditions. Traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) and tribal forest and fire management, especially research by tribal organizations or indigenous researchers. Forest products and utilization of forest residues related to fuel reduction and forest health treatments.Improved prediction of wildland fire spread, behavior, severity, and potential impacts, particularly under extreme weather conditions and/or within the wildland-urban interface.  In addition, the following special topic has been identified as priorities for the Research Program for FY 2026-27: Utilizing novel applications of FireSat Quick Beam Instrument data to answer ecological questions.

Details

• Agency: Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
• Type: Grant
• Funding Source: State
• Estimated Available Funds: $500,000
• Estimated Awards: Dependant on number of submissions received, application process, etc.
• Award Amount: Dependant on number of submissions received, application process, etc.
• Funding Method: Advances & Reimbursement(s)
• Matching Funds: Not Required
• Geography: Projects must be focused on and relevant to forests and other California ecosystems and their management. A significant portion of the geographic area proposed for study must be contained within California and may include adjacent lands contiguous and representative of California sites. Any sites external to California and discontinuous to study areas within the state require justification. Study areas may not be located outside the United States

Categories

Environment & Water; Science, Technology, and Research & Development

Eligible Applicants

Individual; Nonprofit; Public Agency; Tribal Government