SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) - The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) has announced the availability of $4.5 million for Forest Health Research grant projects. CAL FIRE is soliciting applications for research in forest health and wildland fire science critical to the State of California and that support landowners, resource agencies, fire management organizations, and decisionmakers throughout the state. Research projects are expected to produce scientific publications, outreach and education events, and decision support tools. 

Forest Health research grants will be awarded in five categories: 1) Wildfire and Forest Research, which can occur on any landownership; 2) State Forests Research must include at least one study site on a Demonstration State Forest 3) Graduate Student grants, must be led by a graduate student; 4) Scientific Synthesis and Tool Development to synthesize current scientific information and literature, distribution of current scientific data and information, and/or decision support tools for landowners, managers, and the public; 5) Special Topic Research to address a need identified by CAL FIRE. This year the special topic is enhancing ecological monitoring of vegetation treatments including cultural fire and community-based prescribed fire.

Official Call for Applications:

Forest Health Research Grants Program: The call for concept proposals opens on December 20, 2023, and will be due by 3 PM on January 31, 2024.

A public virtual workshop and applicant office hours will be held during the open application period. Please check the Forest Health Research Grants web page for dates, times, and locations. The workshop will be recorded and made available on the program web page. 

“The Forest Health Research Grant Program consistently draws top-tier research initiatives addressing various wildfire and forest health concerns,” said Chris Keithley, Assistant Deputy Director of Fire and Resource Assessment at CAL FIRE. “Cumulatively, the findings contribute valuable insights to CAL FIRE and the Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task Force, contributing knowledge about shifts in environmental conditions, climate-induced effects on forests and wildfire patterns, and the efficacy of forest management practices.”

This program is designed to complement the Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task Force Action Plan, the 2018 Strategic Fire Plan for California, and the Natural and Working Lands Climate Smart Strategy, which propose to protect lives, property, and resources of California and increase the ability of our natural and working lands to survive and mitigate the effects of climate change.

The Forest Health Research Grant Program is part of California Climate Investments, a statewide program that puts billions of cap-and-trade dollars to work reducing greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening the economy, and improving public health and the environment – particularly in disadvantaged communities.

For more information and to sign up for grant email announcements, visit www.fire.ca.gov/grants.