U.S Wildland Fire Service BLM-National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) Joint Fire Science Program (JFSP) Regional Fire Science Exchange Announcement

The U.S. Wildland Fire Service Joint Fire Science Program Regional Fire Science Exchange Announcement is administered by the Bureau of Land Management within the U.S. Department of the Interior. The Joint Fire Science Program is a federal initiative designed to provide scientific research and information to support fire management practices across the United States. Through this funding opportunity, the program aims to strengthen the connection between fire science research and its practical application by funding regional fire science exchanges. These exchanges serve as collaborative platforms that synthesize and disseminate fire science knowledge to land managers, policymakers, and stakeholders. The primary purpose of this grant is to solicit proposals from qualified organizations to lead and execute regional fire science exchanges within specified geographic regions. The program identifies nine regions including Alaska, Appalachians, Great Basin, North Atlantic, Northern Rockies, Northwest, Oak Woodlands, Pacific Islands, and Southwest. Each applicant must submit a proposal specific to one region, and selected awardees will be responsible for coordinating knowledge transfer activities, fostering collaboration among stakeholders, and ensuring that fire science information is accessible and usable for decision making within their assigned region. Funding is provided through cooperative agreements, reflecting an ongoing partnership between the federal agency and the award recipients. The expected number of awards is approximately fifteen, with individual awards ranging between one hundred ninety two thousand dollars and two hundred sixty two thousand dollars. The total estimated funding for the program is just under four million dollars. The funding is intended to support operational activities of the fire science exchanges over a two year performance period. Allowable uses of funds include coordination, outreach, communication, and dissemination of scientific findings, although applicants must consult the official Joint Fire Science Program database for detailed task requirements and allowable cost structures. Eligibility for this opportunity is broad and includes state governments, county governments, city or township governments, Native American tribal governments and organizations, public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status, independent school districts, and public housing authorities. This wide eligibility scope reflects the program’s emphasis on collaboration across sectors involved in fire management and land stewardship. There is no cost sharing or matching requirement for this funding opportunity, reducing barriers for eligible entities to participate. The application process is conducted exclusively through the Joint Fire Science Program website, and proposals cannot be submitted through Grants.gov. Applicants must follow the electronic submission procedures outlined on the JFSP platform and ensure that all proposal components align with the specific task statements provided in the JFSP database. The submission deadline is September seventeenth, two thousand twenty six at five pm Mountain Time, and no exceptions will be made for late submissions. Applicants are encouraged to review all requirements carefully and adhere strictly to submission instructions. Proposals are evaluated based on their ability to effectively lead regional exchanges, demonstrate understanding of fire science communication needs, and align with program objectives. While specific evaluation criteria are detailed in the JFSP database, emphasis is typically placed on technical expertise, stakeholder engagement strategies, and the capacity to manage regional coordination efforts. Applicants should ensure that their proposals clearly articulate how they will facilitate knowledge transfer and collaboration within their designated region. For assistance or additional information, applicants may contact Patricia Glass, the designated grantor contact for this opportunity. The timeline for this funding opportunity includes a posting date in early July two thousand twenty six, a final application deadline in mid September two thousand twenty six, and an anticipated project period of two years following award issuance. The program does not explicitly indicate recurrence, and applicants should treat this as a discrete funding cycle unless future announcements are published.