Department of Interior Wildland Fire Service BLM-National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) Joint Fire Science Program (JFSP)Fire Leaders And Managers, Emerging Scientists (FLAMES)

The Department of the Interior, through the Bureau of Land Management and the National Interagency Fire Center, administers the Joint Fire Science Program, a federal initiative focused on advancing scientific understanding and practical application of wildland fire management. This funding opportunity under the Fire Leaders and Managers, Emerging Scientists program is designed to support the next generation of fire science professionals. The program reflects a broader federal commitment to integrating science with operational fire management, ensuring that research findings are relevant to real world challenges faced by fire practitioners and policymakers across the United States. The primary purpose of this opportunity is to enhance the professional development of graduate students by connecting academic research with applied fire management practices. The program specifically targets current masters and doctoral students enrolled in United States colleges or universities who are conducting research related to wildland fire science. Through this initiative, participants are expected to expand their research beyond theoretical frameworks and engage directly with fire management activities, fostering a stronger understanding of how scientific findings inform policy and operational decisions. Funding under this program supports research projects that extend a student’s approved thesis or dissertation. The proposed research must be new and unfunded, and it must directly align with the mission and goals of the Joint Fire Science Program. Eligible topic areas are clearly defined and include fuels management and prescribed fire, changing fire environments, emissions and air quality, fire effects and post fire recovery, and the human dimensions of fire management. Proposals outside these specified areas are not considered for review, emphasizing the program’s focus on targeted, mission driven research outcomes. Award recipients are required to complete several programmatic activities during the project period. These include conducting a supplemental research project, participating in fire management experiences such as prescribed burns or wildfire related activities, and engaging in regularly scheduled virtual meetings organized by the program. In addition, participants must attend at least one in person event, such as a workshop or field tour, and produce a management relevant deliverable that communicates the practical implications of their research. These requirements are designed to ensure that funded students gain both technical expertise and applied experience. The application process requires submission through the Joint Fire Science Program website rather than through Grants.gov. Applicants must prepare a proposal describing their research project and demonstrating its relevance to fire management or policy questions. The submission must be completed electronically by the stated deadline, and late submissions are not accepted under any circumstances. Applicants are encouraged to consult the program database for detailed requirements and to ensure alignment with existing research priorities. The timeline for this funding opportunity includes a posted date in early July and a final application deadline in mid September. The closing date is firm, and no extensions are permitted. While specific award notification timelines are not provided, the structured nature of the program suggests a defined review and selection process following the submission deadline. The program is not identified as recurring in the provided information, and applicants should treat the opportunity as a discrete funding cycle unless future announcements indicate otherwise.

Ensure proposal directly addresses one of the specified topic areas and clearly demonstrates management or policy relevance of research