2025/26 Effectiveness Monitoring Committee Request for Research Proposals to test the California Forest Practice Rules and related regulations

The Effectiveness Monitoring Committee (EMC) of the State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection is offering funding for scientific research projects that assess the efficacy of the California Forest Practice Rules (FPRs) and other natural resource protection regulations. The EMC funds research that contributes to the development of policies and regulations for sustainable forest and rangeland management. The program creates a continuous feedback loop where research findings inform policy decisions through white papers, published reports, and presentations to the Board. The EMC is seeking proposals that address one or more of its Research Themes and Critical Monitoring Questions (CMQs) focused on various environmental issues, including wildfire hazard reduction, sediment control, fish habitat preservation, and climate resilience. Six CMQs have been prioritized for the 2025–2026 funding cycle, covering topics such as wildfire behavior in riparian zones, sediment delivery reduction, and anadromous salmonid habitat preservation. Projects that address multiple research themes and CMQs will be rated higher in the evaluation process. For the fiscal years 2025–2028, a total of $928,334 is available, with $188,202 allocated for FY 2025/26, $315,132 for FY 2026/27, and $425,000 for FY 2027/28. Funding is contingent on the approval of California’s state budget, and reimbursement will only be provided for costs incurred after the completion of a grant agreement. Projects spanning multiple fiscal years will receive funding contingent on demonstrated progress. Eligible applicants include local, state, and federal agencies, land management organizations, higher education institutions, special districts, Native American tribes, private landowners, for-profit entities, and nonprofit organizations. Projects must be relevant to private timberlands in California, though projects on public lands may qualify if applicable to non-federal timberland management practices. The EMC prioritizes large-scale, landscape-level research with broad applicability across multiple jurisdictions. The application process begins with an Initial Concept Proposal, due May 17, 2025. Selected applicants will be invited to submit a Full Project Proposal in June, with a submission deadline in July. The EMC will evaluate and score proposals based on their alignment with research priorities, geographic applicability, scientific rigor, and collaboration potential. Successful applicants will be notified in September 2025, with projects commencing by December. All grant-related work must be completed by March 31, 2028, with final reports due by June 30, 2028. For inquiries and submissions, applicants should contact Kristina Wolf at kristina.wolf@bof.ca.gov. Additional information can be found on the EMC website at https://bof.fire.ca.gov/board-committees/effectiveness-monitoring-committee/.