Forest Health Research Program FY 2024-2025 (RP-RFP-2024-01)

The 2024-25 Forest Health Research Program (FHRP), administered by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), seeks to fund scientific research that advances forest and fire management in California. The program's primary goals are to support landowners, resource agencies, and fire management organizations with scientifically sound research that enhances forest resilience, supports climate goals, and informs policy decisions. The program aligns with state strategies such as the California Forest Carbon Plan and the Wildfire and Forest Resilience Action Plan, and it is funded through California Climate Investments, a statewide initiative aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions. For this funding cycle, the program will award a minimum of $4 million in competitive grants. Funding categories include general wildfire and forest research, projects on Demonstration State Forests, graduate student research, science synthesis and tool development, and special topics research. The maximum grant award varies by category, with amounts ranging from $100,000 for graduate student projects to $750,000 for larger research initiatives. Eligible projects must focus on California ecosystems, and proposed research should fit within priority themes such as post-wildfire recovery, forest management strategies, community resilience, and traditional ecological knowledge. Applicants are required to submit a concept proposal by November 14, 2024, and selected applicants will be invited to submit a full proposal by March 14, 2025. The process includes an initial screening for eligibility, followed by a technical merit review based on criteria such as relevance to priority topics, methodological rigor, and potential impact. Successful projects are expected to start by July 2025 and be completed by December 31, 2029. Eligible applicants include public and nonprofit universities, local and state agencies, Native American tribes, and nonprofit organizations. Proposals must demonstrate how the research will support long-term forest management and policy goals and may involve data collection, model development, technology testing, or literature synthesis. Additionally, projects should comply with environmental regulations like CEQA, and any necessary permits must be secured within a year of the grant agreement. The program emphasizes transparency, requiring public access to research findings and adherence to rigorous scientific standards. Grantees will submit quarterly progress reports and a final technical report, ensuring that research outcomes are documented and disseminated.