The Interagency Joint Fire Science Program (JFSP), a partnership across seven federal wildland fire management and research agencies to support management-inspired wildfire research, has recently posted its2026 notice of funding opportunities (NOFOs). The combined total of all three award announcements could reach $7.5 million, contingent on fiscal year (FY) 2026 appropriations. Notably, this program is released in accordance with the regular yearly cadence, indicating that wildfire science research remains a priority under the Trump Administration.
Short descriptions of each of the three award announcement are included below:
- Joint Fire Science Program Primary Announcement is the primary solicitation to support wildfire research. Between $1.5 and $4 million is anticipated to be awarded this cycle, with funding of individual awards to start in late August to mid-September 2026. Proposed work should respond to one of three task statements:
- Accelerating science to action in fire-prone ecosystems with changing fire regimes: Spurring innovation in fire management through knowledge exchange and place-based partnerships - This research program seeks to build strong, cross-sector partnerships to develop and implement science-informed strategies that address the complex challenges posed by rapidly evolving fire regimes. By supporting collaborative, place-based efforts, the program aims to identify adaptive fire management practices that reflect diverse perspectives, including Indigenous knowledge, and are grounded in the best available science. Proposals of up to $250,000 over two years are being accepted for projects in the Appalachian, Southeast, and Southern Rockies regions.
- Evaluation of fire potential forecasts - This research program aims to improve wildland fire potential forecasting by supporting an independent assessment of existing tools and products (including remotely sensed fire data, fire perimeters, fire progression maps, and fire occurrence datasets) focusing on their ability to predict ignition and fire spread across different timeframes and geographic scales. The goal is to inventory and evaluate these forecasting tools from the perspective of operational fire managers, ensuring they meet practical decision-making needs. The statement does not specify a funding level, though the announcement stipulates award sizes of between $300,000 and $500,000.
- Research to support wildland fire investigations - This research program seeks to enhance the scientific foundation underlying wildland fire origin and cause investigations by evaluating the reliability of commonly used fire behavior and pattern indicators. Since many current investigative practices rely heavily on experiential knowledge, this effort emphasizes the need for empirical testing, literature reviews, and synthesis of relevant methods to reduce uncertainty and improve accuracy. Proposals should involve collaboration with experienced fire investigators to ensure findings are practical and applicable. No specific funding amount is stated, though the announcement stipulates award sizes between $300,000 and $500,000.
- Regional Science Exchange and Outreach Announcement will support leadership and implementation of a regional fire science exchange program to connect stakeholders with current wildland fire science over a two-year period. Between $1.5 and $3 million is anticipated for FY 2026, subject to appropriations with award sizes ranging from ~ $190,000 and $320,000 each. Proposals are invited for six specific regions: California, Great Plains, Lake States, Southern, Southern Rockies, and Tallgrass Prairie.
- Graduate Research Innovation (GRIN) Award Announcement will support U.S.-based master’s and doctoral students conducting fire-related research that enhances its relevance to fire and fuels management or policy. Proposals must supplement an existing thesis or dissertation, be written primarily by the student, and include engagement with managers or decision-makers. Awards of up to $25,000 are intended to support new, unfunded research that directly aligns with JFSP priorities such as fire behavior, emissions, or post-fire recovery, and must result in a management-focused product or presentation. Between $300,000 to $500,000 in funding will be available for FY 2026 program.
Due Date: Final proposals for all opportunities are due by September 18, 2025 via the Joint Fire Science Program website, with details of required documentation and submission details provided in the NOFOs. Notably, to submit, all primary investigators (PI) and related contacts must be registered in the JFSP database.
Eligibility: Both public and private institutions of higher education are eligible to apply for this opportunity, along with numerous other stakeholders. Importantly, the JFSP limits indirect costs to twenty percent. Those proposing greater than twenty percent will not be considered. Each PI may only submit a single proposal.
Sources and additional information: In addition to reviewing the full award announcements (available on the Joint Fire Science Program Funding page here), applicants are also encouraged to review the full Joint Fire Science Websiteand the latest version ofJFSP proposal submittal and preparation tips