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California Board of Forestry and Fire Protection Announces 2026-27 Investments to Advance Forestry Science and Stewardship

Annual research grant opportunities showcase the Board’s leadership in furthering science, research, and stewardship for California’s forestry and wildfire community.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 24, 2026

SACRAMENTO—The California State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection’s Effectiveness Monitoring Committee announced today the opening of the committee’s annual EMC Grant Program, inviting research proposals to help shape the future of forestry and natural resource management across California.

The EMC Grant Program furthers scientific research that evaluates the effectiveness of the California Forest Practice Rules and related natural resource protection regulations on forestlands and rangelands throughout the state.

The program also plays a vital role in advancing science-based policy and management, helping California adapt to evolving challenges such as climate change, wildfire risk, and biodiversity conservation. By investing in applied research, the program supports innovation, informs regulatory effectiveness, and helps guide the next generation of forestry and natural resource
management while ensuring that California’s forest management practices are grounded in the best available science.

Eligible projects include effectiveness monitoring studies that test one or more Forest Practice Rules or related regulations and align with key EMC research themes such as watershed protection, wildlife habitat, sediment delivery, wildfire hazard reduction, forest resilience, and climate change.

Nearly $1.11 million in total funding will be invested over three fiscal years, including:

• $261,459 in FY 2026–27
• $425,000 in FY 2027–28
• $425,000 in FY 2028–29

The deadline to submit an Initial Concept Proposal is Monday, May 18, 2026, at 5:00 PM PDT. Selected applicants may be invited to submit a Full Project Proposal in summer 2026. Researchers from universities, government agencies, tribes, nonprofit organizations, and other eligible entities are encouraged to apply.

Supporting Science That Drives Decision-Making

Past projects have provided a deep bench of research and for informing policy-makers, forestland managers, researchers, and many others as they test solutions and explore challenges.

• “Grant funding from the EMC is an opportunity to get support for rigorous science to inform the practice of forestry in California,” said Ben Waitman, Senior Environmental Scientist with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Timberland Conservation Program. “Study results are provided directly to the Board of Forestry and industry professionals, and the grant is a direct pathway to getting important results into the hands of decision makers.”

• Sal Chinnici of Mendocino Redwood Company emphasized the collaborative and applied nature of the program: “The Effectiveness Monitoring Committee brings together a multidisciplinary group of resource professionals focused on funding research critical to understanding whether the California Forest Practice Rules are achieving their intended outcomes. If you are interested in conducting research that supports healthy forests, clean water, and abundant wildlife habitat, we encourage you to apply.”

• Jonathan Meurer of the State Water Resources Control Board and EMC Co-Chair highlighted the importance of meaningful research outcomes: “Peter Drucker once said, ‘Efficiency is doing things right; effectiveness is doing the right things.’ This idea is central to the EMC’s mission. We want to ensure we are funding research that truly informs the decisions we need to make. Even the most well-executed projects have limited value if they don’t answer the right questions.”

• Matt O’Connor of O’Connor Environmental added, “This grant program provides diverse opportunities for natural resources research relating to management practices on the State’s forest lands.”

How to Apply

For application materials and additional details, please visit the EMC webpage or the California Grants Portal. For questions or submission information, contact: Kristina Wolf, Environmental Scientist, California Board of Forestry and Fire Protection at kristina.wolf@bof.ca.gov.

About the Effectiveness Monitoring Committee (EMC)
The EMC is a multidisciplinary advisory body that provides recommendations to the California State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection and the California Natural Resources Agency. Its mission is to evaluate whether forest management rules and practices are achieving their intended environmental protection goals through science-based monitoring and research.