We are pleased to share several new funding opportunities that may be of interest to UC ANR researchers. These opportunities support applied research in forest products innovation, fire science, and California blueberry production. Each program is designed to advance sustainable practices, strengthen industry resilience, and foster practical solutions to current challenges.

1. Joint Institute for Wood Products Innovation Grant Program 

This grant program, administered by the California Board of Forestry and Fire Protection, supports research and innovation aimed at strengthening California’s forest products sector and advancing climate-smart, sustainable forestry practices. The program seeks to:

• Promote long-term forest ecosystem sustainability and carbon storage
• Support wood products, biofuels, and bioenergy development
• Expand workforce housing and technical training in forest-based communities

Opportunity Snapshot

• Max Funding: $450,000 (match encouraged)
• Project Duration: Up to 2.5 years
• Deadline: August 8, 2025, by 5:00 PM PT
• Focus Areas: Wood/biomass product development, feasibility studies, forest workforce training, small business innovation, sustainable use of California-grown wood
• Additional Information: California Board of Forestry and Fire Protection website

2. BLM Joint Fire Science Program (JFSP) – Primary Announcement

The JFSP, administered by the BLM National Interagency Fire Center, supports collaborative, science-based approaches addressing the complex challenges of changing fire regimes across fire-prone ecosystems.

Task Statements:

• Note: TS I is not applicable to California.
• TS II: Evaluation of fire potential forecasting tools: This task seeks to fund research projects that address either 1) Inventories of fire potential forecast products, including the spatial and temporal scales at which they are intended to operate, assumptions, inputs, outputs, intended uses, and degree of validation or evaluation.; or 2) Evaluation and validation of one or more operational fire potential forecast products or tools with regard to the ability to forecast wildfire ignition and spread potential.
• TS III: Research to strengthen fire origin and cause investigations: This task seeks to fund research projects that address either 1) Syntheses of information pertinent to wildland fire investigators, including but not limited to, commonly used methods, sources of uncertainty, variability in evidence interpretation, research needs, and other factors that may be of particular interest to wildland fire investigators; 2) Studies that test the reliability of fire behavior and pattern indicators in various conditions (e.g., variable topography, vegetation and fuels characteristics, weather conditions); or 3) Comprehensive reviews of scientific literature related to fire behavior and effects to inform the reliability of fire behavior and fire pattern indicators.

Opportunity Snapshot

• Max Funding: $500,000 (no match required)
• Project Duration: 1 to 3 years
• Deadline: September 18, 2025, by 4:00 PM PT
• Discipline/Subject Area: Fire Science / Ecosystem Management / Applied Research
• Additional Information: Joint Fire Science Program website

3. California Blueberry Commission 2025–2026 Research Solicitation 

The California Blueberry Commission (CBC) invites proposals that improve the efficiency, sustainability, and effectiveness of blueberry production and processing in California.

• Max Funding: $30,000 (no match required)
• Project Duration: 1 year
• Deadline: August 29, 2025, by 5:00 PM PT
• Priority Areas: Mechanization (harvesting, pruning), automation, pest and frost management, acreage mapping, postharvest improvements, alternative packaging, and other cost-saving or productivity-boosting innovations.
• Additional Information: RFP