Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA FS 2023 COHESIVE STRATEGY
The Forest Service Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy RFA 2023 is a discretionary federal grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, aimed at reducing wildfire risk and improving wildfire resilience through coordinated, cross-boundary work. It sits under the Forest Service's broader approach called "Moving Toward Shared Stewardship Across Landscapes," which emphasizes making targeted, strategic investments across different ownerships and jurisdictions so that wildfire risk is managed at the scale where it actually occurs, not limited by administrative borders. In practical terms, the program is built to encourage partnerships and shared planning between federal, state, local, tribal, nonprofit, and other eligible entities to produce measurable, on-the-ground outcomes.
This Request for Applications is specifically framed as the Eastern Region Cohesive Fire Strategy competitive program, with a geographic focus on the Midwestern and Northeastern United States. The intent is to advance the first two national goals of the National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy (often shortened to the National Cohesive Strategy). The first goal, "Restore and Maintain Landscapes," is about strengthening the resilience of forests, grasslands, and other natural systems so they can better withstand and recover from fire-related disturbances while still meeting local land management objectives. The second goal, "Create Fire Adapted Communities," centers on reducing the vulnerability of people, homes, and critical infrastructure so communities can survive a wildfire without loss of life and with far less property damage. Together, these goals reflect a shift away from reactive suppression-only approaches and toward a more balanced strategy that includes proactive risk reduction, mitigation, and preparedness.
The funding instrument is a grant, and the eligible activity categories include Disaster Prevention and Relief as well as Natural Resources, signaling that funded projects are expected to reduce hazards and improve ecosystem and community conditions rather than simply respond after an incident. The opportunity is associated with CFDA numbers 10.697 and 10.698, which are commonly used to track Forest Service financial assistance programs. The listed award ceiling is $300,000 per award, and the Forest Service anticipated making around 25 awards, indicating a moderately competitive program designed to support a portfolio of projects across the region rather than a small number of very large initiatives.
Eligibility is broad and is designed to accommodate the mix of organizations typically involved in wildfire and land management work. Eligible applicants include state, county, and city or township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; federally recognized tribal governments; and nonprofit organizations both with and without 501(c)(3) status (excluding nonprofit institutions of higher education in those nonprofit categories). The notice also includes an "Others" category, with the expectation that applicants check the official eligibility clarification language in the full announcement. This wide eligibility suggests the Forest Service is intentionally trying to draw in diverse local and regional partners, including entities that are directly responsible for community safety, land stewardship, public education, and local planning.
From an applicant standpoint, the core message of the opportunity is that projects should clearly connect to one or both of the two Cohesive Strategy goals and demonstrate how they will reduce wildfire risk across boundaries. Strong proposals typically emphasize collaboration, shared outcomes, and a focus on the landscape or community scale where interventions make the most difference. In the landscape resilience space, that often means work that improves ecological conditions and reduces hazardous fuels in ways aligned with management objectives. In the fire-adapted communities space, it generally means activities that harden or protect communities, improve readiness and mitigation, and reduce the likelihood that a wildfire turns into a disaster for residents and infrastructure. The program description also notes that the RFA is intended to align with the current year budget direction, which is a reminder that selected projects should match federal priorities for that funding year and show clear public benefit.
Key administrative details from the announcement include the funding opportunity title "Forest Service Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy RFA 2023," the opportunity number "USDA FS 2023 COHESIVE STRATEGY," and an original posting timeline with a creation date of February 28, 2023 and an original closing date of April 30, 2023. Overall, the opportunity is best understood as a competitive grant designed to accelerate practical, partnership-driven wildfire resilience work in the Midwest and Northeast, with funding sized to support discrete projects that can show tangible progress toward healthier, more fire-resilient landscapes and safer, better-prepared communities.Apply for USDA FS 2023 COHESIVE STRATEGY
- The Department of Agriculture, Forest Service in the disaster prevention and relief, natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Forest Service Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy RFA 2023" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.697, 10.698.
- This funding opportunity was created on Feb 28, 2023.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Apr 30, 2023. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $300,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 25 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Forest Service Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy RFA 2023?
It is a discretionary, competitive federal grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Forest Service. The program is designed to reduce wildfire risk and improve wildfire resilience through coordinated, cross-boundary work that produces measurable, on-the-ground outcomes.
What is the official funding opportunity title and number?
The funding opportunity title is Forest Service Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy RFA 2023. The opportunity number is USDA FS 2023 COHESIVE STRATEGY.
What region does this Request for Applications (RFA) focus on?
This RFA is framed as the Eastern Region Cohesive Fire Strategy competitive program, with a geographic focus on the Midwestern and Northeastern United States.
What is the main purpose of this grant program?
The main purpose is to advance wildfire resilience by encouraging partnerships and shared planning across land ownerships and jurisdictions, so wildfire risk is addressed at the scale where it occurs rather than being limited by administrative boundaries.
How does this opportunity fit into the Forest Service approach to wildfire resilience?
The opportunity sits under the Forest Service approach described as Moving Toward Shared Stewardship Across Landscapes. This emphasizes targeted, strategic investments across different ownerships and jurisdictions, supporting coordinated action across boundaries.
Which national strategy does this RFA support?
This RFA supports the National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy (often called the National Cohesive Strategy).
Which goals of the National Cohesive Strategy are emphasized?
The RFA is intended to advance the first two national goals:
- Restore and Maintain Landscapes
- Create Fire Adapted Communities
What does "Restore and Maintain Landscapes" mean in this RFA?
It refers to strengthening the resilience of forests, grasslands, and other natural systems so they can better withstand and recover from fire-related disturbances while still meeting local land management objectives.
What does "Create Fire Adapted Communities" mean in this RFA?
It focuses on reducing the vulnerability of people, homes, and critical infrastructure so communities can survive a wildfire without loss of life and with significantly less property damage.
Is this grant focused only on wildfire suppression?
No. The program reflects a shift away from suppression-only approaches and toward a more balanced strategy that includes proactive risk reduction, mitigation, and preparedness.
What type of funding instrument is being offered?
The funding instrument is a grant.
What activity categories are associated with this opportunity?
The eligible activity categories listed are Disaster Prevention and Relief and Natural Resources, indicating the work is expected to reduce hazards and improve ecosystem and community conditions.
What CFDA numbers are associated with the program?
The opportunity is associated with CFDA numbers 10.697 and 10.698.
What is the maximum award amount?
The listed award ceiling is $300,000 per award.
How many awards were anticipated?
The Forest Service anticipated making approximately 25 awards.
What does the anticipated number of awards suggest about competitiveness?
With an anticipated portfolio of around 25 awards and a $300,000 award ceiling, the program appears designed to fund a moderate number of discrete projects across the region, which generally indicates a competitive process supporting multiple partners and locations rather than only a few large initiatives.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants include:
- State governments
- County governments
- City or township governments
- Special district governments
- Independent school districts
- Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education
- Federally recognized tribal governments
- Nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (excluding nonprofit institutions of higher education in that nonprofit category)
- Nonprofit organizations without 501(c)(3) status (excluding nonprofit institutions of higher education in that nonprofit category)
- An "Others" category, with eligibility subject to the official clarification language in the full announcement
Are nonprofit organizations eligible even if they are not 501(c)(3)?
Yes. The eligibility list includes nonprofit organizations with and without 501(c)(3) status, with the stated exclusion that nonprofit institutions of higher education are not included in those nonprofit categories.
Are tribal governments eligible to apply?
Yes. Federally recognized tribal governments are listed as eligible applicants.
Do projects need to involve partnerships?
The RFA is built to encourage partnerships and shared planning among federal, state, local, tribal, nonprofit, and other eligible entities. Strong proposals are described as emphasizing collaboration and shared outcomes, especially for cross-boundary wildfire risk reduction.
What does "cross-boundary" work mean in the context of this program?
It means planning and implementing wildfire risk reduction and resilience activities across different land ownerships and jurisdictions, addressing wildfire risk at the landscape or community scale rather than within a single administrative boundary.
What kinds of projects align with the "Restore and Maintain Landscapes" goal?
Projects in this area are typically described as work that improves ecological conditions and reduces hazardous fuels in ways aligned with land management objectives, supporting healthier and more resilient landscapes.
What kinds of projects align with the "Create Fire Adapted Communities" goal?
Projects in this area generally include activities that harden or protect communities, improve readiness and mitigation, and reduce the likelihood that a wildfire becomes a disaster for residents and critical infrastructure.
Do projects have to align with both Cohesive Strategy goals?
No. The program messaging indicates projects should clearly connect to one or both of the two emphasized Cohesive Strategy goals.
What does the RFA emphasize about project outcomes?
It emphasizes measurable, on-the-ground outcomes, shared outcomes among partners, and interventions at the landscape or community scale where they can make the most difference.
Does the RFA mention alignment with federal priorities?
Yes. The description notes the RFA is intended to align with the current year budget direction, indicating that selected projects should match federal priorities for that funding year and show clear public benefit.
What are the key dates listed for the original posting timeline?
The original timeline listed a creation date of February 28, 2023 and an original closing date of April 30, 2023.
What federal agency is offering this grant?
The grant opportunity is offered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Forest Service.
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Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (USDA FS 2023 COHESIVE STRATEGY) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| FY23 Southern Area State Fire Capacity Hazard Mitigation Apply for USDA FS 2023 0831 MIT Funding Number: USDA FS 2023 0831 MIT Agency: Department of Agriculture, Forest Service Category: Disaster Prevention and Relief, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 Cooperating Technical Partners (CTP) Program - Regional Apply for DHS 23 MT 045 01 99 Funding Number: DHS 23 MT 045 01 99 Agency: Department of Homeland Security, Department of Homeland Security - FEMA Category: Disaster Prevention and Relief, Natural Resources Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Community Wildfire Defense Grant 2023 West Apply for USDA FS 2023 CWDG CWSF Funding Number: USDA FS 2023 CWDG CWSF Agency: Department of Agriculture, Forest Service Category: Disaster Prevention and Relief, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $10,000,000 |
| Community Wildfire Defense Grant 2023 Tribes Apply for USDA FS 2023 CWDG TRIBES Funding Number: USDA FS 2023 CWDG TRIBES Agency: Department of Agriculture, Forest Service Category: Disaster Prevention and Relief, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $10,000,000 |
| Community Wildfire Defense Grant 2023 Northeast-Midwest Apply for USDA FS 2023 CWDG NEMW Funding Number: USDA FS 2023 CWDG NEMW Agency: Department of Agriculture, Forest Service Category: Disaster Prevention and Relief, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $10,000,000 |
| Community Wildfire Defense Grant 2023 South Apply for USDA FS 2023 CWDG SGSF Funding Number: USDA FS 2023 CWDG SGSF Agency: Department of Agriculture, Forest Service Category: Disaster Prevention and Relief, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $10,000,000 |
| Forest Service Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy RFA 2024 Apply for USDA FS 2024 COHESIVE STRATEGY Funding Number: USDA FS 2024 COHESIVE STRATEGY Agency: Forest Service Category: Disaster Prevention and Relief, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| Regional Fiscal Year 2024 Cooperating Technical Partners (CTP) Program Apply for DHS 24 MT 045 01 99 Funding Number: DHS 24 MT 045 01 99 Agency: Department of Homeland Security - FEMA Category: Disaster Prevention and Relief, Natural Resources Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| HQ Fiscal Year 2024 Cooperating Technical Partners (CTP) Program Apply for DHS 24 MT 045 00 99 Funding Number: DHS 24 MT 045 00 99 Agency: Department of Homeland Security - FEMA Category: Disaster Prevention and Relief, Natural Resources Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| FY25 State Fire Capacity Wildfire Hazard Mitigation Apply for USDA FS FY25 R8 WILDFIRE MITIGATION Funding Number: USDA FS FY25 R8 WILDFIRE MITIGATION Agency: Forest Service Category: Disaster Prevention and Relief, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| 2025 Forest Service Eastern Region Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy NOFO Apply for USDA FS 2025 COHESIVE STRATEGY Funding Number: USDA FS 2025 COHESIVE STRATEGY Agency: Forest Service Category: Disaster Prevention and Relief, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| Community Wildfire Defense Grant 2024 (FY25) South Apply for USDA FS 2024 CWDG SGSF Funding Number: USDA FS 2024 CWDG SGSF Agency: Forest Service Category: Disaster Prevention and Relief, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $10,000,000 |
| Community Wildfire Defense Grant 2024 (FY25) Tribes Apply for USDA FS 2024 CWDG TRIBES Funding Number: USDA FS 2024 CWDG TRIBES Agency: Forest Service Category: Disaster Prevention and Relief, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $10,000,000 |
| Community Wildfire Defense Grant 2024 (FY25) West Apply for USDA FS 2024 CWDG CWSF Funding Number: USDA FS 2024 CWDG CWSF Agency: Forest Service Category: Disaster Prevention and Relief, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $10,000,000 |
| Community Wildfire Defense Grant 2024 (FY25) Northeast-Midwest Apply for USDA FS 2024 CWDG NEMW Funding Number: USDA FS 2024 CWDG NEMW Agency: Forest Service Category: Disaster Prevention and Relief, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $10,000,000 |
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