The U.S. Forest Service has announced the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Community Wildfire Defense Grant (CWDG) opportunity specifically designed for Native American Tribes. This grant aims to support tribal communities in reducing wildfire risk, protecting people and structures, and enhancing community resilience to wildfires. The funding is part of a broader initiative under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to help at-risk communities develop and implement effective wildfire mitigation strategies.

The grant provides financial assistance for projects that include the development and revision of Community Wildfire Protection Plans (CWPPs), wildfire prevention education and outreach, hazardous fuel reduction, and ecosystem restoration activities. Tribal communities that have been impacted by wildfires or are at a heightened risk due to environmental factors will be given priority in funding decisions. Eligible projects must align with national wildfire risk reduction strategies and demonstrate community support.

Eligible applicants include federally recognized Native American Tribes. The funding does not extend to for-profit entities, and projects on federally administered lands are generally ineligible, except for those occurring on Trust lands held for Native American Tribes and individuals. Applicants must ensure that they have an active registration with the System for Award Management (SAM) to be considered for funding.

The application process involves submitting a comprehensive project proposal that includes a description of the project’s objectives, methodology, and expected outcomes. Additionally, applicants must demonstrate how the proposed project aligns with local, regional, or national wildfire defense strategies. The application also requires a cost-share match, which varies depending on the type of project. CWPP development or revision projects require a 10% match, while planning, education/outreach, and hazardous fuels reduction projects require a 25% match. However, the cost-share requirement may be waived for projects serving underserved communities.

Applications will be evaluated based on a scoring system that considers factors such as project feasibility, community risk level, cost-effectiveness, and alignment with wildfire mitigation objectives. Successful applicants will be notified of the award decision and provided further instructions on grant management and reporting requirements.

Key deadlines for this funding opportunity include the opening date for submissions, the pre-application deadline for specific components, and the final application submission deadline. Contact information for technical assistance and inquiries is provided by the U.S. Forest Service through email contacts listed in the grant documentation.