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Great Basin Fire Science Exchange (L16AS00234) FAQs

What is the Great Basin Fire Science Exchange grant opportunity?

It is a U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) funding opportunity focused on strengthening the connection between land and fire managers and the scientific community in the Great Basin region, so wildfire-related decisions are better informed by current, relevant research.

What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON) for this grant?

The Funding Opportunity Number is L16AS00234.

Which federal agency offered this opportunity?

The opportunity was offered by the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management (BLM).

What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?

The CFDA number listed for this opportunity is 15.232.

What funding activity category does this opportunity fall under?

It falls within the Natural Resources funding activity category.

What type of award was this opportunity?

It was structured as a discretionary cooperative agreement.

What does it mean that this was a discretionary cooperative agreement?

A discretionary cooperative agreement indicates the agency anticipated substantial involvement in the funded work, rather than issuing a hands-off award. In practice, this generally means the agency expects to be actively engaged in aspects of the project during performance.

When was this funding opportunity created?

The opportunity was created on July 5, 2016.

What was the original application deadline?

The original application deadline was September 5, 2016.

What was the main purpose of the project?

The main purpose was to strengthen the connection between land and fire managers and the scientific community in the Great Basin region, so decisions made before and after wildfires are better informed by current, relevant research.

What kinds of decisions was this project meant to support?

The project was intended to improve the quality and consistency of both pre-fire and post-fire management decisions, including planning before fires, support for suppression decisions during incidents, and post-fire recovery and restoration decisions.

What does the project mean by serving as an "exchange" or "bridge"?

The project was designed to translate fire science into usable information for managers, while also helping scientists better understand managers' on-the-ground needs and what information is most useful during time-sensitive fire and restoration decisions.

What is meant by translating fire science into "usable information"?

In this context, it refers to taking current, relevant research and making it accessible and practical for real management settings, such as planning activities, operational suppression support, and post-fire recovery work.

Did the opportunity emphasize access to experts as well as information?

Yes. A central emphasis was on providing not only scientific information but also access to technical expertise, suggesting the project would support consultation, interpretation of findings, and application of science to real management scenarios.

Who was eligible to apply?

Eligibility was listed as unrestricted, meaning applicants were open to any entity type, subject to any additional eligibility details that could have been provided in the full announcement text.

What was the maximum amount of funding available under this opportunity?

The award ceiling indicated for this opportunity was $485,000.

How many awards were expected to be made?

One award was expected.

What does it imply that only one award was expected?

It implies a single primary recipient would likely coordinate the exchange activities, partnerships, and deliverables associated with the Great Basin Fire Science Exchange effort.

What geographic area was the project focused on?

The project focus was the Great Basin region.

What overall outcomes was the opportunity aiming for?

The opportunity aimed to improve the quality and consistency of wildfire-related management decisions across the Great Basin by ensuring managers can readily access credible, management-relevant science and the expert support needed to apply it.

Was this opportunity intended to support decisions both before and after wildfires?

Yes. The description explicitly referenced improving decisions made before and after wildfires, including planning, suppression support, and post-fire recovery.

What kind of relationship between managers and scientists was the project trying to build?

The project aimed to create a stronger two-way connection: managers gain easier access to relevant science and expertise, and scientists gain clearer insight into managers' practical needs and the kinds of information that are most useful during urgent decision-making.

Is this grant described as competitive or non-competitive?

The information provided describes it as a discretionary cooperative agreement and does not state whether it was competitive or non-competitive.

Are there additional eligibility conditions or application requirements listed here?

No. The information provided only states that eligibility was unrestricted, and notes that additional eligibility details may have been included in the full announcement text.