2026–27 SMART FIRES MSU Research Seed Award
The 2026–27 SMART FIRES MSU Research Seed Award funds innovative, tech-driven fire science research at Montana State University, supported by Montana NSF EPSCoR.
Funder: Montana NSF EPSCoR
Due Dates: September 18, 2026: Application deadline — submit proposal PDF and budget Excel (full application) by 5:00 pm MDT
Funding Amounts: Up to $25,000 per award; award period January 1, 2027–August 31, 2027; at least one award expected.
Summary: Supports transformative prescribed-fire research and capacity building at Montana State University, advancing technology-driven fire science and student research opportunities.
Description
This program funds innovative research and capacity building at Montana State University (MSU) aligned with the SMART FIRES initiative, which focuses on advancing prescribed-fire science using technologies like sensors, machine learning, and artificial intelligence. The goal is to improve understanding of fire behavior and its impacts on Montana communities, particularly rural and tribal areas. The Seed Award encourages collaborative, interdisciplinary projects likely to produce impactful publications, attract external funding, and expand research opportunities for students, while broadening participation and strengthening Montana’s research infrastructure in fire science and related STEM fields.
