Funding Opportunities
Professional Development Grants for Early Career Faculty & Trainees
The NSF EPSCoR RII Track-1 SMART FIRES project will support early career faculty and trainees at Montana State University to pursue professional development activities through the 2026-27 academic year. The purpose of this program is to support early-career faculty and postdoctoral scholars in disciplines related to the SMART FIRES project.
Who is eligible
Tenure-track faculty at the assistant level, NTT faculty, and postdoctoral scholars in disciplines related to the SMART FIRES project; these disciplines include (but are not limited to) computer science, engineering, environmental science, economics, chemistry, and social science.
What is supported (how these funds can be spent)
These grants can support professional development activities that include (but are not limited to) travel to conferences, travel and tuition/registration fees for professional development courses and skills development, working with external mentors, and building professional networks.
Award amount
Up to $5,000 (direct funds)
Key Dates
| Application deadline | Friday, August 28, 2026 |
| Award notification | Friday, September 4, 2026 |
| Funds must be fully spent by | May 31, 2027 |
How to Apply
Email a proposal of 500 words or less as a PDF to SMART FIRES Project Manager Ben Williamson (ben.williamson2@montana.edu) by Friday, August 28, 2026. Your proposal must include:
- A description of the proposed activities
- An explanation of how the activities support your professional development
- An itemized budget with justification
- Confirmation that all funds will be spent by May 31, 2027
Questions
If you would like to discuss a proposal idea before submitting, please contact Ben Williamson (ben.williamson2@montana.edu) or Rob Walker (rawalker@montana.edu)
The NSF EPSCoR RII Track-1 SMART FIRES project will support early career faculty and trainees at The University of Montana to pursue professional development activities through the 2026-27 academic year. The purpose of this program is to support early-career faculty and postdoctoral scholars in disciplines related to the SMART FIRES project.
Who is eligible
Tenure-track faculty at the assistant level, NTT faculty, and postdoctoral scholars in disciplines related to the SMART FIRES project; these disciplines include (but are not limited to) computer science, economics, chemistry & biochemistry, social science, and all disciplines within the W.A. Franke College of Forestry and Conservation.
What is supported (how these funds can be spent)
These grants can support professional development activities that include (but are not limited to) domestic travel to conferences, travel and tuition/registration fees for professional development courses and skills development, working with external mentors, and building professional networks.
Award amount
Up to $5,000 (direct funds)
Key Dates
| Application deadline | Tuesday, September 29, 2026 |
| Award notification | Tuesday, October 6, 2026 |
| Funds must be fully spent by | June 30, 2027 |
How to Apply
Email a proposal of 500 words or less as a PDF to SMART FIRES Project Administrator Erika Hildner by Friday, September 29, 2026. Your proposal must include:
- A description of the proposed activities
- An explanation of how the activities support your professional development
- An itemized budget with justification
- Confirmation that all funds will be spent by June 30, 2027
Questions
For questions, please contact Erika Hildner (erika.hildner@mso.umt.edu).
Seed Grants
Background
The Sensors, Machine Learning, and Artificial Intelligence in Real Time Fire Science (SMART FIRES) NSF EPSCoR RII Track-1 project develops and deploys new technologies to better understand prescribed fire behavior and its impacts on Montanans, particularly in rural and tribal communities. The statewide team spans Montana State University, University of Montana, Montana Technological University, Salish Kootenai College, Little Big Horn College, and Flathead Valley Community College, working across four thematic teams — Fire and Smoke Science (FSS), Smart Optical Sensors (SOS), Social Psychology, Economics, and Ethics (SPEE), and Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AIML) — plus programs in cyberinfrastructure, STEM education, workforce development, outreach, and broadening participation.
Objectives
The Research Seed Award program funds transformative research and capacity building aligned with SMART FIRES goals. Awards may cover equipment, personnel costs (faculty, postdocs, student researchers), field data collection and analysis, research travel, and collaboration costs; all supported participants must be from Montana institutions. The program aims to: (1) advance novel prescribed-fire research that increases productivity and attracts new external funding, and (2) expand research access for graduate and undergraduate students. MSU faculty are encouraged to apply with novel research proposals within the SMART FIRES scope. Priority goes to projects likely to produce publications, follow-on grants, or strong education/workforce outcomes; proposals are also assessed for their impact on broadening participation.
Award information
- Maximum Funding Per Award: Up to $25,000. Budgets do not need to include F&A costs.
- Estimated Number of Awards: At least one award, likely more; the number of awards will be based on evaluation of proposals and available funding.
- Award Period: January 1, 2027 to August 31, 2027
Key dates
| Application deadline | Friday, September 18, 2026 |
| Award notification | Friday, October 2, 2026 |
| Funds must be fully spent by | August 31, 2027 |
Eligibility
Any MSU faculty member may apply; prior EPSCoR funding is not required. Participants currently funded by SMART FIRES are not eligible to apply, though partnering with an existing SMART FIRES research team is allowed. All supported investigators and students must be from Montana institutions.
How to apply
Email a proposal as a PDF to SMART FIRES Project Manager Ben Williamson (ben.williamson2@montana.edu) by Friday, September 18, 2026. Submit the budget separately as an Excel file using the budget template. Your proposal must include:
Cover Page (1 page)
- Proposal title
- Lead investigator, co-investigator(s), affiliation, and contact information
- Summary for a general audience (250 words max)
Project Description (3 pages max)
- Objectives and their connection to SMART FIRES priorities
- Research plan: framework, hypotheses, questions, methods
- Activities and timeline, including planned use of any equipment for research and education
- Anticipated outcomes: knowledge created, expected publications or proposals, and student research opportunities (number and type)
Additional Required Information
- Budget and 1-page justification, using the budget template. Eligible costs include: equipment; postdoc, undergraduate, or graduate student salaries/RA support and tuition (fees are not allowable); supplies; travel; and up to one week of summer salary for one faculty member. Include fringe benefits on all personnel salary.
- CVs for all investigators
- Statement agreeing to submit a final report within 2 months of award completion and to respond promptly to information requests from the Montana EPSCoR Office
- References cited (if applicable)
Reporting requirements
Grantees must provide requested updates to the Montana EPSCoR State Office, including annual reporting and supported-participant information, and are expected to attend SMART FIRES annual meetings during the award period. A final report (1–3 pages) is due within 2 months of the award end date, covering activities, equipment purchased, publications, new courses, and any extramural grant applications or awards resulting from support — including names, degrees, and demographic information for supported students. All supported participants must also complete the About You section of the NSF EDOCS reporting system.
Proposal review
Proposals are reviewed by the Montana NSF EPSCoR office and the SMART FIRES Leadership Team against NSF merit review criteria (intellectual merit and broader impacts), relevance to SMART FIRES goals, budget justification, institutional diversity, and potential to expand research access — especially for undergraduates, women, and underrepresented minority students.
Proposal submission
Submit the proposal as a PDF and the budget as an Excel file by email to ben.williamson2@montana.edu by 5:00 pm MDT, September 18, 2026.
Background
The Sensors, Machine Learning, and Artificial Intelligence in Real Time Fire Science (SMART FIRES) NSF EPSCoR RII Track-1 project develops and deploys new technologies to better understand prescribed fire behavior and its impacts on Montanans, particularly in rural and tribal communities. The statewide team spans Montana State University, University of Montana, Montana Technological University, Salish Kootenai College, Little Big Horn College, and Flathead Valley Community College, working across four thematic teams — Fire and Smoke Science (FSS), Smart Optical Sensors (SOS), Social Psychology, Economics, and Ethics (SPEE), and Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AIML) — plus programs in cyberinfrastructure, STEM education, workforce development, outreach, and broadening participation.
Objectives
The Research Seed Award program funds transformative research and capacity building aligned with SMART FIRES goals. Awards may cover equipment, personnel costs (faculty, postdocs, student researchers), field data collection and analysis, research travel, and collaboration costs; all supported participants must be from Montana institutions. The program aims to: (1) advance novel prescribed-fire research that increases productivity and attracts new external funding, and (2) expand research access for graduate and undergraduate students. UM faculty are encouraged to apply with novel research proposals within the SMART FIRES scope. Priority goes to projects likely to produce publications, follow-on grants, or strong education/workforce outcomes; proposals are also assessed for their impact on broadening participation.
Award information
- Maximum Funding Per Award: Up to $25,000. Budgets do not need to include F&A costs.
- Estimated Number of Awards: At least one award, likely more; the number of awards will be based on evaluation of proposals and available funding.
- Award Period: January 1, 2027 to August 31, 2027
Key dates
| Application deadline | Friday, October 16, 2026 |
| Award notification | Friday, October 30, 2026 |
| Funds must be fully spent by | August 31, 2027 |
Eligibility
Any UM faculty member may apply; prior EPSCoR funding is not required. Participants currently funded by SMART FIRES are not eligible to apply, though partnering with an existing SMART FIRES research team is allowed. All supported investigators and students must be from Montana institutions.
How to apply
Email a proposal as a PDF to SMART FIRES Project Administrator Erika Hildner by Friday, October 16, 2026. Submit the budget separately as an Excel file using the budget template. Your proposal must include:
Cover Page (1 page)
- Proposal title
- Lead investigator, co-investigator(s), affiliation, and contact information
- Summary for a general audience (250 words max)
Project Description (3 pages max)
- Objectives and their connection to SMART FIRES priorities
- Research plan: framework, hypotheses, questions, methods
- Activities and timeline, including planned use of any equipment for research and education
- Anticipated outcomes: knowledge created, expected publications or proposals, and student research opportunities (number and type)
Additional Required Information
- Budget and 1-page justification, using the budget template. Eligible costs include: equipment; postdoc, undergraduate, or graduate student salaries/RA support and tuition (fees are not allowable); supplies; travel; and up to one week of summer salary for one faculty member. Include fringe benefits on all personnel salary.
- CVs for all investigators
- Statement agreeing to submit a final report within 2 months of award completion and to respond promptly to information requests from the Montana EPSCoR Office
- References cited (if applicable)
Reporting requirements
Grantees must provide requested updates to the Montana EPSCoR State Office, including annual reporting and supported-participant information, and are expected to attend a SMART FIRES annual meeting or all-project meeting following the award period. A final report (1–3 pages) is due within 2 months of the award end date, covering activities, equipment purchased, publications, new courses, participant information, and any extramural grant applications or awards resulting from support. All supported participants must also complete the About You section of the NSF EDOCS reporting system.
Proposal review
Proposals are reviewed by the Montana NSF EPSCoR office and the SMART FIRES Leadership Team against NSF merit review criteria (intellectual merit and broader impacts), relevance to SMART FIRES goals, budget justification, and potential to expand research access.
Proposal submission
Submit the proposal as a PDF and the budget as an Excel file by email to erika.hildner@mso.umt.edu by 5:00 pm MDT, October 16, 2026.
Background
The Sensors, Machine Learning, and Artificial Intelligence in Real Time Fire Science (SMART FIRES) NSF EPSCoR RII Track-1 project develops and deploys new technologies to better understand prescribed fire behavior and its impacts on Montanans, particularly in rural and tribal communities. The statewide team spans Montana State University, University of Montana, Montana Technological University, Salish Kootenai College, Little Big Horn College, and Flathead Valley Community College, working across four thematic teams — Fire and Smoke Science (FSS), Smart Optical Sensors (SOS), Social Psychology, Economics, and Ethics (SPEE), and Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AIML) — plus programs in cyberinfrastructure, STEM education, workforce development, outreach, and broadening participation.
Objectives
SMART FIRES’ Seed Award program for Montana’s two- and four-year campuses funds new and expanded undergraduate education and workforce development in prescribed fire science and related STEM fields. Awards can support student education programs that respond to Montana’s STEM workforce needs — particularly in prescribed fire — as well as faculty development in these areas. Examples include a new fire science course, independent student or faculty projects on the technical or social dimensions of fire science, faculty professional development, or other innovative ideas that build prescribed fire-related education capacity and workforce development at two- and four-year institutions.
Faculty and instructors at these campuses are encouraged to apply. Priority goes to projects that clearly link to SMART FIRES project goals.
Award information
Maximum Funding Per Award: Up to $10,000, which must include any allowable indirect costs (F&A). Funding for each seed project will be provided through new or updated subawards from MSU.
Estimated Number of Awards: We anticipate funding 2-3 projects, depending upon available funding and the number of proposal submissions.
Award Period: January 1, 2027 to August 31, 2027
Key dates
| Application deadline | Friday, October 9, 2026 |
| Award notification | Friday, October 23, 2026 |
| Funds must be fully spent by | August 31, 2027 |
Eligibility
Any instructor or faculty member at a two- or four-year Montana University System campus, Montana Tribal College, or Montana private college may apply (MSU and UM are not eligible for this RFP). Prior EPSCoR funding is not required. Participants currently funded by SMART FIRES are not eligible to apply. Partnering with an existing SMART FIRES research or education team is encouraged but not required. All supported investigators and students must be from Montana institutions.
Montana NSF EPSCoR also offers separate seed funding for Montana Tribal Colleges. Visit https://smartfires.mtnsfepscor.org/funding-opportunities/ for more information.
How to apply
Email a proposal as a PDF to SMART FIRES Project Manager Ben Williamson (ben.williamson2@montana.edu) by Friday, October 9, 2026. Submit the budget separately as an Excel file using the budget template. Your proposal must include:
Cover Page (1 page)
- Proposal title
- Lead investigator, co-investigator(s), affiliation, and contact information
- Summary for a general audience (250 words max)
Project Description (3 pages max)
- Objectives and their connection to SMART FIRES priorities
- Research plan: framework, hypotheses, questions, methods
- Activities and timeline, including planned use of any equipment for research and education
- Anticipated outcomes: knowledge created, expected publications or proposals, and student research opportunities (number and type)
Additional Required Information
- Budget and 1-page justification, using the budget template. Eligible costs: salaries and wages, supplies, contracted services, travel, and tuition (fees not allowable). Include fringe benefits on all personnel salary and institutional F&A at your institution’s approved rate — F&A cannot be waived.
- CV or resume of the project lead
- References cited (if applicable)
Reporting requirements
Grantees must provide project updates and supported-participant information to the Montana EPSCoR State Office when requested, and submit a final report (1–3 pages) within 2 months of the award end date. The report should cover activities, supplies purchased, publications, new courses developed, and any extramural grant applications or awards resulting from support — including names, degrees, and demographic information for supported students. All supported participants must also complete the About You section of the NSF EDOCS reporting system.
Proposal review
Proposals are reviewed by the Montana NSF EPSCoR office and the SMART FIRES Leadership Team against NSF merit review criteria (intellectual merit and broader impacts), relevance to SMART FIRES goals, budget justification, institutional diversity, and potential to expand research access — especially for undergraduates, women, and underrepresented minority students.
Proposal submission
Submit the proposal as a PDF and the budget as an Excel file by email to ben.williamson2@montana.edu by 5:00 pm MDT, October 9, 2026.
Background
The Sensors, Machine Learning, and Artificial Intelligence in Real Time Fire Science (SMART FIRES) NSF EPSCoR RII Track-1 project develops and deploys new technologies to better understand prescribed fire behavior and its impacts on Montanans, particularly in rural and tribal communities. The statewide team spans Montana State University, University of Montana, Montana Technological University, Salish Kootenai College, Little Big Horn College, and Flathead Valley Community College, working across four thematic teams — Fire and Smoke Science (FSS), Smart Optical Sensors (SOS), Social Psychology, Economics, and Ethics (SPEE), and Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AIML) — plus programs in cyberinfrastructure, STEM education, workforce development, outreach, and broadening participation.
Objectives
SMART FIRES’ Seed Award program funds research, capacity building, and STEM education at Montana’s Tribal Colleges. Awards can cover personnel costs (faculty, instructors, students), research supplies, field data collection and analysis, and travel. The program aims to (1) connect Tribal Colleges to the NSF EPSCoR network, and (2) create opportunities for Tribal Colleges to conduct research, build science capacity, or strengthen STEM education important to their school, students, and communities.
Projects do not need to align directly with the SMART FIRES research topics above — support is open to any STEM-related work, though connections to SMART FIRES research and researchers are encouraged.
Award information
Maximum Funding Per Award: Up to $20,000, which must include any allowable indirect costs (F&A).
Estimated Number of Awards: We anticipate funding 2-3 projects, depending upon available funding and the number of proposal submissions.
Award Period: January 1, 2027 to August 31, 2027
Key dates
| Application deadline | Friday, November 6, 2026 |
| Award notification | Friday, November 20, 2026 |
| Funds must be fully spent by | August 31, 2027 |
Eligibility
Any faculty, staff, or instructor at a Montana Tribal College may apply. Partnering with an existing SMART FIRES research team is encouraged but not required. All supported investigators and students must be from Montana institutions.
How to apply
Email a proposal as a PDF to Dr. Aaron Thomas (aaron.thomas@mso.umt.edu) by Friday, November 6, 2026. Submit the budget separately as an Excel file using the budget template. Your proposal must include:
Cover Page (1 page)
- Proposal title
- Lead investigator, co-investigator(s), affiliation, and contact information
- Summary for a general audience (250 words max)
Project Description (2-3 pages recommended)
- Objectives: summary of the proposed work; note alignment with SMART FIRES priorities if applicable (not required)
- Work plan: activities, timeline, and purpose of any specialized supplies or materials requested
- Outcomes and benefits: anticipated knowledge created, publications or proposals, undergraduate research opportunities (number and type), and students impacted
Additional Required Information (not counted toward the 3-page limit)
- Budget and 1-page justification, using the budget template. Eligible costs: salaries and wages, supplies, contracted services, travel, and tuition (fees not allowable). Include fringe benefits on all personnel salary and institutional F&A at your institution’s approved rate — F&A cannot be waived.
- CV or resume for all investigators (not required for students)
- References cited (if applicable)
Reporting requirements
Grantees must provide project updates and supported-participant information to the Montana NSF EPSCoR State Office when requested, and submit a final report within 2 months of the award end date. The report should cover activities, supplies purchased, publications, new courses developed, and any extramural grant applications or awards resulting from support — including names, degrees, and demographic information for supported students. All supported participants must also complete the About You section of the NSF EDOCS reporting system.
Proposal review
Proposals are reviewed by Dr. Aaron Thomas (UM IRSE) and the Montana NSF EPSCoR office for: alignment with STEM goals, relevance to SMART FIRES project goals (if applicable), budget justification, and potential to expand student access to research or STEM experiences — especially for undergraduates, women, and underrepresented minority students.
Proposal submission Submit the proposal as a PDF and the budget as an Excel file by email to Dr. Aaron Thomas (aaron.thomas@mso.umt.edu) by 5:00 pm MDT, November 6, 2026. Proposers are encouraged to contact Dr. Thomas (406-243-2052) to discuss deadlines, the award period, and to ask questions or for assistance in putting together the proposal and package.
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