2026 Wildfire and Forest Resilience Directed Grant Program
🏛 Sierra Nevada Conservancy (California)
✓ Free, no account · Source: California Grants Portal · Last verified Jul 10, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for workforce development organizations in California that are current HRCC grantees. Applicants must be existing recipients of the High Road to Construction Careers Resilient Workforce Fund program.
Round One funding supports regions to maintain service levels during the transition to Round Two. All eligible HRCC regions receive predetermined allocations based on prior spending rates. Applicants must apply for the exact allocation amount specified in the RFA.
Funding supports training and apprenticeship programs in construction trades. Priority populations include women, veterans, and justice-involved individuals entering the industry.
Round Two will be a separate competitive solicitation issued in 2026-27 with approximately $19 million available to regions with demonstrated hiring demand.
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Program description
This Sierra Nevada Conservancy (SNC) Grant Program (Program) responds to recent legislation and executive orders addressing California’s wildfire crisis. In November of 2024, California voters approved Proposition 4, the Safe Drinking Water, Wildfire Prevention, Drought Preparedness, and Clean Air Bond Act of 2024, commonly known as the “Climate Bond.” In April 2025, Governor Newsom signed Assembly Bill 100 (Gabriel), which allocates $30.9 million from the 2024 Climate Bond to the SNC for the purposes of wildfire prevention and forest resilience, including improving local fire prevention capacity, improving forest health and resilience, and reducing the risk of wildfire spreading into populated areas from wildlands. This Program seeks to create more resilient forest landscapes and watersheds and reduce wildfire risk. The climate and ecological benefits of forest-restoration treatments are well known. Ecologically sound forest management, including beneficial fire, and community protection are critical in securing the overall well-being of the Sierra-Cascade. To be eligible to receive a grant award from the SNC under this Program, projects must meet all of the following criteria: Result in a clear, demonstrable, and enduring public benefit; be located within the Sierra-Cascade as defined by current SNC governing legislation; must align with one of the Program priorities identified in the guidelines; be consistent with the SNC mission and program areas as defined in the SNC Strategic Plan; be consistent with the requirements of the funding source and budget provisions; and meet all California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements, as applicable. The SNC proposal process involves concept and full proposal phases. To initiate consideration of a project, an applicant must contact the appropriate SNC Area Representative. If it is determined that the SNC will consider the project, the applicant will receive a concept proposal form and SNC will assist in the development of the project. After concept proposals are submitted, the evaluation team will review them based on the first three evaluation criteria described in the Guidelines. These criteria are: 1) Public and Natural Resource Benefits and Alignment with Funding and Program Goals, 2) Project Design and Budget, and 3) Landscape Context. Based on the funding available, top scoring concept proposals may be invited to submit a full proposal. If it is determined that the SNC will consider partnering on the project, the applicant will be asked to submit a full proposal. The SNC will share the full proposal form with the applicant and assist in developing the project. The SNC may give favorable consideration to projects which: are forest-health projects that result in multiple benefits; involve California Native American tribes; were identified in a collaboratively developed regional plan, such as the Regional Priority Plan; directly benefit SDAC, DAC, or Vulnerable Populations; engage a workforce-development effort; or enable the equitable geographic distribution of SNC resources. Please review the full grant program guidelines.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
- Individuals
- Nonprofits
- Public Authority
- Small Business (SBA-defined)
- Tribal Nation
- Workforce Development Program
Demographic focus
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- Application Access Form (to request Cal-E-Grants portal access)
- Cal-E-Grants application submission
- Documentation of regional labor market demand
- Prior participant data and reporting records
- Proof of HRCC RWF program participation
Program contact
- 📧 shannon.ciotti@sierranevada.ca.gov
- 📞 1-530-906-7345
FAQ
Who is eligible to apply for HRCC 2026 Round One?
Only current HRCC grantees are eligible. You must be an existing recipient of the HRCC Resilient Workforce Fund program.
What is the deadline for Round One applications?
The deadline is May 6, 2026. Round Two will have a separate solicitation in the 2026-27 State Fiscal Year.
What activities does HRCC 2026 fund?
Funding supports apprenticeship and training programs in construction trades, with emphasis on serving women, veterans, and justice-involved individuals.
How much funding will each region receive in Round One?
Allocations are predetermined based on each region's prior HRCC RWF spending rate through December 2025. You must apply for the exact amount shown in the RFA Table One.
Will there be opportunities beyond Round One?
Yes. Round Two is a separate competitive process opening in 2026-27 with approximately $19 million for regions with demonstrated hiring demand.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Request application access through the Application Access form before applying. You cannot submit without approved access to Cal-E-Grants.
- Apply for the exact allocation amount listed in Table One of the RFA. Requests for different amounts may result in ineligibility.
- Document your region's hiring demand and labor market alignment. This data will be critical for Round Two competitiveness.
- Highlight past performance on participant data collection and reporting timelines. Compliance history strongly influences Round Two evaluation.
- Demonstrate your track record serving priority populations: women, veterans, and justice-involved individuals entering construction trades.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Failing to request application access before the deadline prevents submission. Applying for an amount different from your region's predetermined allocation in Table One makes you ineligible. Submitting late or incomplete participant data from prior HRCC grants signals weak compliance and reduces Round Two competitiveness.
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