NCRP Capacity Grants Program – Responses to Applicant Questions

NCRP Responses to Capacity Grant Applicant Questions – updated January 12, 2026

Is it possible to request technical assistance from a specific consultant to help with proposal development?

Technical support is available from consultants specifically contracted by NCRP for the purpose of providing up to 5 hours of advising for each applicant. If you would like to request technical support, please use the form to do so. NCRP is not entering in to individual contracts with other consultants to provide technical assistance for this grant proposal.

Can different departments within an entity submit applications for funding?

NCRP will only consider one application per legal entity. NCRP encourages collaboration among departments within a particular entity. In all cases, an entity must have authorization to apply from their Tribe, County, NGO board, or organization lead. Please note that the NCRP Leadership Council evaluates proposals based on regional equity of funding allocation and is interested in providing funding to economically disadvantaged and/or historically underrepresented communities.

Is the capacity grant focused on fuel reduction only? My fire response entity is in serious need of capacity building around specific projects but they aren’t fuel reduction related. Is this not the opportunity for us?

Please see p. 2-3 of the guidelines. Note that this program does not fund project implementation, but supports the capacity to plan, fund, and implement a landscape-scale portfolio of multi-objective projects that enhance forest health, as well as watershed and community resilience to wildfires. Capacity support is not restricted to entities working on fuel reduction projects. Capacity support for entities working to enhance watershed and community resilience to wildfires is also eligible, and this includes enhancing the capacity of local fire response entities. See the categories of eligible project activities on p. 2-3 of the Guidelines.

Is it possible for my organization to make two proposals? One would be for capacity building of an alliance we are a part of and would direct funds towards multiple groups, with my organization serving as the grant submitter/project coordinator.

No, NCRP will only accept one application per legal entity. For applicants who will serve as a grant lead for other groups, you are encouraged to include funds for your own entity as well as for the groups in your alliance in one application (see Guidelines pp.3-4).

The guidelines describe a small water tender as a potential small equipment purchase. What are your specifications for a small water tender that’s less than $50,000? Is it possible to use the funds to upgrade an existing water tender to increase capacity to do fuel reduction/prescribed fire assistance?
And under Track 2 the total grant application is for $75,000 minimum, so an additional $25,000 worth of capacity improvement must be proposed?

Yes, upgrades to existing equipment are eligible; partial funding for equipment where the applicant has other funding match to cover the balance is also eligible.
Yes, the minimum proposal amount under Track Two is $75,000 – proposals that link or integrate equipment purchases with other capacity investments may score higher (see Proposal Applications & Scoring Criteria on p. 9 of the Guidelines).

To submit a question, please use this form: NCRP Capacity Grants Program Question and Request Form