December 3, 2025

Cooperative Fire Protection Assistance Grants Available

A fire truck and a UTV are parked outside of a fire department

The North Dakota Forest Service is currently accepting applications for the Cooperative Fire Protection Assistance program. Grant funds will be available for the purposes of enhancing fire protection and prevention capabilities of North Dakota’s fire departments.

Applications will be accepted from fire departments that service a population of 10,000 or less. Funds may be used for vehicle purchases, equipment, personal protective equipment, firefighter training, fire awareness, and prevention efforts. Applicants must match at least 50% of the total cost of the project from sources other than the federal government, and may be in the form of cash, services, or in-kind contributions.

  • Project Awards - Awards for firefighting gear and other personal protective equipment (PPE), tools, communication equipment, etc. are up to $15,000 for a project. A department may spend more than $30,000 but the maximum award amount will not exceed $15,000. Single item total purchase price cannot exceed $10,000.
  • Vehicle Awards - Awards may be up to $25,000 for a vehicle. A department may spend more than $50,000 but the maximum amount awarded will not exceed $25,000.

These funds are administered by the North Dakota Forest Service in cooperation with the USDA Forest Service. Grant applications must be postmarked by March 6, 2026. For more information about these grants, such as frequently asked questions, visit https://www.ndsu.edu/ndfs/fire.