Collaborative Research Initiatives have been used by FIA-FSP to foster a more strategic, efficient, and stable funding environment for priority research of a collaborative nature. In general, a committee for a CRI established by the CF-FSAC annually evaluates and sets priorities based on input from the Advisory Committee and research Program Advisory Committees (PACs), and relevant strategic documents from other sources in British Columbia. Based on these priorities, the committee constructs an annual business plan that identifies priority projects and project leaders who will develop specific project proposals. The committee reviews the proposals and provides feedback to enhance project effectiveness and collaboration. Delivery of the annual research business plan to CF-FSAC coincides with the annual planning cycle in preparation for the annual FIA-FSP Call for Proposals.

External experts review and comment on the project proposals in context of the business plan. The collaborative research steering committee reviews each project yearly in conjunction with annual business planning. Continued funding is based on performance and continued alignment with the evolving CRI strategy.

Currently, there are two collaborative research initiatives (CRIs), the Growth and Yield Modeling CRI (GYM-CRI) and the Future Forest Ecosystems CRI (FFE-CRI).

Growth and Yield Modeling Collaborative Research Initiative

In 2007, the FSB established a Growth and Yield Modeling Collaborative Research Initiative (GYM-CRI).

The GYM-CRI is intended to foster a more strategic, efficient, collaborative, and stable funding environment for priority growth and yield (GY) research. GY models have become critical tools in predicting future forest values under a wide range of alternative management regimes, natural disturbances, and climate change scenarios. Stand structure predictions from GY models serve as key inputs for predictions of future timber and non-timber values including habitat, biodiversity, and visual quality. GY models increasingly serve as synthesis platforms to integrate applied research in other fields (e.g., genetics, nutrition, pathology, entomology).

The GYM-CRI builds on the Forest Growth and Value Program strategy for GY modeling (Theme 3) and previous FIA-FSP investments in GY modeling. A GYM-CRI standing GYM-CRI committee representing GY model users and researchers evaluates and sets GY modeling priorities based on input from the Board and PACs, and relevant strategic documents from other B.C. sources (e.g., Aboriginal, Future Forest Ecosystems Initiative, Mountain Pine Beetle). Based on these priorities, the committee constructs an annual business plan that identifies priority projects and project leaders who will develop specific project proposals. The committee reviews the proposals and provides feedback to enhance project effectiveness and collaboration. Delivery of the annual GYM-CRI business plan to FSB coincides with the PAC planning cycle in preparation for the annual FIA-FSP Call for Proposals.

The Growth and Yield Modelling CRI Business Plan and Strategy 2009-2012 (July 2008) outlines the development of five projects: four strategically important, established GY models reflecting different approaches and applications, and one short-term project focusing on post-MPB regeneration. The four models (FORECAST, PrognosisBC, SORTIE, and TASS) have all received prior FSP support and are the main established models in B.C. at this time.

Research proposals initiated under the GYM-CRI are submitted for review by external experts. Approved GYM-CRI projects are administered by PwC, similar to other FIA-FSP research projects. The GYM-CRI Committee will review each project yearly in conjunction with annual business planning. Continued funding will be based on performance and continued alignment with the evolving GYMS strategy.

Proposals for growth and yield research separate from the projects in the GYM-CRI will be solicited through the FIA-FSP annual Call for Proposals process.

Future Forest Ecosystems Collaborative Research Initiative

Climate change is a major issue confronting forest and range managers in British Columbia and elsewhere. Although the FIA-FSP has been funding research related to this topic since its 2004, priority rankings on all of the many topics associated with climate change have increased in the last 2 years. In December 2005, the MFR initiated the Future Forest Ecosystems Initiative (FFEI) to focus on understanding the changes in policy, regulations, inventory, and other aspects of forest and range management needed to respond to the climate change challenge.

Similar to the GYM-CRI, the collaborative research portion of the FFEI is being partially funded through the FIA-FSP as a collaborative research initiative, based on a focused business plan. Coordination of MFR research and other research agencies will take place through the FIA-FSP PACs and the FFEI Project Committee .

Proposals for climate change research separate from the projects in the FFE-CRI will be solicited through the FIA-FSP annual Call for Proposals process.