The Fire Service Educator Fellowship is a twelve-month professional development experience from the Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI) for fire service instructors who want to continue honing their craft as educators and help firefighters connect research to practice. It's built on a simple idea: knowing the content and teaching it effectively are two different skills. Fellows work through a structured arc of monthly deliverables, seven collaboration sessions, and two in-person summits, culminating in a capstone learning experience delivered to their own crew or department. Fellows receive a participation stipend and travel coverage for both summits. There is no cost to participate.
WHO SHOULD APPLY
The Fellowship is for instructors who are currently teaching, whether as a training officer, adjunct instructor, or company officer delivering in-service training, and who have the standing to teach within their department. We are building a cohort of 15 to 25 fellows that reflects a mix of career, volunteer, and combination departments; metro, suburban, and rural settings; and both emerging and veteran instructors. Prior participation in FSRI research, training, or other programs is not required and does not provide an advantage in selection.
WHAT YOU'LL NEED TO COMMIT TO
- Sustained engagement from January through December 2027, an estimated 2.5 to 5 hours per month
- Attendance at two in-person summits: January 12–13, 2027, in Marietta, GA, and December 7–8, 2027 (location to be confirmed); travel covered by FSRI
- Participation in seven collaboration sessions, typically on the last Wednesday of the month
- Delivery of a capstone session to your crew or department in October 2027
WHAT THE APPLICATION ASKS
The form takes roughly 45 to 60 minutes to complete. You'll provide basic information about you and your department, confirm eligibility, answer five short-answer prompts about your teaching (roughly 150–300 words), and upload a current resume. You'll also name a chief, training chief, or direct supervisor who will submit a one-page letter of support through this platform. You can save your progress and return at any time before the deadline.
TIMELINE
- Applications close Saturday, October 24, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET
- Eligibility is screened on a rolling basis
- All applicants receive a decision by November 17, 2026
- Accepted fellows must confirm intent to participate by December 1, 2026
Questions? Contact fsri.training.support@ul.org.
The Fire Service Educator Fellowship is a professional development opportunity. It is not a certification program, and participation does not imply employment or any formal relationship with the Fire Safety Research Institute beyond the Fellowship experience.