Bureau of Land Management Grants

The Headquarters Bureau of Land Management (BLM) offices have collaborated with Qualified Youth Corps, as authorized by the Public Lands Corps Act (PLC), to accomplish natural and cultural resource-focused projects for numerous years. This program"s projects provide opportunities to gain work experience in public lands and natural resources management. Through their BLM experience, youth gain an appreciation for public lands, learn about natural resource management careers, and become the next generation of public lands stewards. The BLM Youth Program helps the agency accomplish projects across all program areas in support of the BLM"s multiple-use mission. The BLM Youth Program partners with qualified youth corps through the Public Lands Corp (PLC) Program to engage individuals between the ages of 16 and 30 (inclusive) and veterans up to age 35 (inclusive), including tribal members. The PLC program mandates employing youth who are interested in working on natural and cultural resource projects that protect public lands.Projects available under the PLC Program are developed in collaboration with the State Youth Program Lead and District/Field Office project coordinators. The projects emphasize hands-on engagement in on-the-ground projects, skill development training, and mentorship opportunities for participants. These projects create jobs that strengthen America"s economy and foster relationships with youth corps organizations striving for balanced stewardship and use of public lands.Proposed projects within this funding opportunity notice will support the goals of the PLC Program and may also incorporate the goals of the Indian Youth Service Corps Program through outreach to Indian tribes and tribal-serving youth corps organizations. Projects will include the following:Enhancement of recreation opportunities through trail building, maintenance and restoration, and other improvements to visitor and recreation facilities (e.g. kiosks, campgrounds, signage etc.).Monitoring riparian area vegetation and hydrological functions, collecting soil and stream data as well as timber stand improvement projects for wildlife habitat and overall forest health.Habitat restoration and wildlife protection, including reduction of invasive species, tree planting, fence removal/installation, riparian area restoration, etc.Development and implementation of natural and cultural resource stewardship plans or educational materials for visitors.Studies such as resource inventories, historic or archival research, archaeological excavation or stabilization, oral histories, historic preservation, habitat surveys, etc.Preservation of cultural resources, including historic structures.Seed collection for restoration of lands affected by natural disastersReduction of wildfire risk to communities, watersheds, and other public land ecosystems.Production of materials and programs on natural, cultural, and/or paleontological resources, communication, education, and interpretation of natural and cultural resources.In-house projects, such as cartography, records management, realty or wildland fire support, must demonstrate a clear benefit to natural or cultural resources and include a field component of at least 120 hours.

The U.S. Wildland Fire Service Joint Fire Science Program (JFSP) is seeking proposals from current master and doctoral students enrolled at colleges or universities within the US in the field of wildland fire and related physical, biological, and social sciences to apply for a Fire Leaders And Managers, Emerging Scientists (FLAMES) award. The purpose of a FLAMES award is to enhance student exposure to the management and policy relevance of their research, to provide opportunities for experiential learning and exposure to fire management practices, and to foster peer-learning, mentorship and career development. Successful applicants will be expected to meet the following program requirements during the project period: 1. Complete a research project that supplements the student’s current thesis or dissertation research plan. 2. Gain practical experience and exposure to wildland fire practitioners, through participation in prescribed fire, wildfire, or other activity related to fire management (management activities relevant to the student’s area of expertise). 3. Attend regularly scheduled JFSP-organized virtual meetings designed to build a student cohort, share information, and introduce students to training and engagement opportunities. 4. Participate in at least one in-person event to exchange science with practitioners (i.e., workshop, training, field tour) and develop at least one management-relevant product (e.g., webinar, factsheet) that describes the management relevance of their research. Proposals must describe a new, unfunded wildland fire research project that extends ongoing or planned research that is the subject of a thesis or dissertation that has been approved by the graduate student’s advisor or advisory committee. Research projects must be directly related to the mission and goals of JFSP to be considered. Applicants are encouraged to search the JFSP website ( www.firescience.gov ) to learn more about the scope of JFSP funded research. In addition, proposals must directly address management- or policy-related questions related to one or more of the following topic areas : · Fuels management and prescribed fire · Changing fire environment · Emissions and air quality · Fire effects and post-fire recovery · Human dimensions of fire management Proposals on topics not listed above will not be reviewed. Please consult the JFSP database for the specific requirements on each individual task statement, https://www.firescience.gov/ All proposals must be submitted by September 17, 2026, 5:00 pm MT , using the electronic submission process provided by the JFSP website (https://www.firescience.gov). Proposals cannot be submitted through Grants.gov. No exceptions are allowed to this closing date or time.

The U.S. Wildland Fire Service Joint Fire Science Program (JFSP) is seeking to solicit proposals to lead and execute regional fire science exchanges in specific regions for a period of two years. Proposals are requested for the following nine regions of the FSEN: Alaska, Appalachians, Great Basin, North Atlantic, Northern Rockies, Northwest, Oak Woodlands, Pacific Islands and Southwest. Individual proposals (i.e., each proposal must be specific to one region) are requested to lead and execute a regional fire science exchange in the requested specific regions for a period of two years. Please consult the JFSP database for the specific requirements on each individual task statement, https://www.firescience.gov/ All proposals must be submitted by September 17, 2026, 5:00 pm MT , using the electronic submission process provided by the JFSP website (https://www.firescience.gov). Proposals cannot be submitted through Grants.gov. No exceptions are allowed to this closing date or time.

The U.S. Wildland Fire Service Joint Fire Science Program is soliciting proposals in two topic areas: (1) drivers of changing wildfire regimes and consequences for wildfire risk factors and (2) smoke impacts from prescribed fire and wildfire . 1. Drivers of changing wildfire regimes and consequences for wildfire risk factors The objective of this task statement is to increase understanding of the drivers and consequences of changing wildfire regimes to inform future management and monitoring plans that accelerate adaptation to these altered regimes that reduce wildland fire risk factors. JFSP is asking potential investigators to address the following research needs in this task statement. Potential investigators must address all three research needs to be considered responsive to the task statement. · Research that leads to improved models, datasets, or other tools to more accurately forecast future fire regimes and consequences for ecosystems and valued resources (e.g., communities, infrastructure, municipal watersheds). · In collaboration with fire and land managers, use of improved models, datasets, or other tools to explore scenarios of future fire regimes and consequences for ecosystems and valued resources, identify potential tipping points, and feedback mechanisms for accelerated change. · In collaboration with fire and land managers, devise potential monitoring protocols to detect potential tipping points or other indicators of change. 2. Smoke impacts from prescribed fire and wildfire The objectives of this task statement are 1) to better understand the impacts of prescribed fire and wildfire on smoke emissions - to inform appropriate timing, frequency, and extent of prescribed fire programs that maximize ecological benefits while minimizing air quality impacts on communities, and 2) to inform a standardized methodology for tracking prescribed fire emissions. To contribute to understanding of smoke impacts from prescribed fire and wildfire, JFSP is asking potential investigators to address the following research needs. Proposals must address all three research needs to be responsive to the task statement. · Empirical, observational, and/or simulation studies that document the spatial and temporal scales at which prescribed fire programs influence one or more characteristics of subsequent wildfire regime (e.g., patterns of frequency, extent, intensity, or severity) and how relationships between prescribed fire and wildfire regimes differ by various factors (e.g., region, fuel type, disturbance history, interactions with mechanical treatments). · Studies that evaluate and/or validate methodologies for tracking and/or predicting emissions from prescribed fire. · Studies that extend the findings on relationships between prescribed fire and wildfire regimes (from research need 1) and evaluation of methods (from research need 2) to implications for air quality and related public health and/or the effectiveness of mitigation strategies on acute health impacts related to air quality. Please consult the JFSP database for the specific requirements on each individual task statement, https://www.firescience.gov/ All proposals must be submitted by September 17, 2026, 5:00 pm MT , using the electronic submission process provided by the JFSP website (https://www.firescience.gov). Proposals cannot be submitted through Grants.gov. No exceptions are allowed to this closing date or time.

BLM Invasive and Noxious Plant Management Programs work to prevent, detect, inventory, control, and monitor weed populations on public lands.Invasive species cost the public millions of dollars in control and management each year and many invasive plants and noxious weeds are highly competitive and have the ability to permanently degrade our public lands.Noxious weeds and invasive species expansion are recognized as the single greatest threat to our native plant communities and the values they provide us.These native plant communities are essential for supporting wildlife habitat, watershed function, recreation opportunities, rural economies and working landscapes.Invasive plants and noxious weeds affect plant and animal communities on farms and ranches, and in parks, waters, forests, natural areas, and backyards in negative ways.Human activity such as trade, travel, and tourism have all increased substantially, escalating the speed and volume of species movement to unprecedented levels.Increased site vulnerability from wildfires that are more frequent and other disturbances is an ongoing challenge to maintaining the integrity of our native plant communities.Noxious weeds are particularly aggressive plants legally designated by states as being injurious to public health, the environment or the economy.Invasive species and noxious weeds adversely affect overall recreational opportunities on public land i.e., hunting, fishing, camping, hiking, watershed health and ecosystem function, which result in economic losses in rural and urban communities.Invasive species and noxious weeds affect adjacent private lands, both rural and urban, causing widespread economic losses to the agricultural industry as well as to other resources.Advance early detection rapid response.Enhance emergency stabilization and burned area rehabilitation. Advance education, awareness, and citizen science relative to invasive species. Conduct invasive species treatments to protect resource values on public lands.Support classical biological control agent development.

The Bureau of Land Management"s Plant Conservation and Restoration Program (PCRP) is a national leader in building the native seed supply chain essential for restoring resilient public lands and supporting multiple use and sustained yield. PCRP advances Department of the Interior mission to protect and manage America's natural resources. The native seed PCRP adds to the commercial market enables rapid recovery following wildfire, hurricanes, and other natural disasters; can be used by proponents to help satisfy revegetation requirements for energy and infrastructure projects; and helps farmers and creates jobs by expanding market access for small producers.A core mission of PCRP is to grow the national native seed supply chain through partnerships with eligible state, tribal, academic, and non-governmental organizations. Reliable native seed supplies are critical to improving rangeland health, restoring wildlife habitat and migration corridors, reclaiming mined and timber-harvested lands, and reducing invasive species. Expanding this pipeline lowers seed costs, reduces producer risk, creates American jobs, and ensures long-term project success with durable vegetative establishment.In 2026, PCRP is strategically focused on:Local seed collections to diversify species in the marketplace while creating employment opportunities.Support for farmers and nonprofits entering the native seed market to strengthen rural economies and shared stewardship.Nursery production of species unsuitable for direct seeding to support healthy rangelands, forests and watersheds, big game and healthy wildlife habitat,Applied science and innovation to reduce costs, lower risk, and improve restoration outcomes.Manage native plant communities and special status plants to maintain multiple use and sustained yieldPCRP seeks partnerships to:Collaborate with state agriculture departments, NRCS, and others to expand farmer access to the seed market.Work with wildlife agencies and others to implement post-fire recovery, restore migration corridors, and protect priority species.Develop technology and infrastructure for seed collection, cleaning, banking, and production of hard-to-grow species.Advance applied science to sustain special status plant species and prevent regulatory impacts on energy development.Support technology development, technology transfer and education so native seed is used more effectively. Integrate native seed use across BLM programs including Wildlife, Oil & Gas, Minerals, Fuels, Range, and Renewable Energy.Through this NOFO, PCRP invites partners to join in strengthening America"s native seed supply chain—ensuring healthier public lands, stronger rural economies, and cost effective lasting ecological resilience.

The BLM Threatened and Endangered Species Program (T&E) focuses on conservation and recovery of endangered, threatened and BLM Sensitive Species (collectively referred to as BLM Special Status Species) and their habitats to help inform a balance of multiple uses of BLM-managed lands, including the Nation"s need for domestic sources of energy, minerals, timber, grazing, recreation, and fish and wildlife habitat for future generations. The T&E Program emphasizes implementing the Department of Interior"s priorities by emphasizing actions that help streamline permitting processes and reduce regulatory requirements for authorizations on land uses such as minerals, energy, timber, grazing, and recreation. Overall, this can be achieved by: 1. Conserving and recovering species and their habitats to help delist or help preclude the need to list species as endangered and threatened, thereby reducing future regulations and 2. Improving available information and data that can be used to support approval permits and authorizations. To meet these goals, the BLM T&E Program is seeking opportunities to work with partner organizations to increase program efficiencies and effectiveness. The following Administration priorities are applicable to this program:Executive Order (EO) 13443, Facilitation of Hunting Heritage and Wildlife ConservationEO 14192 - Unleashing Prosperity Through DeregulationEO 14303 - Restoring Gold Standard ScienceEO 14225 - Immediate Expansion of American Timber Production EO 14313 - Establishing the President's Make America Beautiful Again CommissionSO 3356 - Hunting, Fishing, Recreational Shooting, and Wildlife Conservation Opportunities and Coordination with States, Tribes, and TerritoriesSO 3362 - Improving Habitat Quality in Western Big-Game Winter Range and Migration CorridorsSO 3421 - Achieving Prosperity through DeregulationSO 3447 - Expanding Hunting and Fishing Access, Removing Unnecessary Barriers, and Ensuring Consistency Across the Department of the Interior Lands and WatersEndangered Species Act of 1973 (signed December 28, 1973) (16 USC § 1531)Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 (16 USC § 703-712)Sikes Act of 1960-Conservation Programs on Military Installations (amended in 1974 to include Conservation on Public Land (Public Law 93-452) (16 USC § 670) One Big Beautiful Act (H.R. 1, 119th Congress, 2025)

The BLM Wildlife Program, including the Sage-Grouse Conservation Program, implements statutory authorities to address the management of wildlife resources on the public lands for the social and economic well-being of all Americans. Specific BLM Wildlife Program priorities include: 1. protection, maintenance, and development of wildlife habitat; 2. wildlife reintroduction and propagation; 3. field study programs involving wildlife; 4. law enforcement; 5. educational programs; 6. toxicity/mortality investigations and monitoring; 7. wildlife damage management; 8. management activities affecting wildlife and their habitat. The BLM Wildlife Program works with partner organizations to meet the goals above on national, regional, or state-scales by:Implementing management actions such as the implementation of grassland, shrubland, forest, riparian, and other plant community treatments that fulfill statutory and legal requirements, align with approved land use plans, and support habitat objectives for priority wildlife species, including upland game, waterfowl, big game, non-game, and watchable wildlife.Collaborating with state fish and wildlife agencies, and other partners, on efforts that conserve and restore habitats in priority winter ranges and migration corridors for elk, deer, and pronghorn on BLM-managed lands, in support of Secretary's Order 3362 "Improving Habitat Quality in Western Big-Game Winter Range and Migration Corridors."Collecting and analyzing monitoring and inventory data on priority species and habitats including terrestrial and aquatic plant communities, to assess status and trends, inform plan implementation, improve management effectiveness, and support Administration priorities.Enhancing efficiency by integrating and sharing coordinated wildlife and habitat monitoring data to streamline decision-making and management actions.Coordinating with state agencies and other partners to support recovery and augmentation of species identified in State Wildlife Action Plans through proactive, voluntary, on-the-ground collaborative conservation efforts.Collaborating with state agencies and other partners under the Sikes Act to develop and implement fish and wildlife conservation and habitat improvement projects, including grassland, shrubland, forest, riparian, and other plant community treatments.Developing and implementing activity plans and Habitat Management Plans (HMPs) in partnership with state agencies and other partners to address habitat needs for regionally important species, including big game, waterfowl, upland game, and non-game species. Providing wildlife habitat management training opportunities to support effective plan implementation, meet legal mandates, and advance agency and Administration priorities.The following Administration priorities are applicable to this program:Executive Order (EO) 13443, Facilitation of Hunting Heritage and Wildlife ConservationEO 14192 - Unleashing Prosperity Through DeregulationEO 14303 - Restoring Gold Standard ScienceEO 14225 - Immediate Expansion of American Timber Production EO 14313 - Establishing the President's Make America Beautiful Again CommissionSO 3356 - Hunting, Fishing, Recreational Shooting, and Wildlife Conservation Opportunities and Coordination with States, Tribes, and TerritoriesSO 3362 - Improving Habitat Quality in Western Big-Game Winter Range and Migration CorridorsSO 3421 - Achieving Prosperity through DeregulationSO 3447 - Expanding Hunting and Fishing Access, Removing Unnecessary Barriers, and Ensuring Consistency Across the Department of the Interior Lands and WatersOne Big Beautiful Act, H.R. 1, 119th Cong. (2025)