BLM Colorado, McElmo Canyon Research Institute Partnership for Public Outreach through Collections Preservation and Monument Support. | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is this funding opportunity about?

This was a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) discretionary funding opportunity offered as a cooperative agreement in Colorado. It supported cultural resource and collections work tied to BLM-managed archaeological materials, with the goal of improving long-term preservation, documentation, and public accessibility of the BLM Anasazi Heritage Center (AHC) archaeological artifact and archival collection.

What was the main purpose of the project?

The core purpose was to continue strengthening the long-term preservation, documentation quality, and responsible public accessibility of the AHC archaeological artifact and archival collections. In practical terms, the work emphasized moving collections closer to current museum preservation standards, improving the completeness and reliability of collection records, and making collections easier to access for research, exhibits, and education.

What types of activities did the project support?

Based on the description provided, supported activities included collections preservation improvements, documentation and record quality upgrades, and access-related work intended to make the collections more usable and responsibly accessible. The opportunity also supported visitation documentation and public outreach activities connected to the collections work.

Was public outreach part of the funded work, or was it only behind-the-scenes collections care?

Public benefits were a major emphasis. Collections care was not treated as purely back-of-house work. Alongside preservation and documentation tasks, the agreement supported visitation documentation and public outreach so that improved collections management translated into better education and interpretation programming and more experiential learning opportunities.

Which collection or institution was specifically referenced?

The opportunity was tied to the BLM Anasazi Heritage Center (AHC) archaeological artifact and archival collection and referenced cultural resource and collections work connected to BLM-managed archaeological materials.

Who was the partner organization referenced in the opportunity?

The cooperative agreement was offered to partner with the McElmo Canyon Research Institute on cultural resource and collections work tied to BLM-managed archaeological materials.

How much funding was expected to be awarded?

A single award was expected, with an estimated total funding amount of $100,000.

What were the minimum and maximum award amounts?

The award ceiling was $100,000 and the award floor was $1,500. This indicated the agency could consider smaller-scale proposals as well, although the posted funding level suggested a full project of meaningful scope.

Was this opportunity for one award or multiple awards?

The opportunity stated there was a single expected award.

What type of funding mechanism was used?

The opportunity was offered as a cooperative agreement.

What program or CFDA number was associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity was listed under CFDA 15.224, Cultural Resource Management.

What funding activity area/category did it fall under?

It was categorized in the Natural Resources funding activity area, reflecting BLM's mandate to manage public lands while protecting cultural and historic resources.

Was cost sharing or matching required?

Yes. Cost sharing or matching was required, meaning applicants needed to contribute non-federal resources as part of the project budget. The description notes that non-federal contributions could include cash and/or eligible in-kind support.

Who was eligible to apply?

Eligibility was listed as unrestricted, meaning it was open to any type of entity, subject to any additional eligibility conditions that may have been described in the full announcement.

When was the opportunity posted and when did it close?

The opportunity was posted on May 4, 2015, and closed on July 3, 2015.

What was the archive date for the opportunity?

The archive date was August 4, 2015.

Where were applicants instructed to find the full announcement and submission instructions?

Applicants were directed to access the complete announcement via the "Related Documents" section and to follow the submission instructions provided in the application package.

Who should be contacted with questions or problems accessing the full announcement?

For questions or issues accessing the full announcement, the listed BLM contact was Ruth A. Raisanen at (303) 239-3605 and rraisane@blm.gov.

What long-term outcomes was the project intended to support?

The project aimed to ensure archaeological artifacts and associated records were stable, well-organized, and usable over the long term. The description specifically links this to long-term preservation, improved documentation, responsible access, and the ability to support research, exhibit development, and community engagement.

How did the opportunity describe "access" to the collections?

The opportunity emphasized responsible access for both professionals and the general public, aiming to make it easier for people to access and learn from the materials while improving preservation and documentation systems that support that access.