BLM Utah Challenge Cost Share Program FY2014 | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the BLM Utah Challenge Cost Share Program (FY2014)?

The BLM Utah Challenge Cost Share Program (FY2014) was a discretionary federal funding opportunity administered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). It supported cooperative, on-the-ground public land management projects in Utah through cost-share partnerships that combined BLM resources with non-federal contributions.

What was the main purpose of this program?

The program aimed to complete practical public land management and stewardship projects more effectively by pairing BLM support with contributions from non-federal partners. A core goal was to increase community involvement and shared responsibility for outcomes on BLM-managed lands.

What types of projects were eligible for support?

The scope was broad and tied to resource concerns managed by BLM in Utah. Funding was intended for projects related to cultural resources, fisheries, recreation, wildlife, special status plant species (listed and non-listed), and native plant communities.

Can projects focus on habitat protection or restoration?

Yes. Based on the program description, proposals could address protecting sensitive habitats and improving conditions for fish and wildlife, as long as they aligned with program priorities and were tied to public lands managed by BLM.

Were recreation-related projects allowed?

Yes. Recreation was specifically included as an eligible focus area, meaning projects that enhance recreational opportunities on BLM-managed lands in Utah could fit within the intended scope.

Did the program support plant and ecosystem conservation work?

Yes. The opportunity explicitly referenced both special status plant species (listed and non-listed) and native plant communities, indicating that proposals aimed at conserving plants and ecosystems of concern were within scope.

Where did the supported work need to take place?

The program supported public land management projects in Utah tied to resources on BLM-managed lands. The emphasis was on on-the-ground stewardship outcomes connected to BLM lands in Utah.

What kind of award instrument was used?

Awards were planned to be issued as cooperative agreements. This typically means BLM expected substantial involvement in the project beyond providing funds, such as coordination, technical input, shared planning, or direct engagement during implementation.

How is a cooperative agreement different from a standard grant (based on this description)?

In this program, a cooperative agreement indicated that BLM would likely be actively involved in the project during implementation (for example through coordination or technical assistance), rather than acting only as a pass-through funder.

Was cost sharing or matching required?

Yes. The program required cost sharing/matching, meaning applicants needed to provide non-federal contributions to the project budget consistent with program rules and the agreement terms.

What counts as a non-federal cost share contribution?

The description indicates non-federal contributions could include cash and in-kind support such as services, staff time, equipment, or other eligible non-federal resources, as allowed under the program rules and the specific cooperative agreement.

Who was eligible to apply?

Eligibility was described as unrestricted in the sense that many types of non-federal partners could apply, including state agencies, local governments, non-governmental organizations, private companies, and private individuals.

Does "unrestricted eligibility" mean there were no conditions?

Not necessarily. While the announcement described broad eligibility, applicants were expected to confirm any specific conditions or limitations in the official posting on Grants.gov.

How many awards did BLM expect to make?

BLM anticipated making about 15 awards under this opportunity.

How much total funding was available?

The estimated total funding available was $218,000.

What was the expected funding range for individual awards?

Individual award amounts were expected to range from $2,500 (minimum) to $45,000 (maximum).

Could the program support both small and larger projects?

Yes. The published award range suggests the program could fund smaller, targeted efforts as well as larger projects requiring more resources, as long as proposals fit program priorities and included the required cost share.

What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?

The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) number associated with this program was 15.238 (Challenge Cost Share).

When was the opportunity posted and when did it close?

The opportunity was posted on March 21, 2014. The application closing date was June 30, 2014 (the original and current closing dates matched).

Is this funding opportunity still open?

No. The opportunity was archived on September 30, 2014.

Where were applicants supposed to find the official announcement and submission details?

Applicants and interested parties were directed to Grants.gov for the full announcement and submission instructions.

Who was the listed contact for questions or access issues?

The listed grant management contact was Maria Gochis, Grant Management Officer.

How can Maria Gochis be reached?

She could be reached by phone at 801-539-4178 and by email at mariagochis@blm.gov. The opportunity also listed mgochis@blm.gov as an email contact.

What kinds of outcomes did the program emphasize?

The program emphasized practical management work and stewardship outcomes tied to important natural and cultural resources on BLM-managed lands, with a strong focus on collaboration through cost-share partnerships.

What was the overall approach encouraged by the program?

The program was structured to encourage collaboration and shared responsibility for managing public lands, rather than relying solely on federal funding.