Opportunity Information: Apply for L26AS00058
Apply for L26AS00058
- The Bureau of Land Management in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FY26 Bureau of Land Management Cultural and Paleontological Resource Management - Bureau wide" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.224.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-06-12.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-08-14. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $75,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 40 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education.
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Opportunity Summary:
The FY26 Bureau of Land Management Cultural and Paleontological Resource Management - Bureau wide opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number L26AS00058) is a discretionary federal funding program offered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to build and strengthen partnerships that protect, study, manage, and share cultural and paleontological resources on BLM-managed public lands. The main purpose is to improve access to and appropriate use of heritage resources while promoting their educational, scientific, cultural, and recreational value, in ways that align with Department of the Interior priorities and the BLM Cultural Heritage and Paleontology Program goals. Awards are made through cooperative agreements, which typically means BLM expects substantial involvement or coordination during the project rather than simply issuing funds and stepping back.
Projects funded under this program must address one or more core objectives tied to real, on-the-ground stewardship and public benefit. Eligible project types include research and studies that improve understanding of Americas natural and cultural history, such as inventories, excavations, archival and records research, and collections-based research. The program also supports monitoring of at-risk heritage resources to document changes in condition over time and to evaluate whether protection measures are working. For sites or resources already under threat, projects can focus on stabilization efforts designed to slow deterioration, reduce damage, or otherwise preserve significant cultural or fossil resources.
A major emphasis is also placed on developing the next generation of professionals. The NOFO supports training opportunities for future cultural resource management practitioners and paleontologists through applied research projects, field schools, and internships that highlight BLM resources. In addition, the opportunity recognizes that effective heritage management depends on strong information systems, so it includes support for cultural heritage data and records management work. Examples include organizing and maintaining site and survey files, scanning and digitizing paper records, creating and maintaining geospatial datasets, and performing data entry to improve the quality and usability of BLM heritage information.
Collections care and access are another eligible focus area. Projects may preserve existing collections housed at recognized curation facilities through archival rehousing, stabilization, or conservation treatments, and may also broaden public access to museum collections, which can include activities that improve discoverability or interpretation (as allowed and appropriate). The program also explicitly encourages engagement with Native American communities, including fostering partnerships with tribal governments and tribal programs. Relatedly, it supports partnering to help BLM carry out Tribal consultation efforts, reflecting the importance of collaboration and respectful government-to-government and community relationships in heritage resource management.
Public engagement is a clear priority throughout the NOFO. Funded projects may include educational and outreach programs, events, and products that promote learning opportunities and conservation or preservation ethics related to heritage resources. The opportunity also supports developing and maintaining historic sites that have interpretive and educational potential, which can involve improving visitor understanding and experiences while protecting sensitive resources.
In terms of who can apply, the program is open to a wide range of public and nonprofit entities and educational institutions. Eligible applicants include state, county, and city or township governments; special district governments; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized tribal governments; tribal organizations (including those other than federally recognized tribal governments); and nonprofits (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3)). Individuals and for-profit organizations are specifically ineligible to apply under this NOFO, which is an important limitation for consultants or private firms that may otherwise work in this space.
There are also important restrictions related to youth internships and crews. This NOFO does not support entities hiring interns or crews under the Public Lands Corps Act of 1993, because that Act is the only authority BLM can use to "hire" interns under that framework. As a result, Youth Conservation Corps or similar applicants interested in that type of work must pursue it under a different announcement: NOFO 15.243, BLM Youth Conservation Opportunities on Public Lands.
For planning purposes, the opportunity lists an award ceiling of $75,000 per award and anticipates about 40 awards. The original application closing date is August 14, 2026, and the opportunity was created on June 12, 2026. The funding activity category is Natural Resources, and it is associated with CFDA number 15.224. Overall, the program is geared toward practical, partner-driven projects that either improve knowledge of cultural and fossil resources, strengthen stewardship and data systems, protect vulnerable sites and collections, expand public access and education, or deepen collaboration with tribal communities and consultation processes, all within BLMs heritage mission.
FAQs: FY26 BLM Cultural and Paleontological Resource Management (Bureau-wide) - L26AS00058
What is this funding opportunity?
This is a discretionary federal funding opportunity from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) titled "FY26 Bureau of Land Management Cultural and Paleontological Resource Management - Bureau wide" (Funding Opportunity Number L26AS00058). It supports partner-driven projects that protect, study, manage, and share cultural and paleontological resources on BLM-managed public lands.
What is the main purpose of this program?
The purpose is to build and strengthen partnerships that improve access to and appropriate use of heritage resources while promoting their educational, scientific, cultural, and recreational value. Projects should align with Department of the Interior priorities and the goals of the BLM Cultural Heritage and Paleontology Program.
What funding mechanism is used for awards?
Awards are made through cooperative agreements. This typically means BLM expects substantial involvement and coordination during the project rather than simply providing funds without ongoing engagement.
What kinds of projects are eligible under this NOFO?
Eligible projects must address one or more core objectives tied to on-the-ground stewardship and public benefit. Supported project types include research and studies (such as inventories, excavations, archival/records research, and collections-based research), monitoring at-risk resources, stabilization efforts for threatened sites or resources, training opportunities (field schools, internships, applied research projects), cultural heritage data and records management, collections care and access, tribal engagement and consultation support, and public education/outreach and interpretive historic site work.
Does the program fund research and studies?
Yes. The NOFO supports research and studies that improve understanding of America's natural and cultural history, including inventories, excavations, archival and records research, and collections-based research.
Are monitoring projects eligible?
Yes. The program supports monitoring of at-risk heritage resources to document changes in condition over time and to evaluate whether protection measures are effective.
Can this funding be used for stabilization or preservation work?
Yes. For sites or resources under threat, eligible projects may include stabilization efforts designed to slow deterioration, reduce damage, or otherwise preserve significant cultural or fossil resources.
Does the NOFO support workforce development and training?
Yes. A major emphasis is developing the next generation of professionals. The NOFO supports training opportunities for future cultural resource management practitioners and paleontologists through applied research projects, field schools, and internships that highlight BLM resources.
Is cultural heritage data and records management work eligible?
Yes. The opportunity supports cultural heritage data and records management, including organizing and maintaining site and survey files, scanning and digitizing paper records, creating and maintaining geospatial datasets, and performing data entry to improve the quality and usability of BLM heritage information.
Does the program fund work related to museum or curation collections?
Yes. Collections care and access are eligible focus areas. Projects may preserve existing collections housed at recognized curation facilities through archival rehousing, stabilization, or conservation treatments, and may also broaden public access to museum collections in ways that are allowed and appropriate.
Are projects that engage Native American communities encouraged?
Yes. The program explicitly encourages engagement with Native American communities, including partnerships with tribal governments and tribal programs.
Can funding support BLM Tribal consultation efforts?
Yes. The opportunity supports partnering to help BLM carry out Tribal consultation efforts, reflecting the importance of collaboration and respectful government-to-government and community relationships in heritage resource management.
Are education and outreach activities eligible?
Yes. Public engagement is a priority. Funded projects may include educational and outreach programs, events, and products that promote learning opportunities and conservation or preservation ethics related to heritage resources.
Does the NOFO support interpretive or visitor-focused improvements at historic sites?
Yes. The opportunity supports developing and maintaining historic sites with interpretive and educational potential, including efforts to improve visitor understanding and experiences while protecting sensitive resources.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants include state, county, and city or township governments; special district governments; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized tribal governments; tribal organizations (including those other than federally recognized tribal governments); and nonprofit organizations (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3)).
Are individuals eligible to apply?
No. Individuals are specifically ineligible under this NOFO.
Are for-profit organizations eligible to apply?
No. For-profit organizations are specifically ineligible to apply under this NOFO.
Can a consultant or private firm apply directly?
No. Because for-profit organizations are ineligible, a private firm or consultant cannot apply directly under this NOFO (based on the eligibility limitations stated).
Does this NOFO support Public Lands Corps Act youth internships or crews?
No. This NOFO does not support entities hiring interns or crews under the Public Lands Corps Act of 1993. BLM can only "hire" interns under that framework using the authority provided by the Public Lands Corps Act, so that work must be pursued through a different announcement.
If our organization focuses on Youth Conservation Corps-style crews, where should we apply instead?
Youth Conservation Corps or similar applicants interested in that type of work should pursue it under NOFO 15.243, "BLM Youth Conservation Opportunities on Public Lands," rather than under L26AS00058.
What is the award ceiling (maximum award amount)?
The opportunity lists an award ceiling of $75,000 per award.
How many awards does BLM anticipate making?
The opportunity anticipates about 40 awards.
What is the application deadline?
The original application closing date is August 14, 2026.
When was this opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on June 12, 2026.
What is the funding activity category?
The funding activity category is Natural Resources.
What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is associated with CFDA number 15.224.
Is this opportunity limited to certain BLM locations, states, or field offices?
The opportunity is described as bureau-wide and focused on resources on BLM-managed public lands. No additional location limitations are provided in the information listed here.
What should a strong project generally aim to deliver?
Based on the stated goals and eligible activities, strong projects are practical and partner-driven, and they improve knowledge of cultural and fossil resources, strengthen stewardship and data systems, protect vulnerable sites and collections, expand public access and education, and/or deepen collaboration with tribal communities and consultation processes within BLM's heritage mission.
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Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (L26AS00058) also looked into and applied for these:
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| WATER RESOURCES RESEARCH ACT PROGRAM NATIONAL COMPETITIVE GRANTS FY2026 (104g General) Apply for G27AS00164 Funding Number: G27AS00164 Agency: Geological Survey Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $120,000 |
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