FY26 Bureau of Land Management Invasive and Noxious Plant Management - Bureau wide

The Bureau of Land Management Invasive and Noxious Plant Management program is a federal funding opportunity administered by the Bureau of Land Management within the U.S. Department of the Interior. This program is designed to address one of the most significant ecological threats to public lands in the United States: the spread of invasive plant species and noxious weeds. These species are known to degrade native ecosystems, disrupt wildlife habitats, reduce recreational value, and impose substantial economic costs on agricultural and rural communities. The program reflects a broader federal priority to maintain ecosystem health and sustainability across public lands. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to support projects that prevent, detect, inventory, control, and monitor invasive plant populations. The program encourages collaborative, multi-jurisdictional approaches that integrate treatment, monitoring, outreach, and prevention activities. Projects may include early detection and rapid response strategies, invasive species treatments, rehabilitation of burned or disturbed lands, public education campaigns, and the development of biological control agents. Applicants are expected to demonstrate how their proposed work contributes to ecosystem health and aligns with federal legislative authorities such as the Federal Land Policy and Management Act and the Plant Protection Act. Funding under this program is provided through cooperative agreements, meaning that the Bureau of Land Management will have substantial involvement in project execution. This may include collaboration in project planning, training, review of deliverables, and ongoing monitoring. The total estimated program funding is two million dollars, with individual awards ranging from twenty thousand to four hundred thousand dollars. There is no cost sharing requirement; however, voluntary contributions may strengthen an application during the review process. Projects are expected to span multiple years, with anticipated start dates at the end of calendar year 2026 and completion by late 2031. Eligibility for this opportunity is broad and includes state, county, and municipal governments, special district governments, public and private institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments and organizations, and nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status. Individuals and for-profit organizations are explicitly excluded. Certain geographic exclusions apply, as some states and regions are not accepting applications under this specific notice. Applicants must ensure compliance with federal registration systems such as SAM.gov and Grants.gov prior to submission. The application process requires submission through Grants.gov and includes several mandatory components. Applicants must complete standard federal forms such as the SF-424 and SF-424A, provide a project abstract, and submit a detailed project narrative outlining objectives, methodology, timeline, and expected outcomes. Additional requirements may include budget narratives, disclosures, and supporting documentation such as resumes or letters of support. The proposal must clearly articulate public benefit and alignment with program goals, as well as demonstrate technical feasibility and stakeholder coordination. Applications are evaluated through a merit-based review process that assesses factors such as technical approach, applicant qualifications, public benefit, and leveraging of resources. Proposals are rated based on how well they meet or exceed established criteria, with particular emphasis on the effectiveness of the technical plan and the integration of partnerships. Final selection also considers budget reasonableness and alignment with federal priorities. The application window for this funding opportunity opens on July 27, 2026, and closes on September 25, 2026, at 5:00 PM Eastern Time. Applications must be submitted electronically, and late submissions are not accepted. Following submission, applications undergo eligibility screening, merit review, and risk assessment before awards are issued. Applicants can direct questions to designated program contacts via email. This opportunity does not explicitly state recurrence, suggesting it is issued on a discretionary basis rather than a fixed annual cycle.

Focus on strong technical approach and demonstrate partnerships and resource leveraging as these are heavily weighted in merit review.