Southwest Border Resource Protection Program

The Southwest Border Resource Protection Program is a National Park Service financial assistance program administered by the U.S. Department of the Interior. The program supports cooperation between National Park Service units in Interior Regions 6, 7, and 8 near the U.S.-Mexico border and protected areas in Mexico. Its purpose is to improve resource stewardship, achieve international cooperation, provide meaningful interpretation, conduct scientific research, and increase appreciation and understanding of shared natural and cultural heritage. The program responds to damage and threats affecting borderland resources, including unauthorized roads and trails, disruption of ecological processes and wildlife migration, vandalism of historic sites, looting of archaeological sites, invasive species, and other impacts on natural and cultural resources. Applicants must work with and benefit an eligible National Park Service unit along or near the U.S.-Mexico border and a protected area or site in Mexico while addressing cultural or natural resource issues shared by both countries. Examples of participating NPS units include Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, Big Bend National Park, Amistad National Recreation Area, Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Site, Padre Island National Seashore, Saguaro National Park, Tumacacori National Historical Park, Chamizal National Memorial, Coronado National Memorial, and Chiricahua National Monument. Other Interior Regions 6, 7, and 8 parks near the border may also participate. Projects must not interfere with Executive or Secretary's Orders concerning border security, and project participants are expected to cooperate fully with law enforcement personnel working to secure the border. Eligible activities include research and monitoring, conservation and preservation, and interpretation, education, and tourism. Examples include archaeological and historic site research, National Register and National Historic Landmark nominations, wildlife habitat management, invasive species inventory and monitoring, assessments involving endangered species, stabilization and restoration of historic structures and archaeological sites, conservation of collections, habitat and native species restoration, integrated pest management planning, student internships, professional training, workshops, seminars, binational conferences, interpretive materials, educational programs, and geo-tourism. Each funded activity or project will have a separate work plan and budget developed cooperatively by NPS and the recipient. Awards are expected to range from 15000 to 50000, with estimated total program funding ranging from 250000 to 600000 and approximately 10 to 15 awards anticipated. Cost sharing is not required, although voluntary committed cost-share contributions may be considered during evaluation. Eligibility is limited under the applicable statutory authority to State, local, or Tribal governments, other public entities, educational institutions, and private nonprofit organizations. Listed eligible applicants include State governments, county governments, city or township governments, special district governments, independent school districts, public and State controlled institutions of higher education, federally recognized Tribal governments, Native American Tribal organizations, qualifying nonprofit organizations, and private institutions of higher education. Foreign entities cannot receive funding directly, although recipients may subcontract or otherwise provide funding to foreign organizations or entities. For-profit organizations and foreign governments and organizations are not eligible applicants. Applicants and key project personnel must also satisfy applicable SAM.gov requirements and may not be excluded from Federal assistance. Applicants other than individuals applying as natural persons must maintain SAM.gov registration and a Unique Entity Identifier. Applications must be electronically submitted through Grants.gov by September 8, 2026, at 11:59 PM Eastern Time. Only an Authorized Organization Representative can submit the application. Required materials include SF-424, the applicable SF-424A or SF-424C budget form, SF-424B for non-construction projects, SF-LLL when applicable, a Project Abstract Summary, detailed budget, letters of support from participating NPS units, a Project Narrative, a Budget Narrative, applicable indirect cost information, conflict of interest and unresolved matters disclosures when applicable, an overlap or duplication of effort statement, and the applicable Uniform Audit Reporting Statement. The Project Narrative must specifically address the merit review criteria, may not exceed five pages, must use at least 11 point font, and must have one-inch margins. Letters of support from each involved NPS unit and potential partners should document willingness to participate and describe their involvement. Applications first undergo an eligibility and responsiveness review addressing timeliness, completeness, eligibility, mandatory requirements, program objectives, and applicable Executive and Secretary's Orders. Applications passing that review undergo comprehensive merit review. The five weighted criteria are Project Addresses an Impacted Shared Resource at 25 percent, Partnership Participation at 25 percent, Cost Effectiveness at 10 percent, Substantial Outcome at 20 percent, and Project Increases Understanding and Appreciation of Shared Heritage at 20 percent. Each criterion is scored from zero to five. Selection may also consider geographic distribution, leveraging of Federal funding, whether the project addresses a critical resource, variety of project partners, leveraging of programmatic resources, and available funding. A pre-award risk review considers financial management capabilities, project delivery experience, staffing, past award performance, administrative and reporting compliance, and project complexity. The anticipated project period is May 1, 2027 through May 1, 2029. Notices of Federal Award are transmitted electronically through GrantSolutions or email, and only a Notice of Federal Award signed by an authorized Grants Officer legally obligates Federal assistance. Recipients must comply with applicable DOI and NPS award requirements and submit required financial and program performance reports. Progress reporting measures achievement of project goals, and completion reporting assesses final outcomes. Program contacts are Krista Muddle at imr_swbrpp@nps.gov or 303-895-7586 and Katie Gaertner at katie_gaertner@ios.doi.gov or 720-595-4942. Grants.gov technical assistance is available at Support@grants.gov or 1-800-518-4726.