Southwest Border Resource Protection Program

The Southwest Border Resource Protection Program is administered by the National Park Service within the U.S. Department of the Interior. This program is designed to address environmental, cultural, and ecological challenges affecting national parks and protected lands along the U.S.-Mexico border. The funding opportunity supports collaborative efforts between U.S. entities and partners in Mexico to protect shared natural and cultural resources that are increasingly impacted by cross-border activities, including unauthorized migration, illegal trafficking, and environmental degradation. The program emphasizes binational cooperation and resource stewardship to ensure long-term preservation and understanding of these shared landscapes. The primary purpose of the program is to fund projects that improve resource stewardship, enhance scientific research, and promote conservation and interpretation efforts. Activities supported include research and monitoring of wildlife and ecosystems, preservation of cultural and historical sites, and educational or interpretive initiatives that increase public awareness. Projects must directly benefit at least one National Park Service unit located in Interior Regions 6, 7, or 8 and must also involve collaboration with a protected area or partner organization in Mexico. The program aims to mitigate damage caused by human activity while strengthening international partnerships. Funding is provided through cooperative agreements, meaning the National Park Service maintains substantial involvement in project execution. This includes collaboration in planning, technical assistance, training, and oversight. Individual awards typically range between 15000 and 50000 dollars, with total program funding estimated between 250000 and 600000 dollars. Each project is negotiated individually, with detailed budgets and work plans developed jointly between the recipient and the National Park Service. Cost sharing is not required, though voluntary contributions may strengthen an application during evaluation. Eligible applicants include a wide range of public and nonprofit entities such as state and local governments, tribal governments, educational institutions, and nonprofit organizations. The program explicitly excludes foreign entities from receiving funding directly, although subcontracting with international partners is allowed. Projects must demonstrate strong collaboration with at least one Mexican partner and must address shared resource challenges. Additionally, applicants must ensure compliance with federal requirements, including registration in SAM.gov and submission through Grants.gov. The application process requires submission of standard federal forms, including the SF-424 series, along with a project narrative, budget, budget justification, and letters of support from participating National Park Service units. The project narrative must address specific merit review criteria, including the urgency of the resource issue, strength of partnerships, cost effectiveness, and expected outcomes. Applications are evaluated through a multi-stage process that includes eligibility screening, merit review, and risk assessment. Projects are scored based on defined criteria such as impact, collaboration, and feasibility. The application deadline is September 8, 2026, at 11:59 PM Eastern Time. Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov, and late submissions are not considered. The anticipated project period runs from May 1, 2027, to May 1, 2029. Applicants are encouraged to begin preparations early due to registration requirements and the complexity of the application materials. Contact information is provided for program staff to assist with questions or technical issues during submission. Overall, this program represents a strategic federal effort to protect sensitive borderland ecosystems and cultural resources through collaborative, science-based, and community-engaged approaches. By fostering partnerships across borders and sectors, the program supports sustainable conservation outcomes and enhances public understanding of shared heritage between the United States and Mexico.

Emphasize binational partnerships strong resource impact and clear measurable outcomes aligned with merit criteria