FY26 Bureau of Land Management Rangeland Resource Management - Bureau wide

The Bureau of Land Management administers the Rangeland Resource Management program as part of the U.S. Department of the Interior’s broader mission to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of public lands. This funding opportunity supports projects that address national-scale rangeland management priorities, particularly those that cross state boundaries and contribute to long-term ecological resilience. The program emphasizes science-based land stewardship, incorporating monitoring, assessment, and restoration activities that improve soil health, vegetation conditions, and overall ecosystem sustainability. The primary purpose of this grant program is to fund projects that enhance land health and productivity across rangelands managed by the Bureau of Land Management. Key objectives include restoring degraded rangelands, increasing soil carbon sequestration, managing invasive species, and improving resilience to environmental stressors such as wildfire and erosion. The program also supports the development of ecological site descriptions, soil mapping efforts, and community engagement initiatives such as training and education programs. Projects must demonstrate a national or cross-jurisdictional impact and align with Department of the Interior priorities. Funding is provided through cooperative agreements, meaning the Bureau of Land Management will have substantial involvement in project execution. This involvement may include collaboration on project planning, approval of work stages, participation in staffing decisions, and ongoing monitoring of project performance. Award amounts range from 50000 to 250000 dollars, with total program funding estimated at 1800000 dollars and approximately seven awards expected. There is no cost-sharing requirement, although voluntary contributions may strengthen an application during the review process. Eligible applicants include a wide range of public and nonprofit entities such as state, county, and local governments, tribal governments and organizations, nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status, and institutions of higher education. Individuals and for-profit organizations are not eligible. Projects must not involve hiring under the Public Lands Corps Act unless submitted under a separate funding opportunity. Applicants must also ensure compliance with federal regulations, executive orders, and Department of the Interior directives as part of the application process. Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov and require several components, including standard federal forms such as the SF-424, SF-424A, and potentially the SF-LLL for lobbying disclosures. Applicants must also submit a project narrative detailing goals, technical approach, public benefit, stakeholder involvement, and evaluation methods. A budget narrative is required to justify all proposed costs and demonstrate compliance with federal cost principles. Additional materials may include biographical sketches, project abstracts, and documentation supporting eligibility. Applications are evaluated through a multi-step review process beginning with eligibility screening, followed by a merit review. Proposals are assessed based on criteria such as statement of need, technical approach, public benefit, applicant qualifications, and leveraging of resources. Ratings are assigned as exceeds, meets, or does not meet expectations. Final selection also considers alignment with Department of the Interior priorities and overall program objectives. Risk assessments are conducted prior to award issuance to evaluate financial and operational capacity. The application window opens on June 12, 2026, and closes on August 14, 2026, at 5:00 PM Eastern Time. Applications must be submitted by an authorized representative through Grants.gov, and late submissions are not accepted except in rare extenuating circumstances. Awards are anticipated to begin by December 31, 2026, with project periods extending up to five years, ending no later than September 30, 2031. For questions, applicants may contact Patricia Glass or Kimberly Hackett via the provided email addresses.

Strongly emphasize statement of need and demonstrate clear alignment with BLM priorities; highlight partnerships and resource leveraging; ensure measurable outcomes and clear technical approach