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 advance national priorities in rangeland management across multiple states, with a strong emphasis on improving ecological conditions and land health outcomes. The program operates within a framework of federal legislation including the Federal Land Policy and Management Act and the Public Rangelands Improvement Act, ensuring that funded activities align with long-standing conservation and land stewardship mandates. The purpose of this funding opportunity is to support high priority, cross boundary projects that enhance the condition and resilience of rangelands. The program focuses on activities such as restoring degraded landscapes, improving soil stability, managing invasive species, and enhancing vegetation health. Projects may include inventory and monitoring efforts, ecological site description development, and restoration treatments that improve grazing systems and watershed function. The program also encourages efforts that increase soil carbon sequestration and build long term resilience in landscapes to benefit future generations. Funding under this opportunity is structured as cooperative agreements, meaning the Bureau of Land Management will have substantial involvement in project execution. This includes collaboration in planning and implementation, review and approval of project phases, and ongoing oversight. Applicants must demonstrate how their proposed work contributes to national level outcomes and crosses state boundaries, as projects limited to a single jurisdiction without broader impact may not be competitive. The program does not require cost sharing, although voluntary contributions may strengthen an application during merit review. Eligible applicants include a wide range of public and nonprofit entities such as state and local governments, tribal governments and organizations, public and private institutions of higher education, and nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status. Individuals and for profit entities are not eligible. Applicants must complete required registrations in SAM.gov and Grants.gov prior to submission, and applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov. Required application materials include standard federal forms, a project narrative, budget documentation, and supporting attachments such as a project abstract and, where applicable, research related forms. Applications will be evaluated through a structured review process that includes eligibility screening, merit review, and risk assessment. Merit review criteria emphasize the statement of need, technical approach, public benefit, applicant qualifications, and leveraging of resources. Projects are assessed based on their ability to meet program goals, demonstrate measurable outcomes, and align with Department of the Interior priorities. Final selections also consider alignment with current administrative priorities and may involve several months of review before award decisions are finalized. The application period opens on June 12, 2026 and closes on August 14, 2026 at 5:00 PM Eastern Time. Applications must be submitted by this deadline with no extensions except under exceptional 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 additional information or clarification, applicants may contact Patricia Glass at patricia_glass@ios.doi.gov or Kimberly Hackett at khackett@blm.gov.

Focus on strong statement of need and measurable outcomes align project with national priorities demonstrate cross state impact and include clear data driven methods for monitoring and evaluation