FY26 Bureau of Land Management Forest and Woodlands Resource Management - Bureau Wide

The Bureau of Land Management Forest and Woodlands Resource 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 support large scale forest and woodland management efforts across public lands, particularly in western states and Alaska. The initiative aligns with federal priorities to expand timber production, improve forest resilience, and restore ecosystems affected by wildfire, pests, disease, and drought. The program is rooted in legislative authorities such as the Federal Land Policy and Management Act and the Tribal Forest Protection Act, and it emphasizes collaborative stewardship between federal agencies and award recipients. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to enhance forest health and sustainability through a wide range of eligible activities. These include reforestation following wildfire or other disturbances, thinning and vegetation management to reduce wildfire risk, biomass utilization for renewable energy, and habitat conservation. Projects may also include preparatory work such as environmental compliance, planning, and analysis under NEPA, as well as implementation and administration of timber and stewardship projects. All proposals must demonstrate a clear public benefit and align with national level outcomes that extend across multiple state boundaries. Funding is provided through cooperative agreements, meaning that the Bureau of Land Management will maintain substantial involvement in project execution. This includes collaboration in planning, oversight of implementation phases, approval of key project steps, and monitoring of performance. The total estimated funding available is three million five hundred thousand dollars, with individual awards ranging from fifty thousand to one million dollars. Approximately ten awards are expected. There is no cost sharing requirement; however, voluntary cost sharing may strengthen an application during the review process. Eligibility for this opportunity is broad and includes state, county, city, and special district governments, as well as public and private institutions of higher education, federally recognized tribal governments, tribal organizations, and nonprofit organizations regardless of tax status. Individuals and for profit organizations are not eligible. Certain geographic restrictions apply, as specific states and entities such as Alaska, Arizona, Idaho, and the National Interagency Fire Center are excluded from applying under this notice. Applicants must also complete required federal registrations including SAM.gov and Grants.gov prior to submission. The application process requires submission through Grants.gov and includes standard federal forms such as the SF 424 and SF 424A, along with a detailed project narrative, budget justification, and supporting documentation. The project narrative must outline objectives, technical approach, environmental compliance considerations, stakeholder engagement, and evaluation methods. Applications are evaluated through a merit review process based on criteria such as project need, technical approach, public benefit, organizational qualifications, and leveraging of resources. Applications must also comply with federal policies and executive orders. The application window opens on July 27, 2026 and closes on August 28, 2026 at five pm Eastern Time. Applications must be complete and submitted by this deadline, as extensions are not permitted. The anticipated project start date is December 31, 2026, with projects running up to five years. Applicants may contact designated program officials for assistance, including a grants management officer and program lead. Overall, this opportunity supports comprehensive, science based forest management efforts that contribute to long term environmental resilience and economic sustainability.

Strong applications emphasize technical approach, past performance, and leveraging partnerships; clearly demonstrate public benefit and alignment with national forest management goals