Opportunity Information: Apply for L25AS00137
The FY 2025 Bureau of Land Management (BLM) National Conservation Lands (NCL) Management Studies Support Program is a discretionary funding opportunity designed to pay for targeted studies that strengthen how BLM understands and manages the resources and values protected on its National Conservation Lands. At its core, the program is about producing practical, management-focused research that helps BLM evaluate what is on the ground (natural, cultural, scenic, recreational, and other resource values), how those resources are changing, and how well current management decisions are working. The studies supported through this program are intended to generate "best available data" and useful syntheses that can be applied directly to BLM planning, day-to-day land management decisions, and broader co-stewardship efforts. While the work is centered on National Conservation Lands, the resulting methods, findings, and management insights are also expected to inform decisions across BLM and potentially other land management agencies.
A major emphasis of this program is partnership. BLM is explicitly using this program to develop and maintain strong working relationships with universities, state and local governments, tribal governments and tribal organizations, and nonprofit partners. The intent is shared conservation stewardship: BLM wants partners to help design and carry out research and analysis that answers management-relevant questions, fills information gaps, and supports adaptive management. This typically means projects that are framed around real management needs, such as assessing resource conditions, monitoring trends, evaluating the effectiveness of management actions, or developing decision-support information that can be incorporated into BLM processes and strategies.
Funding is provided through cooperative agreements, which generally means BLM expects to have substantial involvement during the project (for example, coordination on study design, data needs, field access, interpretation of results, or integration of findings into management). The opportunity is listed under CFDA 15.248 (Natural Resources) and is run by the Bureau of Land Management. The funding opportunity number is L25AS00137, and the posted closing date is January 31, 2025. The maximum award amount (award ceiling) is $40,000. The notice lists "ExpectedAwards:" but does not provide a number in the source text provided, so applicants should not assume a guaranteed number of awards will be made without checking the full notice and available funding.
Eligible applicants include state governments; county governments; city or township governments; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; Native American tribal organizations that are not federally recognized tribal governments; and nonprofits (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3), as long as they are not institutions of higher education). Individuals and for-profit organizations are explicitly ineligible under this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), which is an important screen for any team thinking of applying through a private business or an individual principal investigator rather than an eligible institution.
There are also clear boundaries on what this program will not fund. This NOFO does not support projects that involve hiring interns or crews under the Public Lands Corps Act of 1993. The notice explains that the Public Lands Corps Act is the only legislative authority BLM can use to "hire" interns under that framework, and youth corps-type proposals should instead be directed to a different funding opportunity: NOFO 15.243, BLM Youth Conservation Opportunities on Public Lands. In practical terms, this means applicants should keep proposals centered on management studies and research support rather than proposing youth crew hiring, internship programs, or corps-based field staffing models under this particular announcement.
The NOFO also addresses applicants working through Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units (CESUs). CESUs are formal partnerships designed to support research, studies, monitoring, technical assistance, assessments, and education services that match federal science and stewardship needs. If an award is made to a CESU partner under a formally negotiated Master CESU agreement and the project aligns with the CESU purpose, indirect costs are capped at no more than 17.5 percent of the indirect cost base recognized in the partner's federally approved Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA). Applicants are expected to state whether their proposal furthers CESU purposes and, if it does, identify which CESU Network should be considered as the host. This matters for budgeting and compliance, because the CESU indirect cost limitation can affect how an organization builds its budget compared to non-CESU federal assistance arrangements.
Overall, this opportunity is best understood as a small-grants, partnership-driven research support program focused on producing usable information for BLM managers responsible for National Conservation Lands. Competitive proposals are likely to be those that clearly connect a study to a specific management need, outline credible methods for data collection or synthesis, and demonstrate how results will be delivered in a form that BLM can apply to planning, stewardship decisions, and evaluation of management effectiveness, while staying within the eligibility rules, the cooperative agreement structure, the $40,000 ceiling, and the restrictions on youth corps and intern hiring under this NOFO.Apply for L25AS00137
- The Bureau of Land Management in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FY 2025 Bureau of Land Management National Conservation Lands - Management Studies Support Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.248.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2024-11-22.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2025-01-31. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $40,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
FY 2025 BLM National Conservation Lands (NCL) Management Studies Support Program (L25AS00137) - FAQs
What is this funding opportunity?
This is the FY 2025 Bureau of Land Management (BLM) National Conservation Lands (NCL) Management Studies Support Program, a discretionary funding opportunity focused on paying for targeted studies that improve how BLM understands and manages the resources and values protected on its National Conservation Lands.
What is the main purpose of the program?
The program supports practical, management-focused research designed to produce "best available data" and useful syntheses that can be applied directly to BLM planning, day-to-day land management decisions, and broader co-stewardship efforts.
What kinds of questions are projects expected to address?
Projects are expected to answer management-relevant questions such as: what resources and values are present on the ground (natural, cultural, scenic, recreational, and other values), how those resources are changing over time, and how well current management decisions and actions are working.
What types of activities does the program fund?
The program funds targeted studies and research support activities that help assess resource conditions, monitor trends, evaluate the effectiveness of management actions, or develop decision-support information and syntheses that BLM can integrate into its processes and strategies.
Is the program limited only to National Conservation Lands?
The work is centered on National Conservation Lands, but the resulting methods, findings, and management insights are also expected to inform decisions across BLM and may be useful to other land management agencies as well.
What does BLM mean by "management-focused" research?
In this program, research is considered management-focused when it is designed around real BLM management needs and produces outputs that can be used in planning, stewardship decisions, adaptive management, and evaluations of management effectiveness.
How important are partnerships in this program?
Partnership is a major emphasis. BLM is using this program to develop and maintain strong working relationships with universities, state and local governments, tribal governments and tribal organizations, and nonprofit partners through shared conservation stewardship.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants include: state governments; county governments; city or township governments; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; Native American tribal organizations that are not federally recognized tribal governments; and nonprofits (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3), as long as they are not institutions of higher education).
Who is not eligible to apply?
Individuals and for-profit organizations are explicitly ineligible under this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).
Can a project be led by an individual principal investigator (PI)?
The NOFO states that individuals are ineligible applicants. Proposals should be submitted through an eligible entity (such as a university, nonprofit, tribe/tribal organization, or state/local government) rather than by an individual.
What agency is offering this opportunity?
The opportunity is run by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).
What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?
The opportunity is listed under CFDA 15.248 (Natural Resources).
What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number is L25AS00137.
What is the application deadline?
The posted closing date is January 31, 2025.
What is the maximum award amount?
The maximum award amount (award ceiling) is $40,000.
How many awards will be made?
The notice lists "ExpectedAwards:" but does not provide a number in the information provided here. Applicants should not assume a guaranteed number of awards will be made without checking the full notice and available funding.
What type of funding instrument will BLM use?
Funding is provided through cooperative agreements.
What does it mean that awards are made through cooperative agreements?
Cooperative agreements generally mean BLM expects to have substantial involvement during the project. Examples described include coordination on study design, data needs, field access, interpretation of results, and integrating findings into management.
Does this program fund youth corps, interns, or crew hiring?
No. This NOFO does not support projects that involve hiring interns or crews under the Public Lands Corps Act of 1993.
If our idea is a youth corps or internship project, where should we apply instead?
Youth corps-type proposals should be directed to NOFO 15.243, BLM Youth Conservation Opportunities on Public Lands, rather than this management studies announcement.
What is the main restriction related to the Public Lands Corps Act of 1993?
The notice explains that the Public Lands Corps Act is the only legislative authority BLM can use to "hire" interns under that framework, and this specific opportunity does not support those intern/crew hiring activities.
What are CESUs, and are they relevant to this opportunity?
CESUs (Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units) are formal partnerships designed to support research, studies, monitoring, technical assistance, assessments, and education services that match federal science and stewardship needs. The NOFO specifically addresses applicants working through CESUs.
Is there an indirect cost cap for CESU-based awards?
Yes. If an award is made to a CESU partner under a formally negotiated Master CESU agreement and the project aligns with the CESU purpose, indirect costs are capped at no more than 17.5 percent of the indirect cost base recognized in the partner's federally approved Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA).
What must applicants say in the proposal if they are applying through a CESU?
Applicants are expected to state whether their proposal furthers CESU purposes and, if it does, identify which CESU Network should be considered as the host.
Why does CESU status matter for budgeting?
It matters because the CESU indirect cost limitation (the 17.5 percent cap described in the NOFO) can affect how an organization builds its budget compared to non-CESU federal assistance arrangements.
What makes a proposal more competitive under this program?
Competitive proposals are likely to clearly connect the study to a specific management need, outline credible methods for data collection or synthesis, and explain how results will be delivered in a form BLM can use for planning, stewardship decisions, and evaluating management effectiveness, while staying within eligibility rules, the cooperative agreement structure, the $40,000 ceiling, and the restrictions on youth corps and intern hiring.
What kinds of resource values can studies focus on?
The program description references natural, cultural, scenic, recreational, and other resource values protected on National Conservation Lands.
Are projects expected to support adaptive management?
Yes. The program emphasizes filling information gaps and supporting adaptive management through monitoring, evaluation, and decision-support information that can be incorporated into BLM processes and strategies.
Will the results need to be usable by BLM managers?
Yes. The program is focused on producing usable information and syntheses that can be applied directly to BLM planning and day-to-day management decisions.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Natural Resources
Next opportunity: FY25 IIJA/IRA Bureau of Land Management Headquarters (HQ) Aquatic Resource Management
Previous opportunity: Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) Section 50143 Domestic Manufacturing Conversion Grants for Electrified Vehicles: State Partnerships for Small and Medium Sized Manufacturers (SMMs)
Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for L25AS00137
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (L25AS00137) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| FY25 IIJA/IRA Bureau of Land Management Alaska Wildlife Program Apply for L25AS00153 Funding Number: L25AS00153 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| IIJA/IRA Bureau of Land Management Alaska Plant Conservation and Restoration Management Apply for L25AS00154 Funding Number: L25AS00154 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| FY25 IIJA/IRA Bureau of Land Management Oregon/Washington (ORWA) Youth Conservation Corps Apply for L25AS00147 Funding Number: L25AS00147 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| FY25 IIJA/IRA Bureau of Land Management Colorado Wildlife Program Apply for L25AS00151 Funding Number: L25AS00151 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $125,000 |
| FY25 IIJA/IRA Bureau of Land Management Colorado Aquatic Resource Management Apply for L25AS00158 Funding Number: L25AS00158 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $45,000 |
| FY25 IIJA/IRA Bureau of Land Management Colorado Threatened and Endangered Species Program Apply for L25AS00150 Funding Number: L25AS00150 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| FY25 IIJA/IRA Bureau of Land Management Colorado Plant Conservation and Restoration Management Apply for L25AS00152 Funding Number: L25AS00152 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| FY25 IIJA/IRA Bureau of Land Management California Threatened and Endangered Species Program Apply for L25AS00159 Funding Number: L25AS00159 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| FY25 IIJA/IRA Bureau of Land Management Oregon/Washington (ORWA) Recreation and Visitor Services Apply for L25AS00079 Funding Number: L25AS00079 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| FY25 IIJA/IRA Bureau of Land Management Colorado Recreation and Visitor Services Apply for L25AS00160 Funding Number: L25AS00160 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $950,000 |
| FY25 IIJA/IRA Bureau of Land Management California Forest and Woodlands Resource Management Apply for L25AS00161 Funding Number: L25AS00161 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| FY25 IIJA/IRA Bureau of Land Management California Recreation and Visitor Services Apply for L25AS00141 Funding Number: L25AS00141 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| FY25 IIJA/IRA Bureau of Land Management Colorado Forest and Woodlands Resource Management Apply for L25AS00143 Funding Number: L25AS00143 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $120,000 |
| FY25 IIJA/IRA Bureau of Land Management Colorado Cultural and Paleontological Resource Management Apply for L25AS00144 Funding Number: L25AS00144 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| FY25 IIJA/IRA Bureau of Land Management Oregon/Washington (ORWA) Fuels Management and Community Fire Assistance Program Activities Apply for L25AS00080 Funding Number: L25AS00080 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $900,000 |
| FY25 IIJA/IRA Bureau of Land Management Oregon/Washington (ORWA) Invasive and Noxious Plant Management Apply for L25AS00083 Funding Number: L25AS00083 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| FY25 IIJA/IRA Bureau of Land Management Oregon/Washington (OR/WA) Wildlife Program Apply for L25AS00164 Funding Number: L25AS00164 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $1,500,000 |
| FY25 IIJA/IRA Bureau of Land Management Oregon/Washington (ORWA) Forest and Woodlands Resource Management Apply for L25AS00087 Funding Number: L25AS00087 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| FY25 IIJA/IRA Bureau of Land Management Oregon/Washington (ORWA) Cultural and Paleontological Resource Management Apply for L25AS00172 Funding Number: L25AS00172 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| F25AS00133 Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Fund - ASIA FY25 Apply for F25AS00133 Funding Number: F25AS00133 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $750,000 |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Inside Our Applicants Portal
Access Applicants Portal
- Grants Repository - Access current and historic funding opportunities with ease. Thousands of funding opportunities are published every week. We can help you sort through the database and find the eligible ones to apply for.
- Applicant Video Guides - The grant application process can be challenging to follow. We can help you with intuitive video guides to speed up the process and eliminate errors in submissions.
- Grant Proposal Wizard - We have developed a network of private funding organizations and investors across the United States. We can reach out and submit your proposal to these contacts to maximize your chances of getting the funding you need.
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Learn More
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "L25AS00137", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.