Bureau of Land Management · Department of the Interior
FY26 Bureau of Land Management Youth Conservation Corps - Bureau wide
Key facts
- Deadline
- Due Oct 16, 2026 · 9 days left
- Award size
- $30K – $220K
- Total available
- $900K · about 8 awards
- Match ?
- Required · Work out your budget and match
- Who can apply
- Private college or university, State government, City or town government, Public college or university, County government, Nonprofit without 501(c)(3), Special district (utility, fire, etc.), Tribal government, Tribal organization, Nonprofit with 501(c)(3)
- Where
- Anywhere in the U.S., including Tennessee
How this fits you
- Available in Rhea County (nationwide program)
- Needs a match (see how much in the notice)
- Only 9 days left to apply
Tell us who you are to see whether you're eligible.
Official notice: https://simpler.grants.gov/opportunity/1727db46-f685-4182-9a30-d7f101ba9889 · Printed from grantme.click/grants/1b063910-d145-4724-adbe-e4c8d637ce29
View on Grants.gov Add deadline to my calendar
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About this grant
The Headquarters Bureau of Land Management (BLM) offices have collaborated with Qualified Youth Corps, as authorized by the Public Lands Corps Act (PLC), to accomplish natural and cultural resource-focused projects for numerous years. This program"s projects provide opportunities to gain work experience in public lands and natural resources management. Through their BLM experience, youth gain an appreciation for public lands, learn about natural resource management careers, and become the next generation of public lands stewards. The BLM Youth Program helps the agency accomplish projects across all program areas in support of the BLM"s multiple-use mission. The BLM Youth Program partners with qualified youth corps through the Public Lands Corp (PLC) Program to engage individuals between the ages of 16 and 30 (inclusive) and veterans up to age 35 (inclusive), including tribal members. The PLC program mandates employing youth who are interested in working on natural and cultural resource projects that protect public lands.Projects available under the PLC Program are developed in collaboration with the State Youth Program Lead and District/Field Office project coordinators. The projects emphasize hands-on engagement in on-the-ground projects, skill development training, and mentorship opportunities for participants. These projects create jobs that strengthen America"s economy and foster relationships with youth corps organizations striving for balanced stewardship and use of public lands.Proposed projects within this funding opportunity notice will support the goals of the PLC Program and may also incorporate the goals of the Indian Youth Service Corps Program through outreach to Indian tribes and tribal-serving youth corps organizations. Projects will include the following:Enhancement of recreation opportunities through trail building, maintenance and restoration, and other improvements to visitor and recreation facilities (e.g. kiosks, campgrounds, signage etc.).Monitoring riparian area vegetation and hydrological functions, collecting soil and stream data as well as timber stand improvement projects for wildlife habitat and overall forest health.Habitat restoration and wildlife protection, including reduction of invasive species, tree planting, fence removal/installation, riparian area restoration, etc.Development and implementation of natural and...
Who can apply, from the official notice
Individuals and for-profit organizations are ineligible to apply for awards under this NOFO.This program NOFO does support entities hiring interns or crews under the Public Lands Corps Act of 1993. The Public Lands Corps Act of 1993, 16 USC, Chapter 37, Subchapter II-Public Lands Corps, is the only legislative authority that allows BLM to "hire" interns under this authority. Therefore, eligible Youth Conservation Corps may only apply for projects developed under NOFO 15.243 – BLM Youth Conservation Opportunities on Public Lands.
Your schedule, working back from the deadline
- Oct7
Check that your SAM.gov registration is active (or start it now)
Grants.gov: allow up to 10 business days for SAM registration, weeks or months if information isn't verified. It must be renewed every year. Grants.gov - Sep25
Ask partners for letters of support or commitment (already past: do it now)
Suggested: partners need about three weeks to write and sign letters. - Oct9
Finish a complete draft for a final review
Suggested: leave about a week for someone else to read the draft. - Oct13
Submit
Suggested: submit a few days early. Agency portals can slow down near deadlines. - Oct16
Deadline
From the funder.
Save this grant to put these dates in My grants and your private calendar.
Writing the need statement? Rhea County facts with citations.
What the official notice requires
Pulled from the official notice Foa_Content_of_L26AS00064_Youth.pdf (23 pages) so you can see the requirements at a glance. Each item shows the notice's own words. Open the page to read it in context.
Registrations you need first (4)
SAM.gov, Unique Entity ID (UEI) · p. 5
“GET READY TO APPLY Required System Registrations Unique Entity Identifier and SAM.gov Registration Before applying, all applicants except individuals applying as a natural person must be registered in SAM.gov.” Open page 5
Grants.gov · p. 6
“GRANTS.GOV This program accepts applications through Grants.gov so once you receive your UEI return to Grants.gov to register with Grants.gov.” Open page 6
GrantSolutions · p. 17
“AWARD NOTICES Notices of Federal Award are sent electronically via GrantSolutions or e-mail.” Open page 17
ASAP.gov (payments) · p. 17
“Prior to issuing an award, selected recipient organizations will be required to obtain an account with the Automated Standard Application for Payments (ASAP.gov) system for BLM awards.” Open page 17
The deadline is in 9 days. If your registration isn't already active, it may not be ready in time, so check it today. Get-ready checklist
What to submit
Budget narrative / justification · p. 7
“Higher stipends must be justified in the budget justification in Attachment B.” Open page 7
Form SF-424 · p. 9
“Forms/Assurances/Certifications Submission Requirement SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance Note:” Open page 9
Form SF-424A · p. 10
“Forms/Assurances/Certifications Submission Requirement represents their certification of the statements in Appendix A to 43 CFR 18-Certification Regarding Lobbying SF-424A, Budget Information – Non-Construction Programs Required for non-construction projects…” Open page 10
Form SF-LLL · p. 10
“Forms/Assurances/Certifications Submission Requirement represents their certification of the statements in Appendix A to 43 CFR 18-Certification Regarding Lobbying SF-424A, Budget Information – Non-Construction Programs Required for non-construction projects…” Open page 10
Evaluation plan · p. 11
“Required project monitoring and evaluation plan, including how you will measure project performance and assessment tools to be used” Open page 11
Letters of support or commitment · p. 12
“Other Required Information Other documentation may include curriculum vitae or other biographical information for key personnel, project location maps, any documentation to support an eligibility determination (e.g., proof of certain tax status, authorizing…” Open page 12
Resumes or bios of key staff · p. 12
“Other Required Information Other documentation may include curriculum vitae or other biographical information for key personnel, project location maps, any documentation to support an eligibility determination (e.g., proof of certain tax status, authorizing…” Open page 12
Length limits
Page limit (see quote): 15 pages max · p. 10
“The 15-page limit includes all text, figures, references, and vitae, but does not include the Budget Detail (Attachment B)or DOI Research and Development related attachments.” Open page 10
Formatting rules
11-point font · p. 10
“(Suggested format, Attachment A Project Proposal template, in the “related documents" tab in grants.gov, may be used when submitting your proposal.) The project proposal must be no longer than 15 pages, with a typeface no smaller than 11-point, and have at…” Open page 10
Cost share or match
Cost share / match · p. 15
“Experience in governance of youth initiative internship programs OFFERED COST SHARE or MATCH Meets 25% requirements of the Public Lands Corps Act LEVERAGING OF RESOURCES A proposal should clearly demonstrate how partnerships contribute to the effective…” Open page 15
Dates in the notice
August 14, 2026 · p. 3
“August 14, 2026 Round Two Applications Due:” Open page 3
10/16/2026 · p. 12
“Submission Dates and Times Closing Date for Applications: 10/16/2026 Closing Date Explanation Electronically submitted applications must be submitted no later than 5:00 p.m., ET, on the listed application due dates.” Open page 12
Mistakes that get applications rejected (2)
Outside what the program funds: If an applicant fails to meet the requirements or objectives of the NOFO, or does not provide sufficient... · p. 14
“If an applicant fails to meet the requirements or objectives of the NOFO, or does not provide sufficient information for review, the applicant will be considered nonresponsive and eliminated from further review.” Open page 14
Unresolved civil-rights or legal findings: We are prohibited from making an award if a recipient or any key personnel are found ineligible,... · p. 14
“We are prohibited from making an award if a recipient or any key personnel are found ineligible, prohibited, restricted, or otherwise excluded from receiving or participating in an award, as their ineligibility condition applies to this program.” Open page 14
About the federal program
Youth Corps, also called “Youth Corps Opportunities on Public Lands”
Program number 15.243 (the federal Assistance Listing number) · U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management · Cooperative agreement (a grant with close agency involvement)
How applications are judged
First Level Screening -Basic Eligibility. Applications will be screened by the Grants Management Officer to ensure that applications meet basic eligibility requirements. Must meet the requirements of the Notice of Funding Opportunity posted on www.grants.gov, screening may include, but is not limited to: Program and/or legislative authority requirements are met; Submission is timely; and complete and properly executed SF-424 application package documents. B. Applications must satisfy basic eligibility screening requirements to be considered for further review.
Second Level Evaluation -- Merit Review Evaluation is stated in each Notice of Funding Opportunity noticed post on www.grants.gov
Third Level Review Pre-Award Clearance and Approvals. BLM will also complete a business evaluation and determination of responsibility. During these evaluations the Grants Management Officer will evaluate variables such as: Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System, financial stability, quality of management systems, past performance meeting prior award terms and conditions, reports and findings of audits performed, and applicant�s ability to effectively implement statutory, regulatory or other requirements.
Match
The Public Land Corps Act requires a recipient match of 25%. The Public Lands Corps Act stipulates that the BLM must share the costs of work performed by youth or conservation corps with non-federal sources. Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. 1729, the Secretary of the Interior may not pay more than 75% of the costs of any appropriate conservation project carried out on public lands by a qualified youth or conservation corps. The remaining 25% of costs may be provided from non-federal sources in the form of funds, donations, in-kind services, facilities, materials, equipment, or any combination thereof.
The 25% match shall be waived for Youth Program projects implemented with Inflation Reduction Act funding or through a Federally Recognized American Indian Tribe or Alaska Native entity.
Examples of funded projects
Fiscal year 2025: Youth Corps projects, as outlined in the youth funding opportunity notice, supported the goals of the PLC Program while also advancing the objectives of the Indian Youth Service Corps Program through targeted outreach to Indian tribes and tribal-serving youth corps organizations. These projects included: Enhancement of recreation opportunities through trail building, maintenance and restoration, and other improvements to visitor and recreation facilities (e.g. kiosks, campgrounds, signage etc.). Monitoring riparian area vegetation and hydrological functions, collecting soil and stream data as well as timber stand improvement projects for wildlife habitat and overall forest health. Habitat restoration and wildlife protection, including reduction of invasive species, tree planting, fence removal/installation, riparian area restoration, etc. Development and implementation of natural and cultural resource stewardship plans or educational materials for visitors. Studies such as resource inventories, historic or archival research, archaeological excavation or stabilization, oral histories, historic preservation, habitat surveys, etc. Preservation of cultural...