FY26 Bureau of Land Management Cultural and Paleontological Resource Management - Bureau wide

Broadly, the objective is to develop partnerships to improve access to, and use of, heritage resources, and promote their educational, scientific, cultural, and recreational values in a manner that meets U.S. Department of the Interior priorities and Cultural Heritage and Paleontology Program goals. Individual projects shall meet one or more of the following objectives.Conduct studies, including inventory, excavation, records research, and collections-based research to improve the understanding of America"s natural and cultural history;Monitor at-risk heritage resources to track trends in condition and project effectiveness;Stabilize at-risk heritage resources;Train future cultural resource management practitioners and paleontologists through research projects, field schools and internships that highlight BLM resources;Assist with cultural heritage data and records management activities such as organizing, maintaining, and scanning site and survey records; creating, digitizing and maintaining geospatial data; and performing data entry;Preserve existing collections at recognized curation facilities through such activities as archival housing, stabilization or conservation;Broaden public access to museum collections;Promote engagement with Native American communities and foster partnerships with tribal governments and programs;Promote public engagement, learning opportunities, and conservation/preservation ethics through heritage resources education and outreach programs, events, and products;Develop and maintain historic sites with interpretive and educational potential.Partner to support BLM"s Tribal consultation efforts

Individuals and For-Profit Organizations are ineligible to apply for awards under this NOFO.This program NOFO does not 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.

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.

Fiscal year 2025: Funded projects supported partnerships to identify, document, study, protect, stabilize, and interpret cultural and paleontological resources on BLM-managed public lands. Examples include archaeological field schools, cultural resource surveys and research, stabilization of archaeological and historic sites, care of museum collections, public education and interpretation, and projects that improve Tribal involvement and access to culturally important places and resources. Fiscal year 2026: The program has not yet selected all projects for funding. BLM expects to fund projects that protect and study cultural and paleontological resources, care for collections and records, provide educational and public-use opportunities, support partnerships with Tribes and local communities, and improve public understanding and stewardship of heritage resources on BLM-managed lands.