FY2026 ABPP - Battlefield Land Acquisition Grant

The National Park Service, through its American Battlefield Protection Program, administers the Battlefield Land Acquisition Grant (BLAG) program under the funding opportunity number P26AS00019. This program is designed to preserve historically significant battlefield sites from the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, and the Civil War. It provides financial assistance to State and local governments, federally recognized tribal governments, certain Native American tribal organizations, and nonprofit organizations for the acquisition of battlefield lands through fee-simple or easement purchases. Funding is drawn from the Land and Water Conservation Fund and awards are made competitively. The program’s overarching purpose is to protect and preserve open land of national historic significance while ensuring continued public access and enjoyment. Eligible properties must be located within designated battlefield boundaries identified in authoritative National Park Service surveys. These include the Civil War Sites Advisory Commission’s 1993 report and the 2007 Report to Congress on the Historic Preservation of Revolutionary War and War of 1812 Sites in the United States. Acquired properties must remain outside the legislative boundaries of National Park System units, and lands purchased with grant funds must be permanently protected through easements or covenants ensuring their preservation. In all cases, grant recipients are required to provide appropriate levels of public access while safeguarding historic resources. A distinctive requirement of the BLAG program is the cost-sharing rule, which mandates a one-to-one non-Federal match. This means that applicants must secure at least 50 percent of the project costs from non-Federal sources, which may include cash or in-kind contributions. Eligible applicants can submit multiple applications and may seek renewal or supplementation of existing projects. Applications are accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis, with evaluation criteria emphasizing historical significance, preservation strategies, resource analysis, threats to the property, and the qualifications and capacity of the applicant and partners involved. Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov and include a series of mandatory forms such as the SF-424 Application for Federal Assistance, appropriate budget forms (SF-424A or SF-424C), and disclosures of lobbying activities when applicable. Applicants must also submit a detailed Project Narrative limited to five pages, a Project Abstract Summary, budget narrative, letters of commitment for cost share, documentation of willingness to sell, easement holder letters, battlefield maps, photos, and other required attachments. A pre-application consultation with the NPS ABPP office is strongly encouraged to ensure alignment with program goals. Registrations in SAM.gov and Grants.gov are required before submission, with applicants obtaining a Unique Entity Identifier. Evaluation is conducted in two stages: initial eligibility review and merit review. Proposals are scored based on four criteria: historical significance and integrity of the property, resource analysis and proposed activities, statement of threat and preservation strategy including sustainability, and qualifications of the applicant and partners. Reviewers consider availability of funds, risk assessments, and compliance with statutory and policy requirements. Only proposals that adequately demonstrate historical value, feasible strategies, and sustainable outcomes will be considered for funding. Award notices are sent electronically and legally obligate the funding once signed by a grants officer. The funding opportunity remains open until September 30, 2026, with all electronically submitted applications due no later than December 30, 2026, at 11:59 PM Eastern Time. Awards are issued throughout the year as applications are received and reviewed. The anticipated project start date for funded awards is April 1, 2026, with an end date of March 31, 2029. The estimated total program funding is $17,400,000, and approximately 24 awards are expected to be made. Past awards have ranged between $30,000 and $2,000,000, though amounts vary depending on available appropriations and project needs. Questions about the Battlefield Land Acquisition Grant program should be directed to the ABPP office by email at ABPP_BLAG@nps.gov. Applicants are encouraged to review relevant federal executive orders and Department of the Interior Secretary’s orders, ensure compliance with national policy requirements, and provide detailed project information supporting the historical, cultural, and preservation value of their proposed acquisitions. All awarded projects must adhere to federal standards including appraisal, Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, and Land and Water Conservation Fund non-conversion rules to guarantee permanent preservation of the acquired lands.

Consult with NPS ABPP staff early, ensure SAM.gov and Grants.gov registrations, provide detailed documentation