FY2026 ABPP - Battlefield Land Acquisition Grant

The National Park Service, through its American Battlefield Protection Program, administers the Battlefield Land Acquisition Grant to preserve historically significant battlefield lands. The program supports State and local governments, federally recognized Tribal governments, Tribal organizations, and nonprofit organizations in protecting sites associated with the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, and the Civil War. These grants are funded through the Land and Water Conservation Fund and provide assistance to acquire fee-simple ownership or permanent protective easements over eligible battlefield lands. The funding aims to extend preservation efforts beyond national park boundaries and foster community-led stewardship of historically important landscapes. The program’s main goal is to increase protected battlefield acreage while engaging a wider network of preservation partners. Eligible battlefields must be included in the Civil War Sites Advisory Commission’s 1993 Report or in the 2007 Report to Congress on Revolutionary War and War of 1812 Sites. Properties must be located on American soil and outside the legislative boundaries of existing National Park System units. Acquisitions must be at least fifty percent within the designated battlefield boundary. Lands purchased with these grants are permanently protected by easements, with the requirement that public access be provided in a manner consistent with preservation goals. Recipients must also comply with Land and Water Conservation Fund non-conversion requirements. The application process requires organizations to register with SAM.gov and Grants.gov before submission. Applications must include a Standard Form 424, a budget narrative, a project abstract summary, and a detailed project narrative that addresses historical significance, resource analysis, threats, preservation strategies, and organizational qualifications. Additional required documents include easement holder letters, maps, photographs, cost share documentation, and seller willingness statements. Each applicant must secure a non-federal dollar-for-dollar match, as the program requires a 50 percent cost share under statute. Both cash and in-kind contributions are allowable under federal regulations. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis but must be submitted electronically no later than September 30, 2026, at 11:59 PM Eastern Time. The review process begins with an eligibility check followed by a merit review against four main criteria: historical significance and integrity, resource analysis and proposed activities, preservation strategy and sustainability, and applicant qualifications and capacity. The Department of the Interior also performs a risk review and budget assessment to ensure compliance and financial integrity. Proposals are categorized into three tiers based on alignment with program objectives, with Category 1 applications receiving the highest likelihood of funding. Awards are announced electronically via GrantSolutions or email, with project periods typically beginning in April 2026 and ending in March 2029. Notices of Federal Award provide binding terms and conditions. Post-award requirements include compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, federal reporting obligations, and long-term preservation easements enforced by state historic preservation offices or other approved entities. All acquisitions must be appraised and reviewed according to the Uniform Appraisal Standards for Federal Land Acquisitions, commonly known as the Yellow Book, and approved by the Department of the Interior’s Appraisal and Valuation Services Office. The estimated total program funding is $17,400,000, with approximately twenty-four awards expected. While there is no formal ceiling or floor, prior awards have ranged between $30,000 and $2,000,000, with some larger amounts awarded. Funding levels will depend on congressional appropriations and the competitiveness of applications. Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to contact program staff in advance of submission to discuss proposed acquisitions and preservation strategies. Questions should be directed to the program’s contact email: ABPP_BLAG@nps.gov.