FY25 Bureau of Land Management National Conservation Lands- Management Studies Support Program

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is offering funding through its FY25 National Conservation Lands - Management Studies Support Program. This opportunity is focused on supporting scientific studies and collaborative efforts aimed at understanding and managing resources on BLM’s National Conservation Lands. Administered through cooperative agreements, the program is intended to strengthen partnerships with state, local, university, tribal, and nonprofit stakeholders to inform land management decisions and foster conservation stewardship. The primary goals of the program include advancing management-driven research, enhancing citizen science efforts, and promoting tribal co-stewardship initiatives. Eligible projects must address at least one of these thematic areas and align with legislated priorities such as the Federal Land Policy and Management Act and other federal conservation statutes. Funded projects should result in deliverables such as annual progress reports, a final technical report, and a manager’s public-facing summary report. Outcomes must benefit the public, contributing to improved understanding of ecological, cultural, and social resources. Eligible applicants include state, county, and local governments; public and private institutions of higher education; Native American tribal governments and organizations; and nonprofit organizations, including those without 501(c)(3) IRS status. Individuals and for-profit entities are not eligible. Proposals must be submitted electronically via Grants.gov by 5:00 p.m. ET on August 8, 2025. Projects are expected to start by September 25, 2025, and may run through August 24, 2030. Applications must include several standard federal forms (SF-424, SF-424A, SF-LLL if applicable), a project narrative, budget narrative, and supporting documentation such as résumés, maps, and proof of eligibility. The narrative must not exceed 15 pages and should detail the project’s location, scope, methods, goals, expected outcomes, and compliance considerations. SAM.gov and Grants.gov registration is required, and indirect costs are subject to specified limits, particularly for CESU partners. Evaluation criteria include relevance to the program themes, early coordination with BLM state leads, clear management applications, technical merit, alignment with legislated priorities, and public benefit. Each state will conduct an initial review, followed by a national review assessing broader applicability. Selected projects may be subject to additional risk and budget reviews before final award decisions are made. Questions about the opportunity can be directed to Fredrick (Fritz) Klasner at fklasner@blm.gov or the Awarding Officer Ramon “Luis” Burgos-Candelaria at rburgoscandelaria@blm.gov or 303-236-6967. Additional submission instructions and templates are available on Grants.gov.

Coordinate early with BLM State Office Ensure relevance to one of the three themes Clearly link outcomes to management decisions Include specific deliverables and benefits to the public Register with SAM.gov and Grants.gov early