FY25 Bureau of Land Management Aquatic Resource Management- Bureau wide

The FY25 Bureau of Land Management Aquatic Resource Management - Bureau Wide grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number L25AS00306) is a federally funded initiative administered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The program is part of the BLM’s Aquatic Resources Program, which aims to support healthy riparian and wetland areas, aquatic habitats, and water resources on public lands. The program facilitates diverse land use goals such as recreation, habitat conservation, domestic mineral and resource extraction, and long-term sustainability for future generations. This grant opportunity provides financial support for projects that align with BLM’s priorities, including environmental permitting, habitat restoration, invasive species control, and resource monitoring. The program is structured to allow wide participation from state, local, and tribal governments, academic institutions, and nonprofit organizations. Individual applicants and for-profit organizations are specifically ineligible. It is important to note that this grant does not cover internships or hiring under the Public Lands Corps Act; such activities must be pursued under a separate NOFO (15.243). Eligible entities proposing projects consistent with the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units (CESU) framework must indicate CESU affiliation and will be subject to a 17.5% cap on indirect costs under an approved NICRA. This funding opportunity is open for applications from June 23, 2025, to July 23, 2025. All applications must be submitted electronically via Grants.gov by 5:00 p.m. ET on the closing date. No extensions will be granted except under extenuating circumstances. Applicants must ensure they are registered in SAM.gov and obtain a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) before applying. The registration process may take several months, and applicants are advised to begin early. Once registered, applicants must also register in Grants.gov and set up a Workspace to complete and submit the application. Awards under this NOFO are expected to be in the form of Cooperative Agreements (CAs), with significant federal involvement anticipated throughout the project lifecycle. This may include joint planning, staffing input, and direct oversight. Projects can last up to 60 months, with anticipated start dates as early as September 1, 2025, and an end date no later than September 30, 2030. The program expects to issue approximately 75 awards, with individual award amounts ranging between $25,000 and $500,000. The total estimated funding available is $3,000,000. There is no cost-sharing or matching requirement for this opportunity. Applications must include a full suite of required documents, such as the SF-424 and SF-424A forms, a project abstract, a detailed project narrative, and budget documentation. Additional documentation may include biographical sketches, environmental compliance information, and conflict of interest disclosures. Applications will undergo eligibility screening followed by a merit review that prioritizes a clear statement of need, technical approach, public benefit, and applicant qualifications. Reviewers will assess each proposal based on established criteria including data collection methodology, stakeholder engagement, environmental compliance, and alignment with BLM objectives. Applicants with questions may contact the Grants Management Officer, Patricia Glass, at pglass@blm.gov or by phone at (303) 236-6505. For programmatic inquiries, Scott Miller, the National Aquatic Resources Lead, can be reached at swmiller@blm.gov. Applicants are strongly encouraged to review the full NOFO and BLM guidance documents referenced therein to ensure compliance with administrative and technical requirements.

Begin SAM.gov and Grants.gov registration early; CESU partners must align proposals with CESU purpose and rate limits.