FY25 Bureau of Land Management Invasive and Noxious Plant Management- Bureau wide

The FY25 Bureau of Land Management Invasive and Noxious Plant Management – Bureau-wide (Funding Opportunity Number: L25AS00298) is a discretionary federal funding opportunity offered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). This grant aims to address the persistent and increasing threat posed by invasive species and noxious weeds on public lands across various U.S. states. These plant species have been recognized as a major ecological and economic challenge, significantly disrupting native ecosystems, reducing biodiversity, impairing watershed functions, diminishing recreational access, and causing millions of dollars in management costs annually. The grant program supports a variety of activities designed to manage, prevent, detect, and control such species. The program's goals include the prevention, detection, eradication, and long-term management of noxious and invasive plant species through the implementation of integrated pest management strategies, community engagement, educational outreach, monitoring, and public participation in citizen science. The Bureau encourages the development of innovative mapping tools, modeling techniques, and educational materials that enhance awareness and improve the detection of problematic species. Priority will be given to projects that protect natural resources on public lands, stabilize wildfire-affected areas, prevent spread to vulnerable economic zones, and demonstrate effective collaboration across jurisdictions. Eligible applicants include state, county, and local governments; tribal governments and organizations; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (excluding higher education institutions); and public and private institutions of higher education. Individuals and for-profit organizations are ineligible. Projects led by Youth Conservation Corps are not eligible under this NOFO, unless submitted under a different program (NOFO 15.243). Organizations affiliated with Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units (CESUs) must limit indirect costs to 17.5% if applying under a CESU agreement. Applications from California and Colorado will not be accepted under this program. Funding will be provided via cooperative agreements, which include substantial involvement from BLM. The agency may participate in selecting personnel, overseeing project implementation stages, and reviewing key modifications. Approximately $3,000,000 is available under this opportunity, with up to 40 awards expected. Individual awards will range from $5,000 to $500,000. No matching funds are required. Notably, certain states have fixed amounts of allocated funding, such as $1,000,000 for HQ/Eastern States, $500,000 for Oregon/Washington, and smaller amounts for states such as Alaska, Utah, and New Mexico. Applications open on June 23, 2025, and must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov no later than 5:00 p.m. ET on July 23, 2025. Applicants must have an active registration in SAM.gov and a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) before applying. Submission through Grants.gov also requires prior registration and workspace setup. Required application documents include standard federal forms (SF-424, SF-424A, SF-LLL if applicable), a detailed project narrative, budget justification, biographical sketches for key personnel, and conflict of interest disclosures. Evaluation criteria include technical approach, public benefit, qualifications, and alignment with DOI and BLM priorities. The anticipated project start date is September 1, 2025, with potential project periods lasting up to five years, ending no later than August 30, 2030. Selected awardees will be notified through official channels such as GrantSolutions. All awardees must adhere to national policy requirements, including Buy America preferences for infrastructure projects and standards for geospatial data collection. The point of contact for this grant is Chanda Brown, reachable at chandabrown@blm.gov or 303-236-3327.

Ensure alignment with BLM program goals and provide adequate documentation for environmental compliance and stakeholder involvement.