FY26 Bureau of Land Management Wildlife Resource Management Program - Bureau wide

Closed Posted

Opportunity number
L26AS00045
Agency
Applications due
Award size
$10,000 to $2,000,000

Opportunity facts

Assistance listings
Funding instrument
Cooperative Agreement
Category
  • Natural Resources
Eligible applicants
  • Tribal Governments (Federally Recognized)
  • 501(c)(3) Nonprofits
  • Higher Education Inst. (Public)
  • Special District Governments
  • State Governments
  • Higher Education Inst. (Private)
  • Tribal Organizations (Not Federally Recognized)
  • County Governments
  • Non-501(c)(3) Nonprofits
  • City/Township Governments
Points of contact

Opportunity details come from Grants.gov. Updated .

About this opportunity

The Bureau of Land Management is soliciting applications for cooperative agreements to fund wildlife resource management activities on public lands, with applications due September 11, 2026. The program will award approximately $8 million through approximately 70 grants, ranging from $10,000 to $2 million per award. Eligible applicants include state and local governments, federally recognized and non-federally recognized tribal organizations, public and private institutions of higher education, and 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3) nonprofits; individuals and for-profit organizations are ineligible. Idaho, the National Interagency Fire Center, and the National Operating Center will not accept applications.

Cost sharing is not required but may be evaluated favorably. The anticipated project start date is December 31, 2026, with projects running up to five years and ending no later than December 30, 2031.

The program supports eight priority areas: wildlife habitat protection and development; wildlife reintroduction and propagation; field study programs; law enforcement; educational programs; toxicity and mortality investigations; wildlife damage management; and management activities affecting wildlife and habitats. Projects must be implemented on BLM-managed lands or support BLM conservation objectives aligned with approved land use plans and Secretarial Order 3362 (big-game winter range and migration corridor restoration). Specific emphasis areas include grassland, shrubland, forest, and riparian treatments; monitoring and inventory data collection on priority species and habitats; and coordination with state fish and wildlife agencies.

Merit review criteria, in descending importance, weight Public Benefit and Leveraging of Resources most heavily, followed by Statement of Need, Technical Approach and Monitoring, and Applicant Qualifications. Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov and include SF-424, SF-424A, Project Abstract Summary (4,000 character limit), and project narrative (15-page maximum). Assistance Listing 15.247.

Synopsis

The BLM Wildlife Program, including the Sage-Grouse Conservation Program, implements statutory authorities to address the management of wildlife resources on the public lands for the social and economic well-being of all Americans. Specific BLM Wildlife Program priorities include: 1. protection, maintenance, and development of wildlife habitat; 2. wildlife reintroduction and propagation; 3. field study programs involving wildlife; 4. law enforcement; 5. educational programs; 6. toxicity/mortality investigations and monitoring; 7. wildlife damage management; 8. management activities affecting wildlife and their habitat. The BLM Wildlife Program works with partner organizations to meet the goals above on national, regional, or state-scales by:Implementing management actions such as the implementation of grassland, shrubland, forest, riparian, and other plant community treatments that fulfill statutory and legal requirements, align with approved land use plans, and support habitat objectives for priority wildlife species, including upland game, waterfowl, big game, non-game, and watchable wildlife.Collaborating with state fish and wildlife agencies, and other partners, on efforts that conserve and restore habitats in priority winter ranges and migration corridors for elk, deer, and pronghorn on BLM-managed lands, in support of Secretary's Order 3362 "Improving Habitat Quality in Western Big-Game Winter Range and Migration Corridors."Collecting and analyzing monitoring and inventory data on priority species and habitats including terrestrial and aquatic plant communities, to assess status and trends, inform plan implementation, improve management effectiveness, and support Administration priorities.Enhancing efficiency by integrating and sharing coordinated wildlife and habitat monitoring data to streamline decision-making and management actions.Coordinating with state agencies and other partners to support recovery and augmentation of species identified in State Wildlife Action Plans through proactive, voluntary, on-the-ground collaborative conservation efforts.Collaborating with state agencies and other partners under the Sikes Act to develop and implement fish and wildlife conservation and habitat improvement projects, including grassland, shrubland, forest, riparian, and other plant community treatments.Developing and implementing activity plans and Habitat Management Plans (HMPs) in partnership with state agencies and other partners to address habitat needs for regionally important species, including big game, waterfowl, upland game, and non-game species. Providing wildlife habitat management training opportunities to support effective plan implementation, meet legal mandates, and advance agency and Administration priorities.The following Administration priorities are applicable to this program:Executive Order (EO) 13443, Facilitation of Hunting Heritage and Wildlife ConservationEO 14192 - Unleashing Prosperity Through DeregulationEO 14303 - Restoring Gold Standard ScienceEO 14225 - Immediate Expansion of American Timber Production EO 14313 - Establishing the President's Make America Beautiful Again CommissionSO 3356 - Hunting, Fishing, Recreational Shooting, and Wildlife Conservation Opportunities and Coordination with States, Tribes, and TerritoriesSO 3362 - Improving Habitat Quality in Western Big-Game Winter Range and Migration CorridorsSO 3421 - Achieving Prosperity through DeregulationSO 3447 - Expanding Hunting and Fishing Access, Removing Unnecessary Barriers, and Ensuring Consistency Across the Department of the Interior Lands and WatersOne Big Beautiful Act, H.R. 1, 119th Cong. (2025)

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