FY26 Bureau of Land Management Youth Conservation Corps - Bureau wide
Closed Posted
- Opportunity number
- L26AS00064
- Agency
-
Bureau of Land Management
Department of the Interior
- Applications due
- Award size
- $30,000 to $220,000
Opportunity facts
- Assistance listings
-
- 15.243 Youth Corps
- Funding instrument
- Cooperative Agreement
- Category
-
- Natural Resources
- Eligible applicants
-
- Higher Education Inst. (Private)
- State Governments
- City/Township Governments
- Higher Education Inst. (Public)
- County Governments
- Non-501(c)(3) Nonprofits
- Special District Governments
- Tribal Governments (Federally Recognized)
- Tribal Organizations (Not Federally Recognized)
- 501(c)(3) Nonprofits
- Points of contact
-
- Chanda Brown chanda_brown@ios.doi.gov (414) 309-5663
Opportunity details come from Grants.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
The Bureau of Land Management seeks applicants for cooperative agreements to operate youth conservation corps on public lands, with Round Two applications due October 16, 2026, and a mandatory 25% non-federal cost share by statute. Eligible applicants are state and local governments, federally recognized and non-federally recognized tribal governments and organizations, 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3) nonprofits, and public and private institutions of higher education; individuals and for-profit organizations are ineligible. Awards range from a $30,000 floor to a $220,000 ceiling, with approximately $900,000 estimated total funding supporting roughly 8 awards. The anticipated period of performance runs from December 31, 2026 through December 30, 2027, though proposals may extend through September 30, 2031. Projects engage individuals ages 16–30 and veterans up to age 35, including tribal members, in hands-on natural and cultural resource work including trail building and maintenance, habitat restoration, invasive species removal, cultural resource preservation, wildfire risk reduction, and recreation site improvements across BLM-managed lands. Round One applications were due August 14, 2026; Round Two is open to additional geographic areas beyond the initial Round One states of California, New Mexico, Oregon/Washington, Utah, and Headquarters. Proposals require coordination with local BLM State or District/Field Offices prior to submission. Merit review emphasizes statement of need and resource leveraging, also evaluating recruitment plans, technical approach, public benefit, applicant qualifications, cost share commitment, and leveraging of resources. The program operates under Assistance Listing 15.243 (Youth Conservation Opportunities on Public Lands) and is authorized by the Public Lands Corps Act of 1993. Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov; applicants must register with SAM.gov to obtain a Unique Entity Identifier. Award decisions typically occur within 120 days of opportunity closure.
Synopsis
The Headquarters Bureau of Land Management (BLM) offices have collaborated with Qualified Youth Corps, as authorized by the Public Lands Corps Act (PLC), to accomplish natural and cultural resource-focused projects for numerous years. This program"s projects provide opportunities to gain work experience in public lands and natural resources management. Through their BLM experience, youth gain an appreciation for public lands, learn about natural resource management careers, and become the next generation of public lands stewards. The BLM Youth Program helps the agency accomplish projects across all program areas in support of the BLM"s multiple-use mission. The BLM Youth Program partners with qualified youth corps through the Public Lands Corp (PLC) Program to engage individuals between the ages of 16 and 30 (inclusive) and veterans up to age 35 (inclusive), including tribal members. The PLC program mandates employing youth who are interested in working on natural and cultural resource projects that protect public lands.Projects available under the PLC Program are developed in collaboration with the State Youth Program Lead and District/Field Office project coordinators. The projects emphasize hands-on engagement in on-the-ground projects, skill development training, and mentorship opportunities for participants. These projects create jobs that strengthen America"s economy and foster relationships with youth corps organizations striving for balanced stewardship and use of public lands.Proposed projects within this funding opportunity notice will support the goals of the PLC Program and may also incorporate the goals of the Indian Youth Service Corps Program through outreach to Indian tribes and tribal-serving youth corps organizations. Projects will include the following:Enhancement of recreation opportunities through trail building, maintenance and restoration, and other improvements to visitor and recreation facilities (e.g. kiosks, campgrounds, signage etc.).Monitoring riparian area vegetation and hydrological functions, collecting soil and stream data as well as timber stand improvement projects for wildlife habitat and overall forest health.Habitat restoration and wildlife protection, including reduction of invasive species, tree planting, fence removal/installation, riparian area restoration, etc.Development and implementation of natural and cultural resource stewardship plans or educational materials for visitors.Studies such as resource inventories, historic or archival research, archaeological excavation or stabilization, oral histories, historic preservation, habitat surveys, etc.Preservation of cultural resources, including historic structures.Seed collection for restoration of lands affected by natural disastersReduction of wildfire risk to communities, watersheds, and other public land ecosystems.Production of materials and programs on natural, cultural, and/or paleontological resources, communication, education, and interpretation of natural and cultural resources.In-house projects, such as cartography, records management, realty or wildland fire support, must demonstrate a clear benefit to natural or cultural resources and include a field component of at least 120 hours.
Eligibility
Individuals and for-profit organizations are ineligible to apply for awards under this NOFO.This program NOFO does support entities hiring interns or crews under the Public Lands Corps Act of 1993. The Public Lands Corps Act of 1993, 16 USC, Chapter 37, Subchapter II-Public Lands Corps, is the only legislative authority that allows BLM to "hire" interns under this authority. Therefore, eligible Youth Conservation Corps may only apply for projects developed under NOFO 15.243 - BLM Youth Conservation Opportunities on Public Lands.
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