Cultural and Paleontological Resources Management

The Bureau of Land Management provides financial assistance to help protect, preserve, study, and share cultural and paleontological resources on BLM-managed public lands. These resources include archaeological and historic sites, fossils, museum col

Funding supports cooperative projects with federally recognized Tribes, Tribal organizations, state and local governments, colleges and universities, nonprofit organizations, and other eligible partners. Projects may include cultural and paleontological surveys, research and documentation, archaeological field schools, site stabilization, museum collections care, public education, interpretation, and efforts to improve access to and understanding of important heritage resources. The listing serves Tribes, local communities, researchers, educators, students, public land visitors, and the broader public. It supports projects that increase professional and public knowledge, provide educational and economic opportunities, strengthen Tribal involvement, and encourage responsible stewardship of public lands. This listing is unique because it focuses on cultural and paleontological resources located on millions of acres of BLM-managed lands. These fragile and nonrenewable resources represent thousands of years of human history and millions of years of natural history. Through partnerships, the program helps protect these resources for future generations while allowing them to be studied, interpreted, and appropriately shared with the public.

State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, and Private institutions of higher education.

All projects are restricted to lands and resources administered by BLM. Most of these lands are located in the Western United States and Alaska. Assistance can be used for cooperation in managing cultural or paleontological resources, e.g., survey for sites and localities, stabilization of historic structures, and public contact/education/interpretation or for improving information about cultural resources, consistent with needs identified in BLM planning documents.

No specific restrictions. However, most projects are funded on a year to year basis and no more than five years. Funds are expended during a particular fiscal year. Most awards are anticipated within 90 days or less after the announcement closes.

This will be based on individual projects. For more information and local requirements, cooperative project proposals should be coordinated with the Bureau of Land Management local State, or District or Field offices.

First Level Screening -Basic Eligibility. Applications will be screened by the Grants Management Officer to ensure that applications meet basic eligibility requirements. Must meet the requirements of the Notice of Funding Opportunity posted on www.grants.gov, screening may include, but is not limited to: Program and/or legislative authority requirements are met; Submission is timely; and complete and properly executed SF-424 application package documents. B. Applications must satisfy basic eligibility screening requirements to be considered for further review. Second Level Evaluation -- Merit Review Evaluation is stated in each Notice of Funding Opportunity noticed post on www.grants.gov Third Level Review Pre-Award Clearance and Approvals. BLM will also complete a business evaluation and determination of responsibility. During these evaluations the Grants Management Officer will evaluate variables such as: Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System, financial stability, quality of management systems, past performance meeting prior award terms and conditions, reports and findings of audits performed, and applicant's ability to effectively implement statutory, regulatory or other requirements.

All applications will be initially screened for eligibility and compliance with the requirements stated in the program Notice of Funding Opportunity Announcement. Applications passing this screening process will be forwarded for review by the proposal evaluation criteria, and any additional review factors, as stated in the funding announcement. Final award selection review by BLM Leadership.

Award time varies depending on the type and complexity of the project. Further information will be available for each project at the time the Notice of Funding Opportunity is posted on www.grants.gov and may be obtained by contacting the point of contact listed in the funding opportunity announcement. Most awards are anticipated within 120 days after the announcement closes.

Final award decisions are not subject to appeal; however, the Bureau of Land Management will provide all applicants with information on why their proposal was not selected for award.