Southwest Border Resource Protection Program

The Southwest Border Resource Protection Program provides financial assistance to educational institutions, nonprofit organizations, tribes, and local and state agencies to improve resource stewardship, achieve international cooperation, provide mean

The Southwest Border Resource Protection Program helps communities, tribes, educators, and organizations safeguard the unique natural and cultural heritage found along the United States-Mexico border. Through financial assistance, the program supports projects that strengthen resource stewardship, expand environmental and cultural understanding, improve public interpretation, and promote collaborative scientific research. This program serves educational institutions, nonprofit organizations, tribal governments, and local and state agencies who work to protect and interpret shared cross‑border resources. What makes this program unique is its focus on cooperation and on preserving landscapes, wildlife, historic sites, and cultural connections that span both sides of the border. By encouraging collaboration across communities and disciplines, the program helps deepen public appreciation of the diverse, interconnected heritage of this border region.

Educational institutions, non-profit organizations, state and local governments, tribal governments, and the general public.

Several National Parks located along the U.S. border with Mexico have recently experienced serious resource damage due to illegal cross border activities including drug traffickers and undocumented persons traversing the parks. Other national park units within the desert southwest have also experienced impacts to their natural and cultural resources. Thousands of miles of unauthorized roads and trails have been created, major ecological processes and the migration patterns of wildlife have been disrupted, important historic sites have been vandalized, and archaeological sites have been looted. Program funding is available for conducting scientific research and monitoring of species, as well as conservation, interpretation and preservation projects designed to help protect and preserve natural and cultural resources located near or along our international border.

Applicants must work with and benefit an NPS unit in the Interior Regions 6, 7, and 8 (Intermountain Region) along the U.S. - Mexico border as well as a protected area in Mexico by addressing cultural or natural resource issues shared by both countries. These parks include Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, Big Bend National Park, Amistad National Recreation Area, Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Site, Padre Island National Seashore, Saguaro National Park, Tumacácori National Historical Park, Chamizal National Memorial, Coronado National Memorial, and Chiricahua National Monument. Please note that applicants can work with other Intermountain Region parks near the U.S. Mexico Border, or not otherwise listed to support cultural or natural resource issues shared by both countries.

Assistance length and time depends on project complexity. Agreement terms for funded projects can range between one and five years, depending on the negotiated project statement of work.

Applicants must work with and benefit an NPS unit in the Interior Regions 6, 7, and 8 (Intermountain Region) along the U.S. - Mexico border as well as a protected area in Mexico by addressing cultural or natural resource issues shared by both countries. These parks include Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, Big Bend National Park, Amistad National Recreation Area, Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Site, Padre Island National Seashore, Saguaro National Park, Tumacácori National Historical Park, Chamizal National Memorial, Coronado National Memorial, and Chiricahua National Monument. Please note that applicants can work with other Intermountain Region parks near the U.S. Mexico Border, or not otherwise listed to support cultural or natural resource issues shared by both countries.

Specific evaluation criteria will be included in the funding announcements posted on www.grants.gov. In general, criteria consider whether a project addresses a critical need affecting a shared resource, demonstrates strong partnership participation, offers cost‑effective solutions, delivers measurable outcomes that respond to the identified need, and enhances public understanding and appreciation of shared natural or cultural heritage.

Proposals received in response announcements on grants.gov are reviewed on the basis of a competitive, merit-based review process, and are rated in accordance with the evaluation criteria stated in the announcement. Awards may be made to the highest rated proposals based on the amount of funding available each year.

Varies depending on the type and complexity of the project. Further information will be available for each specific project at the time the funding opportunity announcement is posted on www.grants.gov and may be obtained by contacting the Program Manager listed as the point of contact. Generally 30 - 120 days.

If renewals or extensions are applicable to the project, this information will be included in the funding opportunity announcement. When renewals or extensions are applicable, continuation of funding for these activities is at the discretion of Congress and will be subject to availability of appropriated funds.

None. Final award decisions are not subject to appeal; however, the National Park Service will provide applicants with information on why their proposals were not selected for award, upon request.