Opportunity Information: Apply for L26AS00050
The FY26 Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Plant Conservation and Restoration Management - Bureau wide opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number L26AS00050) is a discretionary funding program offered through cooperative agreements to strengthen the nations native seed supply chain and improve restoration capacity on public lands. Through BLMs Plant Conservation and Restoration Program (PCRP), the program aims to ensure that high quality, regionally appropriate native plant materials are available when they are needed for restoration, rehabilitation, and long-term land health. The work supported by this funding is tied closely to the Department of the Interiors broader mission of protecting and managing natural resources, while also supporting BLMs multiple use and sustained yield responsibilities across landscapes that are increasingly stressed by wildfire, invasive species, climate pressures, and development.
A central theme of the opportunity is practical, on-the-ground capacity building for native plant conservation and large-scale restoration. PCRP positions native seed and plant materials as essential infrastructure for resilience: having reliable supplies allows faster recovery after wildfires, hurricanes, and other disasters, and supports restoration obligations tied to energy and infrastructure projects that must meet revegetation requirements. The program also emphasizes economic outcomes alongside ecological ones by expanding market access for small producers, reducing risk for growers, lowering seed costs over time, and supporting rural jobs tied to seed collection, cleaning, storage, and production.
For 2026, PCRP highlights several strategic focus areas. One priority is local seed collection to diversify which native species are commercially available, while creating employment opportunities through collection and related field work. Another is supporting farmers and nonprofit organizations that are entering or expanding within the native seed market, with the explicit goal of strengthening rural economies and shared stewardship. PCRP also calls out nursery production for species that are poorly suited to direct seeding, recognizing that many restoration goals depend on plugs, container stock, or other nursery-grown materials to establish durable vegetation, support watershed function, and improve habitat for big game and other wildlife. In addition, the program seeks applied science and innovation that can reduce costs, lower production and restoration risk, and improve ecological outcomes, as well as efforts to manage native plant communities and special status plants in ways that maintain multiple use and sustained yield.
The partnership angle is a major component of this NOFO. PCRP is looking for projects that coordinate with state departments of agriculture, NRCS, and similar partners to widen farmer access to native seed markets and strengthen the overall supply chain. It also encourages collaboration with wildlife agencies and related partners to implement post-fire recovery, restore migration corridors, and protect priority species and habitats. On the infrastructure and technology side, the opportunity supports development or improvement of capacity for seed collection, cleaning, banking, and production systems, especially for hard-to-grow species that are often missing from commercial inventories but are important for ecological integrity. PCRP also encourages applied research and conservation actions that sustain special status plant species and help avoid downstream regulatory conflicts that can affect energy development timelines. Finally, the program stresses technology transfer, education, and practical guidance so that native seed is used correctly and more consistently across BLM programs, including Wildlife, Oil and Gas, Minerals, Fuels, Range, and Renewable Energy.
In terms of who can apply, eligibility is broad across public and nonprofit sectors. Eligible applicants include state, county, and local governments (including special districts), independent school districts, public and state controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, federally recognized tribal governments, other tribal organizations, and nonprofits both with and without 501(c)(3) status. Individuals and for-profit organizations are explicitly ineligible under this NOFO. The program is structured as cooperative agreements, which generally means BLM expects substantial involvement and coordination during project implementation rather than a hands-off pass-through grant.
The NOFO also includes a specific restriction related to youth and internship hiring. Projects under this opportunity are not supported if the primary intent is to hire interns or crews under the Public Lands Corps Act of 1993. The BLM notes that the Public Lands Corps Act is the only legislative authority that allows BLM to hire interns under that framework, so youth conservation corps-type proposals must instead be submitted under the separate BLM Youth Conservation Opportunities on Public Lands funding opportunity (CFDA 15.243), not under this one.
Key administrative details include an expected 50 awards, with an award ceiling of $500,000. The opportunity was created on July 28, 2026, and the original closing date listed is September 28, 2026. The program sits within the natural resources funding activity category (CFDA 15.245). Overall, the grant is best understood as an invitation for states, tribes, universities, and nonprofits to help expand native seed availability and improve restoration success at landscape scale, while building durable partnerships that connect ecological needs with production capacity, scientific know-how, and local economic benefits.Apply for L26AS00050
- The Bureau of Land Management in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FY26 Bureau of Land Management Plant Conservation and Restoration Management - Bureau wide" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.245.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-07-28.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-09-28. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $500,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 50 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, 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 that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
FY26 BLM Plant Conservation and Restoration Management (Bureau-wide) - FAQs
1) What is this funding opportunity?
This is the FY26 Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Plant Conservation and Restoration Management - Bureau wide opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number L26AS00050). It is a discretionary funding program offered through cooperative agreements to strengthen the nation's native seed supply chain and improve restoration capacity on public lands through BLM's Plant Conservation and Restoration Program (PCRP).
2) What is the main purpose of the program?
The program is designed to ensure that high-quality, regionally appropriate native plant materials are available when needed for restoration, rehabilitation, and long-term land health. It supports practical, on-the-ground capacity building for native plant conservation and large-scale restoration, especially across landscapes stressed by wildfire, invasive species, climate pressures, and development.
3) How does PCRP define success or desired outcomes?
Based on the description provided, success is tied to improved availability and correct use of regionally appropriate native seed and plant materials, stronger restoration capacity on public lands, improved ecological outcomes, and strengthened partnerships that connect restoration needs with production capacity, applied science, and local economic benefits.
4) What kinds of projects does this opportunity support?
The NOFO emphasizes practical capacity building and restoration support, including (as described):
- Local seed collection to diversify which native species are commercially available.
- Support for farmers and nonprofit organizations entering or expanding in the native seed market.
- Nursery production for species poorly suited to direct seeding (for example, plugs or container stock).
- Applied science and innovation to reduce costs, lower risk, and improve outcomes.
- Native plant community management and conservation actions for special status plants consistent with multiple use and sustained yield.
- Infrastructure and technology for seed collection, cleaning, banking, and production systems, including hard-to-grow species.
- Technology transfer, education, and practical guidance to improve consistent and correct use of native seed across BLM programs.
5) Why is the native seed supply chain a central theme?
PCRP positions native seed and plant materials as essential infrastructure for resilience. Reliable supplies can support faster recovery after wildfires, hurricanes, and other disasters, and help meet revegetation requirements tied to energy and infrastructure projects.
6) Does the program focus only on ecological outcomes?
No. The opportunity also emphasizes economic outcomes, including expanding market access for small producers, reducing risk for growers, lowering seed costs over time, and supporting rural jobs tied to seed collection, cleaning, storage, and production.
7) What are the strategic focus areas highlighted for 2026?
The NOFO highlights several focus areas for 2026, including: local seed collection, supporting farmers and nonprofits entering or expanding within the native seed market, nursery production for species not well suited to direct seeding, applied science and innovation, and management/conservation work for native plant communities and special status plants.
8) Are nursery-grown materials specifically encouraged?
Yes. PCRP specifically calls out nursery production for species that are poorly suited to direct seeding and notes that many restoration goals depend on plugs, container stock, or other nursery-grown materials to establish durable vegetation, support watershed function, and improve habitat for big game and other wildlife.
9) What does “applied science and innovation” mean in this NOFO?
In this opportunity, applied science and innovation are described as efforts that can reduce costs, lower production and restoration risk, and improve ecological outcomes, in support of native seed and restoration capacity.
10) How important are partnerships in this opportunity?
Partnerships are a major component. PCRP looks for projects that coordinate with partners such as state departments of agriculture and NRCS to widen farmer access to native seed markets and strengthen the supply chain, and encourages collaboration with wildlife agencies and related partners for post-fire recovery, migration corridor restoration, and protection of priority species and habitats.
11) Does the NOFO support seed-related infrastructure and technology?
Yes. The opportunity supports development or improvement of capacity for seed collection, cleaning, banking, and production systems, particularly for hard-to-grow species that are often missing from commercial inventories but are important for ecological integrity.
12) Does the program address special status plants?
Yes. PCRP encourages applied research and conservation actions that sustain special status plant species and help avoid downstream regulatory conflicts that can affect energy development timelines.
13) Does PCRP support training or guidance on how to use native seed?
Yes. The NOFO stresses technology transfer, education, and practical guidance so that native seed is used correctly and more consistently across BLM programs, including Wildlife, Oil and Gas, Minerals, Fuels, Range, and Renewable Energy.
14) Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad across public and nonprofit sectors. Eligible applicants include:
- State, county, and local governments (including special districts)
- Independent school districts
- Public and state controlled institutions of higher education
- Private institutions of higher education
- Federally recognized tribal governments
- Other tribal organizations
- Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status
- Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status
15) Who is not eligible to apply?
Individuals and for-profit organizations are explicitly ineligible under this NOFO.
16) What type of funding instrument is used?
The program is structured as cooperative agreements. This generally means BLM expects substantial involvement and coordination during project implementation, rather than a hands-off pass-through grant.
17) Is this a youth corps or internship hiring grant?
No. Projects are not supported if the primary intent is to hire interns or crews under the Public Lands Corps Act of 1993. The NOFO notes that proposals primarily aimed at youth conservation corps-type hiring under that authority must instead be submitted under the separate BLM Youth Conservation Opportunities on Public Lands funding opportunity (CFDA 15.243), not under this one.
18) What is the catalog/assistance listing (CFDA) number for this opportunity?
The program is listed under the natural resources funding activity category with CFDA 15.245.
19) How many awards does BLM expect to make?
The NOFO indicates an expected 50 awards.
20) What is the maximum award amount?
The award ceiling is $500,000.
21) When was this opportunity created and when does it close?
The opportunity was created on July 28, 2026. The original closing date listed is September 28, 2026.
22) How does this opportunity connect to BLM and DOI priorities?
The work supported is tied to the Department of the Interior's broader mission of protecting and managing natural resources, while also supporting BLM's multiple use and sustained yield responsibilities. The program is framed around addressing stressors such as wildfire, invasive species, climate pressures, and development across public land landscapes.
23) What kinds of restoration needs is this program trying to meet?
The NOFO describes needs including post-disaster recovery (wildfires, hurricanes, and other disasters), large-scale restoration, rehabilitation, and meeting revegetation requirements tied to energy and infrastructure projects.
24) How does the program support rural economies?
It aims to expand market access for small producers, reduce grower risk, lower seed costs over time, and support rural jobs connected to seed collection, cleaning, storage, and production, including employment opportunities created through local seed collection and related field work.
25) What is the simplest way to describe what BLM is looking for?
This NOFO is an invitation for states, tribes, universities, and nonprofits to help expand native seed availability and improve restoration success at landscape scale, while building durable partnerships that connect ecological needs with production capacity, applied science, practical know-how, and local economic benefits.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Natural Resources
Previous opportunity: Alliance for System Safety of Unmanned Aircraft Systems through Research Excellence (ASSURE)
Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for L26AS00050
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (L26AS00050) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Forest Legacy Program - FY2028 Funding Apply for USDA FS 2028 FLP Funding Number: USDA FS 2028 FLP Agency: Forest Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $20,000,000 |
| FY26 Bureau of Land Management Wildlife Resource Management Program - Bureau wide Apply for L26AS00045 Funding Number: L26AS00045 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $2,000,000 |
| FY26 Bureau of Land Management Threatened and Endangered Species - Bureau wide Apply for L26AS00043 Funding Number: L26AS00043 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Inside Our Applicants Portal
Access Applicants Portal
- Grants Repository - Access current and historic funding opportunities with ease. Thousands of funding opportunities are published every week. We can help you sort through the database and find the eligible ones to apply for.
- Applicant Video Guides - The grant application process can be challenging to follow. We can help you with intuitive video guides to speed up the process and eliminate errors in submissions.
- Grant Proposal Wizard - We have developed a network of private funding organizations and investors across the United States. We can reach out and submit your proposal to these contacts to maximize your chances of getting the funding you need.
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Learn More
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "L26AS00050", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.