BLM â¿¿ NM Cultural and Paleontological Resource Management | L18AS00074

Opportunity Information: Apply for L18AS00074

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) opportunity titled "BLM - NM Cultural and Paleontological Resource Management" (Funding Opportunity Number L18AS00074) is a discretionary funding program run by the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, focused on protecting and responsibly using New Mexico's extensive archaeological, historical, and paleontological resources located on public lands. These resources are treated as fragile and nonrenewable "heritage resources" that document both human history and millions of years of biological prehistory. The core purpose of the opportunity is to build cooperative partnerships that help BLM manage, preserve, and interpret these resources while expanding education and outreach so the public can learn about them in an informed and ethical way.

The grant centers on two connected BLM program areas. The Cultural Resources Management Program addresses archaeological and historical places, structures, and objects that contribute to national heritage, and it emphasizes engagement with Native American tribes as well as the broader public as key stakeholders. The Paleontology Program focuses on fossils and related paleontological materials as an irreplaceable scientific record and a major part of America's natural heritage. Together, these programs aim to preserve resources and also promote their educational, scientific, cultural, and recreational value, meaning the work is not limited to protection alone but also includes research, interpretation, and public-facing learning opportunities when appropriate.

BLM is specifically looking for partnerships that increase public engagement with heritage resources in New Mexico, expand volunteer involvement, strengthen engagement with tribal communities and tribal governments, and encourage responsible studies on public lands. Proposed projects can be designed around one or multiple objectives. Examples of eligible and encouraged work include proactive studies such as surveys and inventories, excavations where appropriate, and collections-based research; monitoring of at-risk sites through approaches like site steward programs; and stabilization efforts for resources threatened by natural processes or human impacts. The opportunity also supports education and outreach efforts that promote good archaeological and paleontological ethics, which can include programs, events, and interpretive products that help visitors understand why these resources are sensitive and how to protect them.

A notable emphasis is placed on building and improving relationships with tribal communities, including fostering partnerships with tribal governments and tribal programs. The opportunity also supports workforce development and training, encouraging appropriate use of sites and collections for training future historians, archaeologists, and paleontologists through research projects, field schools, internships, and similar structured learning experiences. In addition, BLM highlights the need for studies that evaluate impacts to cultural and paleontological resources from land management and ground-disturbing activities, such as prescribed fire, juniper control, vegetation removal by chaining, and other disturbance-related actions. This reflects a practical management need to understand risk and damage pathways so resources can be protected during land-use projects.

The program also includes a strong collections management component. Funded work may involve documenting existing collections held at authorized curation facilities through accessioning, cataloging, and inventory, as well as preserving collections through archival housing improvements, stabilization, or conservation treatments. This reflects the reality that long-term stewardship is not only about protecting sites in the field but also about ensuring that artifacts and fossils already recovered are properly tracked, stored, and maintained for future research and public benefit.

Awards are issued as cooperative agreements, indicating an expectation of active collaboration between BLM and recipients during project implementation rather than a hands-off grant structure. The opportunity listed an award ceiling of $400,000 and an expectation of around 12 awards. Eligibility is broad and includes state, county, and local governments; special districts; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized tribal governments; tribal organizations; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; and nonprofits both with and without 501(c)(3) status. The original posting dates indicate it was created on July 18, 2018, with an original closing date of August 20, 2018, which is useful for historical reference even if the specific cycle is no longer open.

Overall, the opportunity is designed to bring qualified partners into BLM's heritage stewardship mission in New Mexico by combining field-based protection and monitoring, targeted research, collections care, public education, volunteer involvement, and sustained tribal engagement. The unifying theme is collaborative preservation of irreplaceable cultural and paleontological heritage while expanding responsible access, learning, and scientific understanding on public lands.

• The Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "BLM â¿¿ NM Cultural and Paleontological Resource Management" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.224.
• This funding opportunity was created on Jul 18, 2018.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 20, 2018. (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 $400,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 12 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), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, 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.

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