GrantsUnited States

FY26 Bureau of Land Management Plant Conservation and Restoration Management - Bureau wide

Posted July 29, 2026

Coverage / FundingFinancial Support Available

Degree LevelOpen to Qualified Applicants

Location / ModeUnited States

DeadlineSep 28, 2026

About this opportunity

The Bureau of Land Management is offering grants of up to $500,000 through its Plant Conservation and Restoration Program for fiscal year 2026. The program will distribute roughly 50 awards ranging from $10,000 to $500,000 to eligible partners working on native seed production, restoration, and applied science across public lands. Applications are open now for work that will take place in 2026. The core goal is simple: grow America's native seed supply chain. BLM manages over 245 million acres of public land, and after wildfires, hurricanes, and other disasters, those lands need native seed to recover. The program partners with states, tribes, universities, and non-profits to collect seeds, expand nursery production, and support farmers entering the native seed market. This work also helps satisfy revegetation requirements for energy and infrastructure projects, reclaims mined and timber-harvested lands, and reduces invasive species. The Plant Conservation and Restoration Program sits within the Department of the Interior and has become a national leader in building the native seed pipeline. It works across BLM divisions including Wildlife, Oil & Gas, Minerals, Fuels, Range, and Renewable Energy. The program's 2026 priorities include local seed collections that create jobs, support for farmers and nonprofits entering the seed market, nursery production of hard-to-grow species, and applied science to lower costs and improve restoration outcomes. Special attention goes to managing special status plant species and preventing regulatory impacts on energy development. Eligible applicants include state agriculture departments, tribal organizations, academic institutions, non-profits, and other non-governmental organizations. Individuals and for-profit companies cannot apply. Youth Conservation Corps groups should note that this funding does not support intern hiring under the Public Lands Corps Act; those projects fall under a separate BLM opportunity.

Benefits

Award amounts range from $10,000 to $500,000
Approximately 50 awards will be made in fiscal year 2026
Funding supports seed collection, nursery production, applied science, and technology development
Partnerships with BLM divisions including Wildlife, Oil & Gas, Minerals, Fuels, Range, and Renewable Energy
Collaboration opportunities with state agriculture departments, NRCS, and wildlife agencies

Eligibility

Open to state, tribal, academic, and non-governmental organizations
Individuals are ineligible to apply
For-profit organizations are ineligible to apply
Youth Conservation Corps may only apply for projects under NOFO 15.243, not this program
Projects must align with the Plant Conservation and Restoration Program's 2026 strategic priorities

Required Documents

Project proposal describing the proposed work and how it aligns with PCRP priorities
Budget narrative detailing how funds will be used
Organization information demonstrating eligibility as a state, tribal, academic, or non-governmental entity

How to Apply

Review the full NOFO to confirm your organization's eligibility and understand the program's 2026 priorities.
Prepare your project proposal, budget narrative, and organization documentation.
Click the Apply button below to submit your application.

Ready to start your application?

Submit your materials before the official deadline.

Apply Now

Oppora Editorial Application Tip

Verify all official guidelines and eligibility criteria directly with the host institution before submitting. Prepare your transcript evaluation, referee letters, and motivational statement early to avoid deadline bottleneck delays.

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Oppora Editorial Analysis

Official Application Strategy & Recommended Tools

Competitiveness Rating:Moderate

Selection Committee Priorities

•Academic/Professional Alignment: Ensure your statement explicitly ties your past work in United States to Department of the Interior's strategic goals.
•Leadership Evidence: Selection panels heavily weigh demonstrated initiative, community impact, or research output.
•Financial & Language Prerequisites: Confirm if Medium of Instruction (MOI) certificates can substitute for formal standardized language test fees.

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