The Department of Defense (DoD) is offering funding opportunities through the Legacy Resource Management Program to support conservation projects on DoD lands. This funding initiative, managed by the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense (Acquisition & Sustainment), aims to enhance biodiversity management, improve cultural resource conservation, and support military readiness through sustainable environmental practices. The program funds high-priority natural and cultural resource projects that align with DoD conservation objectives while contributing to mission sustainability.

The Legacy Program funds projects that focus on improving biodiversity conservation, ecosystem resilience, wildland fire management, tribal consultation, and cultural resource preservation. Additional priorities include military readiness and range sustainment, climate adaptation, technology incorporation, and data management improvements. Eligible projects must have regional or DoD-wide significance and should not fall under the direct responsibility of any specific military branch. Awards are issued as cooperative agreements, ensuring active government involvement in project execution.

The program accepts applications on a rolling basis. Interested applicants must submit project narratives outlining their proposed conservation efforts and their potential benefits. Selected applicants may be invited to submit full proposals or receive funding based on the quality and alignment of their project narratives with DoD priorities. While cost-sharing is not mandatory, it is encouraged. Award amounts vary based on available funding and the significance of the proposed projects.

Eligibility for the grant is open to public and private organizations, agencies, institutions, and individuals. Applicants must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) and provide a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) as part of their application process. The government reserves the right to accept or reject portions of proposals, negotiate terms, and distribute awards based on funding availability. Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov, and compliance with all legal, administrative, and reporting requirements is mandatory.

The evaluation process considers project relevance to DoD conservation goals, potential collaborations, cost realism, and compliance with regulatory requirements. Proposals are assessed based on their ability to advance conservation, leverage partnerships, and align with DoD sustainability objectives. Awarded projects must adhere to financial and performance reporting guidelines, and recipients must comply with applicable federal laws, including environmental, nondiscrimination, and fiscal accountability requirements.

For questions related to the grant, applicants can contact key program personnel, including the Grants Specialist Diane Clarke (diane.r.clarke.civ@mail.mil), Program Director Elizabeth Galli-Noble (elizabeth.j.galli-noble.civ@mail.mil), and support contractors Marwa Rafiq (marwa.m.rafiq.ctr@mail.mil) and McKenna McMahon (mckenna.n.mcmahon.ctr@mail.mil). The program remains open for submissions, and applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis.