The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has announced the *New Mexico FY25 IIJA/IRA Rangeland Resource Management Program* under Funding Opportunity Number L25AS00198. This program aims to support rangeland conservation, restoration, and management in New Mexico to enhance land health, resilience, and sustainability in the face of climate change and other environmental challenges. Funded projects will focus on activities that improve soil and vegetation health, enhance biodiversity, manage invasive species, restore legacy land disturbances, and engage communities through education and training.

Eligible applicants include state, county, city, and township governments; special district governments; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; Native American tribal governments and organizations; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status; and private institutions of higher education. Individuals and for-profit organizations are not eligible to apply. Projects must demonstrate clear alignment with BLM’s priorities, including Executive Orders on advancing racial equity, tackling climate change, and ensuring economic relief.

The program has an estimated total funding of $1,500,000, with up to four anticipated awards. Individual awards will range between $50,000 and $1,000,000. There is no cost-sharing requirement. Projects must support BLM’s goals, including promoting climate-resilient landscapes, restoring rangelands, improving soil health, and employing consistent data collection methods for decision-making.

Applications must include forms SF-424, SF-424A, and SF-LLL (if lobbying activities are involved), a project abstract, and a detailed project narrative. The narrative must address project goals and objectives, technical approaches, anticipated outcomes, environmental compliance considerations, stakeholder coordination, and monitoring and evaluation plans. A budget narrative must also be included, outlining cost items, indirect costs, and justification for expenditures.

Applications are due by February 26, 2025, at 5:00 PM Eastern Time and must be submitted electronically via Grants.gov. Organizations must have active registrations in SAM.gov and Grants.gov prior to submission. Prospective applicants are encouraged to contact the program lead, Shannon Gentry, at sgentry@blm.gov, for guidance on aligning their proposals with BLM’s program priorities.

Evaluation criteria include the project’s alignment with BLM priorities, technical approach, qualifications and past performance of key personnel, public benefits, and project monitoring and evaluation strategies. Preference may be given to proposals demonstrating effective partnerships and resource leveraging.

Final award decisions will consider risk assessments, cost-effectiveness, and alignment with BLM’s strategic goals. Award notifications are expected by September 2025, with project performance periods running through September 2030. Recipients will be required to comply with federal reporting requirements, including financial and performance progress reports, and adhere to federal policies such as Buy America provisions for infrastructure projects.