The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Oregon/Washington (ORWA) Forest and Woodlands Resource Management program, funded through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), provides grants to improve forest and woodland health, promote fire resiliency, and support sustainable forest management. The program will award up to $150,000 in total funding across three awards, with individual awards ranging from $10,000 to $100,000. Applications must be submitted by February 12, 2025, through Grants.gov.

Eligible applicants include state, local, and tribal governments, public and private educational institutions, and non-profit organizations. Individuals and for-profit entities are not eligible. Cost sharing is not required. Applicants must register in SAM.gov and Grants.gov to apply.

Funded projects may involve tree planting, thinning, fuel reduction, riparian restoration, invasive species management, research on silvicultural practices, or data collection to inform sustainable forest management. Projects must support BLM’s mission to improve ecosystem resilience, conserve biodiversity, and provide sustainable harvest opportunities. Proposed activities must align with Department of the Interior priorities and Executive Orders on climate crisis mitigation, equity, and economic recovery.

Applications require a detailed project narrative (up to 15 pages) covering goals, public benefits, technical approaches, environmental compliance, and stakeholder involvement. Applicants must also include a budget narrative explaining all costs, including indirect cost rates. Projects involving research must submit biographical sketches and current and pending support documents.

Applications will undergo an eligibility review followed by a merit-based evaluation. Criteria include technical approach, public benefit, qualifications of project personnel, and alignment with program goals. BLM may apply additional considerations, such as leveraging partnerships, to break ties among equally scored proposals.

Successful applicants will enter cooperative agreements with BLM, which will provide substantial involvement in project execution. Reporting requirements include financial and performance updates to track progress and ensure compliance with federal guidelines. Infrastructure projects must adhere to Buy America provisions for materials used. Projects will begin in FY2025 and must be completed by September 30, 2030.