The FY25 Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Colorado Wildlife Program funding opportunity, seeks to support projects that align with the Department of the Interior’s goals of addressing climate challenges, advancing environmental justice, and fostering biodiversity. This program offers up to $250,000 in total funding, with individual awards ranging between $5,000 and $125,000. BLM anticipates awarding three projects under this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), with applications due by January 31, 2025. Projects will start in FY2025, with a maximum end date of September 30, 2029.

The program’s objectives include restoring wildlife habitats, supporting state and tribal wildlife conservation efforts, and understanding the effects of climate change on ecosystems. It emphasizes the restoration of upland game, waterfowl, pollinator, and big game habitats and reducing threats to sensitive wildlife populations. The program also seeks to enhance public awareness of wildlife conservation, particularly focusing on underrepresented communities.

Eligible applicants include state, county, and municipal governments; tribal organizations; higher education institutions; and nonprofits. For-profit organizations and individuals are not eligible. No cost-sharing is required for this opportunity. Applicants must register in SAM.gov and Grants.gov, ensuring their registrations are active and compliant.

Funding will be provided through cooperative agreements, with BLM playing a substantial role in project development, monitoring, and implementation. Substantial involvement may include collaborative planning, personnel training, approval of project stages, and direct involvement in operational decision-making.

Applications must include forms such as SF-424 and SF-424A, a project narrative not exceeding 15 pages, and a detailed budget narrative. The project narrative should outline the statement of need, goals, public benefits, technical approach, and compliance with environmental review requirements. A robust evaluation plan and descriptions of stakeholder involvement and key personnel are also required. Budget narratives should provide a detailed breakdown of costs and compliance with federal regulations.

The review process will evaluate submissions on eligibility, merit, and risk. Proposals will be scored on their public benefits, program alignment with BLM objectives, and cost justification. Selected applicants will undergo risk assessments to evaluate financial and organizational capacities. Awards will be announced electronically, with pre-award costs incurred at the applicant’s risk.

Post-award requirements include financial and performance reporting, compliance with environmental standards, and adherence to federal procurement laws, including the Buy America Act. Recipients must ensure that data collection and geospatial data meet federal standards and include comprehensive metadata.

This funding opportunity supports initiatives that integrate scientific data and collaborative partnerships to enhance wildlife conservation on public lands, with a particular focus on addressing climate impacts and advancing conservation science. Applicants are encouraged to contact the BLM state program leads for guidance before submitting their proposals.