The NM FY25 IIJA/IRA Bureau of Land Management New Mexico Cultural and Paleontological Resource Management Program supports projects aimed at preserving cultural and paleontological resources on federal lands in New Mexico. Administered by the Bureau of Land Management, this program is funded under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and Inflation Reduction Act. It aims to promote public engagement, tribal consultation, and sustainable management of heritage resources. The total funding available is $250,000, with awards ranging between $10,000 and $150,000. A maximum of eight awards is anticipated.

Eligible applicants include state, local, and tribal governments, institutions of higher education, and nonprofit organizations. Individuals and for-profit entities are not eligible. The program does not require cost-sharing or matching funds. Projects must align with Department of the Interior priorities, including environmental conservation, tribal engagement, and addressing climate change impacts.

Applicants must submit proposals addressing objectives such as resource inventory and monitoring, stabilization of at-risk heritage resources, training and educational opportunities, tribal partnerships, public engagement, and enhancement of museum collections. Proposals should demonstrate public benefits, such as increased access to heritage resources, educational outreach, or strengthened tribal engagement. The application must include forms like SF-424, SF-424A, a project narrative, and a budget narrative. Additional requirements include a statement of need, goals, and plans for project monitoring and evaluation.

Applications are due by February 26, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. ET and must be submitted electronically via Grants.gov. Applicants must register with SAM.gov and Grants.gov, processes that can take several weeks. Submission documents should follow prescribed formatting and content guidelines, as detailed in the Notice of Funding Opportunity.

Proposals are evaluated based on criteria including technical approach, public benefit, applicant qualifications, and alignment with BLM priorities. A merit review panel will score applications as "Exceeds," "Meets," or "Does Not Meet" expectations. Leveraging partnerships and resources may serve as a tiebreaker in scoring.

Post-award, recipients must comply with federal reporting requirements, including financial and performance reports. Awarded projects are expected to begin in FY2025, with an anticipated start date of September 5, 2025, and must conclude by September 30, 2030. For additional information, applicants are encouraged to contact BLM program leads before submission to ensure project alignment with program priorities.