Opportunity Information: Apply for L25AS00157
The FY25 IIJA/IRA Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Headquarters Recreation and Visitor Services opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number L25AS00157) is a discretionary federal funding program offered through cooperative agreements to support recreation and visitor service projects on public lands. It sits within the BLM Recreation and Visitor Services Program, which is focused on providing a wide range of outdoor recreation opportunities that benefit the public and surrounding communities, while also carrying out broader Administration and Department of the Interior priorities. In practice, this means projects are expected to do more than simply add or maintain recreation amenities; they should also reflect priorities around racial equity, diversity, inclusion, economic strength, and reducing environmental and climate impacts.
For fiscal year 2025, the BLM is specifically looking to fund projects that build healthy communities and local economies, advance environmental justice, address the climate crisis, and expand safe and equitable access to outdoor recreation for all Americans. The program highlights several core outcomes it wants applicants to target. First, projects should connect with youth, Tribes, and underserved communities in ways that encourage stewardship of public lands, which can include outreach, engagement, co-created programming, and culturally informed approaches to recreation and visitor services. Second, projects should enhance access to quality outdoor recreation while also promoting climate resiliency, meaning the work should consider how recreation sites, trails, visitor information, and facilities can better withstand climate-related stresses like extreme heat, wildfire impacts, flooding, erosion, and changing seasons. Third, BLM wants applicants to identify and remove barriers that prevent people from participating in outdoor recreation, then expand opportunities in a way that is genuinely inclusive, such as improving accessibility, reducing informational barriers, addressing transportation or safety concerns, and designing experiences that meet the needs of diverse users. Finally, the program emphasizes improving the sustainability and quality of the visitor experience by delivering current, engaging visitor information both online and in person, pointing to a strong interest in modern, user-centered communication and interpretation.
This funding opportunity is also framed around major federal initiatives and authorities, including implementation priorities tied to the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), the Great American Outdoors Act, and the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act. It additionally references Executive Order 13985 on advancing racial equity and supporting underserved communities, and Executive Order 14008 on tackling the climate crisis. Applicants should expect that proposals will be more competitive when they clearly show how their project aligns with these cross-cutting priorities, not just with recreation delivery in a narrow sense.
Eligibility is limited to organizations and governments, not individuals or businesses. Eligible applicants include state, county, city or township governments; special district governments; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Tribal governments; Tribal organizations (other than federally recognized Tribal governments); and nonprofits both with and without 501(c)(3) status (as long as they are not institutions of higher education). Individuals and for-profit organizations are explicitly ineligible under this notice of funding opportunity (NOFO), so partnerships involving for-profit vendors would need to be structured carefully with an eligible lead applicant if allowed under program rules.
There are also two important limitations called out in the notice. The first is that this NOFO does not support entities hiring interns or crews under the Public Lands Corps Act of 1993. BLM notes that the Public Lands Corps Act is the only authority that allows BLM to "hire" interns under that framework, and as a result, Youth Conservation Corps that want to propose those kinds of intern or crew-based projects must apply under a different program: NOFO 15.243, BLM Youth Conservation Opportunities on Public Lands. The second limitation relates to Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units (CESUs). CESUs are partnerships designed to support research, technical assistance, and education services. If an award is made to a CESU partner under a formally negotiated Master CESU agreement consistent with CESU purposes, indirect costs are capped at no more than 17.5 percent of the indirect cost base recognized in the partner's federally approved NICRA. Applicants are encouraged to state whether their proposal furthers the CESU mission and, if it does, to indicate which CESU Network should be considered as the host.
From a funding logistics standpoint, the award instrument is a cooperative agreement, which generally means BLM expects substantial involvement from the federal side during project implementation (for example, coordination, shared planning, or federal participation in key decisions), rather than a more hands-off grant relationship. The opportunity has an award ceiling of $650,000. The posting lists an original closing date of February 14, 2025, and the opportunity was created on December 13, 2024. The CFDA (now commonly referenced through Assistance Listings) number associated with this program is 15.225, and the funding activity category is Natural Resources.
Overall, this opportunity is best understood as funding for recreation and visitor service improvements that also advance equity, climate resilience, environmental justice, and modern visitor engagement, with particular attention to connecting underserved communities, youth, and Tribes to public lands in meaningful and lasting ways.Apply for L25AS00157
- The Bureau of Land Management in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FY25 IIJA/IRA Bureau of Land Management Headquarters (HQ) Recreation and Visitor Services" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.225.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2024-12-13.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2025-02-14. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $650,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
FAQs: FY25 IIJA/IRA BLM Headquarters Recreation and Visitor Services (L25AS00157)
What is this funding opportunity?
This is a discretionary federal funding opportunity from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Headquarters Recreation and Visitor Services Program for fiscal year 2025. It supports recreation and visitor service projects on public lands through cooperative agreements.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?
The Funding Opportunity Number is L25AS00157.
What type of award instrument will be used?
Award(s) will be made as a cooperative agreement, meaning BLM expects substantial federal involvement during project implementation (for example, coordination, shared planning, or federal participation in key decisions).
What is the maximum award amount?
The award ceiling listed for this opportunity is $650,000.
When was the opportunity created and when is it due?
The opportunity was created on December 13, 2024. The posting lists an original closing date of February 14, 2025.
What is the Assistance Listings (CFDA) number and the activity category?
The Assistance Listings (CFDA) number associated with this program is 15.225, and the funding activity category is Natural Resources.
What kinds of projects is BLM trying to fund under this NOFO?
BLM is looking for recreation and visitor service projects on public lands that go beyond adding or maintaining amenities. Competitive projects are expected to advance broader priorities such as racial equity, diversity and inclusion, economic strength, reducing environmental and climate impacts, environmental justice, and safe and equitable access to outdoor recreation.
What outcomes does BLM want applicants to target?
The opportunity highlights several core outcomes:
- Connecting with youth, Tribes, and underserved communities to encourage stewardship of public lands through outreach, engagement, co-created programming, and culturally informed approaches.
- Enhancing access to quality outdoor recreation while promoting climate resiliency, including planning for climate-related stresses such as extreme heat, wildfire impacts, flooding, erosion, and changing seasons.
- Identifying and removing barriers to participation, then expanding opportunities in a genuinely inclusive way (accessibility, information gaps, transportation, safety concerns, and designing for diverse users).
- Improving sustainability and visitor experience quality by delivering current, engaging visitor information online and in person, reflecting modern, user-centered communication and interpretation.
Does this funding focus only on recreation infrastructure and maintenance?
No. The program is framed to support recreation and visitor services in ways that also advance equity, climate resilience, environmental justice, and modern visitor engagement. Proposals are expected to align with these cross-cutting priorities, not recreation delivery in a narrow sense.
How should projects address climate resiliency?
Projects are expected to consider how recreation sites, trails, visitor information, and facilities can better withstand climate-related stresses such as extreme heat, wildfire impacts, flooding, erosion, and changing seasons.
What does BLM mean by removing barriers to outdoor recreation?
The NOFO calls for applicants to identify barriers that keep people from participating in outdoor recreation and to expand opportunities in an inclusive way. Examples mentioned include improving accessibility, reducing informational barriers, addressing transportation or safety concerns, and designing experiences that meet the needs of diverse users.
Is visitor information and interpretation an eligible focus?
Yes. The opportunity emphasizes improving the sustainability and quality of the visitor experience by providing current, engaging visitor information both online and in person, and signals interest in modern, user-centered communication and interpretation.
What federal priorities and initiatives does this opportunity connect to?
The opportunity is framed around implementation priorities tied to the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), the Great American Outdoors Act, and the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act. It also references Executive Order 13985 (advancing racial equity and supporting underserved communities) and Executive Order 14008 (tackling the climate crisis).
Will alignment with equity, environmental justice, and climate priorities affect competitiveness?
Yes. Applicants should expect proposals to be more competitive when they clearly show alignment with the cross-cutting priorities referenced in the NOFO, not only with recreation outcomes.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is limited to organizations and governments (not individuals or businesses). Eligible applicants include:
- State, county, city, or township governments
- Special district governments
- Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education
- Private institutions of higher education
- Federally recognized Tribal governments
- Tribal organizations (other than federally recognized Tribal governments)
- Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status (that are not institutions of higher education)
- Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status (that are not institutions of higher education)
Are individuals eligible to apply?
No. Individuals are explicitly ineligible under this notice of funding opportunity.
Are for-profit organizations eligible to apply?
No. For-profit organizations are explicitly ineligible under this notice of funding opportunity.
Can a project include for-profit vendors or contractors?
The NOFO states that for-profit organizations are ineligible as applicants. If for-profit vendors are involved, the partnership would need to be structured with an eligible lead applicant, and handled in a way that fits program rules.
Does this NOFO support hiring interns or crews through the Public Lands Corps Act?
No. This NOFO does not support entities hiring interns or crews under the Public Lands Corps Act of 1993. BLM notes that the Public Lands Corps Act is the only authority that allows BLM to "hire" interns under that framework.
Where should Youth Conservation Corps apply if they want intern or crew-based projects?
Youth Conservation Corps interested in intern or crew-based projects under the Public Lands Corps framework are directed to apply under a different program: NOFO 15.243, BLM Youth Conservation Opportunities on Public Lands.
What is a CESU and how do CESU rules affect this opportunity?
Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units (CESUs) are partnerships designed to support research, technical assistance, and education services. If an award is made to a CESU partner under a formally negotiated Master CESU agreement consistent with CESU purposes, indirect costs are capped at no more than 17.5 percent of the indirect cost base recognized in the partner's federally approved NICRA.
What should CESU-related applicants include in their proposal?
Applicants are encouraged to state whether their proposal furthers the CESU mission and, if it does, to indicate which CESU Network should be considered as the host.
Does the NOFO say anything about indirect cost limits outside of CESU awards?
The only indirect cost limitation described in the provided information is specific to awards made to CESU partners under a Master CESU agreement (the 17.5 percent cap). No other indirect cost cap is specified in the information provided.
What is the main purpose of the BLM Recreation and Visitor Services Program behind this NOFO?
The program is focused on providing a wide range of outdoor recreation opportunities that benefit the public and surrounding communities, while also carrying out broader Administration and Department of the Interior priorities.
What themes should an applicant emphasize to fit the FY25 focus?
For FY25, BLM is specifically looking for projects that build healthy communities and local economies, advance environmental justice, address the climate crisis, and expand safe and equitable access to outdoor recreation for all Americans, with meaningful connection to youth, Tribes, and underserved communities.
Is this opportunity limited to projects on public lands?
Yes. The funding supports recreation and visitor service projects on public lands, as described in the opportunity summary provided.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Natural Resources
Next opportunity: 2025 Annual Program Statement – DRC Small Grants Program
Previous opportunity: Translational Research in Maternal and Pediatric Pharmacology and Therapeutics (R21 Clinical Trial Optional)
Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for L25AS00157
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (L25AS00157) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| FY25 IIJA/IRA Bureau of Land Management Wyoming Threatened and Endangered Species Program Apply for L25AS00178 Funding Number: L25AS00178 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| FY25 IIJA/IRA Bureau of Land Management Wyoming Recreation and Visitor Services Apply for L25AS00175 Funding Number: L25AS00175 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $60,000 |
| FY25 IIJA/IRA Bureau of Land Management California Wildlife Program Apply for L25AS00163 Funding Number: L25AS00163 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| FY25 IIJA/IRA Bureau of Land Management Wyoming Wildlife Program Apply for L25AS00176 Funding Number: L25AS00176 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $350,000 |
| FY25 IIJA/IRA Bureau of Land Management Wyoming Plant Conservation and Restoration Management Apply for L25AS00177 Funding Number: L25AS00177 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| FY25 IIJA/IRA Bureau of Land Management Wyoming Good Neighbor Authority Apply for L25AS00192 Funding Number: L25AS00192 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $5,350,000 |
| FY25 IIJA/IRA Bureau of Land Management Wyoming Aquatic Resource Management Apply for L25AS00179 Funding Number: L25AS00179 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| FY25 IIJA/IRA Bureau of Land Management Headquarters (HQ) Plant Conservation and Restoration Management Apply for L25AS00193 Funding Number: L25AS00193 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $5,000,000 |
| NM FY25 IIJA/IRA Bureau of Land Management New Mexico Wildlife Program Apply for L25AS00197 Funding Number: L25AS00197 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $135,000 |
| NM FY25 IIJA/IRA Bureau of Land Management New Mexico Environmental Quality Protection Apply for L25AS00185 Funding Number: L25AS00185 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| NM FY25 IIJA/IRA Bureau of Land Management New Mexico Plant Conservation and Restoration Management Apply for L25AS00202 Funding Number: L25AS00202 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| FY25 IIJA/IRA Bureau of Land Management Colorado Fuels Management and Community Fire Assistance Apply for L25AS00097 Funding Number: L25AS00097 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $999,000 |
| NM FY25 IIJA/IRA Bureau of Land Management New Mexico Threatened and Endangered Species Program Apply for L25AS00201 Funding Number: L25AS00201 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $800,000 |
| NM FY25 IIJA/IRA Bureau of Land Management New Mexico Recreation and Visitor Services Apply for L25AS00204 Funding Number: L25AS00204 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| NM FY25 IIJA/IRA Bureau of Land Management New Mexico Cultural and Paleontological Resource Management Apply for L25AS00203 Funding Number: L25AS00203 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| NM FY25 IIJA/IRA Bureau of Land Management New Mexico Good Neighbor Authority Apply for L25AS00200 Funding Number: L25AS00200 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| NM FY25 IIJA/IRA Bureau of Land Management New Mexico Rangeland Resource Management Apply for L25AS00198 Funding Number: L25AS00198 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| RFI on Sustainable Agricultural Water Management in Guatemala Activity Apply for 72052025RFI00001 Funding Number: 72052025RFI00001 Agency: Guatemala USAID-Guatemala City Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Tionesta Lake - Sole Source Notice Apply for W911WN2520001 Funding Number: W911WN2520001 Agency: Buffalo District Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| F25AS00226 Endangered Species Conservation - Wolf Livestock Loss Compensation and Prevention Grants Apply for F25AS00226 Funding Number: F25AS00226 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Inside Our Applicants Portal
Access Applicants Portal
- Grants Repository - Access current and historic funding opportunities with ease. Thousands of funding opportunities are published every week. We can help you sort through the database and find the eligible ones to apply for.
- Applicant Video Guides - The grant application process can be challenging to follow. We can help you with intuitive video guides to speed up the process and eliminate errors in submissions.
- Grant Proposal Wizard - We have developed a network of private funding organizations and investors across the United States. We can reach out and submit your proposal to these contacts to maximize your chances of getting the funding you need.
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Learn More
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "L25AS00157", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.