Opportunity Information: Apply for L23AS00261
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) New Mexico Environmental Quality and Protection opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number L23AS00261) is a discretionary federal funding program administered by the U.S. Department of the Interior through BLM. It is offered as a cooperative agreement, which typically means BLM expects to have substantial involvement in the funded work (for example, coordination, technical input, or shared project execution) rather than simply issuing a grant with minimal federal participation. The program is categorized under Natural Resources and is associated with CFDA/Assistance Listing 15.236. In practical terms, the opportunity is aimed at projects that support environmental quality and protection priorities on or connected to BLM-managed lands in New Mexico.
Eligibility is broad for public-sector and mission-driven organizations, but it is clearly restricted in two important ways. Eligible applicants include state, county, city or township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Tribal governments; Tribal organizations that are not federally recognized governments; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; and nonprofit organizations both with and without 501(c)(3) status (as long as they are not institutions of higher education when applying under the nonprofit category). However, individuals and for-profit organizations are explicitly ineligible to apply for awards under this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). That restriction is central: even if a project otherwise fits the program goals, it cannot be led by a private individual or a for-profit business entity under this NOFO.
A second major limitation concerns youth crews and interns. This NOFO does not support entities hiring interns or crews under the Public Lands Corps Act of 1993. The notice explains that the Public Lands Corps Act of 1993 (16 USC, Chapter 37, Subchapter II) is the only legislative authority that allows BLM to "hire" interns under that specific authority. As a result, Youth Conservation Corps or similar youth-focused applicants are directed away from this opportunity and toward the separate BLM funding channel specifically intended for that purpose: NOFO 15.243, BLM Youth Conservation Opportunities on Public Lands. In other words, if the core of a proposed project depends on staffing through Public Lands Corps-style internships or youth crews, this particular New Mexico Environmental Quality and Protection NOFO is not the appropriate vehicle, and applicants should look to the youth conservation NOFO instead.
From a funding perspective, the opportunity lists an award ceiling of up to $1,000,000, indicating that relatively large projects may be supported depending on program priorities, available appropriations, and the merit of proposals. The NOFO record shows an original closing date of April 14, 2023, and a creation date of February 13, 2023. While the record does not specify the expected number of awards in the provided excerpt, the ceiling suggests BLM may consider a range of project scales, from smaller, targeted efforts to larger, multi-part initiatives, so long as they align with environmental quality and protection outcomes relevant to BLM New Mexico.
Overall, this opportunity is best understood as a cooperative-agreement funding pathway for eligible governmental entities, Tribes and Tribal organizations, higher education institutions, housing authorities, and nonprofits to carry out environmental quality and protection work tied to BLM priorities in New Mexico. It is not open to individuals or for-profit organizations, and it is not meant to fund Public Lands Corps intern or crew hiring; youth conservation workforce proposals should be routed through the designated youth conservation NOFO instead.Apply for L23AS00261
- The Bureau of Land Management in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Bureau of Land Management New Mexico Environmental Quality and Protection" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.236.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2023-02-13.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2023-04-14. (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 $1,000,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the BLM New Mexico Environmental Quality and Protection opportunity (L23AS00261)?
This is a discretionary federal funding opportunity administered by the U.S. Department of the Interior through the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in New Mexico. The program supports projects tied to environmental quality and protection priorities on or connected to BLM-managed lands in New Mexico.
What type of funding instrument is this (grant vs. cooperative agreement)?
The opportunity is offered as a cooperative agreement. This generally means BLM expects substantial involvement in the funded work, such as coordination, technical input, or shared execution of project activities, rather than awarding funds with minimal federal participation.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON) for this program?
The Funding Opportunity Number is L23AS00261.
Which agency administers the funding?
The funding is administered by the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management (BLM), through BLM New Mexico.
What program category does this opportunity fall under?
The opportunity is categorized under Natural Resources.
What is the CFDA/Assistance Listing number for this opportunity?
The CFDA/Assistance Listing associated with this opportunity is 15.236.
What kinds of projects are a fit for this opportunity?
Projects should support environmental quality and protection priorities on or connected to BLM-managed lands in New Mexico. The information provided does not list specific project activities, but the core requirement is that the work aligns with BLM New Mexico environmental quality and protection outcomes.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants include:
- State governments
- County governments
- City or township governments
- Special district governments
- Independent school districts
- Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education
- Private institutions of higher education
- Federally recognized Tribal governments
- Tribal organizations (not federally recognized governments)
- Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities
- Nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (as long as they are not institutions of higher education applying under the nonprofit category)
- Nonprofit organizations without 501(c)(3) status (as long as they are not institutions of higher education applying under the nonprofit category)
Are individuals eligible to apply?
No. Individuals are explicitly ineligible under this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).
Are for-profit organizations eligible to apply?
No. For-profit organizations are explicitly ineligible under this NOFO.
If a project is a good fit, can a for-profit business apply as the lead applicant?
No. Even if the proposed work aligns with the program goals, a for-profit entity cannot serve as the applicant for awards under this NOFO.
Can this funding be used to hire youth crews or interns under the Public Lands Corps Act of 1993?
No. This NOFO does not support entities hiring interns or crews under the Public Lands Corps Act of 1993 (16 USC, Chapter 37, Subchapter II). The notice indicates that the Public Lands Corps Act is the only legislative authority that allows BLM to "hire" interns under that specific authority, and this opportunity is not the channel for that purpose.
Where should Youth Conservation Corps or similar youth-focused proposals apply instead?
Applicants whose core proposal depends on Public Lands Corps-style internships or youth crews are directed to a separate BLM funding channel: Assistance Listing/NOFO 15.243, BLM Youth Conservation Opportunities on Public Lands.
Does this opportunity support youth conservation workforce projects at all?
Not when the proposal depends on staffing through Public Lands Corps Act internships or youth crews. In that case, the youth conservation NOFO (15.243) is identified as the appropriate route.
What is the maximum award amount?
The award ceiling is up to $1,000,000.
Does an award ceiling of $1,000,000 mean every award will be that size?
No. The ceiling indicates the maximum potential award size. Actual award amounts may vary based on program priorities, available appropriations, and the merit of proposals.
How large or small can projects be under this opportunity?
The information provided suggests BLM may consider a range of project scales, from smaller targeted efforts to larger multi-part initiatives, as long as they align with environmental quality and protection outcomes relevant to BLM New Mexico and remain within the award ceiling.
When was this funding opportunity created?
The creation date listed is February 13, 2023.
What was the closing date for this opportunity?
The original closing date listed is April 14, 2023.
How many awards will be made?
The provided information does not specify the expected number of awards.
Is this opportunity considered discretionary funding?
Yes. It is described as a discretionary federal funding program.
What does "BLM substantial involvement" mean in practice?
Because this is a cooperative agreement, BLM may be involved through coordination, technical input, or shared project execution. The exact role can vary by project but is expected to be more active than in a standard grant with minimal federal participation.
Does this opportunity apply only to projects physically on BLM land?
The opportunity is aimed at projects on or connected to BLM-managed lands in New Mexico. The provided information does not define "connected," but it indicates projects should have a clear relationship to BLM-managed lands and BLM New Mexico priorities.
Is this opportunity limited to New Mexico?
Yes. The opportunity is specifically framed around BLM New Mexico environmental quality and protection priorities.
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