Opportunity Information: Apply for L21AS00343
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Montana/Dakotas Youth Conservation Opportunities on Public Lands grant (Funding Opportunity Number L21AS00343) is a discretionary funding opportunity from the U.S. Department of the Interior designed to support on-the-ground conservation work on public lands while creating paid, structured opportunities for young people and certain veterans. The funding is offered through a cooperative agreement, meaning applicants should expect to work closely with BLM staff in planning, carrying out, and overseeing project activities rather than operating fully independently. The overall purpose is to develop and administer multiple-use conservation projects that also serve as employment, education, and public-service pathways for participants.
A central requirement is that proposed projects must directly benefit youth and veterans through real work experiences tied to natural or cultural resource management on BLM-managed lands. The program targets U.S. citizens and legal residents between the ages of 16 and 30, inclusive, as well as veterans up to age 35 inclusive. Participants are expected to be recruited from local and surrounding communities, reinforcing the program's community-based workforce development angle. In practice, this means applicants need to design projects that do more than complete conservation tasks; they must also build in structured learning, mentoring, and skill development so participants leave with experience that helps them succeed in future jobs or education.
Eligibility is narrow and focused on "qualified youth or conservation corps" organizations. The opportunity is open only to youth conservation corps that are established by a state or local government, by the governing body of an Indian tribe, or by a qualified nonprofit organization. The notice is explicit that no other entities are eligible to apply. For nonprofit applicants, documentation is required: any responding nonprofit must submit a copy of its IRS Section 501(c)(3) determination letter. While the broader eligibility field lists multiple government and institutional categories (such as state and local governments, tribes, certain higher education institutions, and other public entities), the narrative makes it clear that the applicant must function as a youth or conservation corps program that meets the specific definition and capacity expectations laid out in the announcement.
The grant also defines what counts as a "qualified youth or conservation corps" program. To qualify, an applicant must be capable of offering meaningful, full-time, productive work for people ages 16 to 30 and veterans up to 35 in a natural or cultural resource setting. The program must provide a mix of work experience and training that includes basic and life skills, education, and support that aligns with BLM's mission. In other words, BLM is not just looking for an organization that can field a crew; it is looking for a program with the structure to provide supervision, safety, training, and participant support, while also delivering high-quality conservation outcomes on public lands. Another emphasized expectation is that participants should develop life skills and work ethic through their BLM land-based work that can transfer back to their communities and into the broader workforce.
From an administrative standpoint, the opportunity is categorized under Natural Resources and is associated with CFDA number 15.243. The award ceiling listed is $100,000. The original closing date provided in the source information is April 30, 2021, and the opportunity was created March 1, 2021, which is useful context for anyone researching prior awards or trying to understand the historical scope of the program. Even though the listing references an expected awards field, the number of expected awards is not clearly specified in the provided text.
In plain terms, this BLM Montana/Dakotas opportunity is aimed at organizations that can run a bona fide conservation corps style program and partner with BLM to complete conservation projects on public lands while employing local youth and eligible veterans. Strong proposals under this type of announcement typically show two things at the same time: first, a clear plan for completing priority conservation work that supports BLM land management goals, and second, a detailed participant experience that includes paid work, training, skill-building, and supportive services that help young people and veterans turn the experience into lasting career and life benefits.Apply for L21AS00343
- The Bureau of Land Management in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Bureau of Land Management Montana/Dakotas Youth Conservation Opportunities on Public Lands" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.243.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2021-03-01.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2021-04-30. (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 $100,000.00 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 Montana/Dakotas Youth Conservation Opportunities on Public Lands grant?
It is a discretionary funding opportunity from the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management (BLM), intended to support on-the-ground conservation work on BLM-managed public lands while creating paid, structured opportunities for youth and certain veterans through real work experiences in natural or cultural resource management.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON) for this grant?
The Funding Opportunity Number is L21AS00343.
What type of funding instrument is used for this opportunity?
The funding is offered through a cooperative agreement. This means the recipient should expect to work closely with BLM staff in planning, carrying out, and overseeing project activities rather than operating fully independently.
What is the primary purpose of the program?
The program is designed to develop and administer multiple-use conservation projects on public lands that also function as employment, education, and public-service pathways for participants, with an emphasis on structured learning, mentoring, and skill development.
What kinds of projects are expected under this grant?
Projects must involve real, on-the-ground conservation work tied to natural or cultural resource management on BLM-managed lands. The announcement emphasizes that projects should be both conservation-focused and participant-focused, meaning they should deliver conservation outcomes while providing paid work and structured training experiences for youth and eligible veterans.
Do projects have to take place specifically on BLM-managed lands?
Yes. The opportunity is explicitly focused on conservation work on public lands managed by BLM.
Who is the target participant population for projects funded under this opportunity?
The program targets U.S. citizens and legal residents ages 16 to 30 (inclusive) and veterans up to age 35 (inclusive). Projects must directly benefit these participants through work-based experiences.
Are participants required to be U.S. citizens?
Participants may be U.S. citizens or legal residents, as specified in the opportunity description.
What are the age eligibility requirements for youth participants?
Youth participants must be between ages 16 and 30, inclusive.
What are the age eligibility requirements for veteran participants?
Veteran participants are eligible up to age 35, inclusive.
Where should participants be recruited from?
Participants are expected to be recruited from local and surrounding communities, reflecting the program's community-based workforce development focus.
What does BLM mean by a "qualified youth or conservation corps" organization?
A qualified youth or conservation corps program must be able to offer meaningful, full-time, productive work for eligible participants (ages 16 to 30 and veterans up to 35) in a natural or cultural resource setting, and must provide a structured mix of work experience and training that includes basic and life skills, education, and participant support aligned with BLM's mission.
Who is eligible to apply for this grant?
Eligibility is limited to "qualified youth or conservation corps" organizations. The notice is explicit that no other entities are eligible to apply.
What types of organizations can be considered a youth conservation corps for this opportunity?
The opportunity is open only to youth conservation corps that are established by a state or local government, by the governing body of an Indian tribe, or by a qualified nonprofit organization, and that meet the program expectations described in the announcement.
Can an organization apply if it is not a youth or conservation corps program?
No. The narrative states that the applicant must function as a youth or conservation corps program meeting the specific definition and capacity expectations. The notice indicates that no other entities are eligible.
Are nonprofit applicants required to submit any documentation?
Yes. Nonprofit applicants must submit a copy of their IRS Section 501(c)(3) determination letter.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling) for this opportunity?
The award ceiling listed is $100,000.
What is the program area or category associated with this funding?
The opportunity is categorized under Natural Resources.
What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is associated with CFDA number 15.243.
Is the program focused only on completing conservation tasks?
No. The program requires that projects do more than complete conservation tasks. Applicants must build in structured learning, mentoring, and skill development so participants gain experience that supports future employment or education.
What kinds of participant supports or training are expected?
The program is expected to provide a mix of work experience and training that includes basic and life skills, education, and support. The description also emphasizes the need for supervision, safety, training, and participant support as part of delivering high-quality conservation outcomes.
What does "multiple-use conservation projects" mean in this context?
Based on the description provided, it refers to conservation projects that support BLM land management goals while also serving as employment, education, and public-service pathways for participants, combining conservation outcomes with workforce development benefits.
What is the expected relationship between the award recipient and BLM staff?
Because this is a cooperative agreement, recipients should expect close collaboration with BLM staff in planning, implementation, and oversight of project activities.
Is the number of awards specified?
The provided information references an "expected awards" field, but the number of expected awards is not clearly specified in the text provided.
What were the key dates listed for this funding opportunity?
The opportunity was created on March 1, 2021. The original closing date listed is April 30, 2021.
What should a strong proposal emphasize, based on the opportunity description?
The description suggests strong proposals typically demonstrate (1) a clear plan to complete priority conservation work that supports BLM land management goals on BLM-managed lands, and (2) a detailed participant experience that includes paid work, training, skill-building, mentoring, and supportive services that help youth and eligible veterans translate the experience into career and life benefits.
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Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (L21AS00343) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
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| Department of the Interior - Bureau of Land Management California Recreation and Visitor Services Apply for L21AS00346 Funding Number: L21AS00346 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| Department of the Interior - Bureau of Land Management AK Youth Conservation Opportunities on Public Lands Apply for L21AS00333 Funding Number: L21AS00333 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| Department of the Interior - Bureau of Land Management Alaska Recreation and Visitor Services Apply for L21AS00311 Funding Number: L21AS00311 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $75,000 |
| Department of the Interior – Bureau of Land Management (HQ) Fisheries and Aquatic Resource Management Apply for L21AS00356 Funding Number: L21AS00356 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Marine Turtle Conservation Fund Apply for F21AS00370 Funding Number: F21AS00370 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $200,000 |
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| Department of the Interior - Bureau of Land Management (HQ) Wildlife Resource Management Apply for L21AS00357 Funding Number: L21AS00357 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Improving the Science Foundation for Bird Conservation Apply for F21AS00358 Funding Number: F21AS00358 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $99,000 |
| Migratory Bird Conservation in the Midwest Apply for F21AS00344 Funding Number: F21AS00344 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $99,000 |
| Department of the Interior - Bureau of Land Management Oregon/Washington Youth Conservation Opportunities on Public Lands Apply for L21AS00304 Funding Number: L21AS00304 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Department of the Interior - Bureau of Land Management Alaska Wildlife Resource Management Apply for L21AS00409 Funding Number: L21AS00409 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $60,000 |
| Seaplane Invasive Species Risk Analysis Apply for F21AS00406 Funding Number: F21AS00406 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $140,000 |
| Tribal Wildlife Grants (TWG) Program - Fiscal Year 2021 Apply for F21AS00354 Funding Number: F21AS00354 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Department of the Interior – Bureau of Land Management Alaska Plant Conservation and Restoration Management Apply for L21AS00410 Funding Number: L21AS00410 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $20,000 |
| Department of the Interior – Bureau of Land Management Idaho Plant Conservation and Restoration Management Apply for L21AS00341 Funding Number: L21AS00341 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| Department of the Interior - Bureau of Land Management Idaho Recreation and Visitor Services Apply for L21AS00396 Funding Number: L21AS00396 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Department of the Interior - Bureau of Land Management Idaho Cultural and Paleontological Resource Management Apply for L21AS00397 Funding Number: L21AS00397 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $25,000 |
| Department of the Interior - Bureau of Land Management Idaho Wildlife Resource Management Apply for L21AS00381 Funding Number: L21AS00381 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| Department of the Interior - Bureau of Land Management Idaho Threatened and Endangered Species Apply for L21AS00390 Funding Number: L21AS00390 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| Multistate Conservation Grant (MSCG) Program Apply for F22AS00011 Funding Number: F22AS00011 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
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