Wild Horse and Burro Resource Management

CFDA 15.229 Active Cooperative Agreements (Discretionary Grants)
No open Grants.gov opportunities under this program right now. Browse all Department of the Interior programs →  ·  All grants from Bureau of Land Management →

Program Funding

Annual program obligations reported to SAM.gov.

Latest annual funding (estimated)
$900K FY2026
$12.5M
FY16
$6M
FY17
$3.4M
FY18
$8M
FY19
$6.7M
FY20
$2.4M
FY21
$28.9M
FY22
$1.9M
FY23
$9M
FY24
$723K
FY25*
$900K
FY26*
* estimated

Funded Projects

Examples of what this program has supported.

FY2024 HUMANE CARE AND EFFECTIVE TRAINING OF WILD HORSES AND BURROS, EMPHASIZING THEIR SUCCESSFUL AND LASTING PLACEMENT IN PRIVATE CARE SETTINGS, SADDLE TRAINING AND ADOPTION OF WILD HORSES AT THE RIOCOSUMNES CORRECTIONAL CENTER, and EXCESS WILD HORSES AND BURROS INTO SAFE AND HUMANE ENVIRONMENTS THROUGH A COMPETITION EVENT AND OR FINAL AUCTION.
FY2025 Unknown at this time.
FY2026 Unknown at this time.

Program Objective

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) manages and protects wild horses and burros on 26.9 million acres of public lands across ten western states as part of its mission to administer public lands for multiple uses. The Wild Horse and Burro Program's goal is to manage healthy wild horses and burros on healthy public rangelands. The BLM created the Wild Horse and Burro Program to implement the Wild-Free Roaming Horses and Burros Act, passed by Congress in 1971. Broadly, the law declares wild horses and burros to be “living symbols of the historic and pioneer spirit of the West” and stipulates that the BLM and the U.S. Forest Service have the responsibility to manage and protect herds in their respective jurisdictions within areas where wild horses and burros were found roaming in 1971. The Wild Horse and Burro Program consists of two main branches: (1) On-Range management of wild horses and burros, and (2) Off-Range management and care of wild horses and burros. The goal of the On-Range program is to manage for healthy wild horse and burro populations and to maintain a thriving natural ecological balance with other resources and land uses. The Off-Range management goal is to ensure the health and welfare of wild horses and burros that were removed from public lands under BLM care, to place animals into private care through adoptions, sales, and transfers, to conduct compliance inspections of adopted animals and to build partnerships and relationships with external organizations. Communications, outreach, and education are priorities of both branches. This program continues to advance the Department of Interior's priorities to restore balance on public lands and waters.

Eligibility

Eligible Applicants

  • State governments
  • Local governments
  • Public nonprofits
  • Other public organizations
  • Federally recognized tribes
  • Private nonprofits
  • Native American organizations

.

How to Apply

Application Procedure

A Standard Form 424, Application for Federal Assistance, Standard Form 424A, Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs, Standard Form 424B, Assurances for Non-Construction Programs, and a written proposal, budget spreadsheet, a budget narrative/breakdown, and any other requirements specified in the Notice of Funding Opportunity Notice and submitted through www.grants.gov.
State plan is not required for this application.

Award Procedure

All applications will be initially screened for eligibility and compliance with the requirements stated in the program Notice of Funding Opportunity Announcement. Applications passing this screening process will be forwarded for review by the proposal evaluation criteria, and any additional review factors, as stated in the funding announcement. State and District Office level and funding recommendations are made through the State's annual work plan. Final budget approvals rest with the State Director.

Award time varies depending on the type and complexity of the project, but should not be more than five years. Further information will be available for each program at the time the Notice of Funding Opportunity is posted on www.grants.gov and may be obtained by contacting the point of contact listed in the funding opportunity announcement. Most awards are anticipated within 90 days or less after the announcement closes.

Program details & compliance

Description

The Wild Horse and Burro Program’s goal is to manage healthy wild horses and burros on healthy public rangelands.

Use of Funds

Allowed Uses

Projects are designated to manage and protect wild free-roaming horses and burros to achieve and maintain a thriving natural ecological balance on the public lands. Project assistance can be used in researching for improved censusing techniques and fertility control methods; and adopting or long term care of excess animals removed from the range.

Matching Requirements

The program has no statutory formula matching requirements. However, matching funds or in-kind services by the applicants are encouraged and those projects are more likely to be funded.

Reporting & Compliance

Applicable 2 CFR 200 Subparts

  • Subpart B — General Provisions
  • Subpart C — Pre-Federal Award Requirements
  • Subpart D — Post-Federal Award Requirements
  • Subpart E — Cost Principles
  • Subpart F — Audit Requirements

Contacts

Division of Wild Horses and Burros
866-4MUSTANG
760 Horizon Drive, Suite 324, Grand Junction, CO 81506
Data from SAM.gov Federal Assistance Listings. Source published: 2025-07-31. Spec v1.0. Last synced: 2026-05-30 02:34:59.