Bureau of Land Management Youth Conservation Corps – Bureau wide
🏛 Bureau of Land Management
Can you apply?
This grant is for qualified youth corps organizations hiring young people for public lands and natural resources work. Applicants must be youth corps entities authorized under the Public Lands Corps Act of 1993. Individual applicants and for-profit organizations are ineligible.
The program serves participants aged 16–30 and veterans up to age 35, including tribal members. Projects occur on Bureau of Land Management lands nationwide. Eligible activities include trail maintenance, habitat restoration, invasive species removal, archaeological work, cultural resource preservation, wildfire risk reduction, and youth mentorship programs.
Organizations must demonstrate partnership with BLM district offices and state youth program leads. Projects must emphasize hands-on work, skill training, and mentorship opportunities for participants. In-house administrative projects require a clear natural or cultural resource benefit plus at least 120 field work hours.
⚖️ Cost sharing / matching required — applicants must contribute their own funds.
Program description
The Headquarters Bureau of Land Management (BLM) offices have collaborated with Qualified Youth Corps, as authorized by the Public Lands Corps Act (PLC), to accomplish natural and cultural resource-focused projects for numerous years. This program”s projects provide opportunities to gain work experience in public lands and natural resources management. Through their BLM experience, youth gain an appreciation for public lands, learn about natural resource management careers, and become the next generation of public lands stewards. The BLM Youth Program helps the agency accomplish projects across all program areas in support of the BLM”s multiple-use mission. The BLM Youth Program partners with qualified youth corps through the Public Lands Corp (PLC) Program to engage individuals between the ages of 16 and 30 (inclusive) and veterans up to age 35 (inclusive), including tribal members. The PLC program mandates employing youth who are interested in working on natural and cultural resource projects that protect public lands.Projects available under the PLC Program are developed in collaboration with the State Youth Program Lead and District/Field Office project coordinators. The projects emphasize hands-on engagement in on-the-ground projects, skill development training, and mentorship opportunities for participants. These projects create jobs that strengthen America”s economy and foster relationships with youth corps organizations striving for balanced stewardship and use of public lands.Proposed projects within this funding opportunity notice will support the goals of the PLC Program and may also incorporate the goals of the Indian Youth Service Corps Program through outreach to Indian tribes and tribal-serving youth corps organizations. Projects will include the following:Enhancement of recreation opportunities through trail building, maintenance and restoration, and other improvements to visitor and recreation facilities (e.g. kiosks, campgrounds, signage etc.).Monitoring riparian area vegetation and hydrological functions, collecting soil and stream data as well as timber stand improvement projects for wildlife habitat and overall forest health.Habitat restoration and wildlife protection, including reduction of invasive species, tree planting, fence removal/installation, riparian area restoration, etc.Development and implementation of natural and cultural resource stewardship plans or educational materials for visitors.Studies such as resource inventories, historic or archival research, archaeological excavation or stabilization, oral histories, historic preservation, habitat surveys, etc.Preservation of cultural resources, including historic structures.Seed collection for restoration of lands affected by natural disastersReduction of wildfire risk to communities, watersheds, and other public land ecosystems.Production of materials and programs on natural, cultural, and/or paleontological resources, communication, education, and interpretation of natural and cultural resources.In-house projects, such as cartography, records management, realty or wildland fire support, must demonstrate a clear benefit to natural or cultural resources and include a field component of at least 120 hours.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
- 501(c)(3) Public Charity
- City / Municipal Government
- County Government
- Nonprofits
- Private University
- Public University
- Special District
- State Government
- Tribal Nation
- Tribal Organization
Demographic focus
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)
- Project Narrative describing youth engagement, activities, and outcomes
- Budget and Budget Narrative
- Evidence of BLM partnership and coordination
- Organizational capacity documentation
- Cost-sharing verification
Program contact
- 👤 Bureau of Land Management
- 📧 chanda_brown@ios.doi.gov
- 📞 303-202-3865
Funding track record
No recent recipient data available for CFDA 15.243 in our database.
This can happen for newer programs, programs that use non-standard award types (loans, direct payments, fellowships), or those funded through sub-agencies under different codes.
FAQ
Who can apply for this grant?
Only qualified youth corps organizations authorized under the Public Lands Corps Act can apply. Individuals and for-profit companies are ineligible.
What age group does this program serve?
Youth ages 16–30 and veterans up to age 35, including tribal members. The program funds organizations that hire and train these participants.
What types of projects are eligible?
Trail maintenance, habitat restoration, invasive species removal, archaeological surveys, cultural resource preservation, wildfire risk reduction, and youth mentorship on public lands.
Is cost sharing required?
Yes, cost sharing is required. The award range is $30,000 to $220,000.
When is the deadline?
The deadline is October 16, 2026. This is a fixed deadline, not rolling.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Partner early with your local BLM district office and state youth program lead to align your project with agency priorities.
- Design projects that provide genuine skill-building and mentorship, not just labor. Document how youth gain career awareness in natural resource management.
- Include a clear field component with at least 120 hours of hands-on work, even if your project has administrative elements.
- Specify how your organization will track outcomes like job readiness, environmental stewardship, and youth employment or education pathways.
- Request reasonable indirect costs and document cost-sharing in-kind contributions (staff time, facilities, equipment) alongside cash match.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applying as an individual or for-profit company instead of a qualified youth corps organization. Proposing administrative or office-based projects without demonstrating natural resource benefit or adequate field work hours. Failing to secure letters of support from relevant BLM offices before submission.
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