BLM-(MT), University/College Native Plant Materials Development Partnerships | L17AS00201

Opportunity Information: Apply for L17AS00201

The BLM-(MT) University/College Native Plant Materials Development Partnerships opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number L17AS00201) is a Bureau of Land Management Montana State Office cooperative agreement program designed to strengthen the supply and use of locally appropriate native plant materials for restoration and rehabilitation work on public lands. It is rooted in the National Native Seed Strategy for Rehabilitation and Restoration 2015-2020, which calls for a coordinated national network of native seed collectors, growers, and nurseries, along with trained restoration ecologists, so that land managers can reliably obtain the right seed in the right quantities for ecological recovery projects.

BLM is looking to partner specifically with colleges and universities across Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota. Through these partnerships, institutions would help develop native plant materials by focusing on species that support priority land management needs in the region. The program highlights native plants important for sage-grouse habitat restoration, as well as species useful for stabilization and rehabilitation after disturbance. It also places clear emphasis on culturally significant and tribally important plants, reflecting a goal of improving understanding and communication around plants that have cultural value. In addition, the effort aims to expand or strengthen pollinator habitat, and to support research needs tied to these native species, which can include questions about germination, propagation, establishment success, or suitability for different restoration settings.

The core project objective is practical and hands-on: develop or expand native plant programs by collecting native seed and successfully germinating it. In other words, the work is not just theoretical research, but building real capacity to produce plant materials that can be used in on-the-ground restoration. BLM also frames this as a relationship-building effort that connects conservation work with education and community engagement, particularly for participants interested in keeping their culture connected to public lands and strengthening stewardship ties to native plant resources.

A major component of the partnership is educational. Beyond producing seed and plant materials, the opportunity encourages institutions to integrate conservation science and restoration practice into new or existing curriculum. That can mean creating coursework, training modules, field experiences, internships, or research projects that expose students to native plant development, seed collection practices, propagation, and restoration ecology. The intent is to build long-term interest and capacity in restoration careers while creating a pipeline of people who understand native plant systems and can support future land management needs.

The public benefit is framed as long-term and multi-layered. On a practical level, developing native plant materials supports healthier restoration outcomes on public lands by increasing access to suitable native seed and plants for revegetation, habitat improvement, and post-disturbance recovery. On a broader level, the project is meant to raise education and awareness about why native plants matter, including their effects on ecological health and habitat quality, with sage-grouse habitat specifically called out as an environmental priority. The program also implicitly benefits communities by strengthening collaboration among public agencies, academic institutions, and culturally connected stakeholders around shared stewardship goals.

Administratively, this is a discretionary funding opportunity under the Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, categorized under Natural Resources and listed under CFDA 15.231. The funding instrument is a cooperative agreement, which typically indicates substantial involvement by the federal agency during the project rather than a hands-off grant. The opportunity anticipated up to five awards, with an award ceiling of $25,000 per award. The posting was created July 7, 2017, and originally closed September 4, 2017. Eligibility is listed as unrestricted (open broadly to entity types), though the narrative makes clear that BLM is seeking college and university partners in the specified three-state region.

• The Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "BLM-(MT), University/College Native Plant Materials Development Partnerships" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.231.
• This funding opportunity was created on Jul 07, 2017.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Sep 04, 2017. (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 $25,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 5 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility.

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