BLM-NM Archaeological Museum Collections Management | L17AS00223

Opportunity Information: Apply for L17AS00223

The BLM-NM Archaeological Museum Collections Management opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number L17AS00223) is a discretionary federal grant offered by the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management (BLM), specifically through its New Mexico State Office (NMSO). It is structured as a cooperative agreement, which generally means the recipient should expect meaningful involvement from the federal agency during the project rather than a hands-off pass-through award. The program sits within the natural resources funding category (CFDA 15.224) and focuses on the practical, long-term management and accessibility of archaeological museum collections that originate from BLM-managed public lands in New Mexico.

At its core, the opportunity is designed to support the ongoing relationship between the BLM NMSO and non-federal repositories such as museums, universities, and other curation facilities that hold BLM museum property. These repositories already curate substantial quantities of archaeological materials under formal curation agreements tied to Cultural Resources Use permits issued by the BLM. The grant emphasizes that these collections are not only important for meeting the repositories' institutional missions, but also for ensuring the public can access and learn from federally owned archaeological collections through educational use and museum programming.

The description highlights that once collections are placed in a qualified repository, they become available for multiple kinds of legitimate use. This includes research access for scholars and other qualified users, as well as public-facing access through exhibitions at the host museum and through loans to other venues. In other words, the program is oriented toward both professional stewardship (proper curation, organization, and care of materials) and responsible public benefit (education, interpretation, and exhibition), recognizing that well-managed collections have value far beyond storage.

Eligibility is listed as unrestricted, meaning the opportunity is broadly open to many types of applicants, assuming they meet any additional eligibility details that may be provided in the full notice. The opportunity was created on July 25, 2017, with an original closing date of August 25, 2017. The maximum award amount (ceiling) is $100,000, and BLM anticipated making approximately two awards. Overall, the grant can be understood as a targeted investment in the stewardship and use of archaeological collections from BLM public lands, leveraging partnerships with capable non-federal repositories to maintain collections to appropriate standards while keeping them available for research and public education.

• The Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "BLM-NM Archaeological Museum Collections Management" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.224.
• This funding opportunity was created on Jul 25, 2017.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 25, 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 $100,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 2 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.

Apply for L17AS00223

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