FY25 IIJA/IRA Bureau of Land Management Oregon/Washington (ORWA) Youth Conservation Corps

The FY25 Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Oregon/Washington Youth Conservation Corps funding opportunity, is focused on providing conservation work and career development opportunities for youth aged 16–30 (or up to 35 for veterans). The program, authorized by the Public Lands Corps Act of 1993, seeks to support on-the-ground conservation projects, training, and mentorship to promote stewardship of public lands and diversify the natural resources workforce. Applications are due by March 2, 2025, with projects starting July 1, 2025, and concluding no later than September 30, 2030. The program's goals include enhancing public lands through restoration, monitoring, and climate resilience projects, with special emphasis on underserved communities. Projects under this NOFO may also incorporate the Indian Youth Service Corps (IYSC) initiative, fostering collaboration with federally recognized tribes and tribal-serving youth corps to provide meaningful employment and education on public and tribal lands. Eligible applicants include state, local, and tribal governments; public and private institutions of higher education; and nonprofits. Individuals and for-profit organizations are ineligible. Applicants must meet a 25% cost-sharing requirement as mandated by statute. Participants must receive a stipend or wage, with $600 per week deemed reasonable by BLM. Projects should align with BLM priorities, including conservation goals, climate crisis mitigation, and racial equity. Applications must include forms such as the SF-424 and SF-424A, along with a project narrative and budget narrative. The project narrative, limited to 15 pages, should detail the project’s need, goals, public benefits, milestones, and monitoring plans. Budget narratives must justify costs as reasonable, allowable, and necessary. Projects should provide youth participants opportunities for certifications that may include noncompetitive hiring status within federal agencies. Applications will be reviewed for eligibility, technical merit, and alignment with program priorities. Proposals must demonstrate public benefits, participant recruitment plans, and technical approaches for project success. BLM will assess past performance, recruitment strategies targeting underrepresented groups, and adherence to cost-sharing requirements. Funding will be provided through cooperative agreements, with BLM maintaining substantial involvement. This includes providing guidance, ensuring participant safety training, mentoring (but not directly supervising) participants, and integrating projects with other federal priorities like climate resilience and public access enhancements. Post-award requirements include regular financial and performance reporting, conflict-of-interest disclosures, and compliance with federal environmental and procurement regulations, including the Buy America Act. Recipients must report activities through systems like SAM.gov and the FFATA Subaward Reporting System (FSRS). Applicants are encouraged to collaborate with local BLM offices to ensure alignment with the program's mission and priorities.