Opportunity Information: Apply for P17AS00825
The Battlefield Land Acquisition Grant (BLAG), administered by the National Park Service (NPS) through the American Battlefield Protection Program (ABPP), is a competitive grant opportunity designed to help protect historically significant battlefields from the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, and the Civil War. Funding comes from the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and is intended to support state and local government efforts to acquire and permanently preserve threatened battlefield land. The core purpose of the program is straightforward: prevent the loss of important historic landscapes by helping communities secure land before it is altered or developed in ways that would compromise its historical integrity.
Eligible applicants are government entities at the state and local level, specifically state governments, county governments, and city or township governments. The grant supports acquisition-focused projects rather than planning or interpretation, meaning the money is used to secure ownership or legal protection of battlefield parcels. Under this program, funds may be used to purchase land in fee simple (full ownership) or to acquire permanent protective interests in land, such as conservation easements, that restrict future development and help ensure long-term preservation while potentially allowing the land to remain in private hands under enforceable protections.
A key requirement of BLAG is the dollar-for-dollar non-federal match. In practice, this means the applicant must provide an equal amount of non-federal funding to match the federal award. This matching structure is meant to leverage federal investment and demonstrate strong local or state commitment, often drawing on state appropriations, local funds, private donations routed through eligible mechanisms, or other non-federal sources to complete the project budget.
To qualify, the battlefield land must be associated with sites included in the program-recognized reference reports. For Civil War battlefields, eligible sites are those listed in the Civil War Sites Advisory Commission (CWSAC) 1993 Report on the Nation's Civil War Battlefields. For Revolutionary War and War of 1812 sites, eligibility is tied to the 2007 Report to Congress on the Historic Preservation of Revolutionary War and War of 1812 Sites in the United States. This requirement anchors the program in established national battlefield assessments and helps ensure funds go to sites already identified as historically significant.
As a discretionary grant program, BLAG awards are made through a competitive process rather than by formula. The opportunity listed an award ceiling of up to $2,000,000 per award and anticipated roughly 30 awards. The funding opportunity number is P17AS00825, and it is classified under CFDA 15.928. The overall activity areas associated with the program include community development, environment, humanities, natural resources, and regional development, reflecting how battlefield preservation often overlaps with open-space protection, cultural heritage conservation, and local economic and tourism interests tied to historic landscapes. The original closing date shown for this listing was 2020-12-31, indicating the posted window for applications under that specific announcement.Apply for P17AS00825
- The National Park Service in the community development, environment, humanities, natural resources, other, regional development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Battlefield Land Acquisition Grant- American Battlefield Protection Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.928.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2017-09-14.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2020-12-31. (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 $2,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 30 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments.
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Battlefield Land Acquisition Grant (BLAG) - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Battlefield Land Acquisition Grant (BLAG)?
The Battlefield Land Acquisition Grant (BLAG) is a competitive federal grant program administered by the National Park Service (NPS) through the American Battlefield Protection Program (ABPP). Its purpose is to help protect historically significant battlefields from the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, and the Civil War by supporting the acquisition and permanent preservation of threatened battlefield land.
What is the main goal of BLAG funding?
The core goal is to prevent the loss of important historic battlefield landscapes by helping communities secure land before it is altered or developed in ways that would compromise its historical integrity.
Who administers BLAG?
BLAG is administered by the National Park Service (NPS) through the American Battlefield Protection Program (ABPP).
Where does BLAG funding come from?
Funding for BLAG comes from the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF).
Is BLAG a competitive or formula-based grant?
BLAG is a discretionary, competitive grant program. Awards are made through a competitive process rather than by formula.
Who is eligible to apply for BLAG?
Eligible applicants are government entities at the state and local level, specifically state governments, county governments, and city or township governments.
Are private organizations or individuals eligible applicants?
Only state and local government entities are identified as eligible applicants in the opportunity description (state governments, county governments, and city or township governments).
What types of projects does BLAG support?
BLAG supports acquisition-focused projects intended to secure ownership or permanent legal protection of battlefield parcels. The program is focused on acquisition rather than planning or interpretive activities.
What does "acquisition-focused" mean in this program?
It means the grant funds are used to acquire battlefield land or permanent protective interests in land. The intent is to permanently preserve threatened battlefield landscapes by securing ownership or enforceable restrictions that prevent incompatible development.
Can BLAG funds be used to purchase land outright?
Yes. Funds may be used to purchase land in fee simple, meaning full ownership.
Can BLAG funds be used for conservation easements?
Yes. Funds may be used to acquire permanent protective interests in land, such as conservation easements, that restrict future development and help ensure long-term preservation while potentially allowing the land to remain in private hands under enforceable protections.
Does the land have to become publicly owned?
Not necessarily. The program allows for permanent protective interests (such as conservation easements) that can preserve the land while it potentially remains in private ownership, as long as there are enforceable protections that restrict future development.
What wars or time periods are covered by BLAG?
BLAG is designed to protect battlefields associated with the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, and the Civil War.
How does a battlefield site qualify as eligible under BLAG?
To qualify, the battlefield land must be associated with sites included in program-recognized reference reports tied to the relevant conflict (Civil War vs. Revolutionary War/War of 1812).
Which reference report determines eligibility for Civil War battlefields?
For Civil War battlefields, eligible sites are those listed in the Civil War Sites Advisory Commission (CWSAC) 1993 Report on the Nation's Civil War Battlefields.
Which reference report determines eligibility for Revolutionary War and War of 1812 sites?
For Revolutionary War and War of 1812 sites, eligibility is tied to the 2007 Report to Congress on the Historic Preservation of Revolutionary War and War of 1812 Sites in the United States.
What matching funds are required for BLAG?
BLAG requires a dollar-for-dollar non-federal match. This means the applicant must provide an equal amount of non-federal funding to match the federal award amount.
What does "non-federal match" mean?
It means the matching share must come from non-federal sources. The program description emphasizes that the applicant must supply an equal amount from non-federal funding to meet the match requirement.
Why does BLAG require a dollar-for-dollar match?
The matching structure is intended to leverage federal investment and demonstrate strong state or local commitment to battlefield land preservation.
What are examples of match sources mentioned for BLAG?
The opportunity description notes that matching funds are often drawn from state appropriations, local funds, private donations routed through eligible mechanisms, or other non-federal sources used to complete the project budget.
What is the maximum award amount under this BLAG listing?
The listed award ceiling is up to $2,000,000 per award.
How many awards were anticipated under this announcement?
The opportunity anticipated roughly 30 awards.
What is the funding opportunity number for this BLAG listing?
The funding opportunity number provided is P17AS00825.
What is the CFDA number associated with this program listing?
This listing is classified under CFDA 15.928.
What activity areas does BLAG relate to?
The activity areas associated with the program include community development, environment, humanities, natural resources, and regional development.
Why is BLAG connected to areas like community development and regional development?
The listing notes that battlefield preservation often overlaps with open-space protection, cultural heritage conservation, and local economic and tourism interests tied to historic landscapes.
What was the closing date shown for this BLAG listing?
The original closing date shown for this specific listing was 2020-12-31.
Does the closing date apply to BLAG in general?
The 2020-12-31 date reflects the posted window for applications under that specific announcement, as presented in the opportunity information provided.
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