Federal grant programs / Department of the Interior

Battlefield Land Acquisition Grants (15.928)

Also known as BLAG

• Awarded, FY 2021 to 2025$66.2 million
• Grant awards96
• Typical award$263,008
• Awarded in FY 2025$19.4 million
• Size rank939 of 1,823
• Type of assistanceProject grants

Key findings

• Annual funding rose from $4.8 million in fiscal 2021 to $19.4 million in fiscal 2025.
• It is the 939th largest of 1,823 federal grant programs by five-year awards.
• The 20 largest recipients received 100% of the money.
• Awards went to recipients in 13 states and territories.

What the program funds

To assist States and local communities acquire and preserve threatened battlefield land from the Revolutionary War, War of 1812, and Civil War. This grant program enables the permanent protection of historic battlefield lands through fee simple acquisition or through the purchase of an interest in the land through a preservation covenant.

From the federal Assistance Listing. Read the full listing on SAM.gov.

Open opportunities

No opportunity under this program is open or forecast on Grants.gov right now. Programs often post once a year, so the funding history below shows what to expect.

Rules from the program listing

Who can apply

States, Tribes, and local governments. Nonprofit organizations seeking to acquire battlefield land or easements must apply in partnership with the State or local government agency that has jurisdiction over the proposed parcel. The government agency may then sub-grant the Federal funds to the nonprofit organization.

What the money can and cannot pay for

Grants are available for the fee simple acquisition of land, or for the acquisition of permanent, protective interests in land (easements), at Civil War battlefields listed in the Civil War Sites Advisory Commission's (CWSAC) 1993 "Report on the Nation's Civil War Battlefields" and at Revolutionary War and War of 1812 Battlefields listed in the American Battlefield Protection Program (ABPP) 2007 "Report to Congress on the Historic Preservation of Revolutionary War and War of 1812 Sites in the United States." To be eligible for acquisition, the land must be at least 50% within the boundary of a Revolutionary War, War of 1812 or Civil War battlefield identified in the reports above. Funds may not be used to acquire land or interests in land within the legislative boundary of a unit of the National Park System. Grantees or subgrantees must provide for the appropriate public access (entry or viewable from public right-of-way) to and enjoyment of any lands or interests in lands acquired with assistance from this program, subject to necessary and reasonable measures on the part of the beneficiary to protect the historic features of the battlefield from damage or loss. Land acquired with these funds must be preserved in perpetuity.

Continue reading on SAM.gov

Matching requirements

This program has no statutory formula. 50%, or a ratio of 1:1, Recipient/non-federal cost share is required under this program.MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.

Award range and average, in the agency's words

Range: $30,000.00 to $2,000,000 Average: $400,000.00

Examples of funded projects

Fiscal Year2025: 1) Land Acquisition for Preservation: funding is used to acquire battlefield land that holds historical significance. This ensures the land is preserved and protected from development, maintaining its historical integrity. 2) Easement Acquisition: funds are used to acquire easements on larger tracts of land at a historic battlefield. Easements allow for the preservation of the land while still permitting certain uses, ensuring the historical landscape remains intact.Fiscal Year2026: 1) Permanent Protection Through Fee Simple Acquisition - funding allows communities and partner organizations to buy historic battlefield land outright so it can be permanently protected. These projects secure both large and small tracts of land that contain important terrain features, preserve the physical settings where battles occurred, and expand publicly accessible historic areas. Some acquisitions complete missing portions of a battlefield landscape, while others allow the land to be incorporated into existing parks or heritage sites. By purchasing these properties, the program ensures that battlefield lands remain safeguarded from development and available for public learning and reflection. 2) Permanent Protection Through Preservation Covenants - Funding can also be used to protect battlefield land through preservation covenants, which are legal agreements that restrict development while allowing land to remain in private ownership.

Continue reading on SAM.gov

Quoted from the program's federal Assistance Listing. The notice of funding opportunity is the official source for each competition's rules.

Who usually wins

Almost all of the money went to state and local governments.

By state

6 states have a page for this program: those that received at least $1 million or 10 awards.

Award amounts are federal obligations reported to USAspending.gov for fiscal 2021 to 2025; see how our data works.