BLM OR/WA Archaeologic Studies | L17AS00021

Opportunity Information: Apply for L17AS00021

The BLM OR/WA Archaeologic Studies opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number L17AS00021) is a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) discretionary funding program offered through the U.S. Department of the Interior. It is structured as a cooperative agreement, meaning the project is intended to be carried out with active involvement and coordination between the recipient and the BLM rather than as a simple pass-through grant. The focus of the work is archaeological research tied to BLM-managed lands in eastern Oregon, specifically within the Burns, Prineville, Lakeview, and Vale BLM Districts.

The core purpose is to support detailed analysis of archaeological materials and site data in order to strengthen interpretations of prehistoric human life in the region. A major emphasis in the description is faunal analysis, particularly the study of animal bone recovered during excavations and surface surveys. These bone assemblages are described as consistently present at sites in the target districts, and they can be used to reconstruct key aspects of past behavior, including hunting strategies, butchering practices, dietary patterns, and the season(s) when sites were occupied. In practical terms, this type of analysis helps move archaeology beyond simply documenting that a site exists, toward explaining how people lived, what resources they relied on, and how they organized their activities across the landscape.

Beyond animal bone, the opportunity also contemplates a broad suite of specialized archaeological studies, reflecting the range of scientific techniques commonly used to interpret sites. Examples explicitly mentioned include lithic debitage studies (analysis of stone tool manufacturing waste to understand tool production and activity areas), artifact analyses, paleobotanical identification and analysis (plant remains that can inform diet, environment, and resource use), and several dating and sourcing methods. The dating and chronometric techniques named include radiocarbon (carbon-14) dating, optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating, obsidian sourcing and hydration studies, and volcanic ash (tephra) identification. Stratigraphic analysis and description are also noted, underscoring that careful interpretation of soil layers and depositional context is part of building reliable site histories. Taken together, these methods are aimed at producing the kinds of integrated, well-supported conclusions that let archaeologists interpret the full range of ancient human activity, rather than relying on any single line of evidence.

The University of Oregon Museum of Natural and Cultural History (UOMNCH) is highlighted as a central partner and key institutional resource for this work. The opportunity states that UOMNCH is Oregon’s primary cultural repository and the federally recognized repository for prehistoric archaeological collections in the state. It also notes a long-standing working relationship between UOMNCH and the BLM, described as spanning more than 15 years, suggesting that the project is built on established collaboration and existing collections and records. Because repositories like UOMNCH curate collections and associated documentation for the long term, this funding supports not only analysis but also the responsible use of curated materials to generate new knowledge from collections already held in trust.

The public-benefit rationale is also explicit: the resulting information is intended to be made available to the American public through various means. While the description does not list specific products, this typically implies deliverables such as technical reports, curated datasets, interpretive summaries, publications, presentations, or other outreach and education products that translate technical findings into accessible knowledge. The overall theme is that improved archaeological analyses contribute to better-informed stewardship of public lands and a richer, evidence-based understanding of the region’s prehistoric past.

In terms of basic program details, the opportunity is listed under CFDA 15.224 (Natural Resources). Eligibility is described as “unrestricted,” meaning it is open to any type of entity that meets the standard requirements, subject to any clarifications that may exist in the full notice text. The expected award count is one, with an award ceiling of $18,000. The opportunity record shows a creation date of May 12, 2017, and an original closing date of July 11, 2017, indicating that this particular posting was time-limited and tied to that funding cycle.

• The Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "BLM OR/WA Archaeologic Studies" 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 May 12, 2017.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 11, 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 $18,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 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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