NPS grants
National Park Service grants fund historic preservation, parks and outdoor recreation: Historic Preservation Fund grants through state historic preservation offices, Land and Water Conservation Fund grants for local parks, and tribal heritage grants.
- Open now
- 5
- Upcoming
- 0
- Next deadline
- November 4, 2026
Open and forecast NPS opportunities
From Grants.gov, soonest deadline first.
- Closes04 NOV
Exploring and Enhancing Outdoor and Heritage Tourism in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed
NPS · Tribal organizations, For-profits, Private colleges, +11 more
Goal: Encourage outdoor recreation and natural, historical, and cultural tourism that expands access to and awareness of the Chesapeake Bay watershed and fosters economic development of communities.ObjectivesNPS Chesapeake Gateways is offering this competitive grant opportunity to strengthen a community's ability to offer or enhance outdoor recreation and na
- Closes04 JAN
National Parks Business Plan Internship
NPS · Cities and towns, Public colleges, Tribes, +7 more
The National Parks Business Plan Internship (BPI) goal is to jointly administer a graduate-level internship program focused on improving the business management and operational health of our national parks and NPS programs. The internship program should: Provide students with in-depth training on NPS business management and operations, exposure to park and/o
- Closes31 DEC
NPS Cooperative Ecosystems Studies Units (CESU) Master Cooperative Agreements
NPS · Others
The National Park Service (NPS) are seeking applications for Master Cooperative Agreements from CESU network participants in the following CESU network regions: North and West Alaska Californian Chesapeake Watershed Colorado Plateau Desert Southwest Great Basin Great Lakes Northern Forest Great Plains Great Rivers Gulf Coast Hawaii/Pacific Islands North Atla
- Closes01 NOV
Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Program (ORLP) Recurring Notice 5 Year
NPS · Tribes, Others, States
This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) invites applications for the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership (ORLP) Program, administered by the National Park Service (NPS). ORLP provides funding to 1) to acquire land and water for parks and other outdoor recreation purposes in qualifying areas, and 2) to develop new or renovate existing outdoor recreation f
- Closes30 NOV
Readiness and Recreation Initiative (RARI) – Recurring 5 Year Notice
NPS · Others, States
This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) invites applications for the Readiness and Recreation Initiative (RARI), administered by the National Park Service (NPS). The purpose of the program is to: 1) provide outdoor recreation opportunities, and 2) promote or support compatible land uses and avoid incompatible development in areas in the vicinity of, or eco
Where NPS grant money went in 2025
Awards from October 2024 to September 2025, from USAspending.gov.
| Program (Assistance Listing) | Awarded |
|---|---|
| Outdoor Recreation Acquisition, Development and Planning 15.916 | $543 million |
| Historic Preservation Fund Grants-In-Aid 15.904 | $74 million |
| Cooperative Research and Training Programs – Resources of the National Park System 15.945 | $65 million |
| Historic Preservation Fund Grants-in-Aid for Competitive Grants 15.966 | $61 million |
| National Park Service Conservation, Protection, Outreach, and Education 15.954 | $58 million |
| Youth and Veteran Organizations Conservation Activities 15.931 | $56 million |
| Natural Resource Stewardship 15.944 | $31 million |
| Heritage Partnership 15.939 | $28 million |
| Recipient | Awarded |
|---|---|
| Conservation Legacy | $27 million |
| Save the Redwoods League | $20 million |
| American Conservation Experience | $12 million |
| National Experienced Workforce Solutions, INC | $12 million |
| The Great Basin Institute | $11 million |
| Capital Concerts, INC | $10 million |
| The Student Conservation Association, INC. | $5.8 million |
| National Conference of State Historic Preservation Officers | $5.5 million |
Questions
When is the next NPS grant deadline?
The next deadline is November 4, 2026 for Exploring and Enhancing Outdoor and Heritage Tourism in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.
How do I apply for a NPS grant?
Register your organization in SAM.gov to get a Unique Entity ID, create a Grants.gov account, then find the opportunity and submit before its deadline. Some agencies finish the application in their own system, such as JustGrants, eRA Commons or Research.gov.
Can individuals get NPS grants?
Rarely. Federal grants go mostly to organizations: nonprofits, local governments, tribes, schools, colleges and, in research programs, small businesses. Help for individuals usually comes through state and local agencies.
Do I have to pay to apply for a grant?
No. Real grant programs never charge to apply or to receive an award. Anyone asking for a fee before you get grant money is running a scam.