other · DOI-NPS

Readiness and Recreation Initiative (RARI) – Recurring 5 Year Notice

National Park Service · P26AS00146

1557 days left

Award Range

$250K – $3.0M

Total Program Funding

$9.0M

Expected Awards

Deadline

November 30, 2030

GRANTQUICK SUMMARYPlain-English Overview

Readiness and Recreation Initiative (RARI) – Recurring 5 Year Notice. National Park Service. 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... $250,000-$3,000,000 per award; $9,000,000 total program funding; ~10 awards expected.

Who Should Apply

Other eligible entities, State governments

Who Should NOT Apply

Individuals and organizations outside the specified eligible types

Key Requirements (Plain English)

•Eligible Applicants ☒ State governments ☒ Territorial governments The following entities are eligible to apply directly for funding through RARI: S...
•Cost sharing/matching required
•Deadline: 2030-11-30

💡 GrantQuick Tip

Budget for cost-sharing match. Demonstrate institutional commitment and matching funds clearly in your proposal.

Competitiveness: High — limited number of awards

What This Grant Funds

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 ecologically related to, a military installation or military airspace, and/or to maintain or enhance disaster resilience. RARI is a program within the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). State and Local Assistance Program. RARI funding is available in addition to traditional LWCF state formula grants and does not affect state apportionments. RARI operates in partnership with the Department of War (DOW) and seeks to leverage funding across departments to benefit the general public and military communities. RARI is dollar for dollar match, meaning it covers up to 50% of all project costs and applicants are responsible for funding the remaining 50% of project costs. However, for RARI projects, DOW Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration (REPI) funds are allowable to meet the LWCF Act's cost-share requirement (10 U.S.C. 2684a). Therefore, 100% of project costs could be funded through these two federal programs. To be eligible, proposed projects must: Include a land acquisition component. Be in a Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration (REPI) Partnership Opportunity Area or Sentinel Landscape. Have a Letter of Support from a Military Installation or Range commander.1 Additional LWCF requirements for the RARI program: Perpetuity Requirement - Projects assisted through RARI must be maintained and accessible exclusively for public outdoor recreation use in perpetuity. This applies to the assisted park or site in its entirety, not just the area assisted by the grant funds. Alignment with LWCF Law and Policy - As an LWCF program, RARI projects must align with the purposes and requirements of the LWCF Act and LWCF Manual. This includes meeting a priority need or goal identified in the Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP). Alignment with National Priorities – Projects must be responsive to Executive and National priorities, including those outlined in Executive Order 14313, "Establishing the President's Make America Beautiful Again Commission" and Secretarial Order 3442, "Land and Water Conservation Fund Implementation by the U.S. Department of the Interior."

Attachments

PDF

RARI NOFO 051326

RARI_NOFO_051326.docx

PDF

RARI FAQ 060826

RARI_NOFO_FAQ_060826.docx

PDF

Detailed Budget for LWCF Grants.xlsx

Detailed_Budget_for_LWCF_Grants.xlsx

Who Can Apply

Eligible Applicants ☒ State governments ☒ Territorial governments The following entities are eligible to apply directly for funding through RARI: State and Territorial Lead Agencies, in each of the 50 states as well as American Samoa, the District of Columbia, Guam, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands About State and Territorial Lead Agencies - In accordance with the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Act (54 U.S.C. 200305(a)), each state has a State Lead Agency designated by the state's Governor or by state legislation for the purposes of implementing LWCF. A State Lead Agency may submit applications on behalf of themselves or an eligible sub-recipient. The following entities are eligible sub-recipients and must apply through their State or Territorial Lead Agency: Other state agencies Federally recognized Indian tribes Local units of governments and special purpose districts (must be an entity created by a legislative authority vested sovereignty and with a stated mission that includes acquiring, developing, owning and managing recreation areas, and be able to demonstrate it can meet the perpetual protection requirement of the LWCF program) Additional Information on Eligibility Eligible Areas - Projects must serve an eligible area, defined as: an active REPI Partnership Opportunity Area or a Sentinel Landscape. Applicants can check whether their proposed project is in a REPI Partnership Opportunity Area and/or Sentinel Landscape via the REPI Interactive Map. Filter the Layer list to include "Military > REPI Partnership Opportunity Area" and "Sentinel Landscapes > Sentinel Landscapes"

Eligible Applicant Types

Other (see NOFO for details)State Governments

Funding Details

Minimum Award: $250K
Maximum Award: $3.0M
Total Program Funding: $9.0M
Expected Number of Awards: 10
Cost Sharing Required?: Yes
Funding Instrument: grant

Key Dates

Posted: June 8, 2026

Application Deadline: November 30, 2030 (1557 days remaining)

In accordance with the LWCF Act, non-Federal cost share in the amount of 50% or 1:1 ratio is required to be eligible for an award under this NOFO. Applicants are not required to have their cost-share secured at the time of their application to this NOFO, but they must provide documentation of their plan to secure matching funds. Applicants must secure their cost-share before finalizing a grant agreement with the NPS. This could be up to one year after selection through this NOFO. Applicants must document all cost share contributions in their final Budget Narrative. The eligible non-Federal contributions may include land donation or purchase, cash, in-kind contributions, or volunteer services, in line with federal award requirements (2 CFR § 200.306). Additionally, the following will be accepted as contributions for non-Federal share: Existing State or local government-owned lands not currently used for recreation may be used as part of the non-Federal matching share for acquisition grants. Property donated between a State and its subdivisions may be used as part of the non-Federal matching share. Per 54 U.S.C. 200305(f)(1), projects applying for a RARI grant can only include Congressionally designated Federal cost-share sources in their budgets. Other Federal sources, such as LWCF formula funds, are not permitted, even if all program cost share requirements are met. Projects including other federal funds within the proposed budget, unless they are serving as authorized cost share, will be eliminated from the competition without consideration. Exception for Non-Federal Requirement: Certain federal programs are authorized by their enabling legislation to be treated as non-federal match. For this notice, applicants can use federal Department of War Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration (REPI) Program funds to meet LWCF's required cost-share, as specified in 2 CFR 200.306(b)(5). REPI funding may be used to "to satisfy any matching funds or cost- sharing requirement of any conservation or resilience program of any Federal agency notwithstanding any limitation of such program on the source of matching or cost-sharing funds" (10 U.S.C. 2684a). More information on DOW REPI funding can be found on the following REPI Program websites: REPI - Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration Program https://www.repi.mil/Buffer-Projects/Project-List/. https://www.repi.mil/Buffer-Projects/REPI-Challenge/ Exception for Insular Areas: American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands do not need to provide 50% non-Federal cost share. These areas can receive full (100%) federal funding.

Agency Contact

Matthew Russell RARI_Inquiries@nps.gov

RARI_Inquiries@nps.gov

Ready to apply?

View the full NOFO and submit your application on Grants.gov

View on Grants.gov