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National Park Service · United States

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

Open

National Park Service expects to make 10 awards of $250,000 – $3 million each, from a total budget of $9 million. Applications close on 30 Nov 2030. Eligible applicant types include others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification) and state governments.

About this call

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."

Who can apply

• Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification)
• State governments

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…

Applicant categories are a starting point. The official call decides eligibility.

Topics

Other (see text field entitled "Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity" for clarification)

Timing

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…

How to apply

1. Read the full notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) linked from the official page: eligibility, cost sharing and evaluation criteria.
2. Make sure your organisation has an active SAM.gov registration and Unique Entity ID (UEI); registration can take several weeks.
3. Register with Grants.gov and set up a Workspace for this opportunity, with the right roles for your organisation.
4. Prepare the required forms, narrative, budget and attachments exactly as the NOFO specifies.
5. Submit before the deadline and keep the tracking number. Check for amendments before you submit.

From the call text

Who can apply

Not stated in the call text we hold — check the official page

Company stage

Not stated in the call text we hold — check the official page

Single applicant or consortium

Not stated in the call text we hold — check the official page

Where applicants must be based

Not stated in the call text we hold — check the official page

Where to apply

Not stated in the call text we hold — check the official page

Contact

National Park Service · RARI_Inquiries@nps.gov · 202-697-2035

Where these facts come from

Official sources

Official call page · Funder's programme page

Facts on this page come from the funder’s official data, taken on 13 Nov 2026. The funder's own documents, including later amendments, always take precedence.

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