LWCF-RARI Readiness and Recreation Initiative

Funding

$9 million

Details

Grant Limit

$2.88 million

Details

Match Requirement

50 percent

Details

This program provides funding to enhance recreational opportunities near military installations. Grants may be used for an array of projects and facilities, like sports fields, playgrounds, walking trails, and nature reserves to benefit the public and military families alike. Projects must include land acquisition, be in a Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration Partnership Opportunity Area or Sentinel Landscape, and have a Letter of Support from a military installation or range commander.

Grant Application Schedule

Item Date

PRISM Opens for Applications

September 1, 2026 

Plan Due

July 1, 2026 

Application Due in PRISM

October 1, 2026 

Technical Review

October 5, 2026 - October 31, 2026

Technical Completion Deadline

November 30, 2026 

RCO Submits Applications to National Park Service

December 18, 2026 Estimate

National Park Service Selects Projects for Award

If selected, additional application materials will be required.

May 1, 2027 Estimate

Grants Awarded

May 1, 2028 Estimate

Grant Award History

Most recent grants and evaluation results, listed by the application year.

Application Resources

Announcements

New for 2026: Here’s a sneak peek at program changes:

  • Grants will be offered every year through 2030.
  • Eligible project locations were updated.

Eligibility Resources

The objectives of this program are to preserve the environment, boost disaster resilience for military installations and communities, and provide public outdoor recreation opportunities, consistent with the requirements of the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act and manual.

Projects must be in a Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration Partnership Opportunity Area or Sentinel Landscape.

  • When viewing the interactive map, filter the military layer to include “REPI Partnership Opportunity Areas” and under the Sentinel Landscapes layer, choose the appropriate Sentinel Landscapes to include on the map.

Applicants must have a letter of support from a military installation or range commander.

Additional Resources

Who May Apply?

  • Local agencies
  • Special purpose districts, such as park and recreation districts
  • Federally recognized Tribes
  • State agencies

Planning Requirement

To apply for this funding, applicants must have completed a comprehensive recreation or conservation plan. See details on the planning page and in Manual 2: Planning Guidelines.

Funding

An estimated $9 million annually may be appropriated by Congress nationwide.

Grant Limits

$250,000 to $2.88 million

Administrative Costs

Administrative or indirect costs are eligible; contact RCO to determine amount. Architecture and engineering costs for projects that include development are limited to 20 percent of the total construction cost.

Eligible Projects

  • Land acquisition for parks and other outdoor recreation purposes in qualifying areas
  • Combination of acquisition and development of new outdoor recreation facilities that provide outdoor recreation opportunities to the public in qualifying areas

Ineligible Projects and Costs

  • Acquisition of lands, or interests in lands, that completely restrict access to specific people (e.g., non-residents of a community)
  • Acquisition support costs such as appraisals or title work
  • Facilities that support semi-professional or professional athletics such as baseball stadiums or soccer arenas
  • Funding for recreation programs, equipment, team or individual participation fees, or support of any sports leagues
  • Indoor facilities such as recreation centers or facilities that support primarily non-outdoor purposes like nature centers, community centers, education centers, dining facilities, or overnight accommodation (such as a lodge or hotel)
  • Stand-alone development projects without a land acquisition component

Long-Term Commitment

All property acquired or developed with these grants must be kept forever. This requirement is applied to the assisted park or other recreation area as a whole. Exceptions for boundaries that would apply to a lesser unit of a park will be considered only if the unit is a stand-alone recreation area (i.e., its borders do not include other areas of the park) and is self-sustaining (i.e., it does not rely on nor serve adjoining park area for access, utilities, support facilities). The State and the National Park Service must agree to any boundary that does not comprise the whole park, and the National Park Service may not consider proposals that are inconsistent with this policy.