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 facilities that provide outdoor recreation opportunities to the public in qualifying areas. ORLP is a program within the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) State and Local Assistance Program, which provides matching grants to States. ORLP funding is available in addition to traditional LWCF state formula grants and does not affect state apportionments. ORLP projects must be within a Qualifying Area, defined as: an urban area that has a population of 25,000 or more in the most recent census, or 2 or more adjacent urban areas with a combined population of 25,000 or more in the most recent census; or an area administered by a federally recognized Indian Tribe or an Alaska Native or Native Hawaiian community organization. Additional requirements under the ORLP program: Matching Requirement - ORLP is dollar for dollar match, meaning it covers up to 50% of all project costs. Applicants are responsible for providing non-federal funds for at least 50% of project costs. Perpetuity Requirement - Projects assisted through ORLP must be maintained and accessible 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, ORLP projects must align with the purposes and requirements of the LWCF Act and LWCF Manual. 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."
Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Program (ORLP) Recurring Notice 5 Year
National Park Service · Opportunity number P26AS00125
Details summarized from the official notice as of Oct 16, 2026. Always confirm eligibility, deadlines and requirements in the official notice before applying.
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Key facts
| Opportunity number | P26AS00125 |
|---|---|
| Agency | National Park Service Department of the Interior |
| Assistance listing (ALN, formerly CFDA) | 15.916 |
| Posted | Jun 8, 2026 |
| Deadline | Nov 1, 2030 |
| Award ceiling | $15,000,000 |
| Award floor | $300,000 |
| Expected number of awards | 35 |
| Estimated total program funding | $125,000,000 |
| Cost sharing or matching required | Yes |
| Funding type | Grant |
| Category | Other |
| Last updated here | Oct 16, 2026 |
Summary from the notice
Who can apply
The official notice lists these applicant types as eligible:
- State governments
- Others named in the notice (see the eligibility text)
- Federally recognized tribal governments
Who should take a closer look
- State governments
- Tribal governments and organizations
Not listed as eligible
- Small businesses
- Nonprofits
- Colleges and universities
- Local governments
- Larger for-profit companies
- Individuals
Unless the eligibility text in the notice names you, this opportunity is probably not for you.
Eligibility details from the notice
In accordance with the EXPLORE Act (16 U.S.C. § 8464), the following entities are eligible to apply directly for funding through the ORLP Program: 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. Indian Tribes, meaning any Indian or Alaska Native Tribe, band, nation, pueblo, village, or community that the Secretary of the Interior acknowledges to exist as an Indian Tribe (25 U.S.C. § 5130(2)) Alaska Native communities or organizations, such as: Alaska Native Corporations including Regional Corporations, Village Corporations, Urban Corporations, and Group Corporations (43 U.S.C. § 1602(m)) The following entities are eligible subrecipients and must apply through their State or Territorial Lead Agency: Political subdivision of a State or Territory, including cities and counties, or special purpose districts that manage open space, such as a park district. Native Hawaiian communities or organizations, such as: Native Hawaiian Organizations (54 U.S.C. § 300314) Na...
Cost sharing: this notice requires cost sharing or matching funds. Check the notice for the required share and what counts toward it.
Registrations you will likely need
Most applications submitted through Grants.gov need the following. Registration can take several weeks, so start early. The notice lists the exact requirements.
- SAM.gov registration for your organization, which also gives you a Unique Entity ID (UEI). Registration is free.
- A Login.gov account, which Grants.gov uses for sign-in.
- A Grants.gov applicant registration linked to your organization's UEI.
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