Opportunity Information: Apply for P20AS00014
The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) State and Local Assistance Program is a discretionary grant opportunity administered by the Department of the Interior through the National Park Service (NPS). Its core purpose is to support outdoor recreation by providing matching grants that help states, and then local governments through the states, pay for the acquisition and development of land and water areas intended for public recreation. In practice, this funding is meant to expand, improve, or protect places people use for outdoor activities, such as parks, trails, open space, natural areas, waterfront access, and other recreation-focused sites, depending on how a state structures its priorities and project selection.
This opportunity was issued under Funding Opportunity Number P20AS00014 and falls under the funding activity areas of Environment and Natural Resources (with an additional "Other" classification noted in the original listing). The funding instrument type is a grant, and the program is associated with CFDA number 15.916. Only state governments are listed as eligible applicants at the federal level, reflecting the program structure where NPS funds are awarded to states, and states then manage a process that can pass support along to local governments for qualifying recreation projects. That setup typically means local governments do not apply directly to NPS for this particular opportunity; instead, they work through their designated state lead agency for LWCF.
The program is described as providing matching grants, which means federal dollars are intended to be paired with non-federal contributions rather than covering the entire project cost. Matching requirements are a defining feature of LWCF assistance and are designed to ensure states and localities share in project investment and long-term stewardship. While the listing does not specify the exact matching ratio, the emphasis on "matching" signals applicants should be prepared to document committed non-federal funds or eligible in-kind contributions in accordance with program rules as implemented by the state and reviewed by NPS.
The award ceiling shown for this opportunity is $3,000,000, indicating the maximum amount anticipated per award under this posting. The listing shows Expected Awards as 0, which can occur in government postings for several administrative reasons (for example, when awards are contingent on allocations, state apportionments, or when the posting functions as part of a broader recurring program cycle rather than a set number of standalone competitive awards). The opportunity record was created on December 5, 2019, with an original closing date of January 17, 2020, and it notes that applications had to be reviewed and cleared by NPS prior to final submission for award processing. That clearance language suggests an additional review step beyond simply submitting an application, reinforcing that states likely needed to coordinate closely with NPS and meet specific pre-submission requirements.
Overall, this grant opportunity supports public outdoor recreation investments by helping states and their local partners acquire and develop recreation lands and waters, with funding delivered through a matching structure and administered federally by NPS but operationalized through state-level processes.Apply for P20AS00014
- The Department of the Interior, National Park Service in the environment, natural resources, other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Land and Water Conservation Fund State and Local Assistance Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.916.
- This funding opportunity was created on Dec 05, 2019.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jan 17, 2020 Applications must have been reviewed and cleared by NPS for final submission for award processing.. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $3,000,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: State governments.
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Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) State and Local Assistance Program - FAQs
What is the LWCF State and Local Assistance Program?
The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) State and Local Assistance Program is a discretionary grant opportunity administered by the U.S. Department of the Interior through the National Park Service (NPS). Its core purpose is to support outdoor recreation by providing matching grants that help fund the acquisition and development of land and water areas intended for public recreation.
What is the main purpose of this funding?
The program is intended to expand, improve, or protect places people use for outdoor recreation. This can include projects involving parks, trails, open space, natural areas, waterfront access, and other recreation-focused sites, depending on how a state sets priorities and selects projects.
Who administers this grant at the federal level?
The program is administered by the Department of the Interior through the National Park Service (NPS).
What is the funding instrument type?
The funding instrument type listed for this opportunity is a grant.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON) for this listing?
The Funding Opportunity Number is P20AS00014.
What CFDA number is associated with this program?
The program is associated with CFDA number 15.916.
What funding activity areas does this opportunity fall under?
The opportunity is listed under Environment and Natural Resources, with an additional "Other" classification noted in the original listing.
Who is eligible to apply at the federal level?
Only state governments are listed as eligible applicants at the federal level. This reflects the program structure in which NPS awards funds to states, and states then manage processes that can provide support to local governments for qualifying outdoor recreation projects.
Can local governments apply directly to the National Park Service for this opportunity?
Based on the program structure described, local governments typically do not apply directly to NPS for this opportunity. Instead, local governments work through their designated state lead agency for LWCF.
How do local governments participate if they cannot apply directly to NPS?
Local governments generally participate through their state. The state receives LWCF funding from NPS and then runs a state-level process that can pass support along to local governments for eligible recreation projects.
Is this a matching grant program?
Yes. The program is described as providing matching grants, meaning federal funding is intended to be paired with non-federal contributions rather than covering 100% of a project cost.
What does "matching" mean in this program context?
"Matching" indicates that applicants should be prepared to contribute non-federal funds or potentially eligible in-kind contributions, and to document those contributions in accordance with program rules as implemented by the state and reviewed by NPS.
Is the exact match ratio stated in the listing?
No. The information provided emphasizes that the grants are matching, but it does not specify the exact matching ratio.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling) shown for this opportunity?
The award ceiling shown is $3,000,000, which indicates the maximum amount anticipated per award under this posting.
How many awards were expected under this posting?
The listing shows Expected Awards as 0. Government postings can show this for various administrative reasons, including awards being contingent on allocations or apportionments, or when the posting is part of a broader recurring program cycle rather than a fixed number of competitive awards.
When was the opportunity record created?
The opportunity record was created on December 5, 2019.
What was the original closing date for applications?
The original closing date listed was January 17, 2020.
Was there any special review requirement mentioned before final submission?
Yes. The listing notes that applications had to be reviewed and cleared by NPS prior to final submission for award processing.
What does "reviewed and cleared by NPS prior to final submission" imply?
It suggests an additional review step beyond simply submitting an application. It also indicates that states likely needed to coordinate closely with NPS and meet specific pre-submission requirements before final award processing.
What types of projects can LWCF support based on the description provided?
Based on the description, LWCF support is meant for acquisition and development of land and water areas intended for public recreation, including (as examples provided) parks, trails, open space, natural areas, waterfront access, and other recreation-focused sites, subject to state priorities and selection processes.
Is this program intended to fund public recreation specifically?
Yes. The core purpose described is to support outdoor recreation and public recreation areas.
Does the state determine priorities and select projects?
The description indicates that project types and selections can depend on how a state structures its priorities and project selection, consistent with the state-managed nature of the program.
What is the overall structure of how funding flows?
Federally, NPS awards funds to states. Operationally, states manage a process that can provide support to local governments for qualifying outdoor recreation projects.
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Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (P20AS00014) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Land and Water Conservation Fund Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Program Round 4 Apply for P20AS00029 Funding Number: P20AS00029 Agency: Department of the Interior, National Park Service Category: Environment, Natural Resources, Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Land and Water Conservation Fund State and Local Assistance Program Apply for P20AS00033 Funding Number: P20AS00033 Agency: Department of the Interior, National Park Service Category: Environment, Natural Resources, Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $4,500,000 |
| FY 22 National Urban and Community Forestry Grant Program Apply for USDA FS UCF 010 2022 Funding Number: USDA FS UCF 010 2022 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Forest Service Category: Environment, Natural Resources, Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $500,000 |
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