The North Carolina Trails Program has released the fiscal year 2025-26 grant cycle for the federal Recreational Trails Program, the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation announced. Eligible applicants can apply for grants from $10,000 to $100,000 to fund trail development projects across the state. In addition, the spring 2025 grant round for the Recreational Trails Program (RTP) Safety and Education Grant (SEG), each up to $5,000, has also opened.
Federal, state, or local government agencies, as well as qualified nonprofit organizations, are eligible to apply for both grants. RTP applications are due by 5 p.m. on Sept. 5, 2025 through the WebGrants application. Safety and Education Grant applications are due by 5 p.m. on April 11, 2025, also through WebGrants. A fall 2025 grant round will be announced for the SEG later this year.
Last December, 13 trail development projects were selected for the 2024-25 grant cycle, as well as five SEG proposals for the fall 2024 cycle. A total of $1.24 million in federal funding was allocated to the projects, awarded by the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, following recommendations from the N.C. Trails Committee.
The division's Trails Program manages the federal RTP grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration. The grant provides funding for construction of new trails; maintenance and repair of existing trails; land acquisition; purchase of trail tools; and planning, legal, environmental, and permitting costs. The selection criteria value trail projects that are sustainable and "shovel ready," while also taking into consideration accessibility, public support, and economic need of the county in which the project is primarily located. There is a 25% match requirement for RTP funds received.
SEGs are a subset of the RTP and are awarded for safety and education instructor fees, speaker fees, displays, signage, and other trail uses.
The Trails Program's regional trails specialists are available to assist prospective applicants with questions about the grant application process and requirements. The trails specialists also provide a technical review of applications for those submitted by Aug. 1.
The seven-member Trails Committee, appointed by the DNCR secretary, advise on funding recommendations for applications received each grant cycle. Final determination on grant awards is made by the DNCR secretary. The committee members represent various trail use communities across the state, including hiking, biking, paddling, equestrian, and off-road vehicles. For more information on the RTP grants and how to apply, visit the N.C. Trails website (https://trails.nc.gov/trail-grants/apply-grant)
About North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation
The Division of Parks and Recreation manages more than 264,000 acres of iconic landscape within North Carolina’s state parks, state recreation areas and state natural areas. It administers the N.C. Parks and Recreation Trust Fund, including its local grants program, as well as a state trails program, North Carolina Natural and Scenic Rivers and more, all with a mission dedicated to conservation, recreation and education. The state parks system welcomes more than 19 million visitors annually.
About the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) manages, promotes, and enhances the things that people love about North Carolina – its diverse arts and culture, rich history, and spectacular natural areas. Through its programs, the department enhances education, stimulates economic development, improves public health, expands accessibility, and strengthens community resiliency.
The department manages over 100 locations across the state, including 27 historic sites, seven history museums, two art museums, five science museums, four aquariums, 35 state parks, four recreation areas, dozens of state trails and natural areas, the North Carolina Zoo, the State Library, the State Archives, the N.C. Arts Council, the African American Heritage Commission, the American Indian Heritage Commission, the State Historic Preservation Office, the Office of State Archaeology, the Highway Historical Markers program, the N.C. Land and Water Fund, and the Natural Heritage Program. For more information, please visit www.dncr.nc.gov.