Conservation and Outdoor Recreation Challenge Cost Share

Eligibility:

• NPS Administered Lands and Waters. Projects that directly benefit one or more NPS-administered Parks, National Trails, and Wild and Scenic Rivers (including Partnership Wild and Scenic Rivers).  
• Applications are submitted only by National Park Service managers; project partners are expected to collaborate fully in the application process, but are not themselves eligible to apply.
• Partner Organizations may be nonprofit organizations, government agencies, Tribes, and educational institutions.
• National Park Service staff must have a significant project role in working with the partnering organization. The project must have the endorsement of the superintendent or program manager, as well as assurance from the local partner(s) that the project’s budget is viable.
• The proposed project should be substantially completed within the calendar year in which it is funded.

The partner organization is required to match the amount of the Challenge Cost Share program funding received with an equal share from the partner(s); any combination of dollars and in-kind services can be counted toward the partner’s cost share requirement, as long as their match comes from non-federal sources.

Max Amount: $25,000