Simpler Grants.gov #USDA-NRCS–NHQ-VPA-26-NOFO001448

USDA NRCS Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program Grant Competition for FY 2026

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS) is offering a competitive grant opportunity for the Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program (VPA-HIP) for Federal fiscal year 2026. - Government Buyer: - U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) - Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) - Program Overview: - Up to $52 million in total grant funding available - Awards range from $100,000 to $3 million per project - 23 to 30 awards anticipated - Projects may last from 1 to 3 years - Eligible Applicants: - Only state governments and federally recognized tribal governments may apply - Each entity may submit only one application - Program Purpose: - Grants support creation or enhancement of programs that incentivize private landowners to provide public access for hunting, fishing, and other wildlife-dependent recreation - Up to 25% of each award may be used for wildlife habitat improvement incentives - Targeting Wetland Reserve Easement (WRE) lands and compliance with NRCS conservation standards are notable requirements - Funding Use and Restrictions: - 10% cap on technical assistance costs - 15% cap on indirect costs unless a negotiated indirect cost rate agreement (NICRA) is in place - If habitat improvements are funded without public access, landowner eligibility rules apply - Application Process: - Applications must be submitted via Grants.gov - Program management will utilize ezFedGrants - No specific OEMs or commercial vendors are mentioned, as this is a grant for programmatic activities rather than procurement of products.

Description

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is announcing a funding opportunity for the Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program (VPA-HIP) for fiscal year 2026. This competitive grant program provides up to $52 million to state and tribal governments to create or enhance programs that encourage private landowners to allow public access for hunting, fishing, and wildlife-dependent recreation. Awards range from $100,000 to $3 million, with projects lasting 1 to 3 years, starting around September 30, 2026. Applications must be submitted via Grants.gov by June 8, 2026.

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