Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation (FPR) is now accepting pre-applications for the 2026 Recreational Trails Program (RTP) grant round. Each year RTP offers the opportunity for Vermont municipalities, non-profits, and other governmental entities to receive funds to develop, restore, and maintain public recreational trails.
RTP is a reimbursement program funded by the Federal Highway Administration and is expected to administer approximately $500,000 in this year’s round. Award amounts are dependent on each project’s merits and needs, with a maximum grant award of $50,000 for Standard RTP projects. Grantees must commit to securing a minimum 20% match.
The upcoming grant round will offer three tracks:
- Standard RTP track for trail development and maintenance
- NEW Planning Track to support project development
- NEW Cost Increase Track for current FPR trail grant projects that have experienced unforeseen circumstances and need additional funding
In an effort to support geographic diversity across the state and a diversity of trail uses; preference points will be granted to projects within “RTP gap communities.” FPR identified 21 priority towns within Addison, Bennington, Essex, Grand Isle, Rutland, and Windsor Counties that are more than 10 miles from RTP projects funded within the last fifteen years. To view the full list of priority towns, please see the 2026 RTP Pre Application Guidance.
Interested applicants must submit a pre-application for FPR to assess a project’s readiness, eligibility, and potential compliance needs. If the project meets the RTP eligibility criteria, FPR will then invite applicants to submit a full application. The deadline for pre-applications is Friday, November 21, 2025.
For more details about this opportunity, please visit the FPR website or email the Outdoor Recreation Grants Team.
10.20.2025. Vermont Agency of Natural Resources, Montpelier, Website.
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