Land and Water Conservation Fund State Assistance - Cycle 3 | P20AS00079

FAQs: Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) State Assistance - Cycle 3 (Funding Opportunity Number P20AS00079)

What is the LWCF State Assistance - Cycle 3 opportunity (P20AS00079)?

The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) State Assistance - Cycle 3 opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number P20AS00079) is a discretionary federal grant program administered by the U.S. Department of the Interior through the National Park Service (NPS). It supports projects that acquire land and/or develop facilities for public outdoor recreation.

What kinds of projects does this funding support?

This opportunity supports projects that (1) acquire land and/or (2) develop facilities for public outdoor recreation. The intent is to expand and improve places where the public can engage in outdoor activities, including parks, trails, recreation areas, and other community recreation assets, with an emphasis on long-term public benefit.

Who is eligible to apply directly to the federal government for this opportunity?

Eligible applicants for the federal opportunity are state governments. The program is structured so states apply for and manage the funding, then distribute support to local governments through state-administered processes.

Can cities, counties, park districts, or other local governments apply directly to NPS under this opportunity?

In practice, no. Local governments typically participate by applying to their state LWCF program rather than submitting directly to the National Park Service. Local entities follow their state's LWCF priorities and timelines.

Can nonprofits apply directly to this federal opportunity?

The notice describes eligible applicants as state governments, not nonprofits applying directly to the federal government. Participation for local projects generally occurs through the state-administered LWCF process.

How does the application process work if states are the eligible applicants?

States apply for and manage the funding, and then distribute support to local governments through their own state-administered processes. This makes the overall process multi-step, with state review and selection occurring before federal submission.

What does it mean that only applications approved for final submission by NPS will be accepted?

It means the program uses a multi-step review and approval process, and the National Park Service will only accept applications that have been approved for final submission through the required process described in the notice.

What is the funding instrument type for this opportunity?

The funding instrument is a grant.

What federal agency administers this program?

The program is administered by the Department of the Interior through the National Park Service (NPS).

What are the funding activity areas associated with this opportunity?

The funding activity areas listed include community development, environment, natural resources, and other related purposes tied to outdoor recreation.

What is the CFDA number for this program?

The CFDA number associated with the program is 15.916.

What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?

The maximum award amount listed is $3,500,000 per award.

How many awards were expected under this opportunity?

The opportunity anticipated a large number of awards overall, with an estimated 200 awards expected, suggesting broad national distribution across multiple states and many local projects.

When was this opportunity created, and what was the original closing date?

The opportunity was created on June 1, 2020, with an original closing date of July 17, 2020. This established the window in which states would complete submissions through the required process.

Does this program focus on short-term projects or long-term public benefit?

The description emphasizes long-term public benefit by helping communities protect important recreation lands and build or improve outdoor recreation facilities for public use.

What types of community recreation assets might be improved with this funding?

Examples referenced in the description include parks, trails, recreation areas, and other community recreation assets where the public can engage in outdoor activities.

If a local government wants to pursue LWCF funding, what is the typical route?

A city, county, or park district typically participates by applying to its state LWCF program and following state priorities and timelines, rather than submitting directly to the National Park Service.

What is the key takeaway about how LWCF State Assistance funding flows?

This opportunity is a state-centered funding stream: states are the primary applicants to the federal government and function as pass-through administrators for local government projects.