HELENA – Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks begins accepting applications for more than $1.3 million in recreation grants on Wednesday, Dec. 15, through the online system atfunding.mt.gov. Applications will be accepted for the Off-Highway Vehicle Grant Program, the Montana Trail Stewardship Grant Program (MTSGP), and the Summer Motorized Trail Pass Grant Program. Application deadlines vary and are noted below. The application cycle for the federal Recreational Trails Program opens Jan. 18. More information will be released at that time.

Montana Trail Stewardship Grant Program: The MTSGP is a state-funded grant program. This is the program’s second grant cycle. This program will award funds for construction or maintenance of motorized and nonmotorized trails or trail-related facilities.

• Applications accepted: 15 – Feb. 15, 2022
• Awards announced: April
• Contracts issued and projects begin: July
• Anticipated funding available for awards: $1,000,000
• More information: https://fwp.mt.gov/aboutfwp/grant-programs/trail-stewardship

Summer Motorized Trail Pass Grant Program: A grant program funded through the creation of the OHV Trail Pass. This is the program’s second grant cycle. The program will award funds to non-federal entities for the maintenance of OHV trails on public lands.

• Applications accepted: 15 – March 31, 2022
• Awards announced: May
• Contracts issued and projects begin: August
• Anticipated funding available for awards: $153,000
• More information: https://fwp.mt.gov/aboutfwp/grant-programs/summer-motorized-trail-pass

Off-Highway Vehicle Grant Program: This is a state-funded grant program. This program provides project funding with the goal of enhancing and maintaining OHV recreational opportunities for the benefit of OHV enthusiasts in Montana.

• Applications accepted: December 15, 2021 – March 31, 2022
• Awards announced: May
• Contracts issued and projects begin: August
• Anticipated funding available for awards: $230,000
• More information: https://fwp.mt.gov/aboutfwp/grant-programs/off-highway-vehicle

Training sessions will be offered virtually for prospective applicants of the Montana Trail Stewardship Grant Program. These sessions are free and highly recommended for new and returning applicants. The trainings provide tips on writing a competitive application, using the grant management software to submit an application, and changes to the program. Online trainings via Zoom will be held on the following dates from 1 to 3 p.m.

• Dec. 8
• Dec. 15
• Dec. 22

Training sessions will be offered as needed for prospective applicants of the Off-Highway Vehicle Grant Program and Summer Motorized Trail Pass Grant Programs.

For more information on attending a grant application training session or applying to one of these opportunities, visit: https://fwp.mt.gov/aboutfwp/grant-programs.

For questions about the Montana Trail Stewardship Grant Program, contact Carissa Beckwith at carissa.beckwith@mt.gov

For questions about the Summer Motorized Trail Pass Grant Program and the Off-Highway Vehicle Grant Program, contact Seth McArthur at SMcArthur@mt.gov