USDA-NRCS–NHQ-VPA-26-NOFO001448: Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program competition for Federal fiscal year (FY) 2026
Closed
This grant is closed. Who won this program's grants before is below, and similar open grants are at the end of the page. It is in our archive of Natural Resources Conservation Service notices from 2026.
Natural Resources Conservation Service offered grants of up to $3.0 million (at least $100,000) to tribes. It expected to make about 30 awards worth $52.0 million in total. Applications closed on June 8, 2026.
From the official notice on Grants.gov, last changed April 23, 2026. Checked November 7, 2026.
- Award ceiling$3.0 million
- Award floor$100,000
- Total funding$52.0 million
- Expected awards30
- Cost sharingNot required
- Funding typeGrant
Key dates
| Posted | April 24, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Deadline | June 8, 2026 |
| Archived by Grants.gov | July 8, 2026 |
Who can apply
This opportunity was open to tribes.
- Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
State government
Is this a realistic fit?
- Past Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program awards averaged $933,579; this notice allows up to $3.0 million per award.
- Most of the program's money (100% over five years) went to state and local governments.
- No cost sharing or match is required.
What the grant funds
NRCS is announcing the availability of up to $52 million in Voluntary Public Access-Habitat Incentive Program (VPA-HIP) funding through One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), Public Law 119-21 to create or enhance state and Tribal government programs that encourage owners and operators of privately held farm, ranch, and forest land to voluntarily make that land available for access by the public for hunting, fishing, and other wildlife-dependent recreation. VPA-HIP is a competitive grant program and only state and tribal governments may apply. Projects may be up to 3 years in duration. The maximum amount for a single award is $3 million. Up to 25% of the funding for each award may be used to provide incentives to improve wildlife habitat on enrolled public access program lands. For new users of Grants.gov, see Section D of this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for information about steps required before submitting an application through Grants.gov. Application deadline: Submit via Grants.gov by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on June 8, 2026.
Who has won Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program grants before
From fiscal 2021 to 2025, Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program (10.093) awarded $21.5 million across 23 grant awards, an average of $933,579 per award.
| Recipient | State | Awards | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nebraska Game & Parks Commission | Nebraska | 2 | $3.7 million |
| Minnesota Department of Natural Resources | Minnesota | 2 | $3.1 million |
| Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources | Wisconsin | 2 | $2.3 million |
| Fish Wildlife & Parks Montana Department | Montana | 2 | $2.3 million |
| Missouri Department of Conservation | Missouri | 1 | $2.2 million |
Applying now
This notice no longer takes applications. Agencies often post the same opportunity again under a new number, so check the program's notices on Grants.gov and the similar open grants below.
The notice on Grants.gov keeps its full text and attachments, which is useful for planning a resubmission.
Questions people ask
Is USDA-NRCS–NHQ-VPA-26-NOFO001448 still open?
No. It closed on June 8, 2026.
Who can apply for Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program competition for Federal fiscal year (FY) 2026?
Natural Resources Conservation Service accepted applications from tribes. The notice adds further conditions, so read its eligibility section.
What is the deadline for Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program competition for Federal fiscal year (FY) 2026?
Closed June 8, 2026. Applications are no longer accepted; the program's newer notices are on this page when there are any.
How much funding is available?
Awards of up to $3.0 million each. About $52.0 million in total across about 30 awards.
Who has won Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program grants before?
The largest recipients over five fiscal years were Nebraska Game & Parks Commission, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. The program made 23 awards worth $21.5 million in that time.