RTP: Application Process, Submission Cycles, and Funded Projects

Florida currently receives an annual appropriation of Recreation Trails Program funds from the Federal Highway Administration through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). States are required to use 30 percent of RTP funds for uses relating to motorized recreation, 30 percent for uses relating to nonmotorized recreation and 40 percent for diverse recreational trail use. The maximum grant threshold is announced annually based on funding availability. An applicant's requested grant award may be revised by the Department due to the availability of program funds. Grant awards are contingent upon appropriation by the federal government.

Eligible applicants include agencies of city, county, state or federal governments, and nonprofit organizations approved by the state, and state or federally recognized Indian tribal governments. Project proposals may address the following recreational trail interests: nonmotorized trail projects, motorized trails projects, mixed-use trails projects (which facilitate both motorized and nonmotorized recreational trail use within a recreational trail corridor), trailside amenities, or trailheads. Scopes of work limited to trail planning activities are not an eligible per 62S-2.072(4)(e) F.A.C. All grant awards require a match in funding from the project sponsor. The RTP grant is provided on a 50:50, 60:40, or 80:20 (Program:Grantee) matching basis. Applicants must submit proposals through the postal mail on application form OGT-10, RTP Grant Application Package.