Mississippi National River and Recreation Area State and Local Assistance
Active
- Assistance listing
- 15.941
- Agency
-
National Park Service
Department of the Interior
- Grant awards
- 28 $5,143,586 in federal obligations
Program facts
- Assistance types
-
- Project Grant
- Cooperative Agreement
- Formula Grant
- Treasury accounts
-
- 14-8037-0-1-303
- 14-1036-0-1-303
- More information
Program details come from SAM.gov Assistance Listings. Updated . Grant award figures come from USAspending.gov.
About this program
The National Park Service is funding trail development, recreational access improvements, and land restoration within the 72-mile Mississippi National River and Recreation Area corridor in the Twin Cities region under Assistance Listing 15.941, with the most recent grant award on August 18, 2025. This program provides Project Grants, Cooperative Agreements, and Formula Grants to state and local government entities and political subdivisions in Minnesota for acquisition, development, and management of lands and waters within the recreation area.
The program emphasizes non-motorized transportation infrastructure, water access facilities, and ecological restoration. Recent awards have funded trail construction and safety improvements (East Bank Trail Corridor underpass and alignment shift in Minneapolis, $4.3 million; Mississippi River Greenway trail crossing safety enhancements in Dakota County, $1.51 million), accessible water launches and paddling access (Lake Rebecca water launch, $1 million; canoe and kayak river access stations), land restoration through removal of abandoned structures and hazardous materials abatement to return property to natural open space, trailhead facilities with parking and interpretive signage, and adaptive management such as fencing at off-leash dog parks to prevent bank erosion and visitor conflicts. A notable mega-award for Rosemount East segment of the Mississippi River Trail closure reached $14.6 million in 2022.
Portfolio activity shows steady funding: 28 total awards since 2013, with award frequency rising to 5 in 2024 and 3 in 2025. Combined federal dollars obligated total $5.1 million, with combined total obligated (including non-federal match) of $30.7 million, reflecting substantial recipient cost-sharing. Project Grants dominate at 86 percent of awards, with smaller shares of Cooperative Agreements and Formula Grants. The National Park Service Midwest Region funds the vast majority, accounting for 20 awards and $4.3 million federal dollars obligated, while the parent National Park Service entity has awarded 7 grants totaling $857 thousand.
Eligible applicants are the State of Minnesota and its political subdivisions, counties, and cities. Awards are merit-reviewed and competitive, with application deadlines varying by solicitation—the source references 30- to 90-day windows. No current open solicitations appear in the recent-opportunities block; all posted opportunities date from 2012 to 2019 and are designated notices of intent to award, indicating direct awards to named recipients without competitive bidding.
Objective and description
- Objective
The Mississippi National River and Recreation Area is rich with historical and cultural stories. This program provides grants for the acquisition and development within the Recreation Area of lands and waters or interests therein and provides coopera
- Description
This Assistance Listing is dedicated specifically to the 72‑mile Mississippi River corridor that flows through the Twin Cities region. It focuses on collaborative, community‑based conservation and encourages shared management through cooperative agreements and grants. Projects supported under this program help balance recreation, ecological health, cultural heritage, and urban community needs in one of the most significant urban national park units in the country.
Eligibility
- Applicant eligibility
The State of Minnesota or its political subdivisions.
- Beneficiary eligibility
The State of Minnesota or its political subdivisions, and the public.
- Uses of assistance
Funding and/or assistance is to be used by the State of Minnesota or its political subdivisions for the cost of acquisition and development within the Area of lands and waters or interest therein in a manner consistent with the legislation. Funding and/or assistance may be used to assist in the planning for and interpretation of non-Federal publicly owned lands within the Area and to develop and implement programs compatible with the comprehensive management plan.
- Length and time phasing of assistance
Length and time depends on complexity of project.
How to apply
- Preapplication coordination
Consultation or assistance from the agency with this application may be available from the NPS. Projects may be subject to compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act. There are no pre-application requirements.
- Criteria for selecting proposals
Specific evaluation criteria will be included in the funding announcements posted on www.grants.gov.
- Award procedure
Proposals received in response announcements on grants.gov are reviewed on the basis of a competitive, merit-based review process, and are rated in accordance with the evaluation criteria stated in the announcement. Awards may be made to the highest rated proposals based on the amount of funding available each year.
- Time to approval or disapproval
Varies depending on the type and complexity of the project. Further information will be available for each specific project at the time the funding opportunity announcement is posted on www.grants.gov and may be obtained by contacting the Program Manager listed as the point of contact. Generally 30 to 90 days.
- Renewals
Projects may generally be renewed on an annual basis, not to exceed a total of 5 years. If renewals or extensions are applicable to the project, this information will be included in the funding opportunity announcement. When renewals or extensions are applicable, continuation of funding for these activities is at the discretion of Congress and will be subject to availability of appropriated funds.
- Appeals
None. Final award decisions are not subject to appeal; however, the National Park Service will provide applicants with information on why their proposals were not selected for award, upon request.
Grant opportunities
Grant awards
Latest 10 of 28 listed here. See the rest on GovTribe.
Top recipients by federal obligations
| Rank | Recipient | Federal obligations | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dakota County Administration | $1,798,887 | 35% |
| 2 | City Of Saint Paul | $740,757 | 14% |
| 3 | Minneapolis Park Board | $685,000 | 13% |
| 4 | City Of Ramsey | $490,000 | 10% |
| 5 | Three Rivers Park District | $428,972 | 8% |
| 6 | City Of Brooklyn Park | $362,000 | 7% |
| 7 | Minnesota Department Of Natural Resources | $183,483 | 4% |
| 8 | American Lung Association Of The Upper Midwest | $124,861 | 2% |
| 9 | City Of Dayton | $100,000 | 2% |
| 10 | City Of Champlin | $100,000 | 2% |
10 of 16 recipients listed here. See the rest on GovTribe.
Federal obligations by fiscal year
| Fiscal year | Federal obligations |
|---|---|
| FY2025 | $728,000 |
| FY2024 | $1,066,500 |
| FY2023 | $310,980 |
| FY2022 | $948,000 |
| FY2021 | -$38,989 |
| FY2020 | -$105,630 |
| FY2019 | $397,104 |
| FY2018 | $456,456 |
| FY2017 | $761,898 |
| FY2016 | $312,253 |
| FY2015 | $490,000 |
| FY2014 | -$9,356 |
| FY2013 | $208,000 |
Show all 13
Quick answers
What is Assistance Listing 15.941?
Assistance Listing 15.941 is Mississippi National River and Recreation Area State and Local Assistance, a federal grant program run by National Park Service (Department of the Interior).
What is the CFDA number for Mississippi National River and Recreation Area State and Local Assistance?
Its CFDA number is 15.941: Assistance Listing numbers were called CFDA numbers before 2018.
How much funding has Assistance Listing 15.941 awarded?
28 grant awards under 15.941 have obligated $5,143,586 in federal funds to 16 recipients.
Who receives the most funding from 15.941?
The recipients obligated the most under Mississippi National River and Recreation Area State and Local Assistance are Dakota County Administration ($1,798,887), City Of Saint Paul ($740,757) and Minneapolis Park Board ($685,000).
How much did 15.941 obligate in fiscal year 2025?
Grants under 15.941 obligated $728,000 in federal funds in fiscal year 2025.
Are there open grant opportunities under 15.941?
No opportunity listed under 15.941 is open now. The latest, River Park Access Improvements - MISS, was posted on July 9, 2019.
On GovTribe
See this program's full record
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