The 2026 MassTrails Grant Application period is now CLOSED!
The MassTrails Grant Application is online! See detailed instructions and application guidance documents below.
- This page, Apply for a MassTrails Grant, is offered by
- Department of Conservation & Recreation
Apply for a MassTrails Grant
The Details
What you need
Applications must be received by 11:59 pm on February 1 each year. Any application received after the deadline will be rejected. Applications must be entered and submitted online through the MassTrails application portal below. Hard copy applications will not be accepted. All form instructions and required documents are available through the online application. Failure to enter information in any of the required fields or to submit required attachments may result in the disqualification of the application.
- RECOMMENDED: MassTrails Grant Application Template. It is recommended that applicants review the “Application Template” and fill in all fields before beginning the online application process. The template covers all questions and information can be copied and pasted into the online application when ready.
- MassTrails Budget and Timeline Spreadsheet, completed and ready to upload
- SIGNED Public or Private Landowner Permission Forms/Conservation Restriction Authorization Forms (as a single PDF), ready for upload
- For projects on DCR Land, SIGNED DCR Trail Proposal Form: Woodland Trail Proposal Form or Major Trail Proposal Form - Must be submitted to DCR no later than December 1 before the February deadline!
- Project Locus and Area Maps (as a single PDF), ready for upload
- Project Photos and other Supporting Materials (as a single PDF), ready for upload
- Other relevant materials, ready to upload (e.g., Build America, Buy America certification, quotes, wetland permit)
If selected, the applicant will be required to submit additional forms to complete a fiscal contract with the State. Though these forms do not need to be filled out unless the applicant is awarded a grant, Applicants are encouraged to review documents prior to submission of an application.
For more information please review our Frequently Asked Questions.
How to apply
Next steps
Timeline and Review Process
All applications are reviewed by the Inter-Agency Trails Team, made up of representatives from the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, Department of Transportation and the Department of Conservation and Recreation, or the Massachusetts Recreational Trails Advisory Board (MARTAB) depending on the scope and specifications of the project. All feedback and review notes are gathered and evaluated to determine score and rank for each project. All comments and recommendations will then be submitted to the Secretary and then the Governor for review and final approval. Grants funded using RTP funds will also need to be reviewed and approved by FHWA under the National Environmental Policy Act and Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act before they can be awarded.
Notification to applicants on the status of their grant application is expected to be on or about 200 days after the grant application deadline. All applicants will be notified by email and informed of the status of their proposed project (approved or not). The earliest start date for a MassTrails grant project will generally be on or after July 1 of each year. Grant awards will be announced by the Governor once approved and will be posted on the MassTrails website.
More info
Requirements and Eligibility
Eligible Applicants
- Municipalities
- Non-Profit Organizations
- Federally- or state-recognized Tribal Governments
- Commonwealth of Massachusetts Departments
- Federal Agencies
Eligible Project(s) Activities:
- Trail planning, design, engineering, and permitting.
- Construction of new trails.
- Maintenance and restoration of existing trails (including equipment purchases).
- Development and rehabilitation of trailside and trailhead amenities.
- Purchase and lease of trail-related construction and maintenance equipment.
Acquisition (in limited cases) of easements and fee interest in property for trails and trail corridors.
Project Type Timeline Maximum request amount: Match required: Examples Shared-Use Paths 1-year grant $500,000.00 20% of total project costs Rail trails, greenways, regional trails Hiker/Pedestrian Trail, Off-Road Motorized Trail, or OTHER 2-year grant $100,000.00 20% of total project costs
Hiking trails, local woodland trails, snowmobile trails, mountain bike, crossing country skiing, water trails For more regulatory information view the MassTrails Grant Policies and Procedures document.
MassTrails Grant Guidance Documents:
MassTrails Grant Application Presentation
MassTrails Grant Policies and Procedures
MassTrails Request for Responses on COMMBUYS
Downloads
Open PDF file, 116.55 KB,
MassTrails PUBLIC Landowner Permission Form
(English, PDF 116.55 KB)
Open PDF file, 120.67 KB,
MassTrails PRIVATE Landowner Permission Form
(English, PDF 120.67 KB)
Open PDF file, 138.34 KB,
MassTrails Conservation Restriction Work Authorization Form
(English, PDF 138.34 KB)
Contact
Address
10 Park Plaza, Boston, MA 02114
Address
136 Damon Road, Northampton , MA 01060