Next Level Trails Round 3 Application Period
Applications for Round 3 are not currently being accepted. Round 3 applications will be accepted starting on November 1, 2021 and are due by 5 pm ET/ 4 pm CT on December 1, 2021.
Feedback appointments for Round 2 applicants will take place during spring and early summer. The DNR is also planning to conduct a Round 3 Applicant Workshop Webinar this summer. Details for both feedback appointments and the applicant workshop webinar will be announced at a later date.
How to Apply or Re-Apply
Pre-Application: Ensure your project is eligible by reviewing the Overview of the Next Level Trails Grant Program. Next, review the NLT Grant Application Handbook for detailed application instructions. Additionally, consider participating in an NLT Applicant workshop or view the NLT webinar to learn more.
Step 1: New Applicants: Use the application packet checklist to gather all of the information needed for the application packet. Fill out the application form, following the instructions, and electronically submit your application packet to nextleveltrails@dnr.IN.gov by the application deadline. Applicants are encouraged to submit materials in the same order as the application packet checklist.
Returning Applicants: Applicants not awarded funds in previous rounds may re-apply for the next round. Provided that the returning applicant’s project met all programmatic requirements for eligibility, the returning applicant will need to submit an updated application form and packet to nextleveltrails@dnr.IN.gov by the application deadline.
Returning applicants whose project did not meet programmatic requirements must alsosubmit a new application form and packet that meet programmatic requirements.
Returning applicants are welcome to amend or alter their applications as desired. Please note unlike Round 2, all returning applicants will have to submit a new application form and complete application packet this round.
*Please note the file size limit for the nextleveltrails@dnr.IN.gov email account is 19 MB. If your email is larger, please consider either splitting your application into multiple, smaller emails OR email a request for an invite to use Syncplicity, a free file-sharing service used by the State of Indiana.
Step 2: DNR Division of Outdoor Recreation staff will confirm receipt of your application. Staff may contact you with questions about the application or to request follow-up information.
Step 3: DNR Division of Outdoor Recreation staff will review each application to ensure it meets eligibility requirements and to complete a due-diligence process. They will then provide your application to the Next Level Trails Rating Committee, who will evaluate projects based on the preferences and considerations explained in the NLT Application Handbook . Upon completion of the review process, grant recipients will be officially notified of their award. Applicants not awarded will also be notified, and can re-apply for the last round of funding.
Documents below best viewed in Adobe Acrobat. Some links in documents may not work in certain web browsers
Application Documents
- Next Level Trails Application Handbook
- Next Level Trails Application Packet Checklist
- Next Level Trails Grant Application Form
Doing Business with the State of Indiana
- DNR Vendor & Bidder Registration Information
- W-9
- Direct Deposit Form
- Bidder Registration Instructions
DNR Early Coordination Instructions
Land Acquisition Documents
- Next Level Trails Real Estate Handbook
- Next Level Trails Sample Cover Letter (Word format)
- Next Level Trails Sample Letter of Intent (Word format)
- Next Level Trails Eminent Domain Memorandum