Each project in the NLT program requires a minimum 20% match. For example, an applicant requesting $800,000 in grant assistance would be required to provide at least $200,000 in match for a $1 million project. However, consideration will be given to projects that exceed the minimum match requirement.

Applicants for regionally significant projects may request a maximum of $5 million and minimum of $250,000 in grant assistance. Applicants for locally significant projects may request a maximum of $2 million and minimum of $200,000. These limits are for the life of the program. Beginning with Round 2, applicants are limited to one application per round.

Starting in Round 2, applicants are limited to one application per round. Applicants may NOT submit both a regional and local application; only one or the other. However, multiple applications may be submitted from within the same community or county as long as they come from separate, but eligible applicants.

No. Sidewalks, bike lanes, and other on-road facilities are not an eligible cost. Additionally, they cannot be used as match. These types of facilities can play an important role in safe bicycle and pedestrian connectivity, but the Next Level Trails program is focused on developing and connecting trails.

Basic amenities include benches, bike racks, trash cans, directional signage, trail markings, trail counters, pet waste stations, and modest lighting near intersections and trailheads. Trailheads, which may include parking, restrooms, water fountains, picnic tables, shade structures, and nodes are also eligible costs if needed. All trailhead and node facilities must be accessible to persons with disabilities. Sidewalks, bike lanes, interpretive signage, lighting of the entire corridor, playgrounds, splash pads, dog parks, phone apps, etc. are NOT eligible costs in the NLT program.

The desired width for a hard-surface, multi-use trail is 10-12 feet wide to provide safe passage between bicycles and pedestrians. Wider trails may be allowed depending on context. Eight-foot wide trails are the absolute minimum acceptable width and should only be used in certain situations. Widths smaller than 8 feet are generally considered sidewalk and are not an eligible cost.

Acceptable hard-surface types include concrete, asphalt, and crushed stone. Crushed stone surfaces must include compactable “fines” to provide a firm and stable surface. Treated lumber or composite boardwalk is acceptable for crossing wetlands or flood-prone areas, as needed.

Recommended grade for a multi-use trail is 5% running slope or less, and cross slope should be 2% or less. Please consult the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) for guidance on multi-use trail signage and crossings. The Guide for the Development of Bicycle Facilities by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) is another good resource for trail design guidelines.

Motorized trails and water trails are not eligible for this program.

Eligible match includes monetary contributions (appropriations, bond issues, force account, cash donations), land value, and in-kind donations of materials, equipment, and labor. Previous expenses or donations related to the project may be credited as match, subject to DNR review.

Partners provide substantial financial or other valuable resources to the project. Partners generally commit to donate money, land, labor, materials, or other services. Supporters, on the other hand, may encourage the development of the project without providing resources. Supporters generally offer public endorsements and/or letters of support.

The DNR Division of Outdoor Recreation has created a 2016 Visionary Trails System Map as part of the 2016 Indiana State Trails Plan.

Projects that are constructed in a road right-of-way (ROW), often called side paths, are eligible. Applicants using ROW must demonstrate that they control the ROW or have written permission from the entity that does control the ROW. Applicants seeking the use of INDOT ROW must contact their District Office about approval prior to applying.

Your NLT project may be part of larger trail project or network, an active transportation plan, park project, quality of life initiative, or re-development plan. However, in order not to confuse our NLT reviewers and rating committee, please focus your application on the scope of work you are requesting Next Level Trails grant funds for. In particular, the application form should only reflect your specific NLT project. Larger projects or initiatives can be referenced in the Regional or Comprehensive Plans, Site or Conceptual Maps, or the Project Narrative sections of your application packet, but please make sure your application clearly differentiates between the larger project and the one you are applying for NLT funds for.

Applications and attachments must be submitted electronically to nextleveltrails@dnr.IN.gov. Applicants will be notified that their application has been received. Attachments should be labeled according to the Application Checklist.

If the application with attachments exceeds 19 MB, you must split the application packet 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. Those planning to use Syncplicity should request an email invite no later than Oct. 25.

Applications submitted via Dropbox, Google Drive, Box, etc. will NOT be received. No paper applications will be accepted.

The application deadline for the second round of funding is Nov. 1, 2019 at 5 p.m. ET/4 p.m. CT. Deadline for the third round will be announced at a later date.

Yes, multiple maps will be accepted and may be necessary to best show all the information relevant to your project in a clear manner. All applications should have at least one site or comprehensive map and one parcel map and table, if the project includes land acquisition. For more information on maps, see the Application Handbook.

If your project is not awarded funds in a previous round, you may re-apply for that project in the next round. This can be done by re-submitting a new Application Form to nextleveltrails@dnr.IN.gov prior to the application deadline. If no application modifications are being made, please indicate in the email that you intend for the application packet to be evaluated as is.

Applicants choosing to amend or improve the application packet in some manner, need submit only the modified application elements to nextleveltrails@dnr.IN.gov. It is not necessary to re-submit the unchanged elements of the application packet. Please label any modified documents according to the Application Checklist. Please note: Applications that were determined ineligible in a previous round will need to address those items in order to be considered in the next round.

Applicants making extensive changes to the application may elect to re-submit the entire application packet at their convenience.

Grantees are not required to hire consultants under the NLT program. However, any professional services, such as design, engineering and project management, that are hired and compensated with Next Level Trails funds should be performed by an entity that is INDOT pre-qualified. More information regarding professional services categories and a list of INDOT pre-qualified consultants can be found on INDOT’s website. 

The Next Level Trails program was designed to facilitate the development of large amounts of trail in a time-efficient manner. By using state funds, being flexible with match requirements, and encouraging partnerships, NLT funds can be stretched further. State funds also allow for NLT projects to bypass some costly and time-consuming requirements related to federal funds. On average, cost estimates for NLT projects should be lower than those using federal funds. Additionally, using upfront, phased payments rather than reimbursement also allows for NLT projects to develop faster.

Questions can be sent to nextleveltrails@dnr.IN.gov