Missouri State Parks Bus Grant Program

The Missouri State Parks Bus Grant Program assists schools and nonprofit organizations with transportation expenses associated with field trips and outdoor learning opportunities at facilities managed by Missouri State Parks. Eligible destinations described in the source include state parks, state historic sites, and other Missouri State Parks-managed facilities, including the Missouri Capitol and State Museum. The program has made bus grants available to Missouri schools and youth-focused nonprofit organizations throughout the state, supporting educational visits that connect participants with parks, historic resources, government, nature, and other learning experiences. For the 2026-2027 school year, the Bus Grant Program is currently open and accepting applications. The source describes the program as a noncompetitive grant. Awards are made on a first-come, first-served basis to applicants that meet the program's qualifications. The applicable field-trip period is the 2026-2027 school year, defined by the source as July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027. Applications for trips planned during that period must be submitted by May 14, 2027. Grant funding is specifically described as assistance with transportation expenses for qualifying field trips and outdoor learning opportunities. The source does not state an individual award minimum, individual award maximum, total amount available for the grant round, number of awards, or a required matching or cost-share contribution. It also does not provide additional spending restrictions, reimbursement limits, indirect cost rules, or other financial conditions in the supplied text. Applicants should therefore rely on the program's application and instructions and its terms and conditions for requirements not reproduced in the supplied source. Eligibility extends to Missouri schools and youth-focused nonprofit organizations throughout the state. The supplied source does not identify additional organizational qualifications, nonprofit tax-status requirements, minimum operating history, fiscal sponsorship provisions, or restrictions to particular Missouri counties or cities. Because the program is explicitly available throughout Missouri, it is treated as a statewide opportunity rather than a nationwide opportunity. The source does not establish eligibility for individuals, businesses, higher education institutions, state agencies, county governments, city governments, tribal organizations, or other applicant types beyond the schools and youth-focused nonprofit organizations described. Applications must be submitted by email or mail by May 14, 2027. The source identifies two application resources: an Application and instructions document and a Terms and conditions document. However, the supplied text does not reproduce the questions, required attachments, mailing address, application email address, evaluation form, or detailed submission instructions contained in those materials. No letter of intent, concept paper, pre-proposal, notice of intent, or other pre-application gating requirement is stated in the supplied source. The source also does not identify a competitive scoring process; instead, it expressly describes the program as noncompetitive and states that qualified applicants are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. The grant round is open as of the analysis date of August 14, 2026, and the final application deadline is May 14, 2027. Eligible field trips must be planned for the school-year period from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027. The supplied source does not provide an award notification date, reimbursement schedule, separate award performance period, or an explicit statement that the program recurs annually or on another fixed schedule. For additional information about the Missouri State Parks Bus Grant Program, applicants are directed to contact the program at mspgrants@dnr.mo.gov. Examples highlighted by the funder include Golden City School District, Dallas County R-I School District, Holden R-III School District, St. Joseph Catholic School, and Dixon R-I School District.

Submit early; coordinate with park staff; attach proof of transportation costs.