JEFFERSON CITY, MO, AUG. 25, 2026 – The Missouri Department of Natural Resources Division of State Parks is pleased to announce the opening of the Bus Grant Program grant round for the 2026-2027 school year. This is a noncompetitive grant that is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis to qualified applicants. The deadline to apply is May 14, 2027.
The Bus Grant Program is available to public school districts, private schools, charter schools and youth-focused nonprofit organizations with 501(c) 3 status. The Bus Grant Program is available only to Missouri schools and nonprofit organizations.
MoDNR’s Division of State Parks offers busing grants to underwrite the cost of the field trips for schools (pre-K-12 grade) and nonprofit organizations to connect youth with nature at our Missouri state parks and historic sites.
For more information and to download the grant application guidance, visit Missouri State Parks Bus Grant Program. For questions, contact mspgrants@dnr.mo.gov.
The primary source of funding for the state park system is half of the dedicated constitutional tax of one-tenth-of-one-percent Parks, Soils and Water Sales Tax. The tax provides about three-fourths of the division's budget for operation and development of state parks. All additional funding for Missouri's Division of State Parks comes from revenues generated in the state park system and some federal funds.
For more information on state parks and historic sites, visit Missouri State Parks. The Division of State Parks is part of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.
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