BOULDER, Colo. (October 6, 2026) – The International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) announces the application period for 2027 Trail Accelerator Grant (TAG), open from Nov. 1 through Dec. 31, 2026. The program will award professional trail planning and design consultation services, and educational support for mountain bike / trail organizations. Selected organizations will be announced during the second quarter of 2027. To prepare for the application, which requires specific project documentation, visit the TAG webpage.
The IMBA Trail Accelerator Grant is a competitive opportunity for communities aiming to create or enhance model trail systems and related advocacy capabilities. To be selected, projects must show strong partnership between local leaders, government agencies, land managers, community partners, and mountain bike or trail associations like IMBA Local organizations.
Planning & Design awardees may choose from: conceptual plans for trail networks, detailed design and field flagging of trail alignments, assessment of existing trail networks, community wide feasibility studies, or planning/design of urban bike parks.
Education awardees may choose from: IMBA Trail Care Workshops for volunteers and land management staff, Fundraising Education Services to give direction on fundraising and capital campaigns, or Strategic Planning for leaders of grassroots mountain bike / trail organizations.
Entities that may apply include local, municipal, state, or federal government agencies, 501(c)(3) nonprofits that actively manage parks and trails, mountain bike / trail clubs, and IMBA Local Membership Organizations. This program will award projects that are ready to complete during 2027. Awardees will supply matching funds.
"The Trail Accelerator Grant has been such an impactful program for IMBA partners since its inception in 2018," said David Wiens, IMBA VP of State Partnerships. "By empowering trail associations – both growing and established – through 76 grants, we have helped communities from rural to urban gain momentum for their work and unlock more than $13 million in additional funding for local trail projects. And there's more potential, based on the great applications we receive during each application period."
Planning and design grant awards typically range from $10,000 – $30,000, while education awards typically range from $3,000 – $10,800 depending on the specific grant and project.
Who Can Apply?
Local, municipal, state, or federal government agencies, and 501(c)(3) nonprofits that manage parks. Land managers, chambers of commerce, economic development departments, community health organizations, land trusts, conservancies, etc.
Mountain bike clubs and IMBA Local Member Organizations are also eligible.
Projects based on private land must be fully open to the public and free of charge.
Planning & Design
A professional plan is the foundation to a successful project, leading to smart design and ultimately, quality construction. This plan is also critical for support, both politically and financially. Once decision makers and funders see a quality trail plan, they are more inclined to get behind a project. Plan documents are also more likely to impress grantors, leading to the necessary funding.
Education
IMBA Trail Care Workshops equip volunteers and land management staff to maintain modern mountain bike trails through a blend of classroom instruction and field work.
Fundraising Education Services consulting empowers applicants with key strategies and best practices for fundraising and capital campaigns.
Strategic Planning for grassroots mountain bike / trail organizations ensures the organization's work is intentional, coordinated, and measurable.
Complete guidelines, eligibility, and applicant toolkit can be found here:
