Discover the Outdoors Field Trip Grant

An up-to-$500 field trip grant for Indiana educators, including private, parochial and homeschool group teachers, to bring students to a state park for a naturalist-led program.

Amount: Up to $500 per application
Can a for-profit school apply?: Unclear: ask the funder
Deadline: Apr 30, 2027 (184 days left)
Who this fits: Private school · Microschool · Homeschool co‑opPublic, private, parochial and homeschool educators can apply. Homeschool groups are named. The trip needs at least 15 K-12 students.Religious schools: not stated, ask the funder
New schools: Not stated for new schools
Where: Indiana only
Last checked: Oct 28, 2026on forms.in.gov

See the funder’s page

Unconfirmed: check with the funder

We couldn’t confirm these on an official page. Treat them as open questions, not facts.

Whether for-profit microschools count as a 'school'

What to do now

Step 1: Pick a state park or reservoir with an interpretive naturalist and plan a program tied to your lessons
Step 2: Plan for at least 15 K-12 students
Step 3: Fill out the Discover the Outdoors application (State Form 55251)
Step 4: Mail or email it between March 15 and April 30, 2027

Funders change their requirements. Check the official page before you apply. Getting ready? See what funders usually ask for.

Who can apply

“distribute funds to public, private, parochial, or home school educators interested in taking students on field trips”

In the funder’s own words, from forms.in.gov, checked Oct 28, 2026.

Pays for transportation, program fees and materials for a field trip to an Indiana state park, reservoir or other state park property. The trip must include a program with the site's interpretive naturalist, involve at least 15 students in K-12 (no pre-K), tie to classroom learning, and happen Aug. 1 to June 1 of the next school year. Food is not covered. Religion: not stated. Paid to: the educator's school or group (our reading; the form says the educator applies). Dates are from the current form (State Form 55251, R / 3-25); an older revision listed May 1 to June 30, so use the form posted on the DNR page.

Educator in an Indiana K-12 school or home school group
At least 15 students in K-12
Trip includes a state park interpretive naturalist program
Trip between Aug. 1 and June 1 of the following school year

Timing

Applications accepted March 15 to April 30 each year (postmarked by April 30) for trips the next school year; notice by May 15. Next window: March 15 to April 30, 2027, for 2027-28 trips.

Not legal or tax advice. Whether your school should be for-profit or a nonprofit, or take on a loan, is a decision for your CPA or attorney. Always confirm the details on the funder’s own page before you apply.

Something off?

Tell us what looks wrong and we’ll re-check it against the funder’s page. Nothing here changes until a person checks.

What to do now

Pick a state park or reservoir with an interpretive naturalist and plan a program tied to your lessons

Plan for at least 15 K-12 students

Fill out the Discover the Outdoors application (State Form 55251)

Mail or email it between March 15 and April 30, 2027

Funders change their requirements. Check the official page before you apply. Getting ready? See what funders usually ask for.

Who can apply

“distribute funds to public, private, parochial, or home school educators interested in taking students on field trips”

In the funder’s own words, from forms.in.gov, checked Oct 28, 2026.

Educator in an Indiana K-12 school or home school group

At least 15 students in K-12

Trip includes a state park interpretive naturalist program

Trip between Aug. 1 and June 1 of the following school year

Something off?

Tell us what looks wrong and we’ll re-check it against the funder’s page. Nothing here changes until a person checks.