Challenge Partnerships Program

The Challenge Partnership Program provides opportunities for non-federal public and private groups and individuals to contribute to, and participate in, the operation and/or management of recreation facilities and natural resources at water resource development projects. This program allows the Corps to accept funds, materials, personal property, equipment, and/or services following the approval of a Challenge Partnership Agreement, to accomplish work programs; however it does not permit the Corps to accept real estate from the partner, nor reimburse for services. At this time, USACE has no authority or mechanism to give funds directly to a non-federal partner. The contributed resources are combined with regular project O&M resources to accomplish work within current authorities and contained in the annual or five-year plan in the approved operational management plan. This provides a way to stretch the Corps budget by sharing costs. Work is generally accomplished during one fiscal year, but may be carried over several years. The Corps' Challenge Partnership Program is authorized by Public Law 102-580, Section 225 of 33 U.S.C 2328, Water Resources Development Act of 1992.

In 2002, the Challenge Cost Sharing program was renamed Challenge Partnerships, since challenge partnerships differ from traditional cost-sharing in several ways. Click here to see the comparison chart.

Note: Challenge partnership agreements are NOT cooperative agreements as described by 31 U.S.C. 6305 or the Federal Grant and Cooperative Agreement Act (FGCAA), and therefore are not subject to the FGCAA or the DoD regulations governing the use of FGCAA cooperative agreements.

Policy & Procedures	News / Current Issues
FAQs	Sample Templates
Challenge Partnership Agreements	Success Stories
Program History	Division & District POCs