Opportunity Information: Apply for P17AS00809
The grant opportunity titled "Involving the Public in Park Stewardship: Research Support, Internships, and Public Education" (Funding Opportunity Number P17AS00809) is a National Park Service (NPS) cooperative agreement action under the U.S. Department of the Interior. It focuses on strengthening public involvement in caring for park resources by supporting three connected areas: applied research that informs conservation decisions, hands-on (unpaid) internship experiences that build the next generation of park and conservation professionals, and education and interpretive activities that help the public better understand and participate in stewardship of National Park Service lands.
At its core, the project is designed to continue an ongoing collaboration between the NPS and the Santa Monica Mountains Fund (SMMF), a qualified 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The work supports conservation of both natural and cultural resources, emphasizing science-based management and practical park operations. The research component is intended to stimulate and facilitate scientific studies that directly assist with resource protection and management needs, helping translate research findings into on-the-ground conservation outcomes. This can include work that benefits the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area (SMMNRA) as well as efforts tied to broader NPS mission priorities.
A major part of the effort is the internship program, which supports unpaid internships across many aspects of park operations. These internships are aimed at students and other individuals who want to pursue careers related to conservation and the park mission, offering them real-world exposure to how parks are managed and protected. By expanding knowledge, skills, and professional experience, the internship element functions as workforce development for fields such as natural resource management, cultural resource preservation, visitor services, interpretation, and other essential park functions.
The public education and interpretation portion is meant to increase public understanding of conservation and encourage meaningful community participation. Through interpretive programs and public events, the project seeks to connect visitors and local communities to the significance of park resources, explain conservation challenges and solutions, and build long-term stewardship support for SMMNRA and the NPS more broadly. In practice, this type of work often includes guided programs, educational outreach, volunteer engagement opportunities, and events that make conservation topics accessible and relevant to diverse audiences.
Administratively, this listing is categorized as a discretionary opportunity using a cooperative agreement funding instrument, under the Natural Resources funding activity category (CFDA 15.954). The stated award ceiling is $80,000, with an expected number of awards of 1. Importantly, the notice specifies it is not a request for applications; it is a Notice of Intent to Award. That means the announcement is primarily for transparency, indicating the NPS intends to fund the described project under an existing cooperative agreement with SMMF rather than running a competitive application process. The eligibility category shown is limited to nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education), aligning with the intended recipient organization for this continuation task agreement.
In short, the opportunity supports mission-critical NPS partnership work that blends research, career-building internships, and public-facing education to deepen stewardship and conservation impact in the Santa Monica Mountains area while reinforcing wider National Park Service goals.Apply for P17AS00809
- The Department of the Interior, National Park Service in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Involving the Public in Park Stewardship: Research Support, Internships, and Public Education" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.954.
- This funding opportunity was created on Sep 11, 2017.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Sep 20, 2017 Not a request for applications NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD. This funding announcement is to provide public notice that the National Park Service will fund the following project under an existing Cooperative Agreement with SMMF. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $80,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the title of this grant opportunity?
The opportunity is titled "Involving the Public in Park Stewardship: Research Support, Internships, and Public Education."
What is the Funding Opportunity Number?
The Funding Opportunity Number is P17AS00809.
Which federal agency is offering this opportunity?
The opportunity is offered by the National Park Service (NPS) under the U.S. Department of the Interior.
What type of funding instrument is being used?
This is a cooperative agreement action.
Is this a competitive grant where organizations can apply?
No. The notice states it is not a request for applications. It is a Notice of Intent to Award, which indicates the NPS intends to fund the described project under an existing cooperative agreement rather than run an open, competitive application process.
What is the main purpose of the project?
The project is focused on strengthening public involvement in caring for park resources by supporting applied research, hands-on (unpaid) internships, and public education/interpretive activities connected to stewardship of National Park Service lands.
What are the three connected areas this project supports?
The project supports: (1) applied research that informs conservation decisions, (2) hands-on unpaid internship experiences that build career skills related to park and conservation work, and (3) education and interpretive activities that help the public understand and participate in stewardship.
Who is the intended partner/recipient for this cooperative agreement action?
The work is designed to continue an ongoing collaboration between the NPS and the Santa Monica Mountains Fund (SMMF), a qualified 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
What geographic area or park unit does the work benefit?
The work includes benefits to the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area (SMMNRA) and can also support efforts tied to broader National Park Service mission priorities.
What is meant by "applied research" in this opportunity?
Applied research here refers to scientific studies intended to directly assist with resource protection and management needs, with an emphasis on translating findings into on-the-ground conservation outcomes.
What kinds of resources does the project aim to conserve?
The project supports conservation of both natural resources and cultural resources, emphasizing science-based management and practical park operations.
How does the research component support NPS decision-making?
It is intended to stimulate and facilitate studies that inform conservation decisions and directly support management needs related to protecting park resources.
What is the internship component of the project?
The internship program supports unpaid internships across many aspects of park operations, providing real-world exposure to how parks are managed and protected.
Are the internships paid?
No. The opportunity description specifies hands-on (unpaid) internship experiences.
Who are the internships intended for?
The internships are aimed at students and other individuals who want to pursue careers related to conservation and the NPS mission.
What types of park career paths are supported through the internships?
The internship element supports workforce development for areas such as natural resource management, cultural resource preservation, visitor services, interpretation, and other essential park functions.
What is the goal of the public education and interpretation portion?
The goal is to increase public understanding of conservation and encourage meaningful community participation in stewardship through interpretive programs and public events.
What kinds of activities might be included under public education and interpretation?
Based on the description, this type of work often includes guided programs, educational outreach, volunteer engagement opportunities, and public events that make conservation topics accessible and relevant to diverse audiences.
How does this project connect to park stewardship?
It connects stewardship to practical action by combining research that supports management decisions, internships that build capacity for future conservation professionals, and public-facing education that encourages community participation in caring for park resources.
What is the funding activity category for this listing?
The listing is under the Natural Resources funding activity category.
What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The CFDA number listed is 15.954.
What is the award ceiling?
The stated award ceiling is $80,000.
How many awards are expected?
The expected number of awards is 1.
Is this opportunity discretionary?
Yes. It is categorized as a discretionary opportunity.
Who is eligible according to the eligibility category shown?
The eligibility category shown is limited to nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education).
Does the eligibility listing mean any 501(c)(3) can apply?
The notice also states it is a Notice of Intent to Award and not a request for applications, indicating the NPS intends to fund this project through an existing cooperative agreement with SMMF rather than solicit applications from other organizations.
Why would an agency publish a Notice of Intent to Award?
Based on the description, it is primarily for transparency, communicating that the NPS intends to fund the described continuation work under an existing cooperative agreement instead of running a competitive process.
How does this opportunity support broader NPS goals beyond SMMNRA?
The description notes that, in addition to benefiting the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, the effort can be tied to broader National Park Service mission priorities.
What is the overall expected impact of the project?
The project is intended to deepen stewardship and conservation impact by blending science that informs management, career-building internships that strengthen the future workforce, and public education that builds long-term community support for park resource protection.
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