Opportunity Information: Apply for P14AS00057

  • The National Park Service in the community development education employment, labor and training environment natural resources regional development science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "21ST CENTURY CONSERVATION SERVICE CORPS PROGRAM" and is now available to receive applicants.
  • Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.931 Conservation Activities by Youth Service Organizations.
  • This funding opportunity was created on Jul 28, 2014 and posted on Mar 31, 2014.
  • Applicants must submit their applications by May 30, 2014. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
  • The funding agency has allocated a total of $20,000,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
  • Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $20,000,000.00 in funding.
  • The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 40 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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Opportunity Summary:

The 21st Century Conservation Service Corps (21CSC) Program is a National Park Service (NPS) grant opportunity designed to expand and strengthen youth development efforts tied directly to conservation and public service. It sits under the broader umbrella of NPS Youth Development Programs, which focus on engaging young people through projects and work experiences that take place in and around national park units, NPS offices, nearby communities, and partner sites. At its core, the program aims to connect young people to the outdoors through hands-on, mission-driven work while also supporting their growth through employment, education, training, recreation, and service opportunities. The primary population served is U.S. citizens and legal residents ages 15 to 25, with an emphasis on creating pathways for low-income and disadvantaged youth. Veterans are also explicitly included as a priority group within the 21CSC model.

The program is framed as a collaborative national effort to put Americas youth and veterans to work protecting, restoring, and enhancing public lands and waters. The work is intended to be meaningful and practical, with participants gaining real skills and professional experience while building a long-term connection to stewardship and outdoor spaces. Projects supported under this opportunity are meant to advance the NPS mission and can involve both natural resource and cultural resource activities, reflecting the full range of park stewardship needs. In addition to conservation outcomes, the program is positioned as a workforce and civic development strategy that helps participants build confidence, employability, and a sense of public purpose.

The stated objectives are organized around three major goals. First, "Put Americans to Work" focuses on creating large-scale service, training, education, and employment opportunities for young people and veterans, including those facing economic or social barriers. Second, "Preserve, Protect, and Promote Americas Greatest Gifts" emphasizes tangible conservation results on public and tribal lands and waters, including the protection and enhancement of natural, cultural, historical resources, and community treasures. This goal also highlights delivering high-quality and cost-effective project work that improves public access and use of outdoor spaces while supporting local economic development and outdoor recreation. Third, "Build Americas Future" centers on long-term outcomes: using service as a platform to develop skilled workers, active and educated citizens, future leaders, and lasting stewards of natural and cultural resources and the communities connected to them.

From a funding and administrative standpoint, this opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number P14AS00057) is offered as a discretionary cooperative agreement through the National Park Service. The activity categories indicate a wide scope, including community development, education, employment and training, environment and natural resources, regional development, and science and technology or other research and development. The CFDA listing is 15.931, Conservation Activities by Youth Service Organizations. The program anticipated roughly 40 awards, with an estimated total funding level of $20,000,000. The award floor is listed as $1, and the award ceiling is listed as $20,000,000, signaling that project sizes could vary widely and that applicants should rely on the full announcement for realistic project and budget expectations. A cost sharing or matching requirement applies, meaning applicants should be prepared to contribute non-federal resources (cash and/or allowable in-kind support) as part of the project financing plan.

Eligibility is limited to nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status, excluding institutions of higher education. In practical terms, this points to youth-serving conservation corps organizations and similar nonprofits as the intended applicants, often working in partnership with parks, communities, and other organizations to run crews, internships, or structured service programs. The original posting date was March 31, 2014, and the closing date was May 30, 2014. For applicants or interested parties who cannot access the full announcement online, the listed point of contact is June Zastrow at the National Park Service (303-987-6718, JuneZastrow@nps.gov). The announcement also references Grants.gov as the source for the complete documentation and application details.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the 21st Century Conservation Service Corps (21CSC) Program?

The 21st Century Conservation Service Corps (21CSC) Program is a National Park Service (NPS) grant opportunity focused on expanding and strengthening youth development efforts that are directly tied to conservation and public service. It is part of the broader NPS Youth Development Programs, which engage young people through projects and work experiences connected to national park units, NPS offices, nearby communities, and partner sites.

What is the main purpose of this grant opportunity?

The program aims to connect young people to the outdoors through hands-on, mission-driven work while supporting participant growth through employment, education, training, recreation, and service opportunities. It is also positioned as a workforce and civic development strategy that helps participants build skills, confidence, employability, and a sense of public purpose tied to stewardship.

Who is the primary population served by projects under this program?

The primary population served is U.S. citizens and legal residents ages 15 to 25. The program emphasizes creating pathways for low-income and disadvantaged youth.

Are veterans included in the 21CSC model?

Yes. Veterans are explicitly included as a priority group within the 21CSC model, alongside youth participation goals.

What types of work or projects does 21CSC support?

Projects supported under this opportunity are intended to advance the NPS mission and may include both natural resource and cultural resource activities. This reflects the full range of park stewardship needs, including protecting, restoring, and enhancing public lands and waters.

Where do 21CSC projects and work experiences take place?

Activities can take place in and around national park units, within NPS offices, in nearby communities, and at partner sites. The design supports place-based work that connects participants to parks and surrounding communities.

What are the three major goals of the 21CSC Program?

The objectives are organized around three major goals:

  • Put Americans to Work: Create large-scale service, training, education, and employment opportunities for young people and veterans, including those facing economic or social barriers.
  • Preserve, Protect, and Promote Americas Greatest Gifts: Deliver tangible conservation results on public and tribal lands and waters, including protection and enhancement of natural, cultural, and historical resources and community treasures. This goal also highlights high-quality and cost-effective project work that improves public access and use of outdoor spaces while supporting local economic development and outdoor recreation.
  • Build Americas Future: Use service as a platform to develop skilled workers, active and educated citizens, future leaders, and lasting stewards of natural and cultural resources and the communities connected to them.

What is the funding mechanism for this opportunity?

This opportunity is offered as a discretionary cooperative agreement through the National Park Service (NPS).

What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this grant?

The Funding Opportunity Number is P14AS00057.

What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?

The CFDA listing is 15.931, titled Conservation Activities by Youth Service Organizations.

How many awards does the program anticipate making?

The program anticipated roughly 40 awards.

What is the estimated total funding level?

The estimated total funding level listed for this opportunity is $20,000,000.

What are the minimum and maximum award amounts?

The award floor is listed as $1, and the award ceiling is listed as $20,000,000. This indicates project sizes could vary widely, and applicants are expected to rely on the full announcement for realistic project and budget expectations.

Is cost sharing or matching required?

Yes. A cost sharing or matching requirement applies. Applicants should be prepared to contribute non-federal resources as part of the project financing plan, which may include cash and/or allowable in-kind support.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is limited to nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status, and it excludes institutions of higher education.

What types of organizations are typically intended applicants?

Based on the eligibility description, the intended applicants are youth-serving conservation corps organizations and similar nonprofits. These organizations often operate in partnership with parks, communities, and other organizations to run crews, internships, or structured service programs.

What activity categories are associated with this funding opportunity?

The activity categories indicate a broad scope and include community development, education, employment and training, environment and natural resources, regional development, and science and technology or other research and development.

What is the posting date and closing date for the opportunity?

The original posting date was March 31, 2014, and the closing date was May 30, 2014.

Where can applicants find the full announcement and application details?

The announcement references Grants.gov as the source for complete documentation and application details.

Who can be contacted if someone cannot access the full announcement online?

If the full announcement cannot be accessed online, the listed point of contact is June Zastrow at the National Park Service: 303-987-6718, JuneZastrow@nps.gov.

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