Opportunity Information: Apply for P14AS00109
Apply for P14AS00109
- The National Park Service in the employment, labor and training natural resources science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "A Continuum of Stewardship Opportunities for High School Students" 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 May 27, 2014 and posted on May 27, 2014.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 6, 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 $1.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $34,000.00 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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Opportunity Summary:
A Continuum of Stewardship Opportunities for High School Students (Funding Opportunity Number P14AS00109) is a discretionary National Park Service grant issued through Great Smoky Mountain National Park under the U.S. Department of the Interior. The award is intended to be made as a cooperative agreement, meaning the park and the recipient organization are expected to work closely together in carrying out the project rather than operating entirely independently. The National Park Service publicly announced its intent to fund this effort without full and open competition, which typically signals the park has a specific local partner or a narrowly defined project purpose and is using an exception to standard competitive procedures.
The core purpose of the project is to give local youth and young adults ages 16 to 25 meaningful, work-based experiences connected to National Park Service careers. The opportunity is tied to a program referred to as SPARC (Summer Park Ranger Careers). Through SPARC, participants would gain exposure to how the NPS operates while contributing hands-on labor and learning in areas such as Resource Management and Science and Resource Education. In practical terms, that points to activities that may include field-based conservation and stewardship work, support for science or monitoring efforts, and education or interpretation-related tasks that help visitors and communities better understand park resources. The grant frames these experiences as both workforce development and stewardship, helping young people build career awareness and job skills while also supporting the park's mission.
This funding also explicitly supports broader National Park Service priorities identified in the agency's "Call to Action," a set of national goals aimed at strengthening stewardship, relevance, and public engagement. By building structured pathways for youth involvement and career exploration, the project aligns with those goals by cultivating the next generation of conservation professionals and community stewards, while also delivering tangible resource and education outcomes for Great Smoky Mountain National Park.
From an administrative standpoint, the opportunity was posted on May 27, 2014, with an application closing date of June 6, 2014, and an archive date of June 30, 2014. The estimated total funding available is up to $34,000, with an award ceiling of $34,000 and an award floor of $0, and the agency anticipated making one award. There is no cost-sharing or matching requirement, which reduces the financial barrier for eligible organizations and indicates the NPS expected the federal funds to cover the project costs as proposed and approved.
Eligibility is limited to nonprofit organizations holding 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status, excluding institutions of higher education. The opportunity is associated with CFDA number 15.931, Conservation Activities by Youth Service Organizations, which reinforces that the funding is geared toward youth-focused conservation and service programming. The funding activity categories listed include Employment, Labor and Training as well as Natural Resources and Science and Technology/Research and Development, reflecting the dual emphasis on job and career exposure alongside resource-oriented project work.
For applicants or interested parties who needed assistance accessing the full announcement, the listed point of contact was Brian Straka, Financial Assistance Officer, reachable at 865-436-1217 or brianstraka@nps.gov, with the primary additional information available through Grants.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the name and funding opportunity number for this grant?
The opportunity is titled A Continuum of Stewardship Opportunities for High School Students and the Funding Opportunity Number is P14AS00109.
Which agency is offering this funding?
This is a discretionary grant from the National Park Service (NPS), issued through Great Smoky Mountain National Park under the U.S. Department of the Interior.
What type of award is expected (grant vs. cooperative agreement)?
The award is intended to be made as a cooperative agreement. This means the park and the recipient organization are expected to work closely together in carrying out the project, rather than the recipient operating entirely independently.
Is this opportunity competitive?
The National Park Service publicly announced its intent to fund this effort without full and open competition. This typically indicates the park has a specific local partner in mind or a narrowly defined project purpose and is using an exception to standard competitive procedures.
What is the purpose of the project?
The core purpose is to provide local youth and young adults ages 16 to 25 with meaningful, work-based experiences connected to National Park Service careers, while also supporting stewardship outcomes that help advance the park mission.
What is SPARC in relation to this opportunity?
The opportunity is tied to a program referred to as SPARC (Summer Park Ranger Careers). Through SPARC, participants would gain exposure to how the National Park Service operates while completing hands-on work and learning experiences.
Who are the intended participants (age group)?
The project is designed for local youth and young adults in the age range of 16 to 25.
What kinds of activities might participants do under this project?
Based on the description, activities may include hands-on work and learning in areas such as Resource Management and Science and Resource Education. In practical terms, this can point to field-based conservation and stewardship work, support for science or monitoring efforts, and education/interpretation-related tasks that help visitors and communities better understand park resources.
How does the project relate to National Park Service priorities?
The funding explicitly supports broader National Park Service priorities identified in the agency's "Call to Action", a set of national goals focused on strengthening stewardship, relevance, and public engagement. By creating structured youth pathways for involvement and career exploration, the project aligns with those goals.
How much funding is available?
The estimated total funding available is up to $34,000. The award ceiling is $34,000 and the award floor is $0.
How many awards did the agency anticipate making?
The agency anticipated making one award.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
No. The opportunity states there is no cost-sharing or matching requirement.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is limited to nonprofit organizations holding 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status, and it excludes institutions of higher education.
Are institutions of higher education eligible?
No. The eligibility description explicitly excludes institutions of higher education.
What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is associated with CFDA 15.931, titled Conservation Activities by Youth Service Organizations.
What funding activity categories are associated with this grant?
The listed funding activity categories include Employment, Labor and Training and Natural Resources as well as Science and Technology/Research and Development, reflecting a mix of workforce development and resource-oriented work.
What were the key posting and deadline dates?
The opportunity was posted on May 27, 2014. The application closing date was June 6, 2014. The archive date was June 30, 2014.
Where could applicants find the full announcement or additional details?
The primary additional information was available through Grants.gov. For assistance accessing the full announcement, the listed point of contact was provided (see contact details below).
Who is the point of contact for this opportunity?
The listed point of contact is Brian Straka, Financial Assistance Officer. Phone: 865-436-1217. Email: brianstraka@nps.gov.
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