BLM AZ San Miguel High School Intern Program | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): BLM AZ San Miguel High School Intern Program (L14AS00152)

What is the BLM AZ San Miguel High School Intern Program grant opportunity?

The BLM AZ San Miguel High School Intern Program (Funding Opportunity Number L14AS00152) is a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Arizona discretionary grant opportunity intended to establish a cooperative agreement that places students, interns, volunteers, and potentially entry level professionals alongside BLM staff to support hands-on public land management work.

What is the main purpose of this program?

The program has a two-part intent: (1) strengthen BLM's capacity to manage public lands in a practical and cost-effective way by adding field and administrative support, and (2) build a pipeline of trained young people by giving them real-world experience with natural, cultural, and recreation resource careers.

How is the program structured (who partners with whom)?

The opportunity is described as a partnership model where BLM works with a high school and a nonprofit organization. The cooperative agreement is meant to deliver staffing support for BLM and educational/workforce-development benefits for participants, while encouraging ongoing collaboration between the agency and external partners.

What kind of work are participants expected to do?

The opportunity emphasizes field-based support across multiple BLM mission areas. Expected work includes assisting with recreation management, interpretation and visitor services, environmental education, travel management, and resource projects related to cultural resources, wildlife biology, botany, and other natural or cultural resource priorities.

Will participants work independently or under supervision?

Participants are expected to work under the direction of professional BLM staff. The program is designed so interns and volunteers learn directly from agency personnel while also contributing to project delivery.

Are positions seasonal, project-based, or longer term?

The announcement states that interns and volunteers may serve seasonally or for the duration of specific projects. It also notes that entry level professionals could be brought on seasonally or for longer periods depending on funding availability. Overall, the agreement is intended to be flexible and responsive to on-the-ground workload needs while still providing structured learning and workforce development.

What BLM tasks does the program aim to support?

A central goal is to improve BLM's ability to conduct core resource tasks such as inventorying, monitoring, assessing conditions, and implementing management actions. The program also supports interpretation and public education efforts that help visitors understand public land resources and opportunities.

How does the opportunity connect to long-term public land stewardship?

The announcement links program activities to long-term stewardship of BLM-managed lands and National Landscape Conservation System (NLCS) units, emphasizing that improved data, monitoring, and public outreach help support sustained management for public benefit.

What are the benefits for students and early-career participants?

From a participant perspective, the program is intended to expose students and early-career individuals to complex, real-world land management issues so they can make informed career decisions and build relevant experience for future opportunities.

Which school is specifically referenced in the announcement?

The description specifically references San Miguel High School (SMHS) and its Corporate Internship Program, identified as a subsidiary of the school.

Does the announcement indicate an existing relationship with San Miguel High School?

Yes. It notes that SMHS interns began working at the TFO on August 5, 2013, and describes interns supporting both administrative office tasks and field projects. This context suggests the grant is intended to formalize or expand an existing internship relationship and sustain a structured pathway for student engagement with BLM operations.

What type of award is this?

This opportunity is offered as a cooperative agreement. Under this model, participants work alongside and under the direction of BLM professional staff as part of delivering program activities.

What CFDA program is associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity is under CFDA 15.225 (Recreation Resource Management).

How many awards did BLM anticipate making?

BLM anticipated making one award.

What is the estimated funding amount for this opportunity?

The estimated total funding amount is $100,000.

What are the award ceiling and floor?

The award ceiling is $100,000, and the award floor is $6,000.

Is cost sharing or a match required?

No. The announcement states there is no cost sharing or matching requirement.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is listed as unrestricted (open to any type of entity), subject to any clarifications contained in the full announcement.

How were applications required to be submitted?

Applications were required to be submitted electronically through Grants.gov.

What was the application deadline?

The deadline was July 24, 2014 at 5:00 PM Pacific Standard Time.

Are late applications accepted?

No. The announcement states that late submissions were not considered.

Who can applicants contact for help or to access the full announcement?

For assistance or access issues related to the full announcement, the listed contact was Eddie W. Bell Jr., Grants Management Officer, at 602-417-9268 or ebell@blm.gov.

What is the overall outcome BLM is trying to achieve through this cooperative agreement?

BLM is seeking practical staffing support to help deliver resource and recreation-related projects while also creating structured, real-world learning opportunities that develop a pipeline of trained young people for natural, cultural, and recreation resource careers.