Opportunity Information: Apply for NPS NOIR3081090002
Apply for NPS NOIR3081090002
- The National Park Service in the education sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Bridging the Watershed Pre service Teacher Project" 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 Sep 9, 2009 and posted on Sep 9, 2009.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Sep 16, 2009. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $35,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $35,000.00 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.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Opportunity Summary:
The Bridging the Watershed Pre service Teacher Project was a National Park Service (NPS) discretionary education funding opportunity intended to support environmental education and teacher preparation connected to the Potomac River Watershed. It was issued as a cooperative agreement, meaning the work was expected to be carried out in collaboration with NPS rather than as a simple pass-through grant. The opportunity was posted on September 9, 2009, closed on September 16, 2009, and later archived on October 16, 2009.
This award was explicitly announced as a single-source, non-competitive action, with NPS stating its intent to award directly to the Alice Ferguson Foundation in Accokeek, Maryland. The justification for not competing the funding was that the Foundation was considered uniquely qualified due to its established environmental education programming, experience in teacher training and curriculum development, and its specialized focus on the Potomac River Watershed. NPS also noted that the Foundation holds proprietary rights and administrative oversight for the Bridging the Watershed Program, which effectively positions it as the central organizer and steward of the program model and materials.
Programmatically, the Bridging the Watershed effort was described as a partnership-based initiative involving the Foundation working alongside participating parks as well as schools or school systems. The emphasis on pre-service teachers suggests the project was designed to strengthen the preparation of future educators by giving them structured watershed-focused learning experiences, training, and curriculum resources connected to real places and real resource issues. By linking parks and educational institutions, the project aligns with NPS education goals that use national parks and related landscapes as living classrooms and encourages conservation learning through direct engagement with local ecosystems.
The opportunity anticipated a single award with an estimated total funding amount of $35,000, which also served as the award ceiling. There was no minimum award floor listed (shown as $0), and there was no cost sharing or matching requirement. The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) listing associated with the opportunity was 15.931, Conservation Activities by Youth Service Organizations, which signals a conservation and youth-focused education framing even though the primary audience here was pre-service teachers.
Eligibility in the announcement was framed broadly for nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education), but the practical reality of the posting was that it functioned as a notice of intent to make a direct award to the Alice Ferguson Foundation rather than an open competition. For administrative or access issues related to the full announcement, the NPS contact listed was Rita Oliver, Contract Specialist, reachable by phone at 301-432-7890 or by email at ritaoliver@nps.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the "Bridging the Watershed Pre service Teacher Project"?
It was a National Park Service (NPS) discretionary education funding opportunity intended to support environmental education and teacher preparation connected to the Potomac River Watershed. The project focus emphasized strengthening learning experiences, training, and curriculum resources for pre-service teachers (future educators) using watershed-related topics grounded in real places and real resource issues.
Which federal agency offered this funding opportunity?
The opportunity was offered by the National Park Service (NPS).
Was this opportunity a grant or a cooperative agreement?
It was issued as a cooperative agreement. That means the work was expected to be carried out in collaboration with NPS, rather than being a simple pass-through grant where the recipient operates independently.
What were the key dates for this funding opportunity?
The opportunity was posted on September 9, 2009, closed on September 16, 2009, and was later archived on October 16, 2009.
Is this opportunity still open for applications?
No. It closed on September 16, 2009 and was archived on October 16, 2009.
Was the award competitive?
No. The award was explicitly announced as a single-source, non-competitive action. NPS stated its intent to make a direct award rather than running an open competition.
Who was NPS intending to fund under this notice?
NPS stated its intent to award directly to the Alice Ferguson Foundation in Accokeek, Maryland.
Why did NPS justify a single-source, non-competitive award?
NPS described the Alice Ferguson Foundation as uniquely qualified due to its established environmental education programming, experience in teacher training and curriculum development, and specialized focus on the Potomac River Watershed. NPS also noted that the Foundation holds proprietary rights and administrative oversight for the Bridging the Watershed Program, positioning it as the central organizer and steward of the program model and materials.
What geographic area or resource focus did the project emphasize?
The project was connected to the Potomac River Watershed and framed around watershed-focused environmental education tied to local ecosystems and real resource issues.
Who was the primary audience or participant group for the project activities?
The announcement emphasized pre-service teachers, indicating the project was designed to strengthen the preparation of future educators through structured learning experiences, training, and curriculum resources.
How did parks and schools fit into the project model?
The effort was described as a partnership-based initiative involving the Alice Ferguson Foundation working with participating parks as well as schools or school systems. The model aligned with NPS education goals that use national parks and related landscapes as living classrooms and promote conservation learning through direct engagement with local ecosystems.
How many awards were anticipated?
The opportunity anticipated a single award.
What was the estimated total funding amount?
The estimated total funding amount was $35,000.
Was there an award ceiling?
Yes. The award ceiling was $35,000 (the same as the estimated total funding amount).
Was there a minimum award amount?
No minimum award floor was listed (it was shown as $0).
Was cost sharing or matching required?
No. The opportunity stated there was no cost sharing or matching requirement.
Which CFDA number was associated with this opportunity?
The CFDA listing associated with the opportunity was 15.931, Conservation Activities by Youth Service Organizations.
What does the CFDA listing suggest about the program framing?
CFDA 15.931 indicates a conservation and youth-focused education framing, even though the primary audience described in this specific opportunity was pre-service teachers.
Who was listed as eligible to apply?
Eligibility in the announcement was framed broadly for nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status, excluding institutions of higher education.
Did the broad eligibility mean it was truly an open competition?
Not in practice. Even though eligibility language referenced 501(c)(3) nonprofits (excluding institutions of higher education), the posting functioned as a notice of intent to make a direct award to the Alice Ferguson Foundation rather than an open, competitive solicitation.
Who can be contacted for administrative or access issues related to the full announcement?
The NPS contact listed was Rita Oliver, Contract Specialist. Phone: 301-432-7890. Email: ritaoliver@nps.gov.
What type of collaboration was implied by calling this a cooperative agreement?
The announcement indicated the work was expected to be performed in collaboration with NPS, implying active involvement by NPS in carrying out the project rather than NPS simply providing funds without ongoing partnership.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Education
Next opportunity: AmeriCorps State and National and Indian Tribes Planning Grants
Previous opportunity: 2009 Northern Arizona Council of Governments Forum
USGrants.org Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for NPS NOIR3081090002
[Watch] how do funding administrators access proposals?
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (NPS NOIR3081090002) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| NASA DIGITAL LEARNING NETWORK Apply for NNL10ZB1001C Funding Number: NNL10ZB1001C Agency: NASA Langley Research Center Category: Education Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Lincoln Learning Centers in Afghanistan Apply for SCAPPD 10 CA 001 SCA 100509 Funding Number: SCAPPD 10 CA 001 SCA 100509 Agency: Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs Category: Education Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Fulbright Hays Doctoral Dissertation Research Abroad (DDRA) Fellowship Program CFDA Number 84.022A Apply for ED GRANTS 100509 002 Funding Number: ED GRANTS 100509 002 Agency: Department of Education Category: Education Funding Amount: $60,000 |
| Office of Postsecondary Education Overview Information Fulbright Hays Faculty Research Abroad (FRA) Fellowship Program 84.019A Apply for ED GRANTS 100509 001 Funding Number: ED GRANTS 100509 001 Agency: Department of Education Category: Education Funding Amount: $115,000 |
| Civic Education in Georgia Apply for RFA 114 09 000004 Funding Number: RFA 114 09 000004 Agency: Georgia USAID Tbilisi Category: Education Funding Amount: $2,690,000 |
| U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Funding Opportunity Announcement, Faculty Development Grant, Fiscal Year 2010. Apply for HR FN 1009 NED02 Funding Number: HR FN 1009 NED02 Agency: Nuclear Regulatory Commission Category: Education Funding Amount: $450,000 |
| U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Funding Opportunity Announcement, Nuclear Education Curricula Development Grant, Fiscal Year 2010 Apply for HR FN 1009 EDU4 Funding Number: HR FN 1009 EDU4 Agency: Nuclear Regulatory Commission Category: Education Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Funding Opportunity Announcement, Scholarship and Fellowship Education Grant, Fiscal Year 2010. Apply for HR FN 1009 NED01 Funding Number: HR FN 1009 NED01 Agency: Nuclear Regulatory Commission Category: Education Funding Amount: $400,000 |
| U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Funding Opportunity Announcement, Trade School and Community College Scholarship Grant, Fiscal Year 2010 Apply for HR FN 1009 NED03 Funding Number: HR FN 1009 NED03 Agency: Nuclear Regulatory Commission Category: Education Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| Public Knowledge of Civil War through Interpretation Apply for AH5490090011 Funding Number: AH5490090011 Agency: National Park Service Category: Education Funding Amount: $33,000 |
| Office of Postsecondary Education Student Support Services (SSS) Program CFDA 84.042A Apply for ED GRANTS 102209 001 Funding Number: ED GRANTS 102209 001 Agency: Department of Education Category: Education Funding Amount: $308,732 |
| Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects and Centers Program Field Initiated (FI) Projects CFDA 84.133G 1 (Research) Apply for ED GRANTS 102909 001 Funding Number: ED GRANTS 102909 001 Agency: Department of Education Category: Education Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects and Centers Program Field Initiated (FI) Projects CFDA 84.133G 2 (Development). Apply for ED GRANTS 102909 002 Funding Number: ED GRANTS 102909 002 Agency: Department of Education Category: Education Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Nature Rocks US FIsh and Wildlife Service Cooperative Agreement Apply for FWS NCTC 2010 1 Funding Number: FWS NCTC 2010 1 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Education Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| Improving Education Quality in Senegal Apply for USAID SENEGAL685 10 A 01RFA Funding Number: USAID SENEGAL685 10 A 01RFA Agency: Senegal USAID Dakar Category: Education Funding Amount: $20,000,000 |
| New Scholarship Program Apply for 263 10 02 Funding Number: 263 10 02 Agency: Egypt USAID Cairo Category: Education Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Centers for International Business Education Program CFDA 84.220A Apply for ED GRANTS 110509 001 Funding Number: ED GRANTS 110509 001 Agency: Department of Education Category: Education Funding Amount: $450,000 |
| International Research and Studies (IRS) Program CFDA 84.017A 1 Apply for ED GRANTS 111009 001 Funding Number: ED GRANTS 111009 001 Agency: Department of Education Category: Education Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| International Research and Studies (IRS) Program CFDA 84.017A 3 Apply for ED GRANTS 111009 002 Funding Number: ED GRANTS 111009 002 Agency: Department of Education Category: Education Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Office of Postsecondary Education Overview Information Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need (GAANN) CFDA 84.200A Apply for ED GRANTS 111709 003 Funding Number: ED GRANTS 111709 003 Agency: Department of Education Category: Education Funding Amount: $175,020 |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants

Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Subscribe to Leads
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "NPS NOIR3081090002", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.
