Opportunity Information: Apply for P16AS00086

  • The DOI-NPS in the other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Centennial Volunteer Ambassadors" and is now available to receive applicants.
  • Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.931.
  • This funding opportunity was created on Mar 29, 2016 and posted on Mar 29, 2016.
  • Applicants must submit their applications by Notification of Intent to Award. No applications will be accepted.. (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 $3,500,410.00 in funding.
  • The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
  • Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.
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Opportunity Summary:

The Centennial Volunteer Ambassadors grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number P16AS00086) is a National Park Service (NPS) initiative under the U.S. Department of the Interior designed to expand and strengthen volunteerism, service-learning, and community engagement across park units nationwide. At its core, the program is meant to bring new audiences and communities into meaningful service with the parks, while also building a long-term pipeline of people who are prepared to support conservation and public lands stewardship. The emphasis is on broadening participation, reaching more diverse communities, and creating volunteer experiences that connect people to the parks in practical, hands-on ways.

A major focus of the program is workforce and leadership development for young adults and veterans ages 18 to 35. The opportunity is structured to help participants grow into lifelong conservation stewards and to expose them to the range of careers and leadership paths connected to the NPS and the broader conservation field. By pairing service with training and professional development, the program aims to help participants see conservation stewardship as a viable career direction, not just a short-term volunteer experience. NPS is expected to provide training, education, and career development support so that ambassadors can succeed in their roles and gain skills that translate into future employment or continued service.

The program is also intended to create a clear pathway toward NPS careers and related conservation work by giving participants direct exposure to park operations, public service, and leadership development opportunities. In practice, that means ambassadors are not only helping parks deliver community-facing programs and volunteer initiatives, but are also building their own competencies and professional networks while they serve. The broader long-term goal is to help parks cultivate the next generation of stewards and strengthen a skilled, diverse workforce pipeline that reflects the public the parks serve.

From an administrative and funding standpoint, this is a discretionary cooperative agreement in the "Other" funding activity category (CFDA 15.931). The opportunity was posted and created on March 29, 2016. The listed award ceiling is $3,500,410, with one expected award. The eligible applicant type shown is "Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education." Importantly, the posting indicates this was a Notification of Intent to Award and that no applications were accepted, meaning it was not an open competitive application process.

The description also specifies that the Student Conservation Association (SCA) would support 115 Centennial Volunteer Ambassadors by handling key program logistics and participant support needs. That support includes recruitment and enrollment, housing, transportation, training, uniforms and gear, background checks, risk management, FICA-related obligations, and overall program support. In other words, the funding is tied not just to the ambassadors work in parks, but also to the infrastructure required to recruit, equip, safeguard, and effectively manage a large cohort placed in service roles across the NPS system.

Centennial Volunteer Ambassadors (P16AS00086) - FAQs

What is the Centennial Volunteer Ambassadors grant opportunity?

The Centennial Volunteer Ambassadors grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number P16AS00086) is a National Park Service (NPS) initiative under the U.S. Department of the Interior. It is designed to expand and strengthen volunteerism, service-learning, and community engagement across NPS park units nationwide.

What is the main purpose of this program?

The program is meant to bring new audiences and communities into meaningful service with national parks, while building a long-term pipeline of people prepared to support conservation and public lands stewardship. A central emphasis is broadening participation, reaching more diverse communities, and creating practical, hands-on volunteer experiences that connect people to parks.

Who does the program focus on serving?

A major focus is workforce and leadership development for young adults and veterans ages 18 to 35. The program is structured to help participants develop into lifelong conservation stewards and to explore careers and leadership paths connected to NPS and the broader conservation field.

How does the program connect volunteer service to careers?

By pairing service with training and professional development, the program aims to help participants see conservation stewardship as a viable career direction. Participants gain direct exposure to park operations, public service, and leadership development opportunities intended to support future employment or continued service in conservation-related work.

What role is NPS expected to play for the ambassadors?

NPS is expected to provide training, education, and career development support so ambassadors can succeed in their roles and build skills that translate into future employment or continued service.

What kinds of activities are ambassadors expected to support in parks?

In practice, ambassadors support parks in delivering community-facing programs and volunteer initiatives, while also building their own competencies and professional networks during their service.

What is the long-term goal of the Centennial Volunteer Ambassadors program?

The broader long-term goal is to help parks cultivate the next generation of conservation stewards and strengthen a skilled, diverse workforce pipeline that reflects the public the parks serve.

What type of federal funding mechanism is this opportunity?

This opportunity is described as a discretionary cooperative agreement in the "Other" funding activity category.

What is the CFDA number and funding activity category listed?

The opportunity lists CFDA 15.931 and identifies the funding activity category as "Other."

When was this opportunity posted and created?

The posting and creation date shown is March 29, 2016.

What is the award ceiling?

The listed award ceiling is $3,500,410.

How many awards were expected?

The opportunity indicates one expected award.

Who is listed as eligible to apply?

The eligible applicant type shown is "Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education."

Was this an open, competitive grant where applications were accepted?

No. The posting indicates it was a Notification of Intent to Award and that no applications were accepted, meaning it was not an open competitive application process.

What does "Notification of Intent to Award" mean in this context?

Based on the posting language provided, it indicates the agency planned to make an award and did not accept applications for this opportunity, rather than running an open solicitation.

Which organization was specified to support the ambassador cohort?

The description specifies that the Student Conservation Association (SCA) would support 115 Centennial Volunteer Ambassadors.

How many Centennial Volunteer Ambassadors were included in the described support plan?

The description states that SCA would support 115 Centennial Volunteer Ambassadors.

What kinds of logistics and participant support were included?

The described support includes recruitment and enrollment, housing, transportation, training, uniforms and gear, background checks, risk management, FICA-related obligations, and overall program support.

What does the grant funding cover besides the ambassadors work in parks?

The information indicates the funding is tied not only to the ambassadors service in parks, but also to the infrastructure required to recruit, equip, safeguard, and manage a large cohort placed in service roles across the NPS system.

Is community engagement a core element of this program?

Yes. Community engagement is explicitly highlighted as a major aim, with an emphasis on connecting new audiences and communities to parks through meaningful, hands-on service.

Does the program emphasize diversity and broadening participation?

Yes. The program emphasizes broadening participation, reaching more diverse communities, and expanding the range of audiences involved in service and stewardship with the parks.

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