Engaging Americans through Outdoor Recreation | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Engaging Americans through Outdoor Recreation (NPS)

1) Is this an open grant opportunity that accepts applications?

No. This is a National Park Service (NPS) notice of intent to award, not an open call for applications. It serves as a public notification that NPS plans to enter into a cooperative agreement without full and open competition, rather than inviting new proposals.

2) What does "notice of intent to award" mean in practical terms?

It means NPS is announcing its plan to make a specific award to a specific recipient. It is not announcing a competitive process where multiple applicants submit proposals for consideration.

3) Who is the planned recipient of this cooperative agreement?

The planned recipient is The Outdoor Foundation, a nonprofit organization (501(c)(3)) created by the Outdoor Industry Association.

4) Who is listed as the principal investigator or program manager?

Christine Fanning is listed as the principal investigator/program manager.

5) What type of award is being planned (grant vs. cooperative agreement)?

The planned instrument is a cooperative agreement. The announcement describes it as a true cooperative agreement involving substantial NPS involvement, rather than a hands-off grant.

6) How long is the anticipated project period?

The agreement is described as a new award with an anticipated five-year term starting from the date of signature. The source record also references performance through 05/01/2020 under Cooperative Agreement P15AC00369.

7) How much funding is anticipated?

The announcement lists an anticipated award amount of $0.00.

8) Does the opportunity require cost share or matching funds?

No. The announcement indicates there is no cost share requirement.

9) If the award amount is listed as $0.00, does that mean there will never be funding?

Not necessarily. Based on the notice, the cooperative framework is being established, but any actual financial support would be determined later (if at all) through follow-on task agreements and only if funds become available at NPS discretion.

10) What is the main purpose of the agreement?

The core purpose is to increase participation in outdoor recreation and public-land conservation by all Americans, with special emphasis on youth and young adults.

11) What is the rationale behind focusing on youth and young adults?

The notice cites a documented decline in time spent outdoors among young adults and links that trend to health and well-being concerns such as obesity, depression, and attention deficit disorder. The partnership is positioned as a way to counter those trends by making outdoor recreation more appealing, accessible, and culturally relevant.

12) Does the agreement prioritize any specific communities?

Yes. The notice emphasizes engagement of young people from urban communities and diverse backgrounds, and recruiting participants from a wide range of geographic areas, neighborhood contexts, and social and ethnic backgrounds.

13) Is this tied to an existing program or partnership?

Yes. The project builds on an existing NPS-Outdoor Foundation relationship and references the Outdoor Nation program launched in 2009 to engage young adults.

14) What kinds of activities are anticipated under this agreement?

The agreement anticipates a mix of outreach, engagement, leadership development, and communications efforts. Examples mentioned include: programs that encourage youth and young adults to visit national parks for recreation; convenings and gatherings to build leadership skills connected to outdoor recreation and conservation; use of social media and organizing platforms to promote participation; development and maintenance of online resources that help participants practice community leadership; and recruitment across diverse backgrounds and locations.

15) Is this agreement a single, narrowly defined project?

No. The notice describes an expected mix of programmatic efforts rather than a single narrowly defined project.

16) What does "substantial NPS involvement" mean here?

The notice indicates NPS is expected to participate directly in planning, agenda development, and workshops or meetings, and to plan, develop, produce, and disseminate educational and informational materials and events. This level of engagement is characteristic of a cooperative agreement.

17) What are The Outdoor Foundation's expected roles?

The Outdoor Foundation is expected to collaborate with NPS on promoting outdoor recreation and conservation through information exchange; jointly plan and execute engagement strategies; help integrate or align other existing programs toward shared objectives; bring additional stakeholders to the table; recruit partners; and pursue additional funding sources to scale and sustain the work.

18) What are NPS's expected roles?

NPS expects to plan, develop, produce, and disseminate educational and informational materials and events; participate in planning and convenings (including agendas, workshops, and meetings); and potentially provide financial resources through later task agreements, subject to funding availability and NPS discretion.

19) How will priorities be managed over time during the agreement?

Both parties commit to periodically reassessing joint efforts to remain aligned with evolving NPS strategic priorities for public engagement and to use each party's strengths and authorities efficiently.

20) Why is NPS making this award without competition?

The notice cites the Department of the Interior single-source policy framework (505 DM 2). The specific justification is that the proposed work originated as an unsolicited proposal presenting a unique or innovative approach advantageous to NPS program objectives and not duplicative of a current or planned competitive award.

21) What funding program or CFDA number is associated with this notice?

The funding listing is under CFDA 15.954, "National Park Service Conservation, Protection, Outreach, and Education."

22) When was this notice posted and when did it close?

It was posted on March 30, 2015. The original and current closing date is April 13, 2015, and it was archived on April 14, 2015. The timing reflects that it functions as a notice rather than a competitive application window.

23) What legal authorities are referenced to support this partnership work?

The notice references statutory authorities connected to outdoor recreation and technical assistance cooperation (54 USC 200305, formerly parts of the Outdoor Recreation Organic Act), Public Land Corps authority to work with qualified youth or conservation corps (16 USC 1723(c)), and other authorities listed in the announcement (including 16 USC 1281e).

24) Who is the NPS point of contact for questions?

The NPS point of contact listed is June Zastrow. Email: junezastrow@nps.gov. Phone: 303-987-6718.

25) Can new organizations apply to be added as partners through this notice?

Based on the information provided, the notice is not an invitation for new proposals and names a planned recipient. It does not describe a process for accepting new applicants or selecting additional recipients under this particular notice.