Opportunity Information: Apply for F15AS00260
Apply for F15AS00260
- The Fish and Wildlife Service in the education environment sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Engaging underserved students on National Wildlife Refuges" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.676 Youth Engagement, Education, and Employment Programs.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jun 5, 2015 and posted on Jun 5, 2015.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 15, 2015. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $50,996.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $50,996.00 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:
Engaging underserved students on National Wildlife Refuges (Funding Opportunity Number F15AS00260) was a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service discretionary grant offered as a cooperative agreement under CFDA 15.676 (Youth Engagement, Education, and Employment Programs). The opportunity focused on environmental education and youth engagement, with the goal of helping underserved children in San Diego County build respect for local natural resources. The rationale behind the project is that San Diego County contains an unusually wide range of habitats, yet it also has more threatened and endangered species than any other county in the continental United States, making conservation awareness and responsible decision-making especially important for young residents.
The proposed project design centered on delivering a structured, three-part educational program to five schools in San Diego County. The three components were intended to reinforce one another: an assembly-style presentation to spark interest and establish key themes, a classroom program to deepen understanding and connect concepts to students daily learning, and an in-person field trip component to provide direct experience with local ecosystems and wildlife refuge resources. By combining these formats, the program aimed to move students beyond abstract ideas and toward practical, memorable learning that supports long-term attitudes and behaviors aligned with conservation.
A major added deliverable was the creation of an online curriculum to supplement the in-person programming. This curriculum was to be posted on the Zoo's website and made available to teachers as downloadable PDF files, expanding the project reach beyond the five participating schools. The curriculum was described as supporting and extending concepts introduced during the program, offering additional classroom resources, and aligning with State Science Standards. In practical terms, that alignment would help teachers integrate the materials into required coursework rather than treating them as an optional add-on, increasing the likelihood of sustained classroom use.
In terms of intended outcomes, the opportunity emphasized motivating students to adopt lifestyles that respect natural resources and to make smarter choices for the planet both immediately and in the future. While the language is broad, the underlying aim is clear: build environmental literacy, strengthen connections between youth and nearby protected lands, and encourage behaviors that reduce harm to sensitive habitats and species. The refuge context also suggests a place-based education approach, using nearby public conservation lands as living classrooms so students can see local biodiversity and conservation challenges firsthand.
The funding structure was straightforward: one expected award with a fixed total amount. The estimated total funding was $50,996, with an award ceiling and floor both set at $50,996, meaning the agency anticipated issuing a single award for that exact amount rather than a range of possible budgets. There was no cost sharing or matching requirement, lowering the barrier for eligible organizations that may not have additional funds to contribute.
Eligibility was limited to nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education). The opportunity was posted on June 5, 2015, and had a short application window, with the original and current closing date both listed as June 15, 2015. The opportunity was archived the following day, June 16, 2015, indicating it was a one-time solicitation with a quick turnaround. For access issues or questions, the listed contact was Deetta Gibbons at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (phone 619-476-9150; email deettagibbons@fws.gov).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the title of this grant opportunity?
The opportunity is titled Engaging underserved students on National Wildlife Refuges.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?
The Funding Opportunity Number is F15AS00260.
Which federal agency offered this opportunity?
This was a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service discretionary grant opportunity.
What type of award was used?
The opportunity was offered as a cooperative agreement.
What CFDA program was this associated with?
It was under CFDA 15.676, described as Youth Engagement, Education, and Employment Programs.
What was the main focus of the project?
The focus was environmental education and youth engagement, specifically aimed at helping underserved children in San Diego County build respect for local natural resources.
Why was San Diego County highlighted in the rationale?
The rationale noted that San Diego County has an unusually wide range of habitats, and it also has more threatened and endangered species than any other county in the continental United States. Because of that, conservation awareness and responsible decision-making were presented as especially important for young residents.
What audience was the program intended to serve?
The program was intended to engage underserved students in San Diego County.
How many schools were intended to participate?
The proposed project design centered on delivering the program to five schools in San Diego County.
What was the overall educational approach described?
The project described a structured, three-part educational program designed so each component reinforces the others. The approach was intended to move students from abstract ideas to practical, memorable learning connected to conservation.
What were the three parts of the educational program?
The three components were:
- Assembly-style presentation to spark interest and establish key themes
- Classroom program to deepen understanding and connect concepts to daily learning
- In-person field trip to provide direct experience with local ecosystems and wildlife refuge resources
Why include an assembly-style presentation?
The assembly component was intended to spark interest and set key themes for the rest of the program.
What was the purpose of the classroom component?
The classroom portion was intended to deepen understanding and help connect conservation concepts to what students are learning day to day.
What was the purpose of the field trip component?
The field trip was intended to give students direct experience with local ecosystems and National Wildlife Refuge resources, supporting place-based learning.
Was there an online curriculum component?
Yes. A major added deliverable was the creation of an online curriculum to supplement the in-person programming.
Where was the online curriculum supposed to be posted?
The curriculum was described as being posted on the Zoo's website and made available to teachers as downloadable PDF files.
Who could use the online curriculum materials?
The curriculum was intended to be made available to teachers as downloadable PDFs, expanding reach beyond the five participating schools.
How was the online curriculum intended to relate to the in-person program?
It was described as supporting and extending concepts introduced during the program and providing additional classroom resources.
Did the curriculum need to align with standards?
Yes. The curriculum was described as aligning with State Science Standards, which was intended to help teachers integrate it into required coursework rather than treating it as an optional add-on.
What outcomes did the opportunity emphasize?
The opportunity emphasized motivating students to adopt lifestyles that respect natural resources and make smarter choices for the planet both immediately and in the future. It also aimed to build environmental literacy and strengthen connections between youth and nearby protected lands.
How much funding was expected to be awarded?
The estimated total funding was $50,996.
Was the funding amount a range or a fixed amount?
It was a fixed amount. The award ceiling and floor were both $50,996, indicating a single award for that exact amount was anticipated.
How many awards were expected?
The opportunity anticipated one expected award.
Was cost sharing or matching required?
No. The opportunity stated there was no cost sharing or matching requirement.
Who was eligible to apply?
Eligibility was limited to nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status, excluding institutions of higher education.
Were institutions of higher education eligible?
No. The eligibility description explicitly excluded institutions of higher education.
When was the opportunity posted?
The opportunity was posted on June 5, 2015.
What was the application deadline?
The original and current closing date were both listed as June 15, 2015.
How long was the application window?
Based on the posted date (June 5, 2015) and the closing date (June 15, 2015), the solicitation described a short application window.
When was the opportunity archived?
The opportunity was archived on June 16, 2015.
What does it mean that the opportunity was archived?
Based on the listing information provided, it indicates the opportunity was a one-time solicitation with a quick turnaround rather than an open, ongoing program listing.
Who is the listed point of contact for questions or access issues?
The listed contact was Deetta Gibbons at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
What contact information was provided?
Phone: 619-476-9150
Email: deettagibbons@fws.gov
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