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Frederick Douglass Institute Student Think Tank (NPS) Grant - FAQs

What is the Frederick Douglass Institute Student Think Tank grant opportunity?

It is a National Park Service (NPS) cooperative agreement under the U.S. Department of the Interior focused on education and public engagement. The project supports a structured think tank led in collaboration with Kutztown University's Frederick Douglass Institute (KU FDI), bringing together youth and faculty to study and describe how visitors experience national parks.

What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON) for this notice?

The Funding Opportunity Number is P16AS00504.

Which federal agency is offering this opportunity?

The opportunity is issued by the National Park Service (NPS), which is part of the U.S. Department of the Interior.

What type of funding instrument is being used?

The notice describes the award as a cooperative agreement. This typically indicates active involvement by the NPS in the direction and execution of the project, rather than a hands-off grant award.

Is this an open, competitive grant where new applications will be accepted?

No. The notice states that no applications will be accepted. It is described as a notice of intent to enter an agreement with Kutztown University under an existing cooperative agreement, meaning it is not an open call for proposals.

Who is the intended partner for this cooperative agreement?

The notice indicates the intended partner is Kutztown University, specifically through Kutztown University's Frederick Douglass Institute (KU FDI).

What is the main purpose of the project?

The core purpose is to support a collaborative effort between the NPS and KU FDI that brings together youth and faculty in a structured think tank to better understand how visitors experience national parks and how those experiences connect to expanding and strengthening cultural and heritage storytelling across the park system.

What does the think tank focus on when studying visitor experiences?

The emphasis is on more than attendance totals or basic satisfaction. Participants look at how people relate to park narratives, interpret cultural and historical themes, and engage with the stories parks choose to elevate, with the goal of producing a more nuanced understanding of diverse audience experiences.

What kinds of activities are participants expected to do?

The work is hands-on and experience-based. Think tank participants are expected to attend and/or participate in park events and programs, speak directly with park staff, and use observation and guided discussion to identify and describe different aspects of the visitor or audience experience.

Why does the opportunity emphasize cultural and heritage storytelling?

The project is framed around strengthening and expanding cultural and heritage storytelling within the national park system. The intent is to understand how visitors connect with complex cultural and historical narratives so parks can communicate history, culture, and heritage in more inclusive and meaningful ways.

What outcomes or deliverables are expected from the project?

A key deliverable implied by the announcement is sharing practical lessons and strategies learned through the think tank. In partnership with KU FDI, the NPS plans to translate findings into best practices that recreation and interpretation professionals can use to engage audiences more effectively.

How does the NPS plan to use what the think tank learns?

The NPS intends to convert insights about visitor experience and narrative engagement into guidance and best practices for recreation and interpretation professionals, supporting improved public engagement and more thoughtful presentation of cultural and historical themes.

How is the role of park professionals described in this opportunity?

The opportunity frames park engagement as more than recreation, suggesting that park professionals can serve as facilitators of understanding, reconciliation, and constructive change by improving how parks welcome visitors and present complex cultural and historical narratives.

What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?

The CFDA number listed for this opportunity is 15.954.

What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?

The posting lists an award ceiling of $42,000.

How many awards are expected?

The posting indicates one expected award.

When was this notice created?

The creation date listed is August 17, 2016.

Is this opportunity described as discretionary funding?

Yes. It was issued as a discretionary funding opportunity using a cooperative agreement instrument.

Who is eligible to apply?

The eligibility field is listed broadly as "Others," with additional clarification referenced elsewhere. However, the notice also states it is a notice of intent to enter an agreement with Kutztown University and that no applications will be accepted, indicating the partner institution was already identified for this award.

Does this project involve multiple national parks?

Yes. The description states that the KU FDI youth and faculty think tank would help the NPS better understand visitor experiences at multiple national parks.

What is the overall goal in plain terms?

In plain terms, the opportunity supported a targeted partnership in which KU FDI's youth and faculty think tank would help the NPS understand how diverse audiences experience parks, especially in relation to cultural and heritage narratives, and then translate those insights into practical guidance for park and recreation professionals.