George Melendez Wright Initiative Young Leaders in Climate Change | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) What is the George Melendez Wright Initiative for Young Leaders in Climate Change (YLCC)?

The George Melendez Wright Initiative for Young Leaders in Climate Change (YLCC) is a National Park Service (NPS) funded internship and workforce-development effort designed to bring high-performing higher-education students into hands-on climate change work that directly supports national parks and other public lands.

2) Is this an open, competitive grant opportunity?

No. The notice is explicitly a Notice of Intent to Award (Funding Opportunity Number P14AS00227). It is not a competitive call for applications. It serves as public notice that NPS intends to make a continuation award to the University of Washington (UW) under an existing cooperative framework.

3) Who is the intended recipient of the award?

The intended recipient is the University of Washington (UW). Dr. Lisa Graumlich is listed as the Principal Investigator/Program Manager.

4) What type of federal funding instrument is being used?

The award is structured as a cooperative agreement (not a procurement contract). Substantial involvement by NPS is expected in shaping, selecting, and executing the internship experiences.

5) How much funding is anticipated, and is cost share required?

The total anticipated federal funding is $211,000, and there is no cost share requirement listed.

6) What is the period of performance?

The period of performance runs from the date of award through January 30, 2017.

7) What program category or CFDA number applies to this opportunity?

The opportunity is categorized under CFDA 15.945, Cooperative Research and Training Programs - Resources of the National Park System (CESU).

8) What does it mean that this is a continuation award?

This action is described as a continuation under an existing cooperative framework (referencing the Pacific Northwest Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) cooperative and joint venture agreement). The justification for not competing the award is that competing it would adversely affect continuity or completion of an ongoing activity already being funded.

9) Why is the award being made without full and open competition?

The award is made without full and open competition under Department of the Interior single-source policy criteria because it is a continuation action. The stated rationale is to avoid adversely affecting continuity or completion of an ongoing activity.

10) What is the CESU model and how is it used here?

The agreement is described as a continuation under the Pacific Northwest Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) cooperative and joint venture agreement, using the CESU model to support cooperative research and training aligned with NPS mission needs.

11) How does the YLCC internship model work at a high level?

NPS units (individual parks and NPS programs) define specific internship projects and compete internally for YLCC funds. Selected parks then supervise interns through structured work plans designed to produce tangible products that support management needs.

12) What kinds of internship projects can be supported?

Projects are intentionally interdisciplinary and may include topics such as climate change science and monitoring, resource conservation and adaptation, climate-related policy, sustainable park operations, and interpretation/education.

13) What are interns expected to do or learn during the internship?

Interns are expected to apply climate knowledge to real management problems, practice critical thinking and problem solving, and communicate effectively with a range of audiences and stakeholders. The program is also positioned to build a next-generation pipeline of scientists and leaders with interdisciplinary thinking.

14) Does the initiative connect to federal hiring pathways?

Yes. A workforce element is included: interns who perform at a high level may become eligible for non-competitive hiring into government service, described as a pathway into federal careers.

15) What are the University of Washington (UW) responsibilities under this program?

UW responsibilities are primarily administrative and program-support focused. They include recruiting and broadening the applicant pool (including targeted outreach to Minority Serving Institutions), supporting the application process (online submissions and answering applicant questions with NPS coordination as needed), placing selected interns on UW payroll after criminal background checks, administering pay and benefits (including tax forms), collecting supervisor time sheets, handling payroll invoicing, and producing an annual accomplishments report.

16) What outreach to Minority Serving Institutions is described?

The information notes targeted outreach to Minority Serving Institutions, including historically Black, Hispanic, Asian Pacific Islander, and American Indian institutions, as well as other universities with strong relevant programs.

17) Who handles intern payroll and related administration?

UW places interns on UW payroll after criminal background checks, manages pay and benefits administration (including tax forms), collects supervisor time sheets, and handles payroll invoicing.

18) Are there required events or travel associated with the internship?

UW pays for intern travel to a Washington, DC orientation at the start of summer and a Washington, DC symposium at the end of summer. UW may also fund travel for select interns to attend the George Wright Society Conference (biennial, odd years).

19) What reporting or deliverables are mentioned?

UW produces an annual accomplishments report. The program also emphasizes that intern work plans produce tangible products, and NPS collects final work products and reports. Publications and other formal outputs are expected to properly acknowledge NPS and the CESU relationship. UW can provide photos and captions for NPS use when requested.

20) What is the National Park Service (NPS) role in the program?

NPS has a hands-on role. NPS develops and distributes the Call for Projects to parks and programs, convenes review panels to select which park projects receive funding, develops and distributes the student Call for Applications through NPS channels, conducts structured screening and selection (including standardized scoring and virtual review boards), provides climate response orientation content and program guidance (such as the internship handbook), requires mentoring plans, organizes the Washington, DC orientation and final symposium, supports intern networking, and collects final work products and reports.

21) How are park internship projects selected for funding?

Parks and programs compete internally for YLCC funds. NPS convenes review panels to select which park projects receive funding.

22) How are interns screened and selected?

NPS conducts structured screening and selection processes, including standardized scoring methods and virtual review boards that include project supervisors. NPS intends to forward a qualified and diverse candidate pool to parks for final selection.

23) Is diversity a stated program goal in the selection process?

Yes. The selection process includes an explicit intent to forward a qualified and diverse candidate pool, with a stated goal of matching (to the extent possible) the racial demographics of the national civilian labor force.

24) What background checks or security requirements are mentioned?

UW places interns on payroll after criminal background checks. Separately, NPS handles required security background checks (HSPD-12) at park expense.

25) What do parks provide to support interns during the internship?

Parks provide workspace, equipment, mentorship, and professional development support. Parks may arrange housing and transportation as needed. A limited housing stipend fund is referenced for parks that cannot provide housing, on a case-by-case basis.

26) Are mentoring and leadership development plans required?

Yes. NPS requires each park to prepare a Leadership Development and Mentoring Plan for each intern.

27) What guidance or training materials does NPS provide?

NPS provides climate response orientation content and produces program guidance such as the internship handbook.

28) Is there an intern networking or alumni component mentioned?

Yes. NPS supports intern networking, including a virtual interaction space and an alumni network concept.

29) What statutory authorities are cited for this cooperative agreement?

The notice references statutory authorities that allow NPS to enter into cooperative agreements with educational institutions for public-purpose work and for cooperative research and training programs related to park system resources, including 16 USC 1(g), 16 USC 1a-2(j), and 16 USC 5933.

30) Who is the NPS point of contact listed in the notice?

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

31) What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this notice?

The Funding Opportunity Number provided is P14AS00227.

32) What is the main takeaway for organizations looking to apply?

Based on the notice, this is best understood as a continuation-funded partnership with the University of Washington to run a climate-focused internship pipeline. It is not presented as an open competition for new applicants.