Heartland I&M Network Resource Management Intern - NOTICE OF INTENT | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the name of this funding opportunity?

The opportunity is titled Heartland I&M Network Resource Management Intern - NOTICE OF INTENT.

What is the Funding Opportunity Number?

The Funding Opportunity Number is NOIP16AC01178.

Which federal agency is offering this opportunity?

This is a National Park Service (NPS) discretionary funding opportunity issued by the U.S. Department of the Interior.

Is this a grant or a cooperative agreement?

It is structured as a cooperative agreement, which indicates substantial involvement by NPS rather than a simple pass-through grant.

What does “cooperative agreement” mean in this context?

In this opportunity, a cooperative agreement means NPS is expected to be actively involved in carrying out the project. NPS will collaborate with the recipient on recruiting and selecting the intern, provide day-to-day guidance during the internship, and arrange professional development opportunities. The intern’s work is integrated into NPS monitoring priorities and supervised by NPS staff to ensure methods, data quality, and outputs meet the Heartland Network’s monitoring needs.

What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity is tied to CFDA 15.931.

What category does this opportunity fall under?

It falls within the education and natural resources category.

When was this opportunity created?

The opportunity was created on September 2, 2016.

What was the original closing date?

The original closing date was September 12, 2016.

How many awards did NPS anticipate making?

NPS anticipated making a single award.

What is the award ceiling (maximum funding amount)?

The award ceiling was up to $125,000.

What is the main purpose of the award?

The central purpose is to support a year-long resource management internship for the NPS Heartland Inventory and Monitoring (I&M) Network, with the intern helping carry out terrestrial “vital signs” monitoring work.

What is “vital signs” monitoring?

Within the context provided, “vital signs” monitoring refers to terrestrial monitoring tasks that contribute to long-term ecological understanding and management of park resources. This typically involves repeated surveys across set locations and seasons, careful data collection using standardized protocols, and producing consistent, comparable data that can inform park decision-making.

What kinds of field activities or duties are included in the internship?

The duties described include assisting with deer spotlight studies, plant population monitoring, and bird and vegetation community monitoring.

What is the intended duration of the internship supported by this award?

The internship is described as a year-long placement.

How will NPS be involved during the internship?

NPS is expected to provide active involvement by collaborating on intern recruitment and selection, providing day-to-day guidance during the internship, and arranging professional development opportunities. The intern is expected to work under close NPS supervision to align with Heartland Network monitoring priorities and standards.

Who is the intended recipient of this opportunity?

The intended recipient is American Conservation Experience (ACE), referenced in the narrative as the American Conservation Association.

Why was American Conservation Experience (ACE) selected as the intended recipient?

ACE was selected because it has the capacity to recruit candidates with specialized experience and to support a year-long placement, including logistics such as housing and travel.

What agreement enables ACE to participate in this type of NPS work?

ACE is described as a Youth Master Agreement recipient operating under an existing Master Cooperative Agreement (P15AC00015), which authorizes ACE to participate in specific NPS tasks and makes it an administratively suitable partner for placing an intern.

What is the Heartland Inventory and Monitoring (I&M) Network?

Based on the information provided, it is an NPS network responsible for monitoring work (including terrestrial “vital signs”) aimed at producing consistent and comparable data that supports long-term ecological understanding and informs management of park resources.

What is the broader goal of the monitoring work supported by this internship?

The work supports the broader I&M program goal of producing consistent, comparable data that can be used to inform park decision-making and strengthen long-term ecological understanding and management of national park resources.

Is this opportunity focused more on research, education, or operations?

Based on the description, it is designed to achieve an NPS operational monitoring outcome while also meeting research and educational objectives by providing hands-on experience in applied ecological monitoring and resource management in a national park context.

Will the intern be working independently?

No. The opportunity describes that the intern’s work is integrated into NPS monitoring priorities and supervised closely by NPS staff to ensure appropriate methods, data quality, and outputs.

What kinds of outputs are implied by the monitoring work described?

While specific deliverables are not listed, the description emphasizes standardized protocols, careful data collection, and consistent, comparable datasets intended to support long-term ecological understanding and management decisions. This implies outputs aligned with I&M monitoring needs and data quality standards.