Internship Assistance in Vegetation Monitoring | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the name of this funding opportunity?

The funding opportunity is titled "Internship Assistance in Vegetation Monitoring."

What is the Funding Opportunity Number?

The Funding Opportunity Number is P16AS00482.

Which federal agency is offering this opportunity?

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

Is this a grant or another type of award?

It is a discretionary funding opportunity structured as a cooperative agreement.

What does "cooperative agreement" mean for how the project is run?

A cooperative agreement generally means the recipient is expected to work in close coordination with the National Park Service on day-to-day project execution, rather than operating fully independently.

What is the CFDA number and funding activity area for this opportunity?

The opportunity sits within the natural resources funding activity area and is identified as CFDA 15.931.

What is the core purpose of the internship described in the opportunity?

The core purpose is to provide practical staffing support for natural resources monitoring, with an emphasis on hands-on, field-oriented resource monitoring work that supports National Park Service monitoring programs.

What kinds of work are expected from the intern assistance?

The bulk of the work is centered on field data collection and follow-on data management to keep monitoring datasets organized, usable, and current.

Which monitoring programs are specifically mentioned as primary targets for intern support?

The intern assistance is intended to contribute to the Network's vegetation monitoring and water quality monitoring programs.

What might vegetation monitoring work include under this opportunity?

Based on the description, it implies routine field efforts to document vegetation conditions and trends, followed by managing the resulting records so they can be used for long-term analysis and reporting.

What might water quality monitoring work include under this opportunity?

The description suggests sampling or observing indicators tied to water quality, followed by structured entry, cleaning, and handling of those records for ongoing use.

Is data management explicitly part of the scope?

Yes. The opportunity emphasizes follow-on data management after field collection, including keeping monitoring datasets organized, usable, and current.

Are there additional duties beyond vegetation and water quality monitoring?

Yes. The scope allows for supporting other monitoring and stewardship priorities depending on need and scheduling.

Does the opportunity mention invasive species work?

Yes. It includes potential support for early detection of invasive plant species, described as time-sensitive field scouting to find new infestations before they spread.

Are other resource topics mentioned that the intern may support?

Yes. The description notes potential involvement with monitoring air quality, freshwater mussels, and cave resources.

Does the opportunity suggest the intern could work across multiple ecosystems or monitoring modules?

Yes. By mentioning multiple resource areas (vegetation, water quality, invasive plants, air quality, freshwater mussels, and cave resources), it suggests the intern may assist across multiple modules as part of a broader Network inventory and monitoring effort.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is aimed primarily at nonprofit organizations with IRS 501(c)(3) status, excluding institutions of higher education. Additional categories may be allowed under the "Others" eligibility designation referenced in the notice.

Are colleges and universities eligible if they are nonprofit?

The eligibility description explicitly excludes institutions of higher education, even though it is otherwise focused on IRS 501(c)(3) nonprofits.

What does the "Others" eligibility designation mean here?

The notice indicates additional categories may be allowed under an "Others" designation, but the specific additional categories are not detailed in the provided information.

What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?

The posted award ceiling is $32,825.

Is there an award floor listed?

An award floor is not provided in the information given.

How many awards are expected?

The listing indicates expected awards as 0.

Does "expected awards: 0" mean no award will be made?

Not necessarily. The provided information notes this can sometimes reflect administrative posting details or uncertainty at the time of publication rather than a definitive statement that no award will be made.

When was this opportunity created?

The opportunity was created on August 11, 2016.

What was the original closing date?

The original closing date was August 18, 2016.

Is this opportunity focused more on field work or desk work?

It is described as hands-on and field-oriented, with the bulk of the work centered on field data collection, followed by data management tasks.

What is the main intended benefit to the National Park Service monitoring programs?

The opportunity is intended to provide practical staffing support that helps conduct routine monitoring (especially vegetation and water quality) and maintain monitoring datasets so they remain organized, usable, and current for long-term analysis and reporting.