Opportunity Information: Apply for P16AS00503

  • The Department of the Interior, National Park Service in the community development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Master Plan Abingdon VA to Elizabethton, TN" and is now available to receive applicants.
  • Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.954.
  • This funding opportunity was created on Aug 17, 2016.
  • Applicants must submit their applications by This Funding Announcement is not a request for applications. This announcement is to provide public notice of the National Park Services intention to fund the following project activities without full and open competition.. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
  • Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $50,000.00 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:

The funding opportunity titled "Master Plan Abingdon VA to Elizabethton, TN" (Funding Opportunity Number P16AS00503) is a National Park Service initiative under the Department of the Interior focused on community development planning connected to a nationally significant historic resource. The stated purpose of the agreement is to produce a Master Plan that will guide both the development and the long-term management of the segment of the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail running from Abingdon, Virginia to Elizabethton, Tennessee. In practical terms, the project is about creating a comprehensive planning document that can be used to coordinate how this trail segment is interpreted, protected, improved, and managed across jurisdictions and communities along the route.

This opportunity is structured as a cooperative agreement, meaning the National Park Service anticipates having an active role in the project rather than simply providing a pass-through grant with minimal federal involvement. Cooperative agreements are typically used when the agency expects to collaborate on key aspects of the work such as planning direction, coordination with stakeholders, review of deliverables, or alignment with federal standards for heritage and trail management. The activity category listed is community development, which fits a master planning effort that can influence tourism, local economic development, and community amenities while also protecting historic and cultural resources.

The eligible applicant identified is a nonprofit organization with 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education). The announcement indicates an award ceiling of $50,000 and anticipates a single award. The listing includes CFDA number 15.954, which corresponds to National Park Service assistance programs. The opportunity was created on August 17, 2016.

A notable feature of this notice is that it is not an open call for applications. The National Park Service explicitly states that the announcement is not a request for applications and is instead a public notice of its intent to fund specific project activities without full and open competition. That language typically indicates a noncompetitive or sole-source justification, often used when there is a clearly identified partner uniquely positioned to carry out the work, when continuity with prior efforts is needed, or when the project requires specialized local relationships or expertise already established with a particular organization. Because of that, outside organizations generally would not submit applications in response to this notice in the way they would for a standard competitive grant opportunity.

Overall, the opportunity centers on producing a master plan for a defined corridor of the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail between Abingdon, VA and Elizabethton, TN, with up to $50,000 in federal support through a cooperative agreement, directed to a qualified 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and issued as a noncompetitive funding notice rather than a competitive solicitation.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the "Master Plan Abingdon VA to Elizabethton, TN" funding opportunity?

It is a National Park Service (NPS) funding opportunity under the U.S. Department of the Interior to support creation of a Master Plan for a specific segment of the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail, running from Abingdon, Virginia to Elizabethton, Tennessee.

What is the Funding Opportunity Number?

The Funding Opportunity Number is P16AS00503.

Who is sponsoring or administering this opportunity?

The opportunity is a National Park Service initiative under the Department of the Interior.

What is the main purpose of the award?

The stated purpose is to produce a Master Plan that will guide both the development and long-term management of the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail segment from Abingdon, VA to Elizabethton, TN.

What will the Master Plan be used for in practical terms?

The Master Plan is intended to serve as a comprehensive planning document to coordinate how the trail segment is interpreted, protected, improved, and managed across multiple jurisdictions and communities along the route.

Which trail and which corridor does this project cover?

The project covers the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail, specifically the segment between Abingdon, Virginia and Elizabethton, Tennessee.

What type of award instrument is this?

This opportunity is structured as a cooperative agreement.

What does it mean that this is a cooperative agreement?

A cooperative agreement indicates the National Park Service anticipates an active role in the project rather than simply providing funds with minimal involvement. This can include collaboration on planning direction, stakeholder coordination, review of deliverables, and ensuring alignment with federal standards for heritage and trail management.

What is the activity category for this opportunity?

The activity category is community development.

Why is the activity category listed as community development?

The master planning effort can influence tourism, local economic development, and community amenities while also supporting protection of historic and cultural resources along the trail corridor.

Who is eligible to receive this award?

The eligible applicant identified is a nonprofit organization with 501(c)(3) status, excluding institutions of higher education.

Are colleges and universities eligible to apply?

No. The eligibility description explicitly excludes institutions of higher education.

Is this an open, competitive grant where any eligible nonprofit can apply?

No. The notice states it is not a request for applications and is instead a public notice of intent to fund specific project activities without full and open competition.

If it is not an open call, should outside organizations submit an application anyway?

Based on the notice language, outside organizations generally would not submit applications in response the way they would for a standard competitive grant opportunity.

What does "not a request for applications" imply?

It implies the National Park Service is not soliciting proposals through an open competition. Instead, the notice serves to publicly announce an intent to fund specific activities via a noncompetitive approach.

Why would the National Park Service use a noncompetitive or sole-source approach for this type of work?

The notice suggests the situation is one where a clearly identified partner may be uniquely positioned to carry out the work, continuity with prior efforts may be needed, or specialized local relationships or expertise may already be established with a particular organization.

How much funding is available under this opportunity?

The award ceiling listed is $50,000.

How many awards does the National Park Service anticipate making?

The opportunity anticipates a single award.

What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?

The CFDA number is 15.954, which corresponds to National Park Service assistance programs.

When was this opportunity created?

The opportunity was created on August 17, 2016.

What is the overall outcome this funding is meant to support?

The overall outcome is a completed Master Plan for the defined trail corridor that can guide coordinated development and long-term management, including interpretation, protection, improvements, and cross-jurisdictional management practices.

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