Monitoring Estuarine Condition at Colonial NHP, George Washington BPNM and Assateague Island NS, NE Coastal and Barrier Network | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) What is the title of this grant opportunity?

The opportunity is titled "Monitoring Estuarine Condition at Colonial NHP, George Washington BPNM and Assateague Island NS, NE Coastal and Barrier Network."

2) What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?

The Funding Opportunity Number is P14AS00269.

3) Which federal agency is offering this opportunity?

This is a National Park Service (NPS) discretionary funding announcement.

4) What is the main purpose of the project described in the announcement?

The core purpose is to continue ongoing natural resource monitoring (not start a brand-new monitoring effort). The work focuses on tracking estuarine condition over time using established approaches that support long-term trend detection and consistent assessment.

5) What resource areas are being monitored under this opportunity?

The announcement targets two closely related resource areas:

• Estuarine water quality
• Seagrass condition

6) Which park units are included?

The parks named in the opportunity are:

• Colonial National Historical Park (Colonial NHP)
• George Washington Birthplace National Monument (George Washington BPNM)
• Assateague Island National Seashore (Assateague Island NS)

7) What network context is referenced in the announcement?

The monitoring work is within the Northeast Coastal and Barrier Network, indicating a network framework that supports standardized methods and comparisons across multiple park units.

8) What type of funding instrument is being used?

The funding instrument listed is a cooperative agreement.

9) What does it mean that the instrument is a cooperative agreement?

Based on the announcement description, a cooperative agreement typically implies a more hands-on partnership than a standard grant, with substantial federal involvement that may include planning, coordination, or technical oversight by the NPS.

10) What is the activity category for this opportunity?

The activity category is Natural Resources.

11) What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?

The CFDA number provided is 15.945, associated with Cooperative Research and Training Programs focused on resources of the National Park System.

12) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligible applicants are limited to public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, such as state universities and similar public academic entities.

13) Are private universities or non-profit organizations eligible?

The eligibility statement provided lists only public and state-controlled institutions of higher education. No other applicant types are identified as eligible in the information provided.

14) Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. The announcement states there is no cost sharing or matching requirement, meaning applicants are not expected to contribute non-federal matching funds as a condition of award.

15) What kinds of measurements might be included in estuarine water quality monitoring?

The announcement describes common estuarine water quality parameters that reflect ecosystem function and stress. Examples mentioned include temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, nutrient concentrations, turbidity, chlorophyll indicators, pH, and other measures that can affect aquatic life and habitat quality.

16) What does seagrass condition monitoring generally focus on?

Seagrass condition monitoring generally focuses on the health, distribution, abundance, and persistence of seagrass beds.

17) Why is seagrass monitoring important in this project context?

The announcement notes that seagrass beds are important as nursery habitat, sediment stabilizers, and indicators of coastal water quality.

18) Why does the announcement emphasize "continuation" of monitoring?

The continuation emphasis signals that the work likely builds on established monitoring protocols, existing sampling sites, and prior datasets. This supports long-term trend detection and consistent assessment of estuarine ecosystem health.

19) Why monitor multiple parks as part of a network?

Monitoring across multiple parks within a network framework supports standardized methods and comparisons across locations, helping the NPS identify regional patterns, emerging threats, and site-specific management needs.

20) When was the opportunity posted and created?

The announcement was posted and created on August 18, 2014.

21) What was the closing date for applications?

The original and current closing date listed is August 20, 2014.

22) What does the very short application window imply?

The dates shown indicate a very short window between posting and closing. The provided information does not explain why, only that the opening and closing were two days apart.

23) How much funding is available under this opportunity?

The listing shows an estimated total funding amount of 0, with an award ceiling of 0 and an award floor of 0.

24) Why might the funding amount and award ceiling/floor show as 0?

In federal listings, this can occur when funding levels are not publicly specified in the synopsis, when funding is predetermined through internal allocations, or when the notice serves administrative or continuation purposes and exact amounts are handled outside the public summary.

25) Where should applicants look for full details such as funding level, deliverables, and reporting requirements?

The information provided indicates applicants would typically need to consult the full announcement details via the Grants.gov link to understand expected funding levels, project period, deliverables, reporting requirements, and technical expectations.

26) Who is the listed point of contact for help or questions?

The contact listed is Rita Mihalik, Financial Assistance Officer.

27) How can the point of contact be reached?

Rita Mihalik can be reached at 301-663-1481 x 5 and by email at ritamihalik@nps.gov.