Opportunity Information: Apply for P18AS00221
The grant opportunity titled "Exotic Plant Management Team Engaging Youth in Resource Management" (Funding Opportunity Number P18AS00221) was a National Park Service funding notice under the U.S. Department of the Interior focused on natural resources work, specifically invasive and non-native plant management. It was offered as a discretionary cooperative agreement, meaning the selected partner would be expected to work closely with the National Park Service in planning and carrying out the project rather than simply receiving funds to operate independently. The program was tied to CFDA number 15.931, which aligns with National Park Service-related assistance and resource stewardship activities.
At its core, the project aimed to place interns in real-world resource management roles where they could participate directly in how land management decisions are made and implemented. Rather than limiting interns to observation or basic field tasks, the opportunity emphasized critical analysis and adaptive management, which typically involves assessing on-the-ground conditions, selecting management actions based on evidence, monitoring outcomes, and then adjusting approaches based on what is learned. The interns were expected to help evaluate threats posed by non-native species, with attention to how invasive plants can degrade both natural resources (such as native habitats, biodiversity, and ecosystem function) and cultural resources (such as historically significant landscapes or archeological areas that can be impacted by vegetation changes, erosion, or altered site conditions).
A major feature of the project was the commitment to training and meaningful participation. The description indicates interns would receive the resources and instruction needed to do the work safely and effectively, and they would be fully engaged in the decision-making process around selecting efficient and effective management strategies. In practice, this kind of work commonly includes learning to identify invasive plant species, conducting surveys and mapping infestations, helping prioritize treatment areas based on risk and impact, and supporting implementation methods such as mechanical removal, targeted herbicide application under proper supervision, revegetation planning, and follow-up monitoring to evaluate treatment success. The stated goal was not only to complete management actions but also to build intern capacity by involving them in planning, analysis, and strategy selection.
Eligibility was aimed primarily at nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education), with additional eligibility potentially available to other applicant types as referenced in the notice. The award ceiling was listed as $40,400. The opportunity was posted on May 15, 2018, with an original closing date of May 25, 2018, indicating a short application window. The listing showed "Expected Awards: 0," which can appear in older notices for a variety of administrative reasons, but the funding cap and project narrative indicate it was structured as a specific, defined project partnership intended to support youth and intern engagement in invasive plant management within the National Park Service context.Apply for P18AS00221
- The Department of the Interior, National Park Service in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Exotic Plant Management Team Engaging Youth in Resource Management" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.931.
- This funding opportunity was created on May 15, 2018.
- Applicants must submit their applications by May 25, 2018. (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 $40,400.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the title of this grant opportunity?
The opportunity is titled "Exotic Plant Management Team Engaging Youth in Resource Management."
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?
The Funding Opportunity Number is P18AS00221.
Which federal agency offered this funding notice?
This was a National Park Service (NPS) funding notice under the U.S. Department of the Interior.
What type of work or program area does this opportunity focus on?
The opportunity focused on natural resources work, specifically invasive and non-native plant management (often referred to as exotic plant management).
What kind of award was this (grant vs. cooperative agreement)?
It was offered as a discretionary cooperative agreement, meaning the selected partner would be expected to work closely with the National Park Service in planning and carrying out the project rather than operating fully independently.
What CFDA number was associated with this opportunity?
The notice was tied to CFDA 15.931, which aligns with National Park Service-related assistance and resource stewardship activities.
What was the main goal of the project?
The core goal was to place interns in real-world resource management roles so they could participate directly in how land management decisions are made and implemented, with a strong emphasis on meaningful participation rather than observation-only experiences.
How were interns expected to be involved (observation vs. decision-making)?
The description emphasized that interns would be fully engaged in the decision-making process, including critical analysis and contributing to selecting efficient and effective management strategies.
What does "adaptive management" mean in the context of this project?
In this notice, adaptive management refers to an evidence-based cycle of assessing on-the-ground conditions, selecting management actions, monitoring outcomes, and adjusting approaches based on what is learned.
What kinds of threats were interns expected to help evaluate?
Interns were expected to help evaluate threats posed by non-native species, including how invasive plants can degrade natural resources (native habitats, biodiversity, ecosystem function) and cultural resources (historically significant landscapes or archeological areas affected by vegetation changes, erosion, or altered site conditions).
What are examples of tasks that might be included in invasive plant management under this project?
Based on the description, common tasks could include learning to identify invasive plant species, conducting surveys, mapping infestations, helping prioritize treatment areas based on risk and impact, supporting implementation methods such as mechanical removal and targeted herbicide application under proper supervision, assisting with revegetation planning, and doing follow-up monitoring to evaluate treatment success.
Did the opportunity include training for interns?
Yes. A major feature was a commitment to training and meaningful participation. The description indicates interns would receive the resources and instruction needed to do the work safely and effectively.
Was the project focused only on completing fieldwork, or also on building intern skills?
It was designed to do both. The stated goal was not only to complete management actions, but also to build intern capacity by involving them in planning, analysis, and strategy selection.
Who was eligible to apply?
Eligibility was aimed primarily at nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education). The notice also indicated that additional applicant types might be eligible as referenced in the full posting.
Are colleges and universities eligible under the primary eligibility statement?
The primary eligibility description specified 501(c)(3) nonprofits excluding institutions of higher education, so institutions of higher education were not included in that primary category as described.
What was the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling was listed as $40,400.
When was the opportunity posted?
The opportunity was posted on May 15, 2018.
What was the original closing date?
The original closing date was May 25, 2018.
How long was the application window?
From the posted date (May 15, 2018) to the closing date (May 25, 2018), the notice reflected a short application window.
The listing showed "Expected Awards: 0." What does that mean?
The notice showed "Expected Awards: 0". In older notices this can appear for various administrative reasons, but the funding cap and project narrative indicate it was structured as a specific, defined project partnership intended to support youth and intern engagement in invasive plant management within the National Park Service context.
What makes this opportunity different from a typical pass-through grant?
Because it was a cooperative agreement, the partner would be expected to collaborate closely with NPS on planning and implementation, rather than receiving funds to run a project independently with minimal federal involvement.
Was this opportunity specifically connected to youth engagement?
Yes. The project description centered on placing interns and engaging them in hands-on resource management and decision-making related to invasive plant management.
Was the project limited to natural resources, or did it also consider cultural resources?
It considered both. The description highlights impacts to natural resources and also to cultural resources such as historically significant landscapes and archeological areas.
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