Outdoor Schools in National Parks

 

The NPS Centennial Act mandates parks to use a broad program of the highest quality interpretation and education, and to collaborate with other Federal and non-Federal public and private agencies, organizations, or institutions for the purposes of developing, promoting, and making available educational opportunities related to resources of the System and programs. The collaboration between the NPS and RELCs are highly effective in promoting field-science and stewardship through delivering on-site day use and residential environmental education programs. RELCs work closely with universities, K-12 schools, professional societies, and diverse research and educational groups on standards and delivery methods.

Active 15.012 National Park Service, Department of The Interior B - Project Grants Fiscal Year 2019 This is a new program. No funding has been awarding in this fiscal year under this program listing.
Fiscal Year 2020 This program funds 18 facilities on an annual basis that support the missions of the park where they are co-located. The facilities are owned by NPS.
Fiscal Year 2021 This program funds 18 facilities on an annual basis that support the missions of the park where they are co-located. The facilities are owned by NPS.
Fiscal Year 2022 This program funds 18 facilities on an annual basis that support the missions of the park where they are co-located. Outdoor Recreation Programs provide authorization to cooperate with educational institutions and others in order to assist in establishing education programs and activities to encourage public use and benefits from outdoor recreation U.S.C. 54 U.S.C §200103(g) Applicant may be State and local agencies, public or private nonprofit institutions/organizations, Federally recognized Indian tribal governments, State colleges and universities, public and private colleges and universities. Educators will bring real-world, place-based science to students in accordance with state education standards. Applicant must submit proof of applicant's governmental, non-profit or institutional status; a letter from the owner giving consent to the grant applicant as the grantee of record to undertake work on the property or collection (if applicable). Preapplication coordination is not applicable. 2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. 2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. Funding announcements for this program, along with registration procedures, application packages and instructions, points of contact, and procedures for submitting applications will be available on www.grants.gov. Awards may be made to the highest rated proposals based on the amount of funding available each year. Recommendations will be approved by the Secretary of Interior through an apportionment process. Grants will be awarded by NPS directly to selected grantees. Contact the headquarters or regional location, as appropriate for application deadlines From 60 to 90 days. None. Final award decisions are not subject to appeal; however, the National Park Service will provide applicants with information on why their proposals were not selected for award, upon request. If renewals or extensions are applicable to the project, this information will be included in the funding opportunity announcement. When renewals or extensions are applicable, continuation of funding for these and will be subject to availability of appropriated funds. Proposals received in response to announcements on grants.gov are reviewed on the basis of a competitive, merit-based review process, and are rated in accordance with the evaluation criteria stated in the announcement. Awards may be made to the highest rated proposals based on the amount of funding available each year. Recommendations will be approved by the Secretary of Interior through an apportionment process. Grants will be awarded by NPS directly to selected grantees. To carry out authorized functions and responsibilities of the Secretary of the Interior with respect to any unit or program of the National Park System through RELCs activities. These activities will typically include travel assistance grants for schools, tuition scholarships for low-income students, program development, training, and evaluation. Performance Reports: Unless otherwise stated in the agreement document, recipients shall submit Program Performance Reports on an annual basis. Upon completion of the agreement, recipients shall submit a final Program Performance Report; and other specific reports that may be applicable to the agreement such as property inventories, and patent and invention disclosures. Not applicable. Per 2 CFR Part 200.333 - 200.337 Statutory formula is not applicable to this assistance listing.

Matching requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.

MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing. Funding will become available approximately 90-120 days from the time an entity is chosen through a funding opportunity. Once awarded, funding must be expended by the date noted in the financial assistance agreement All funding after award is made through the ASAP system. None/Not specified. Tom Medema, Acting Associate Director of Interpretation, Education and Volunteers
Department of the Interior - National Park Service
1849 C St NW, MS 3322
Washington, DC 20240 USA
tom_medema@nps.gov
Phone: 202-513-7247 14-1036-0-1-303 (Cooperative Agreements (Discretionary Grants)) FY 22 FY 23 FY 24 FY 21 FY 20 FY 18 FY 19 - This program does not provide direct funding to recipients but rather provides for property use as financial assistance. Agreements transfer temporary use of real property to the recipient to carry out the goals and objectives of the NPS RELC mission. $1 - $1,000,000 Not applicable. Fiscal Year 2020 The unique public-private partnership between the Schoodic Institute (501(c)3 non-profit organization) and the National Park Service allows the two organizations to accomplish more together than they could independently. Schoodic Institute helps achieve the original vision for Acadia National Park as a destination for science and an inspiration for further conservation. Through private philanthropy, Schoodic Institute leverages NPS investment to create greater impact for science, education, and conservation. Our efforts are complementary to and coordinated with Friends of Acadia. Research led and facilitated by Schoodic Institute is addressing questions that are important to stewardship of Acadia National Park and the broader region. The Institute’s setting provides research and life-long learning opportunities within one of the world’s great natural laboratories. The Institute and NPS work together to bring researchers, educators, and students to the park to use the park’s diverse ecosystems as classrooms and to conduct field research. NPS and Schoodic Institute have the following shared goals for research and education, which are more broadly adopted in a 2015 Strategic Framework for NPS Research Learning Centers: Promote national parks as premier places for scientific inquiry. Facilitate and promote the use of science to make resource management decisions. Improve science literacy by incorporating science into park visitor and staff experiences. Assess and evaluate activities and adapt as necessary to achieve the vision. Scientists, educators, and citizen scientists of all ages collaborate on the ambitious vision of a better understanding of the biodiversity and resources of all of Acadia National Park and its environs and of investigating national and global environmental issues. A major component of the Institute’s educational efforts is providing opportunities for youth to learn about and be inspired by the out-of-doors. A host of academic and institutional partners cooperate closely with the Institute. Natural resource managers at Acadia National Park rely on the research to restore Acadia’s ecosystems and improve their resiliency in the face of challenging environmental changes.
Fiscal Year 2021 Headlands Center for the Arts hosts an internationally recognized artist-in-residence program, and interdisciplinary public programs. It is situated in a campus of artist-renovated military buildings in the Marin Headlands, in Marin County, California.