Opportunity Information: Apply for NPS DOIP18AC00186
The "SCA Academy Orientation Week - NPS Alaska Region" opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number NPS-DOIP18AC00186) is a National Park Service notice of intent to award funding to the Student Conservation Association (SCA) under an existing cooperative agreement (P15AC00031). It is not an open call for applications; instead, it serves as public notice that NPS plans to issue a task agreement to SCA using a previously competed (or otherwise justified) partnership mechanism. The project sits under CFDA 15.931 and is authorized under 54 U.S. Code 101702(a), which allows transfer of appropriated funds to support eligible service-related activities.
At its core, the award supports a week-long NPS Academy orientation designed to introduce Alaska youth and young adults to the National Park Service, build job awareness, and create a pipeline into conservation and resource management careers. The program is framed as part of broader Department of the Interior priorities, including building a conservation stewardship legacy, strengthening relationships with conservation organizations, supporting job creation, and expanding access to outdoor recreation. It also aligns with the DOI 21st Century Youth Conservation Corps initiative by encouraging youth involvement in public lands and helping diversify the future conservation workforce.
The planned effort includes preparing and delivering a 7-day orientation in Anchorage, Alaska, scheduled for March 11-17, 2018, with additional time devoted to planning and logistics. Approximately 14 participants are expected to attend. Denali is identified as the host park, and Kenai Fjords National Park is specifically included as the experiential learning site, giving students hands-on exposure to parks and NPS career fields. After the orientation, participants are assisted in securing summer internship placements with the NPS Alaska Regional Office or Alaska Region parks. The orientation task agreement covers the academy week and related preparation, while separate task agreements are intended to cover the actual internship placements, split geographically across Alaska (for example, Southeast coastal parks versus the remainder of Alaska).
Participant eligibility and recruitment are geared toward young adults who show genuine interest in environmental stewardship or conservation careers. Interest can be demonstrated through coursework, volunteering, activism, arts or science involvement, or similar experiences. Applicants must generally be Alaska residents between ages 18 and 35, with priority given to rural and Alaska Native students, and they should show leadership ability and community involvement. The program is intended to serve college students from diverse backgrounds and may also include veterans within the broader youth age range described in the initiative (15-35), though the stated academy application requirement in this announcement emphasizes ages 18-35.
The curriculum described is a mix of classroom-style orientation and field-based learning. Students receive an introduction to NPS history and mission, overviews of career pathways, leadership development sessions, and an introduction to mentoring. There is also a community service component and recreational opportunities designed to build cohesion and engagement. Because this is Alaska-focused, the orientation includes content on Alaska-specific laws and management realities, including ANCSA, ANILCA, and subsistence-related topics, which are central to how many Alaska park units are managed. The larger goal is to prepare students to succeed in summer internships that provide real work experience, skills development, and immersion in NPS career fields.
Roles are split clearly between SCA and NPS, with NPS described as having "substantial involvement," a key feature of cooperative agreements. SCA is responsible for recruiting and selecting up to 14 participants in coordination with NPS, co-developing the curriculum, and managing major participant support needs such as transportation, living allowances, subsistence/per diem, housing during the orientation, and participant support services (including a 24/7 hotline, site visits, and performance evaluations). NPS, through Alaska Regional Office and park leadership, commits to co-planning and supporting recruitment, hosting the week-long orientation in Anchorage, delivering presentations on NPS history/mission/careers, helping develop a summer mentorship program (including training elements for mentors and mentees), and providing an on-site technical representative/mentor during the academy. NPS also signals an intention to provide future internship opportunities for the 14 participants, with placement supported through follow-on agreements.
Financially, the anticipated federal funding is $46,320.79 with a non-federal cost share of $15,440.26, and the anticipated period of performance runs from February 14, 2018 to March 24, 2018. The listing indicates one expected award with an award ceiling around $46,321. Eligible applicants shown in the source data are 501(c)(3) nonprofits other than institutions of higher education, but in practice this particular action is directed to SCA because it is a continuation task agreement under an existing cooperative agreement and is explicitly not soliciting new applicants.Apply for NPS DOIP18AC00186
- The Department of the Interior, National Park Service in the employment, labor and training sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "SCA Academy Orientation Week - NPS Alaska Region" 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 Feb 16, 2018.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Feb 27, 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 $46,321.00 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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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the "SCA Academy Orientation Week - NPS Alaska Region" opportunity?
It is a National Park Service (NPS) notice of intent to award funding for a week-long NPS Academy orientation program in Alaska, implemented with the Student Conservation Association (SCA). The orientation is designed to introduce Alaska youth and young adults to the NPS, build awareness of conservation and resource management careers, and help create a pipeline into internships and related career pathways.
Is this an open funding opportunity where organizations can apply?
No. This notice is not an open call for applications. It serves as public notice that NPS plans to issue a task agreement to SCA under an existing cooperative agreement, rather than soliciting proposals from new applicants.
Who is the intended recipient of the award?
The intended recipient is the Student Conservation Association (SCA), under an existing cooperative agreement (P15AC00031). The funding action is described as a continuation task agreement mechanism rather than a new competition.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number?
The Funding Opportunity Number is NPS-DOIP18AC00186.
Which federal program and authority does this fall under?
The project is listed under CFDA 15.931 and is authorized under 54 U.S. Code 101702(a), which allows transfer of appropriated funds to support eligible service-related activities.
What is the purpose of the orientation week?
The purpose is to provide a structured, Alaska-focused introduction to the National Park Service, including its mission and history, career pathways, leadership development, mentoring concepts, and field-based exposure. The broader goal is to prepare participants to succeed in summer internships with NPS in Alaska and to support longer-term entry into conservation and resource management careers.
How does the project connect to Department of the Interior priorities?
The program is framed as supporting Department of the Interior priorities such as building a conservation stewardship legacy, strengthening relationships with conservation organizations, supporting job creation, and expanding access to outdoor recreation. It also aligns with the DOI 21st Century Youth Conservation Corps initiative by encouraging youth involvement in public lands and helping diversify the future conservation workforce.
When and where is the orientation scheduled?
The 7-day orientation is scheduled for March 11-17, 2018, in Anchorage, Alaska, with additional time before and after for planning and logistics under the period of performance.
How long is the program covered by this task agreement?
This specific task agreement covers the academy week (a 7-day orientation) and related preparation and logistics. Separate task agreements are intended to cover the subsequent summer internship placements.
How many participants are expected to attend?
Approximately 14 participants are expected.
Which parks are involved?
Denali is identified as the host park. Kenai Fjords National Park is specifically included as an experiential learning site where students can get hands-on exposure to parks and NPS career fields.
Does this orientation lead to internships?
Yes. After the orientation, participants are assisted in securing summer internship placements with the NPS Alaska Regional Office or Alaska Region parks. The notice also indicates NPS intends to provide future internship opportunities for the participants through follow-on agreements.
Are the internships included in this same award?
No. The orientation is covered under this task agreement, while the actual internship placements are intended to be supported through separate task agreements. The internship agreements may be split geographically across Alaska (for example, Southeast coastal parks versus other areas).
Who is the orientation meant for?
The orientation is geared toward Alaska youth and young adults, particularly those who demonstrate genuine interest in environmental stewardship or conservation careers and who are interested in exploring NPS-related work.
What are the participant eligibility requirements mentioned?
Applicants must generally be Alaska residents between ages 18 and 35. The description notes priority for rural and Alaska Native students and indicates participants should show leadership ability and community involvement.
How can a participant demonstrate interest in conservation or stewardship?
Interest can be demonstrated through coursework, volunteering, activism, arts or science involvement, or similar experiences tied to environmental stewardship or conservation careers.
Does the program include college students?
Yes. The program is intended to serve college students from diverse backgrounds.
Are veterans included in the intended audience?
The broader initiative referenced includes youth in the age range 15-35 and may include veterans within that range. However, the academy application requirement highlighted here emphasizes ages 18-35.
What topics and activities are included in the curriculum?
The curriculum is described as a mix of classroom-style orientation and field-based learning. It includes an introduction to NPS history and mission, career pathway overviews, leadership development, an introduction to mentoring, a community service component, and recreational opportunities intended to build cohesion and engagement.
Is there Alaska-specific content in the orientation?
Yes. The orientation includes Alaska-specific laws and management realities, including ANCSA, ANILCA, and subsistence-related topics, which are central to how many Alaska park units are managed.
What is SCA responsible for under this arrangement?
SCA is responsible for recruiting and selecting up to 14 participants in coordination with NPS, co-developing the curriculum, and managing major participant support needs. Those support needs include transportation, living allowances, subsistence/per diem, housing during the orientation, and participant support services such as a 24/7 hotline, site visits, and performance evaluations.
What is NPS responsible for under this arrangement?
NPS (through the Alaska Regional Office and park leadership) commits to co-planning and supporting recruitment, hosting the week-long orientation in Anchorage, delivering presentations on NPS history/mission/careers, helping develop a summer mentorship program (including training elements for mentors and mentees), and providing an on-site technical representative/mentor during the academy.
Why is this structured as a cooperative agreement?
The notice describes NPS as having "substantial involvement," which is a defining feature of cooperative agreements. In practical terms, it means NPS and SCA are co-planning and co-implementing key elements rather than NPS simply funding an independently run project.
What is the anticipated federal funding amount?
The anticipated federal funding is $46,320.79 (with an award ceiling shown around $46,321).
Is there a required non-federal cost share?
The notice lists an anticipated non-federal cost share of $15,440.26.
What is the anticipated period of performance?
The anticipated period of performance is February 14, 2018 to March 24, 2018.
How many awards does NPS expect to make under this notice?
The listing indicates one expected award.
Who is listed as an eligible applicant type in the source data?
The source data indicates eligible applicants are 501(c)(3) nonprofits other than institutions of higher education. However, this particular action is explicitly directed to SCA and is not soliciting new applicants.
What is the main takeaway for organizations looking for funding?
This is a public notice of NPS intent to fund a specific partner (SCA) under an existing cooperative agreement and is not a competitive opportunity for other organizations to apply to.
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