Opportunity Information: Apply for P18AS00102
The Department of the Interior, National Park Service is offering a discretionary funding opportunity titled "Resource Education Interpretation/Visitor Services" (Funding Opportunity Number P18AS00102) to support an internship-based project at Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site (CARL). The core purpose of the project is to build career connections by creating paid or structured intern employment opportunities that introduce young adults (ages 18 to 35) to two key areas of national park operations: resource stewardship and visitor services. The project is framed as part of the park's broader effort to remain relevant to all audiences over the next century, aligning with an agency "call to action" emphasis on long-term engagement and public value.
The project centers on hands-on workforce development within the park's Interpretation and Visitor Services division. Interns would be placed alongside experienced professional interpreters and educators and would receive practical training, mentoring, and skill-building designed to strengthen their ability to communicate park stories and resources to a wide range of visitors. The day-to-day work described is strongly visitor-facing and includes delivering scheduled interpretive tours of the Sandburg Home, providing informal interpretation and visitor assistance at the visitor information area, and supporting education-oriented activities such as the ParKids summer program. Another major operational responsibility is running the visitor shuttle, a service that provides access for more than 5,500 visitors each year, giving interns direct experience with public contact, safety, logistics, and customer service in a busy park environment.
In terms of public impact and measurable service, the opportunity notes that interns are expected to reach more than 2,000 visitors through interpretive programming, in addition to supporting the shuttle operation and other visitor services. Overall, the grant is structured to help a partner organization place and support interns who will contribute directly to CARL's interpretive and educational mission while gaining real-world experience, professional mentoring, and exposure to national park careers.
Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations with IRS 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education) and other eligible entities as described in the opportunity's additional eligibility information. The funding instrument type is listed as a Cooperative Agreement (and "Other"), indicating an active partnership relationship with the National Park Service rather than a simple pass-through award. The activity category is Natural Resources under CFDA 15.931. The posted award ceiling is $30,000. The opportunity was created on May 21, 2018, with an original closing date of May 30, 2018. The listing indicates expected awards as 0, which can reflect a variety of administrative possibilities (such as a highly targeted award, changes in funding availability, or an intent to make a single award without projecting quantities in the system), but the project description clearly outlines the intended internship outcomes and work scope.Apply for P18AS00102
- The Department of the Interior, National Park Service in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Resource Education Interpretation/Visitor Services" 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 21, 2018.
- Applicants must submit their applications by May 30, 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 $30,000.00 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): Resource Education Interpretation/Visitor Services (P18AS00102)
What is this funding opportunity?
This is a discretionary funding opportunity from the Department of the Interior, National Park Service (NPS) titled "Resource Education Interpretation/Visitor Services" (Funding Opportunity Number P18AS00102). It supports an internship-based project at Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site (CARL).
What is the main purpose of the project?
The core purpose is to build career connections by creating paid or structured intern employment opportunities for young adults, introducing them to two major areas of national park operations: resource stewardship and visitor services.
Who is the project designed to serve?
The internship component is designed for young adults ages 18 to 35.
Where will the project take place?
The project takes place at Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site (CARL) and is centered within the park's Interpretation and Visitor Services division.
What kinds of work will interns do under this project?
Based on the project description, interns would perform hands-on, visitor-facing duties that may include:
- Delivering scheduled interpretive tours of the Sandburg Home
- Providing informal interpretation and visitor assistance at the visitor information area
- Supporting education-focused activities, including the ParKids summer program
- Running the visitor shuttle service, gaining experience in public contact, safety, logistics, and customer service
What training or professional development does the project include for interns?
Interns are expected to be placed alongside experienced professional interpreters and educators and receive practical training, mentoring, and skill-building aimed at improving their ability to communicate park stories and resources to a wide range of visitors.
Is this internship work primarily visitor-facing?
Yes. The day-to-day work described emphasizes direct public contact through tours, informal interpretation, visitor assistance, education programming support, and shuttle operations.
What visitor services are specifically highlighted in the scope of work?
The opportunity highlights interpretive tours, visitor information area support, education activities (including ParKids), and operation of the visitor shuttle as major responsibilities within the intern experience.
How many visitors does the shuttle service support each year?
The visitor shuttle provides access for more than 5,500 visitors each year.
What measurable public impact is expected from the interns' interpretive work?
The opportunity states that interns are expected to reach more than 2,000 visitors through interpretive programming, in addition to supporting shuttle operations and other visitor services.
How does this project fit into broader National Park Service goals?
The project is framed as part of the park's broader effort to remain relevant to all audiences over the next century and aligns with an agency "call to action" emphasis on long-term engagement and public value.
Who is eligible to apply for this grant?
Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations with IRS 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education), as well as other eligible entities as described in the opportunity's additional eligibility information.
Are institutions of higher education eligible to apply?
No. The eligibility summary provided indicates 501(c)(3) nonprofits are eligible, excluding institutions of higher education.
What type of award instrument will be used?
The funding instrument type is a Cooperative Agreement (and "Other"), which indicates an active partnership relationship with the National Park Service rather than a simple pass-through award.
What is the CFDA number and activity category for this opportunity?
The activity category is Natural Resources under CFDA 15.931.
What is the maximum amount of funding available (award ceiling)?
The posted award ceiling for this opportunity is $30,000.
When was this opportunity created and when did it close?
The opportunity was created on May 21, 2018, with an original closing date of May 30, 2018.
The listing shows "expected awards: 0." What does that mean?
The listing indicates expected awards as 0, which can reflect a variety of administrative possibilities (for example, a highly targeted award, changes in funding availability, or an intent to make a single award without projecting quantities in the system). Even so, the project description clearly outlines intended internship outcomes and the scope of work.
What does the grant primarily support: park programs or internships?
The opportunity is structured around supporting an internship-based project where a partner organization places and supports interns who contribute directly to CARL's interpretive and educational mission while gaining real-world experience, mentoring, and exposure to national park careers.
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