Opportunity Information: Apply for P18AS00025
This funding opportunity, titled "Quantifying the relationships between visitor use, and resource and social conditions at Katmai National Park and Preserve and Lake Clark National Park and Preserve," is a discretionary cooperative agreement issued by the Department of the Interior through the National Park Service (NPS). It was posted on November 28, 2017, with an original closing date of December 5, 2017. Rather than being an open, competitive solicitation, it functions as a notice of intent to provide additional funding under an existing, continuing award. In practical terms, that means the NPS had already been working with the recipient and planned to modify or extend that work by adding funds, instead of selecting a new partner through a broad competition.
The core purpose of the project is to measure and explain how visitor use levels and patterns relate to both resource conditions and social conditions in two major Alaska park units: Katmai National Park and Preserve and Lake Clark National Park and Preserve. "Resource conditions" typically refers to impacts on natural and cultural resources that can be affected by human presence, such as wildlife behavior, habitat disturbance, vegetation trampling, erosion, litter, and other stressors that accumulate where people travel, camp, view wildlife, or concentrate along popular corridors. "Social conditions" generally refers to the human side of the visitor experience, including crowding, conflicts among different user groups, perceptions of solitude and wilderness character, satisfaction, and whether visitors feel their expectations are being met. The title indicates the work is not just descriptive, but explicitly aimed at quantifying relationships, meaning the end product is likely to include data-driven models, indicators, or statistical links between use (how many people, where, when, and doing what) and measurable changes in ecological conditions and visitor experience outcomes.
Administratively, the award is structured as a cooperative agreement, which signals that the NPS expects to have substantial involvement in the project rather than simply issuing a grant and stepping back. Cooperative agreements often involve joint planning, shared technical input, and regular coordination, especially when the work supports near-term management needs. The opportunity is tied to the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units (CESU) network, specifically a task agreement modification under CESU joint venture agreement P14AC00888 and master cooperative agreement P17AC00929. CESU arrangements are designed to connect federal agencies with universities and other partners to deliver applied research, technical assistance, and education that directly supports resource management. The language about a task agreement modification suggests this action is an extension or amendment to a defined scope of work already underway, adding incremental funds to continue or expand specific deliverables.
Eligibility is limited to public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, but the notice makes clear the intended recipient is Kansas State University, and only one award is expected. The funding ceiling listed is $126,000, indicating the maximum amount anticipated for the added increment under this modification. The opportunity is categorized under education, information and statistics, and natural resources, which fits a project that likely combines field-based or operational monitoring with data analysis and reporting intended to inform management decisions. The CFDA number 15.945 corresponds to NPS assistance programs, reinforcing that this is an NPS financial assistance action aimed at supporting mission-related work.
In terms of how this kind of project is typically used by parks like Katmai and Lake Clark, quantifying these relationships supports decisions about visitor use management, including setting thresholds or standards for acceptable conditions, identifying hotspots where impacts concentrate, evaluating whether current use levels are sustainable, and designing strategies that protect wildlife and habitats while maintaining high-quality visitor experiences. For parks with strong wilderness values and globally significant wildlife viewing opportunities, even modest changes in visitation patterns can have outsized effects, so having credible, quantitative evidence can help justify management actions, communicate tradeoffs to the public, and track whether interventions are working over time.
Overall, this opportunity is best understood as targeted, continuation funding to a specific university partner under the CESU framework, focused on producing management-relevant, quantitative insights into how visitor use connects to environmental impacts and the quality of visitor experiences in two Alaska national park units.Apply for P18AS00025
- The Department of the Interior, National Park Service in the education, information and statistics, natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Quantifying the relationships between visitor use, and resource and social conditions at Katmai National Park & Preserve and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve." and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.945.
- This funding opportunity was created on Nov 28, 2017.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Dec 05, 2017 This is a notice of intent to award additional funding to Kansas State University under a continuing award.. (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 $126,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the title of this funding opportunity?
The opportunity is titled "Quantifying the relationships between visitor use, and resource and social conditions at Katmai National Park and Preserve and Lake Clark National Park and Preserve."
Which federal agency is offering this opportunity?
This is a discretionary cooperative agreement issued by the Department of the Interior through the National Park Service (NPS).
When was the opportunity posted and when did it close?
It was posted on November 28, 2017, with an original closing date of December 5, 2017.
Is this an open, competitive grant solicitation?
No. It is not an open competitive solicitation. It functions as a notice of intent to provide additional funding under an existing, continuing award.
What does "notice of intent to provide additional funding under an existing, continuing award" mean in practice?
It means the NPS already had an ongoing relationship and active work with the recipient and planned to modify or extend that work by adding funds, rather than selecting a new partner through a broad competition.
What type of award is this?
The award is structured as a cooperative agreement.
What does it mean that this is a cooperative agreement?
A cooperative agreement indicates the NPS expects to have substantial involvement in the project (for example, joint planning, shared technical input, and regular coordination), rather than simply providing funds and stepping back.
What is the main purpose of the project?
The core purpose is to measure and explain how visitor use levels and patterns relate to resource conditions and social conditions in two Alaska park units: Katmai National Park and Preserve and Lake Clark National Park and Preserve.
Which park units are covered by the project?
Katmai National Park and Preserve and Lake Clark National Park and Preserve.
What does "visitor use" refer to in this project?
"Visitor use" refers to levels and patterns of visitation, such as how many people visit, where they go, when they visit, and what activities they are doing.
What are "resource conditions" in the context of this project?
"Resource conditions" generally refer to impacts on natural and cultural resources that can be affected by human presence. Examples mentioned include wildlife behavior changes, habitat disturbance, vegetation trampling, erosion, litter, and other stressors that can accumulate where people travel, camp, view wildlife, or concentrate along popular corridors.
What are "social conditions" in the context of this project?
"Social conditions" generally refer to the human side of the visitor experience. Examples mentioned include crowding, conflicts among user groups, perceptions of solitude and wilderness character, visitor satisfaction, and whether visitor expectations are being met.
What does it mean that the project aims to "quantify relationships"?
It indicates the work is intended to be data-driven and analytical, not only descriptive. The expected outputs are likely to include quantitative measures such as models, indicators, or statistical links between visitor use (how many people, where, when, doing what) and measurable changes in ecological conditions and visitor experience outcomes.
How is this opportunity connected to the CESU network?
The opportunity is tied to the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units (CESU) network and is described as a task agreement modification under CESU joint venture agreement P14AC00888 and master cooperative agreement P17AC00929.
What does "task agreement modification" suggest about the work?
It suggests this funding action is an extension or amendment to a defined scope of work already underway, with incremental funds added to continue or expand specific deliverables.
Who is eligible to receive this award?
Eligibility is limited to public and state-controlled institutions of higher education.
Is there an intended recipient?
Yes. The notice indicates the intended recipient is Kansas State University.
How many awards are expected?
Only one award is expected.
What is the maximum funding amount for this opportunity?
The funding ceiling listed is $126,000, described as the maximum amount anticipated for the added increment under this modification.
What program or assistance listing is associated with this opportunity?
The CFDA number listed is 15.945, which corresponds to National Park Service assistance programs.
What topical categories does this opportunity fall under?
The opportunity is categorized under education, information and statistics, and natural resources.
How might parks use the results of a project like this?
The information provided indicates the results can support visitor use management decisions, including setting thresholds or standards for acceptable conditions, identifying hotspots where impacts concentrate, evaluating whether current use levels are sustainable, and designing strategies that protect wildlife and habitats while maintaining high-quality visitor experiences.
Why is this type of quantitative work especially relevant for Katmai and Lake Clark?
Based on the description provided, these parks have strong wilderness values and globally significant wildlife viewing opportunities, where even modest changes in visitation patterns can have outsized effects. Quantitative evidence can help justify management actions, communicate tradeoffs to the public, and track whether interventions are working over time.
Is this opportunity best described as new funding or continuation funding?
It is best understood as targeted continuation funding: additional funds added to an existing, continuing award under the CESU framework to continue or expand ongoing work.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Education, Information and Statistics, Natural Resources
Next opportunity: Natural Resources Training and Education at Dworshak
Previous opportunity: North American Wetlands Conservation Fund
Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for P18AS00025
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Inside Our Applicants Portal
Access Applicants Portal
- Grants Repository - Access current and historic funding opportunities with ease. Thousands of funding opportunities are published every week. We can help you sort through the database and find the eligible ones to apply for.
- Applicant Video Guides - The grant application process can be challenging to follow. We can help you with intuitive video guides to speed up the process and eliminate errors in submissions.
- Grant Proposal Wizard - We have developed a network of private funding organizations and investors across the United States. We can reach out and submit your proposal to these contacts to maximize your chances of getting the funding you need.
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Learn More
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "P18AS00025", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.