2019 Alaska Academy Orientation | P19AS00085

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) What is the 2019 Alaska Academy Orientation funding opportunity?

The 2019 Alaska Academy Orientation (Funding Opportunity Number P19AS00085) is a discretionary grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service (NPS). It supports an education and youth workforce development project tied to National Park Service internships in Alaska, using the NPS Academy model.

2) Who is the federal sponsor for this opportunity?

The sponsor is the U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service.

3) What is the primary focus area or activity category?

The activity category is Education, with an emphasis on youth workforce development connected to NPS internship experiences in Alaska.

4) What does the project actually fund or support?

The project supports a cohort-based training and reflection program built around two in-person touchpoints: a three-day orientation workshop held before the summer internship season and a one-day close-out workshop held after internships conclude. The funding is intended to support planning and delivery of these workshops and related coordination activities.

5) What is the NPS Academy model referenced in the announcement?

In this opportunity, the NPS Academy model is described as a structured approach that uses two in-person workshops (orientation and close-out) to prepare youth for internship placements and then bring them back together afterward to reflect on learning and outcomes.

6) How long is the orientation workshop and when does it occur?

The orientation is a three-day, in-person workshop that takes place before the internship season begins. Its purpose is to prepare participants to enter their internship placements ready to succeed.

7) How long is the close-out workshop and when does it occur?

The close-out is a one-day, in-person workshop held after the internships conclude. It is intended to complete the experience by reconvening the cohort to reflect on learning, share outcomes and challenges, and connect internship experiences to broader goals.

8) How many youth participants are expected to be served?

The orientation is designed to prepare a cohort of 11 Alaska youth for placement into summer internships.

9) What are the goals of the three-day orientation workshop?

The orientation is intended to help participants understand expectations, build foundational skills, and enter their summer internship positions prepared for success.

10) What are the goals of the one-day close-out workshop?

The close-out workshop is designed to help participants reflect on what they learned, share outcomes and challenges with peers, and connect their individual internship experiences to broader professional and personal development goals.

11) What type of award instrument is used for this opportunity?

The funding instrument is a cooperative agreement.

12) What does it mean that this is a cooperative agreement?

Based on the description provided, a cooperative agreement generally indicates an active partnership role for the National Park Service during implementation, rather than a hands-off relationship typical of a standard grant.

13) What is the Assistance Listing (CFDA) number associated with this opportunity?

The associated CFDA (now commonly called an Assistance Listing) number is 15.931, which covers eligible NPS-related educational and public benefit activities.

14) What is the maximum award amount?

The maximum (ceiling) award amount listed for this opportunity is $35,000.

15) How many awards were expected to be made?

The opportunity anticipated a single award, with an expected award count of one.

16) Is this an open, competitive funding opportunity?

No. Although an eligible applicant category is described, the announcement explicitly states the cooperative agreement will be awarded to the Student Conservation Association and that applications would not be accepted from any other entities. This makes it a directed award rather than an open competition.

17) Who is the intended recipient of the cooperative agreement?

The announcement states that the cooperative agreement will be awarded to the Student Conservation Association.

18) What does "directed award" mean in practical terms for applicants?

In this posting, it means the opportunity functions primarily as a formal notice and administrative record of the intended recipient and project purpose. The announcement states that applications would not be accepted from other entities.

19) What is the stated eligibility category, and how is it limited?

The eligible applicant category is described as 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations (excluding institutions of higher education). However, the announcement also explicitly states the award will go to a specific organization and that no other applications will be accepted.

20) What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?

The Funding Opportunity Number is P19AS00085.

21) When was the opportunity created, and what was the closing date?

The opportunity was created on April 2, 2019, and the original closing date was April 10, 2019.

22) Why is the application window so short?

The information provided indicates a short administrative window that is consistent with a pre-identified awardee and a directed award posting.

23) What is the geographic focus of the project?

The project is focused on Alaska, specifically preparing Alaska youth for National Park Service internships in Alaska.

24) How should someone summarize the purpose of this grant in one sentence?

It provides targeted support for a small cohort-based internship readiness and reflection program for Alaska youth participating in National Park Service internships, using a three-day orientation and a one-day close-out workshop.