THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS-Prepare Visitor Experience and Resource Protection Plan (THRO)- THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS | NPS NOIP17AC00126

Opportunity Information: Apply for NPS NOIP17AC00126

This funding notice is a cooperative agreement from the Department of the Interior, National Park Service (NPS), focused on producing a Visitor Experience and Resource Protection (VERP) Plan for Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Even though it appears in a grant listings format, it is explicitly labeled "THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS," meaning it is not an open competition for new applicants. Instead, it documents an intended or already-determined award arrangement tied to an existing partnership mechanism.

The core project is the development of a VERP Plan covering all three units of Theodore Roosevelt National Park. The plan is meant to examine how visitor use is affecting both visitor experience and park resources across a wide range of settings and facilities. That includes trails, roads, campgrounds, picnic areas, scenic overlooks, visitor centers, cultural landscapes, and wilderness areas. The practical goal is to give park leadership a structured, evidence-based way to define what the "desired visitor experience" should be in different parts of the park and then connect that vision to day-to-day management decisions. In plain terms, the plan is intended to help the park prioritize where to spend limited maintenance funding, where to focus interpretive and educational programming, and where to direct resource management actions when visitor impacts are highest or most sensitive.

The recipient identified in the notice is Kansas State University, selected through its participation in the Great Plains Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units (CESU) network and under an existing Master Cooperative Agreement (P16AC00011). The notice explains that Kansas State University was chosen because its proposal was the most detailed and comprehensive among those considered, particularly in how it would develop data collection methods that lead to stronger management decisions. It also emphasizes Kansas State's prior experience working with Midwest Region parks, the likelihood of continued support after the formal project ends, and the fact that the university could field a team with relevant expertise spanning visitor use, recreation management, environmental conservation, and community relations. Another practical factor was readiness: Kansas State was prepared to begin work immediately, which can matter for planning projects tied to seasonal fieldwork and operational timelines.

A major feature of this award is substantial NPS involvement, which is typical for a cooperative agreement (as opposed to a standard grant where federal involvement is usually more limited). Theodore Roosevelt National Park staff are expected to define project expectations and the results they need from the work, provide technical assistance, and help the recipient navigate whether any data collection components require approvals beyond the park level (including regional or Washington-level review). The park will also provide general oversight and assign liaison staff to help with on-the-ground logistics during field efforts. Importantly, park staff will monitor data collection and can request adjustments to make sure the information gathered matches what managers need for decision-making, which signals an iterative, collaborative workflow rather than a hands-off research arrangement.

Administratively, the opportunity is listed as discretionary, with a cooperative agreement as the funding instrument, and it falls under environment, natural resources, science and technology, and other research and development. The CFDA number provided is 15.945. The expected number of awards is one, with an award ceiling of $225,000. The listing shows a creation date of January 6, 2017 and an original closing date of January 16, 2017, which fits with the idea that this is a formal posting to document a specific planned award rather than a broad solicitation.

Overall, the notice describes a targeted planning and applied research effort intended to guide how Theodore Roosevelt National Park manages visitor use while protecting resources. It is set up as a close partnership between NPS and Kansas State University, with NPS actively shaping, reviewing, and refining the data collection and planning outputs so the final VERP Plan can directly support operational priorities and long-term stewardship.

• The Department of the Interior, National Park Service in the environment, natural resources, science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS-Prepare Visitor Experience and Resource Protection Plan (THRO)- THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS" 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 Jan 06, 2017.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jan 16, 2017. (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 $225,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for NPS NOIP17AC00126

[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal: