Collaborative Inventory and Monitoring Ecological Data Management | P17AS00593

Opportunity Information: Apply for P17AS00593

The Department of the Interior, National Park Service announced a discretionary funding opportunity titled "Collaborative Inventory and Monitoring Ecological Data Management" (Funding Opportunity Number P17AS00593) to support the development, management, and sharing of scientific information about the condition and trends of natural resources across the National Park System. The core purpose is to strengthen how ecological inventory and monitoring data are organized, interpreted, and distributed so that park resource managers can make better-informed decisions, educators can use credible park-based science in learning settings, and members of the public can more easily understand the status of important natural resources.

The work described focuses on producing and distributing scientific data products that reflect resource conditions and long-term trends. By improving access to these datasets and associated information, the project aims to increase understanding of park resources and make the information more usable for practical management and education. A key emphasis is that the knowledge and datasets generated are intended to complement and enhance other scientific studies in the region by providing comparable, standardized information that researchers can use for broader analysis. The opportunity explicitly notes the value of these comparative data to researchers at universities and colleges, as well as educators and students at high schools and other public institutions, suggesting an intent to support both formal research and wider educational use.

Another important component is public engagement. Beyond simply publishing reports or datasets, the task agreement includes developing tools that allow the public to interact more directly with scientific data. In practice, this typically points to data portals, dashboards, visualizations, or other outreach-oriented products that translate monitoring information into formats that are easier to explore and understand, without sacrificing scientific integrity. The overall theme is improving ecological data management in a way that increases transparency, usability, and public connection to park science.

Administratively, this notice is not an open call for proposals. It is a "Notice of Intent to Award," meaning the National Park Service is providing public notice that it plans to fund a specific project under an existing cooperative agreement with GGNPC, rather than soliciting new applications. Although the listing includes an eligibility category of nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education), the intent-to-award language makes clear that this particular announcement is not a competitive opportunity. The funding instrument is a cooperative agreement, which generally implies substantial involvement from the federal agency during project implementation, such as collaboration on technical direction, data standards, or dissemination strategies.

The announcement was created on August 2, 2017, with an original closing date of August 7, 2017, reflecting the short timeframe typical of intent-to-award postings that serve mainly as formal notice rather than a solicitation. The expected number of awards is one, with an award ceiling of $51,100. The program is associated with CFDA number 15.944 and is categorized under education and natural resources, aligning with its dual goals of strengthening ecological science support for park management while expanding educational and public access to credible environmental data.

• The Department of the Interior, National Park Service in the education, natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Collaborative Inventory and Monitoring Ecological Data Management" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.944.
• This funding opportunity was created on Aug 02, 2017.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 07, 2017 NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD. This is not a request for applications. This funding announcement is to provide public notice that the National Park Service will fund the following project under an existing Cooperative Agreement with GGNPC.. (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 $51,100.00 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.

Apply for P17AS00593

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