Residential Environmental Learning Centers

 

The NPS Centennial Act mandates parks to ?use a broad program of the highest quality interpretation and education,? and to ?collaborate with other Federal and non-Federal public and private agencies, organizations, or institutions for the purposes of developing, promoting, and making available educational opportunities related to resources of the System and programs.? The collaboration between the NPS and RELCs are highly effective in promoting field-science and stewardship through delivering on-site day use and residential environmental education programs. RELCs work closely with universities, K-12 schools, professional societies, and diverse research and educational groups on standards and delivery methods.

General information about this opportunity
Last Known Status
Active
Program Number
15.012
Federal Agency/Office
National Park Service, Department of The Interior
Type(s) of Assistance Offered
B - Project Grants
Program Accomplishments
Fiscal Year 2019 This is a new program. No funding has been awarding in this fiscal year under this program listing.
Authorization
Cooperative Agreements, Transfer of Service Appropriated Funds U.S.C. 54 U.S.C. §101702(a)
Outdoor Recreation Programs provide authorization to cooperate with educational institutions and others in order to assist in establishing education programs and activities to encourage public use and benefits from outdoor recreation U.S.C. 54 U.S.C §200103(g)
Who is eligible to apply/benefit from this assistance?
Applicant Eligibility
Applicant may be State and local agencies, public or private nonprofit institutions/organizations, Federally recognized Indian tribal governments, State colleges and universities, public and private colleges and universities.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Educators will bring real-world, place-based science to students in accordance with state education standards.
Credentials/Documentation
Applicant must submit proof of applicant's governmental, non-profit or institutional status; a letter from the owner giving consent to the grant applicant as the grantee of record to undertake work on the property or collection (if applicable).
What is the process for applying and being award this assistance?
Pre-Application Procedure
Preapplication coordination is not applicable.
Application Procedure
2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. 2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. Funding announcements for this program, along with registration procedures, application packages and instructions, points of contact, and procedures for submitting applications will be available on www.grants.gov.
Award Procedure
Awards may be made to the highest rated proposals based on the amount of funding available each year. Recommendations will be approved by the Secretary of Interior through an apportionment process. Grants will be awarded by NPS directly to selected grantees.
Deadlines
Contact the headquarters or regional location, as appropriate for application deadlines
Approval/Disapproval Decision Time
From 60 to 90 days.
Appeals
None. Final award decisions are not subject to appeal; however, the National Park Service will provide applicants with information on why their proposals were not selected for award, upon request.
Renewals
If renewals or extensions are applicable to the project, this information will be included in the funding opportunity announcement. When renewals or extensions are applicable, continuation of funding for these and will be subject to availability of appropriated funds.
How are proposals selected?
Proposals received in response to announcements on grants.gov are reviewed on the basis of a competitive, merit-based review process, and are rated in accordance with the evaluation criteria stated in the announcement. Awards may be made to the highest rated proposals based on the amount of funding available each year. Recommendations will be approved by the Secretary of Interior through an apportionment process. Grants will be awarded by NPS directly to selected grantees.
How may assistance be used?
To carry out authorized functions and responsibilities of the Secretary of the Interior with respect to any unit or program of the National Park System through RELCs activities. These activities will typically include travel assistance grants for schools, tuition scholarships for low-income students, program development, training, and evaluation.
What are the requirements after being awarded this opportunity?
Reporting
Performance Reports: Unless otherwise stated in the agreement document, recipients shall submit Program Performance Reports on an annual basis. Upon completion of the agreement, recipients shall submit a final Program Performance Report; and other specific reports that may be applicable to the agreement such as property inventories, and patent and invention disclosures.
Auditing
In accordance with the provisions of 2 CFR 200, Subpart F - Audit Requirements, non-Federal entities that expend financial assistance of $750,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Non-Federal entities that expend less than $750,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in 2 CFR 200.503.
Records
Per 2 CFR Part 200.333 - 200.337
Other Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
Statutory formula is not applicable to this assistance listing.

Matching is mandatory. 50%. Recipients must be willing, and able to contribute at least 50% of the project cost, in the form of cash or assets from non-federal sources. In-kind services from the partner may only be received in addition to, not in place of, the 1:1 cash or asset contribution.

MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Funding will become available approximately 90-120 days from the time an entity is chosen through a funding opportunity. Once awarded, funding must be expended by the date noted in the financial assistance agreement All funding after award is made through the ASAP system.
Who do I contact about this opportunity?
Regional or Local Office
None/Not specified.
Headquarters Office
Tom Medema, Acting Associate Director of Interpretation, Education and Volunteers
Department of the Interior - National Park Service
1849 C St NW, MS 3322
Washington, DC 20240 USA
tom_medema@nps.gov
Phone: 202-513-7247
Financial Information
Account Identification
00-0000-0-0-000
Obligations
(Cooperative Agreements (Discretionary Grants)) FY 18 FY 19 FY 20 est $500,000.00; -
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
$1 - $500,000
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
Not applicable.
Examples of Funded Projects
Fiscal Year 2020 This is a new program. Project have not yet been funded under this Assistance Listing.

 



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