Opportunity Information: Apply for P19AS00260
The Buddy Bison School and Kids to Parks Day Programs opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number P19AS00260) is a National Park Service cooperative agreement under the U.S. Department of the Interior focused on education. The central purpose is to bring K-12 students into national parks for hands-on learning and outdoor recreation, with an emphasis on reaching youth who might not otherwise have easy access to these experiences.
The project goal is straightforward: provide educational and outdoor recreational activities in national parks for students in kindergarten through 12th grade. The way the National Park Service intends to meet that goal is by expanding two established initiatives, the Buddy Bison program and the Kids to Parks Day National School Contest. Both efforts are designed to connect young people with public lands through structured park-based activities that blend learning, exploration, and recreation, helping students build familiarity and comfort with outdoor spaces while reinforcing educational outcomes tied to real-world environments.
A key feature of this opportunity is its focus on equity and access. The programs specifically target youth from underserved communities and low socio-economic schools, particularly in urban areas where barriers like transportation costs, limited school resources, and lack of proximity to large natural areas can prevent students from participating in park experiences. By prioritizing these groups, the agreement supports broader public-service goals such as expanding participation in outdoor recreation, increasing environmental literacy, and helping students develop a lasting connection to national parks.
This notice also signals that the work is grounded in an existing partnership framework. The National Park Trust has already delivered these programs to targeted urban student populations and, in 2013, entered into a memorandum of understanding with the National Park Service to streamline coordination and support planning and execution. That context matters because it indicates the project is not starting from scratch; it is scaling up efforts that have prior operational experience and an established relationship with the agency.
From a funding and administrative standpoint, this is a discretionary opportunity with a cooperative agreement structure, which typically means the agency expects to be actively involved during implementation rather than simply awarding funds and stepping back. The anticipated award amount is up to $88,000, with one expected award. Importantly, the posting is described as a non-competitive Notice of Intent, and no applications are being accepted at this time. While eligibility is listed broadly as "Others" with additional clarification referenced elsewhere, the non-competitive nature and single expected award strongly suggest it is intended for a specific partner rather than an open call for new applicants.Apply for P19AS00260
- The Department of the Interior, National Park Service in the education sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Buddy Bison School and Kids to Parks Day Programs" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.954.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jun 12, 2019.
- Applicants must submit their applications by This is a non-competitive Notice of Intent only. No applications are being accepted at this time.. (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 $88,000.00 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).
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Buddy Bison School and Kids to Parks Day Programs (P19AS00260)
What is the Buddy Bison School and Kids to Parks Day Programs opportunity?
This opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number P19AS00260) is a National Park Service (NPS) cooperative agreement under the U.S. Department of the Interior. It focuses on education by supporting programs that bring K-12 students into national parks for hands-on learning and outdoor recreation.
Which federal agency is offering this opportunity?
The opportunity is offered by the National Park Service, which is part of the U.S. Department of the Interior.
What type of funding instrument is being used?
The notice describes a cooperative agreement. In general, that means NPS is expected to have active involvement during implementation rather than simply issuing funds and stepping back.
Is this a competitive grant program?
No. The posting is described as a non-competitive Notice of Intent, and only one award is expected. That combination typically indicates it is aimed at a specific partner rather than being an open, competitive call.
Are applications being accepted right now?
No. The notice states that no applications are being accepted at this time.
How many awards does NPS expect to make under this notice?
One award is expected.
What is the anticipated award amount?
The anticipated award amount is up to $88,000.
What is the main purpose of this cooperative agreement?
The central purpose is to bring K-12 students into national parks for hands-on learning and outdoor recreation, with an emphasis on reaching youth who might not otherwise have easy access to these experiences.
What is the project goal?
The project goal is to provide educational and outdoor recreational activities in national parks for students in kindergarten through 12th grade.
How does NPS plan to achieve the project goal?
NPS intends to meet the goal by expanding two established initiatives: the Buddy Bison program and the Kids to Parks Day National School Contest. Both are designed to connect young people with public lands through structured, park-based learning and recreation.
What are the two initiatives being expanded?
The work centers on expanding (1) the Buddy Bison program and (2) the Kids to Parks Day National School Contest.
What kinds of experiences are supported for students?
The notice emphasizes hands-on learning and outdoor recreation in national parks, delivered through structured activities that blend learning, exploration, and recreation in real-world environments.
Who is the intended audience for the programs?
The intended audience is K-12 students (kindergarten through 12th grade).
Is there an equity and access focus?
Yes. A key feature of the opportunity is its focus on equity and access, prioritizing participation by youth who face barriers to visiting and learning in national parks.
Which student populations are specifically targeted?
The programs specifically target youth from underserved communities and low socio-economic schools, particularly in urban areas.
What barriers does the opportunity aim to address?
The notice highlights barriers such as transportation costs, limited school resources, and lack of proximity to large natural areas, all of which can prevent students from participating in park experiences.
What broader public-service outcomes does this work support?
The agreement supports broader goals such as expanding participation in outdoor recreation, increasing environmental literacy, and helping students develop a lasting connection to national parks.
Is this program new, or does it build on existing work?
It builds on existing work. The notice indicates the project is scaling up established initiatives rather than starting from scratch.
What partnership context is mentioned in the notice?
The notice states that the National Park Trust has already delivered these programs to targeted urban student populations and that, in 2013, the National Park Trust and NPS entered into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to streamline coordination and support planning and execution.
Who has prior experience delivering these programs?
The notice identifies the National Park Trust as having already delivered the programs to targeted urban student populations.
What does the 2013 memorandum of understanding (MOU) indicate?
Based on the notice, the 2013 MOU indicates there is an established framework between the National Park Trust and NPS intended to streamline coordination and support planning and execution of the programs.
What does the eligibility category say?
Eligibility is listed broadly as "Others," with additional clarification referenced elsewhere. However, the non-competitive Notice of Intent and the single expected award suggest the opportunity is likely intended for a specific partner rather than a wide pool of applicants.
What does "discretionary" mean in this context?
The notice describes this as a discretionary opportunity, meaning it is not presented as an entitlement or formula-based program in the text provided.
Where will activities take place?
The activities described in the notice take place in national parks, where students participate in park-based educational and outdoor recreational experiences.
What is the funding opportunity number for reference?
The funding opportunity number is P19AS00260.
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