To support coordinated cooperative research, technical assistance, education and training, and usable knowledge development to inform science-based management of the national park system

The National Park Service (NPS), Department of the Interior, awarded a Cooperative Agreement totaling $134,163 to The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) under the Cooperative Research and Training Programs – Resources of the National Park System (CFDA 15.945) on August 12, 2025. The award supports archaeological services provided by UTSA's Center for Archaeological Resources (CAR) to San Antonio Missions National Historical Park (SAAN) in compliance with the Mission San Jose Indian Quarters Rehabilitation Project. The deliverables include comprehensive archaeological analysis, technical assistance, and documentation services conducted through collaboration between the park's Integrated Resources Division and UTSA-CAR staff, leveraging the Center's established expertise in Spanish Colonial Mission sites through the project completion date of August 31, 2027.

Beyond direct archaeological services, the award facilitates educational and workforce development objectives by providing field experience opportunities for UTSA students and recent graduates employed by the Center. The project demonstrates the cooperative agreement model's emphasis on multi-disciplinary science and integrated information products, benefiting state and local governments, federally recognized Indian tribal governments, nonprofit organizations, institutions of higher education, and the general public through preservation of cultural resources at an internationally significant National Park Service unit.

To facilitate multi-disciplinary science and integrated information products related to the resources of the national park system. To maintain a comprehensive network cooperative study units as will provide full geographic and topical coverage for research, technical assistance, and educational activities related to the resources contained in units of the national park system and their larger regions.university of texas-SAN antonio (utsa) center for archeological resources (car) will provide SAN antonio missions national historical park (saan) archeological services in support of the mission SAN jose indian quarters rehabilitation project compliance needs. The project will allow for collaboration between the parks integrated resources division and utsa-car staff. Utsa-car is an established partner of the park with a great deal of experience with spanish colonial mission sites. The project will provide opportunities for students and recent graduates employed by the center to gain experience working in an internationally significant unit of the national park service.beneficiaries include state and local governments, federally recognized indian tribal governments, public private nonprofit organizations, nonprofit institutions of higher education, and individuals (including members of the general public).