Outdoor Schools in National Parks
Active
- Assistance listing
- 15.012
- Agency
-
National Park Service
Department of the Interior
- Grant awards
- 1 $485,000 in federal obligations
Program facts
- Assistance type
-
- Cooperative Agreement
- Treasury account
-
- 14-1036-0-1-303
Program details come from SAM.gov Assistance Listings. Updated . Grant award figures come from USAspending.gov.
About this program
The Department of the Interior National Park Service funds environmental education programming delivered by outdoor schools in partnership with National Park Service sites under Assistance Listing 15.012, with the most recent grant award made on September 11, 2023.
Program activity is minimal. The portfolio contains a single grant award disbursed in 2023; no additional awards appear in the historical record, and no recent grant opportunities have been posted. The program's funding cadence cannot be reliably assessed from one award, and applicants should verify current program status and solicitation schedule by contacting the National Park Service point of contact before investing in proposal development.
The program funds on-site and residential environmental education programs that promote field-science and stewardship through collaboration between outdoor schools, National Park Service parks and sites, universities, K-12 schools, and research and educational organizations. The single representative award—Cooperative Agreement P23AC02126, made to Dunes Learning Center for $5.4 million total obligated (federal share $485 thousand)—funded summer camps, overnight in-park programs, day programs, and place-based learning experiences in partnership with Indiana Dunes National Park, including STEM outreach and Great Lakes literacy initiatives serving K-12 students, health professionals, and veterans.
All awards in the portfolio are Cooperative Agreements. The National Park Service Midwest Region is the sole funding source. Combined federal dollars obligated total $485 thousand against a combined total obligation (including non-federal match) of $5.4 million, indicating substantial recipient cost-share. The single award runs through August 31, 2033.
Eligible applicants include state and local agencies, public and private nonprofit institutions and organizations, federally recognized Indian tribal governments, state colleges and universities, and public and private colleges and universities. Proposals are evaluated through competitive merit-based review; specific evaluation criteria are posted in funding opportunity announcements on grants.gov. Application review periods typically range from 30 to 120 days depending on project complexity. No recent grant opportunities are currently posted.
Objective and description
- Objective
The collaboration between the National Park Service and Outdoor Schools are highly effective in promoting field-science and stewardship through delivering on-site day use and residential environmental education programs. Outdoor Schools work closely
- Description
Outdoor Schools collaborate with NPS parks and sites to promote field-science and stewardship through on-site and residential education programs. Outdoor Schools work closely with universities, K-12 schools and a diverse group of research and educational organizations to accomplish the mission of the program.
Eligibility
- 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.
- Uses of assistance
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 Outdoor Schools activities. These activities will typically include travel assistance grants for schools, tuition scholarships for low-income students, program development, training, and evaluation.
- Length and time phasing of assistance
Assistance length and time depends on project complexity.
How to apply
- Criteria for selecting proposals
Specific evaluation criteria will be included in the funding announcements posted on www.grants.gov.
- Award procedure
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.
- Time to approval or disapproval
Varies depending on the type and complexity of the project. Further information will be available for each specific project at the time the funding opportunity announcement is posted on www.grants.gov and may be obtained by contacting the Program Manager listed as the point of contact. Generally 30 - 120 days.
- 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 activities is at the discretion of Congress and will be subject to availability of appropriated funds.
- 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.
Grant awards
| Award | Recipient | Federal obligations | Awarded |
|---|---|---|---|
| Outdoor schools collaborate with NPS parks and sites to promote field-science and stewardship through on-site… | Indiana Dunes Environmental Learning Center, Inc. | $485,000 |
Top recipients by federal obligations
| Rank | Recipient | Federal obligations | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Indiana Dunes Environmental Learning Center, Inc. | $485,000 | 100% |
Federal obligations by fiscal year
| Fiscal year | Federal obligations |
|---|---|
| FY2025 | $110,000 |
| FY2024 | $160,000 |
| FY2023 | $215,000 |
Quick answers
What is Assistance Listing 15.012?
Assistance Listing 15.012 is Outdoor Schools in National Parks, a federal grant program run by National Park Service (Department of the Interior).
What is the CFDA number for Outdoor Schools in National Parks?
Its CFDA number is 15.012: Assistance Listing numbers were called CFDA numbers before 2018.
How much funding has Assistance Listing 15.012 awarded?
1 grant award under 15.012 have obligated $485,000 in federal funds to 1 recipient.
Who receives the most funding from 15.012?
The recipients obligated the most under Outdoor Schools in National Parks are Indiana Dunes Environmental Learning Center, Inc. ($485,000).
How much did 15.012 obligate in fiscal year 2025?
Grants under 15.012 obligated $110,000 in federal funds in fiscal year 2025.
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