OSM/VISTA AmeriCorps

The purpose of the OSM Youth Program is to carry out appropriate environmental projects cooperatively with non-profit IRS 501(c)(3) eligible applicants that have access to AmeriCorps Volunteers to Service to America positions through partnership with

The OSM Youth Programs consists of three programs: Semester Internship, AmeriCorps, and VISTA Programs. The OSM/AmeriCorps Program is designed to partner with non-profit IRS 501(c)(3) eligible applicants that have access to AmeriCorps State and National (hereinafter referred to as AmeriCorps) positions through partnership with the Corporation for National and Community Service, or other intermediary organization, to administer the OSM/AmeriCorps Program.

The not-for-profit sponsor organization will be responsible for the daily operation of the OSM/VISTA Program, working closely with OSM to ensure the program aligns with the mission of the Bureau. Eligible sponsor organizations will have, at minimum, the following to be considered eligible: • Have a 501(c)(3) status • Have access to AmeriCorps positions through partnership with the Corporation for National and Community Service, or other intermediary organization • Have the organizational capacity to oversee participants in the field and across the country

Youth and local communities that benefit from reclamation of abandoned mine lands; Youth interested in gaining experience in a Federal agency.

Funding for the OSM Youth Initiative is used to support an innovative partnership working directly with OSM and community and watershed improvement groups addressing poverty, environmental reclamation and safety, community environmental stewardship, economic improvement, environmental education, environmental research, geographic information systems, environmental mapping, and more. There are three structured programs under the OSM Youth Initiative. Each program is funded through a separate Cooperative Agreement. Please refer to the Notice of Funding Opportunity posted every other year on grants.gov with specific requirements for each program. OSM AmeriCorps Program Utilizing AmeriCorps State and National positions, OSM enters into a Cooperative Agreement with a non-profit sponsor to administer the OSM/AmeriCorps Program. This program places recent graduates from academic and vocational institutions in OSM Regional, Field Offices and Headquarters, for one year to gain experience in the work of OSM and the Federal government. Participants are mentored by OSM staff and exposed to various professional development and training opportunities. The OSM/AmeriCorps Program may fund up to 25 participants annually. OSM Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) Program Utilizing AmeriCorps VISTA, OSM enters into a Cooperative Agreement with a non-profit sponsor to administer the OSM/VISTA Program. This Program places recent graduates from academic and vocational institutions in non-profit organizations in communities impacted by mining practices. The goal of the OSM/VISTA Program is to build capacity and economic opportunities in impoverished communities, with an emphasis on helping underserved populations. The OSM/VISTA Program may fund up to 60 participants annually. OSM Semester Internship Program OSM enters into a Cooperative Agreement with a non-profit sponsor to administer the OSM Semester Internship Program. This program provides students with a meaningful work experience in OSM offices nationwide and an opportunity to develop significant workplace skills during their service. Semester Interns are tasked with projects that significantly contribute to their professional development. Assignments may include policy research, data analysis, environmental impact studies, and public outreach activities related to underground and surface coal mining activities. The OSM Semester Intern Program may fund up to 15 participants annually.

Please refer to the applicable Notice of Funding Opportunity for length and time phasing of assistance information.

The criteria used to evaluate and select a proposal will be based on objective merit review criteria, program policy factors, provisions of appropriation laws, reports, and as otherwise specified in the Notice of Funding Opportunity. The breakdown of the merit review criteria will include and analysis of 1. Organizational Capacity 2. Program Design 3. Access to AmeriCorps Positions Access 4. Cost Effectiveness/Budget Adequacy

• Applications submitted through Grants.gov and received by 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time on the due date identified in the NOFO, will be reviewed to determine whether they are eligible, complete, and responsive and aligned with the respective program objectives as described in the Program Description. • Applications determined to be ineligible, incomplete, and/or non-responsive based on the initial screening will be eliminated from further review. • Applications that are determined to be eligible, complete, and responsive will proceed for full merit reviews in accordance with the review and selection processes set forth below for each of the respective programs. • At least three objective reviewers, knowledgeable in the subject matter of this NOFO and its objectives, will evaluate each application based on the evaluation criteria. • Each reviewer will assign individual scores to each criterion for each application. • The scores provided by each reviewer for each application will then be combined to form a composite score for each application, which serves as the basis for the relative ordering or ranking of applications. • OSM may select some, all, or none of the applications, or part(s) of any particular application. • The OSM Approving Official or his/her designee approves and awards cooperative agreements for this program

See the Notice of Funding Opportunity posted on Grants.gov, for the application submission deadline.

Renewals are not applicable; Each recipient grantee may apply for non-funded extensions of time as necessary to complete the project up to one year.