National Park Service Centennial Challenge

BEGINNING 3/4/2025 DO NOT USE THIS ASSISTANCE LISTING - EFFORTS UNDERWAY TO ARCHIVE/RETIRE The National Park Centennial Initiative is an effort to prepare national parks for another century of conservation, preservation, and public enjoyment. Projec

BEGINNING 3/4/2025 DO NOT USE THIS ASSISTANCE LISTING - EFFORTS UNDERWAY TO ARCHIVE/RETIRE The National Park Centennial Initiative is an effort to prepare national parks for another century of conservation, preservation, and public enjoyment. Project efforts will improve parks and serve all Americans. Since 2015, the National Park Service has leveraged more than $88 million in funding from Congress through the Centennial Challenge program to attract more than $119 million from partner organizations to support hundreds of projects across the country. These projects reduce the maintenance backlog, improve visitor services, support outreach to new audiences, and strengthen partnerships to reinvigorate national parks and forge connections to new communities.

Non-federal partners may include state agencies, Tribes, local governments, non-governmental organizations, private companies, and private individuals. Non-federal partners are expected to match NPS Centennial Challenge Cost Share funds at or above 1:1 for their respective projects.

State and local governments, private, public, profit, nonprofit organizations and institutions who are positioned to contribute at least 50 percent of the value of projects included in the list of approved Centennial Challenge projects.

For the purpose of sharing costs or services in carrying out authorized functions and responsibilities of the Secretary of the Interior with respect to any unit or program of the National Park System through Centennial Challenge projects.

The project approval, execution and completion period is typically for a time period not to exceed 24 months. Specific requirements for project execution and completion are outlined in detailed project plans and budgets.

Proposals that support the goals of the NPS Centennial Challenge including commitment letters from partners demonstrating ability to contribute the required match and readiness to complete the project. Proposals include description of the project, proposed budget, commitments from recipients.

Proposed projects and programs must: Provide for authorized activities that benefit one or more National Park System areas; require little or no additional recurring NPS operating or maintenance funds to be sustainable; and have partner(s) who will contribute at least 50% of the project cost to the NPS in the form of cash or assets from non-federal sources.

Proposals received are reviewed on the basis of a competitive, merit-based review process, and are rated in accordance with evaluation criteria.

Varies depending on the type and complexity of the project. Projects eligible for funding are submitted up to 12 months in advance of funding determinations.

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.

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.