Opportunity Information: Apply for NOIP16AC01385
The Midwest National Natural Landmark Gap Analysis - GRPL opportunity is a National Park Service (NPS) cooperative agreement aimed at strengthening the National Natural Landmarks (NNL) program in the NPS Midwest Region by identifying what is missing from the current portfolio of designated landmark sites. It is issued under the broader Great Plains Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (GP-CESU) partnership framework, which exists to connect federal agencies, universities, and other partners to deliver research, technical support, and education on natural and cultural resource issues. In practice, this grant is designed to fund a targeted, applied analysis that helps NPS and partners better represent the Midwest region's most significant natural features through the NNL designation, regardless of whether the land is federally owned, state-owned, or privately held.
At the center of the project is a "gap analysis" of existing National Natural Landmarks in the Midwest. The funded Principal Investigator is expected to review the current set of NNLs and the natural history themes or feature types they represent, then determine which themes are underrepresented or not represented at all. The larger purpose is not only to improve internal program planning, but also to support conservation outcomes and public understanding by guiding the identification of new sites that could be evaluated for future designation. The opportunity frames NNLs as a way to help the public recognize and value shared natural heritage while encouraging conservation of outstanding ecological areas across ownership boundaries.
The recipient's work is expected to be collaborative and data-driven. The awardee must coordinate closely with NNL staff and relevant subject matter experts to define and refine the analysis approach, clarify concerns and desired products, and ensure the work aligns with NPS needs. A major component involves identifying, gathering, processing, and standardizing the datasets needed to run the gap analysis. The analysis should then be used to pinpoint thematic types (natural history themes and study classifications) that are currently underrepresented among designated sites in the Midwest region states of interest, and to translate those findings into actionable recommendations.
The main deliverable is a final analysis report with several required elements. It must (1) clearly identify natural history themes not currently represented by designated NNL sites in the target Midwest area, (2) develop a prioritization framework for those gaps using "landscape conservation elements" so that some missing themes can be treated as higher priority than others, and (3) produce a prioritized list of theme study classifications based on that framework. The report also needs to move beyond categories and recommend specific places: for each high-priority classification, the recipient should propose two to three candidate sites to consider as Potential National Natural Landmarks (PNNLs), including a short description of the resource values and a proposed boundary for each site. Finally, the report must include a concise methods section explaining how the gap analysis was performed, which landscape conservation elements were used in prioritization, and how candidate PNNL sites were selected.
NPS has defined responsibilities as well, reflecting the cooperative nature of the award. The agency commits to collaborating on the gap analysis parameters and data gathering, and to assigning an NPS staff member to serve as the Project Coordinator. That coordinator will participate in scoping meetings and help develop criteria for prioritizing potential NNL sites, including incorporating landscape conservation considerations into the evaluation. If communication with landowners becomes necessary during site consideration, the Midwest NNL Coordinator will help facilitate those contacts, which matters because many strong candidates may be on non-federal lands.
In administrative terms, this is a discretionary funding opportunity from the Department of the Interior, National Park Service, offered as a cooperative agreement (meaning substantial NPS involvement is expected rather than a hands-off grant). The opportunity number is NOIP16AC01385 under CFDA 15.945, with an anticipated single award and a funding ceiling of $90,000. The original posting dates indicate it was created on August 23, 2017, with an original closing date of September 2, 2017. Eligibility is listed broadly as "Others" with additional clarification referenced in the full announcement, which is consistent with CESU-based opportunities that often target qualified partner institutions within the CESU network.Apply for NOIP16AC01385
- The Department of the Interior, National Park Service in the other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Midwest National Natural Landmark Gap Analysis - GRPL" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.945.
- This funding opportunity was created on Aug 23, 2017.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Sep 02, 2017. (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 $90,000.00 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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FAQs: Midwest National Natural Landmark Gap Analysis - GRPL (NPS Cooperative Agreement)
What is the Midwest National Natural Landmark Gap Analysis - GRPL opportunity?
This opportunity is a National Park Service (NPS) cooperative agreement to strengthen the National Natural Landmarks (NNL) program in the NPS Midwest Region by conducting a targeted gap analysis of the current portfolio of designated landmark sites and identifying what is missing or underrepresented.
Which federal agency is offering this funding?
The funding is offered by the U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service (NPS).
Is this a grant or a cooperative agreement?
It is a cooperative agreement. That means substantial NPS involvement is expected during the project, rather than a hands-off grant relationship.
What is the main purpose of the project?
The purpose is to review existing National Natural Landmarks in the Midwest region, determine which natural history themes or feature types are not represented or are underrepresented, and use that information to guide identification of new sites that could be evaluated for future designation.
How does this project relate to the National Natural Landmarks (NNL) program?
The project is designed to improve planning and representation within the NNL program by identifying thematic gaps in the Midwest region and recommending candidate sites for consideration as Potential National Natural Landmarks (PNNLs).
Does a site need to be federally owned to be considered?
No. The opportunity specifically notes that NNL designation can apply regardless of whether land is federally owned, state-owned, or privately held.
What is meant by a "gap analysis" in this opportunity?
A gap analysis here means reviewing the existing set of designated NNLs and the natural history themes or feature types they represent, then determining which themes are underrepresented or not represented at all in the Midwest region portfolio.
What kind of work is the Principal Investigator expected to do?
The funded Principal Investigator is expected to collaborate with NNL staff and subject matter experts, define and refine the analysis approach, identify and standardize datasets needed to run the gap analysis, conduct the analysis, and translate the findings into recommendations and candidate site proposals.
What role do data and datasets play in the project?
A major project component is identifying, gathering, processing, and standardizing datasets needed to run the gap analysis, supporting a collaborative and data-driven approach.
What are the required elements of the final deliverable?
The main deliverable is a final analysis report that must include: (1) identification of natural history themes not currently represented by designated NNL sites in the target Midwest area, (2) a prioritization framework for gaps using landscape conservation elements, (3) a prioritized list of theme study classifications based on that framework, (4) two to three candidate sites proposed as Potential National Natural Landmarks (PNNLs) for each high-priority classification, including brief resource value descriptions and proposed boundaries, and (5) a concise methods section explaining the gap analysis, the landscape conservation elements used, and how candidate sites were selected.
What is a "prioritization framework" and what must it include?
The report must develop a prioritization framework to rank the identified gaps so that some missing themes can be treated as higher priority than others. The framework must use "landscape conservation elements" as part of the prioritization approach.
What is meant by "theme study classifications" in the deliverables?
Theme study classifications are the categories used to organize natural history themes and study types in the analysis. The final report must produce a prioritized list of these classifications based on the prioritization framework.
How many candidate sites must be proposed, and at what level of detail?
For each high-priority theme study classification, the recipient must propose two to three candidate sites to consider as Potential National Natural Landmarks (PNNLs). Each proposed site must include a short description of its resource values and a proposed boundary.
What is a Potential National Natural Landmark (PNNL) in the context of this project?
In this opportunity, PNNLs are specific places recommended for consideration as potential future National Natural Landmarks, based on the gap analysis and prioritization results.
What collaboration with NPS is expected during the project?
NPS involvement is built into the award. The recipient must coordinate closely with NNL staff and subject matter experts to refine the analysis approach, clarify desired products, ensure alignment with NPS needs, and support data gathering and scoping activities.
What responsibilities has NPS committed to under this cooperative agreement?
NPS commits to collaborating on gap analysis parameters and data gathering, assigning an NPS staff member as Project Coordinator to participate in scoping meetings, and helping develop prioritization criteria that incorporate landscape conservation considerations.
Who serves as the NPS point of coordination for the project?
NPS will assign a staff member to serve as the Project Coordinator, who will participate in scoping meetings and assist with developing prioritization criteria.
How will landowner communication be handled if potential sites are on non-federal lands?
If communication with landowners becomes necessary during site consideration, the Midwest NNL Coordinator will help facilitate those contacts, which is important because strong candidates may be on non-federal lands.
What partnership framework is this opportunity issued under?
This opportunity is issued under the Great Plains Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (GP-CESU) partnership framework, which connects federal agencies, universities, and other partners to provide research, technical support, and education on natural and cultural resource issues.
What is the funding amount and maximum award size?
The funding ceiling for this opportunity is $90,000.
How many awards are anticipated?
The opportunity indicates an anticipated single award.
What is the opportunity number and CFDA listing provided?
The opportunity number is NOIP16AC01385, and the listing is CFDA 15.945.
When was the opportunity originally posted and when did it close?
The original posting date is listed as August 23, 2017, and the original closing date is listed as September 2, 2017.
Who is eligible to apply based on the information provided?
Eligibility is listed broadly as "Others," with additional clarification referenced in the full announcement. The description also notes this is consistent with CESU-based opportunities that often target qualified partner institutions within the CESU network.
What geographic area does the gap analysis focus on?
The work focuses on the NPS Midwest Region and the Midwest region states of interest referenced in the opportunity as the target area for evaluating representation of NNL themes and identifying candidate sites.
What outcomes is NPS trying to support through this project beyond internal planning?
Beyond internal program planning, the project is framed as supporting conservation outcomes and public understanding by guiding identification of new sites and helping the public recognize and value shared natural heritage across different ownership types.
What must be included in the methods section of the final report?
The methods section must concisely explain how the gap analysis was performed, which landscape conservation elements were used for prioritization, and how candidate PNNL sites were selected.
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