GETT and EISE â¿¿ Visitor use survey | P17AS00071

Opportunity Information: Apply for P17AS00071

The "GETT and EISE Visitor use survey" opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number P17AS00071) is a National Park Service project under the Department of the Interior focused on understanding visitor use at two major park units in Pennsylvania: Gettysburg National Military Park (GETT) and Eisenhower National Historic Site (EISE). The work is structured as a cooperative agreement, meaning the National Park Service is not simply funding an outside party to deliver a product but is expected to be actively involved throughout the project. The central purpose is to collaborate with the Social and Economic Sciences Research Center (SESRC) to design and carry out a visitor use study that supports the parks' management and stewardship goals.

At the core of the project is applied social science research. NPS staff at GETT and EISE will work jointly with SESRC to develop the study objectives, create the survey instrument (the questions and format used to collect data from visitors), and handle other technical components needed to meet the research goals. While the notice does not list the exact survey questions or metrics, the emphasis on "visitor use" typically points to collecting information such as who is visiting, how and when visitors move through the sites, what activities they participate in, what their experiences and needs are, and how visitation patterns may affect resources, facilities, staffing, interpretation, and long-term planning.

A major element of the opportunity is not only producing data, but also sharing it in ways that build broader understanding and support for preservation. The project outputs are intended to be distributed through multiple channels to increase public awareness, knowledge, and community backing for historic preservation and stewardship of cultural and historical heritage. Specifically, the data and related products will be shared through the websites of the park units and the CESU (Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units network), and results will be presented to local civic and conservation leaders and other community stakeholders. This signals a strong public communication component: the findings are meant to inform both internal park decision-making and external community conversations about managing and protecting these nationally significant places.

In terms of funding and scale, the award ceiling is $143,908 and the announcement anticipates a single award. The funding activity category is listed as Education, which fits the public-facing and interpretive value of visitor research in national parks, even though the methods are research-based. The CFDA number attached to the opportunity is 15.945, corresponding to National Park Service assistance programs.

Eligibility is not framed as an open competition. The listing states that it is a notification to enter an agreement with Washington State University under an existing cooperative agreement, with no additional competition and no applications accepted. In practice, that means this is a non-competitive action where the government has already identified the partner organization (through the existing agreement framework) and is formally documenting the intent and funding details rather than inviting proposals from the public.

Overall, this grant opportunity supports a collaborative visitor survey effort at Gettysburg and Eisenhower NHS, pairing on-the-ground park expertise with specialized research capacity at SESRC. The expected outcome is a set of visitor use data and related deliverables that can guide management, improve understanding of visitor experiences, and strengthen public and stakeholder support for preserving and responsibly stewarding these historic sites.

• The Department of the Interior, National Park Service in the education sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "GETT and EISE â¿¿ Visitor use survey" 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 Feb 01, 2017.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Notification to enter agreement with Washington State University under existing Cooperative Agreement without additional competition. No applications will be accepted. (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 $143,908.00 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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