Interns for MASI and NPNH | P17AS00250

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Interns for MASI and NPNH (Funding Opportunity Number P17AS00250)

1) What is the "Interns for MASI and NPNH" grant opportunity?

"Interns for MASI and NPNH" (Funding Opportunity Number P17AS00250) is a National Park Service (NPS) education-focused cooperative agreement under the U.S. Department of the Interior. The purpose is to fund a small cohort of interns who will support park operations and public engagement across Manhattan Sites (MASI) and the National Parks of New York Harbor (NPNH).

2) Which agency is offering this opportunity?

The opportunity is offered by the National Park Service (NPS), which is part of the U.S. Department of the Interior.

3) What is the main goal of the project?

The project aims to place interns directly in park units to strengthen interpretation, collections work, and visual communications. It also emphasizes professional skill-building through hands-on training and a coordinated enrichment component.

4) What kind of award mechanism is used?

This opportunity uses a cooperative agreement mechanism.

5) Is this a competitive grant opportunity? Can organizations or individuals apply?

No. The posting states it is not open for competition and is a notice of intent to enter an agreement with the Student Conservation Association (SCA) under an existing cooperative agreement (P15AC00031). It explicitly notes that no applications will be accepted.

6) Who is the intended partner for this agreement?

The intended partner is the Student Conservation Association (SCA), under an existing cooperative agreement identified as P15AC00031.

7) How many awards are expected?

The opportunity indicates an expected single award.

8) What is the maximum funding amount available (award ceiling)?

The award ceiling is $65,751.

9) What does "discretionary" mean in the context of this listing?

The opportunity is listed as discretionary, meaning it is provided at the agency's discretion rather than through a formula-based distribution. (The listing itself identifies the opportunity type as discretionary.)

10) What is the core deliverable funded by this agreement?

The core deliverable is staffing for six internship roles spread across multiple parks and historic sites in New York, supporting public engagement, collections/archival work, and visual/digital communications.

11) What are the six internship roles described?

The project funds six interns in three functional areas:

• Three interpretation and social media interns
• Two curatorial/historian interns
• One visual information intern

12) What will the interpretation and social media interns do?

These three interns will help the public understand and connect with park resources through formal and informal talks, guided tours, historic education programs, and multimedia presentations. They are intended to increase public-facing programming and improve communication of site stories both in person and through digital channels.

13) What will the curatorial/historian interns do?

The two curatorial/historian interns focus on museum and archival functions. Their work includes handling and organizing historic collections and cataloging the library collection at the Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace, with possible support to other historic sites in New York as needed.

14) Will the curatorial/historian interns produce written work?

Yes. In addition to cataloging and collections support, these interns are expected to contribute written content, including articles intended for publication by the National Park Service.

15) What will the visual information intern do?

The visual information intern supports NPNH park units by developing visual and digital products. This includes assisting with print graphics and digital media platforms, and helping create videos and graphic content for NPNH social media outlets to support outreach, education, and visitor engagement.

16) Where will the interns be placed?

Interns will be placed across Manhattan Sites (MASI) and the National Parks of New York Harbor (NPNH), spanning multiple parks and historic sites in New York. The description also notes that curatorial/historian interns may support other historic sites in New York as needed.

17) Is training included as part of the internship experience?

Yes. All six interns receive park-based training covering areas such as curatorial collections, interpretation, resource protection, and safety-based operational leadership.

18) Beyond day-to-day duties, what professional development is included?

The project is framed as both work support and workforce development. In addition to park-based training, interns participate in an enrichment and collaborative problem-solving component coordinated by SCA and the NPS.

19) What are the enrichment days and how many are planned?

Three enrichment days are planned. These are working sessions designed to help participants think across park boundaries and address real resource-based challenges affecting parks, while building skills in innovative community engagement.

20) Who participates in the enrichment component?

The enrichment component involves all 17 SCA interns working in the New York/New Jersey area, not only the six interns funded under this specific task agreement.

21) What happens during the NPS Academy week mentioned in the description?

During an NPS Academy week, interns form small groups to identify an issue or challenge they observe. They then continue working on it throughout the summer by defining the problem, providing context, and developing a proposal that either addresses the challenge or leverages an opportunity.

22) What is the final outcome of the enrichment component?

The enrichment work culminates in final presentations delivered to NPNH park leaders on the last enrichment day.

23) What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity is tied to CFDA number 15.931, aligning it with National Park Service assistance programming.

24) When was this opportunity created?

The opportunity was created on May 10, 2017.

25) Does this funding specifically support public engagement and communications?

Yes. Three interns are dedicated to interpretation and social media, and one intern is dedicated to visual information (graphics, digital products, video, and social media support). Collectively, these roles are intended to expand programming and strengthen consistent communication across modern media platforms.

26) Does the project include support for museum, archival, or library collections?

Yes. Two curatorial/historian interns support museum and archival functions, including organizing historic collections and cataloging the library collection at the Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace, with potential support to other New York historic sites as needed.

27) Are safety and operational expectations part of the learning experience?

Yes. The training described includes safety-based operational leadership, along with resource protection and other park disciplines.

28) What parks are directly referenced in the description?

The description references Manhattan Sites (MASI), the National Parks of New York Harbor (NPNH), and specifically mentions cataloging at the Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace. It also notes possible support to other historic sites in New York.

29) Does this agreement focus only on completing tasks, or also on building career skills?

It is explicitly framed as both. Interns complete operational and public engagement work while receiving hands-on training and participating in coordinated enrichment designed to build professional skills and support workforce pipeline development.

30) If no applications are accepted, what is the purpose of publishing the opportunity?

Based on the description, it serves as a formal notice of intent to enter an agreement with the Student Conservation Association under an existing cooperative agreement (P15AC00031), rather than a call for proposals.