Opportunity Information: Apply for P17AS00804
The National Water Trail Conceptual Plan grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number P17AS00804) is a National Park Service initiative under the U.S. Department of the Interior focused on planning work for the Chattahoochee National Water Trail, particularly within or closely connected to the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area (CRNRA). The core purpose is to develop a conceptual plan that improves how the water trail is envisioned, used, and managed, with a strong emphasis on expanding or better integrating overnight camping opportunities for both hikers and paddlers. By exploring camping as a trail-related amenity, the project is aimed at enhancing public enjoyment and broadening recreation possibilities along the river corridor.
This opportunity is structured as a discretionary cooperative agreement, meaning the National Park Service expects to be actively involved with the recipient during project development rather than simply issuing funds with minimal engagement. The activity category is listed as Science and Technology and other Research and Development, which aligns with the planning, analysis, and research-oriented nature of creating a conceptual plan. The work is designed to directly involve graduate students, indicating a dual outcome: producing a practical planning deliverable for the park and providing hands-on, professional training for emerging researchers and planners working in recreation management, conservation planning, or related fields.
The notice makes clear that it is not an open, competitive solicitation. Instead, it is a notice of intent to make a restricted award to Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech), identified as a partner under the Southern Appalachian Mountains Cooperative Ecosystems Studies Unit. While the eligibility section lists public and state-controlled institutions of higher education and other entities (with additional clarification referenced), the practical effect of the notice is that the National Park Service intends to issue a single award to this specific partner organization rather than accept applications from the general public. The expected number of awards is one, with an award ceiling of $46,000.
In practical terms, the project is meant to produce a conceptual framework for the Chattahoochee National Water Trail that considers how visitors move through the landscape and waterway, where overnight stays could be safely and sustainably accommodated, and how those opportunities could be coordinated for both land-based users (hikers) and water-based users (paddlers). The planning effort is framed around improving visitor experience at CRNRA and likely includes evaluating potential camping locations, access points, user needs, and compatibility with resource protection and park operations. The funding opportunity was created on September 8, 2017, and it functions primarily as an administrative announcement documenting the National Park Service intent to fund this specific collaborative planning effort.Apply for P17AS00804
- The Department of the Interior, National Park Service in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "National Water Trail Conceptual Plan" 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 Sep 08, 2017.
- Applicants must submit their applications by This is not a request for applications. This is a notice of intent to make a restricted award to Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, a partner under the Southern Appalachian Mountains Cooperative Ecosystems Studies Unit.. (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 $46,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the National Water Trail Conceptual Plan grant opportunity?
This is a National Park Service (NPS) funding opportunity to support planning work for the Chattahoochee National Water Trail. The funded work focuses on developing a conceptual plan that improves how the water trail is envisioned, used, and managed, with a strong emphasis on overnight camping opportunities connected to the trail.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?
The Funding Opportunity Number is P17AS00804.
Which federal agency is offering this opportunity?
The opportunity is an initiative of the National Park Service under the U.S. Department of the Interior.
What geographic area or site is the project focused on?
The planning effort is focused on the Chattahoochee National Water Trail, particularly within or closely connected to the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area (CRNRA).
What is the main purpose of the funded work?
The core purpose is to develop a conceptual plan for the Chattahoochee National Water Trail that improves visitor experience and supports better management of the trail. A central theme is expanding or better integrating overnight camping opportunities as a trail-related amenity for both hikers and paddlers.
What type of grant or assistance mechanism is being used?
This opportunity is structured as a discretionary cooperative agreement, meaning the National Park Service expects to be actively involved with the recipient during project development rather than simply issuing funds with limited engagement.
What does it mean that this is a cooperative agreement in this context?
Based on the notice description, NPS anticipates active participation with the recipient while the conceptual plan is being developed. The funding is not described as a hands-off award; instead, it is meant to be collaborative during planning and development.
What is the listed activity category for this opportunity?
The activity category is listed as Science and Technology and other Research and Development, reflecting the planning, analysis, and research-oriented nature of creating a conceptual plan.
Is this an open, competitive solicitation where anyone can apply?
No. The notice states it is not an open, competitive solicitation. It is a notice of intent to make a restricted award rather than inviting applications from the general public.
Who is the intended recipient of the award?
The National Park Service indicates an intent to make a restricted award to Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech).
Why is Virginia Tech identified as the recipient?
Virginia Tech is identified as a partner under the Southern Appalachian Mountains Cooperative Ecosystems Studies Unit, and the notice documents NPS intent to fund this specific collaborative planning effort through that partner.
Does the eligibility section mean other organizations can apply?
Although the eligibility language references categories such as public and state-controlled institutions of higher education and other entities (with additional clarification referenced), the notice also clearly states the practical intent: a single, restricted award to Virginia Tech rather than accepting applications from the general public.
How many awards does NPS expect to make under this announcement?
The expected number of awards is one.
What is the maximum funding amount available?
The award ceiling is $46,000.
What deliverable is expected from this funded project?
The primary deliverable is a conceptual plan (or conceptual framework) for the Chattahoochee National Water Trail. The plan is intended to address how the trail is envisioned, used, and managed, and it specifically emphasizes integration of overnight camping opportunities for both hikers and paddlers.
How is overnight camping expected to be addressed in the plan?
The notice emphasizes exploring camping as a trail-related amenity to enhance public enjoyment and broaden recreation possibilities along the river corridor. The planning effort is framed to consider where overnight stays could be safely and sustainably accommodated and how those opportunities could work for both land-based and water-based users.
Who are the main user groups considered in this planning effort?
The notice highlights both hikers (land-based users) and paddlers (water-based users) as key user groups, especially in relation to overnight camping and coordinated recreation opportunities.
What kinds of planning questions is the project expected to examine?
Based on the description, the project is expected to consider how visitors move through the landscape and waterway, where camping could be located, and how camping opportunities could be coordinated across user types. It is also framed around visitor experience improvements at CRNRA and likely includes examining potential camping locations, access points, user needs, and compatibility with resource protection and park operations.
How does the project connect to visitor experience at CRNRA?
The planning effort is described as being framed around improving visitor experience at the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, including recreation opportunities and how users interact with the water trail and associated amenities.
Will graduate students be involved?
Yes. The notice specifies that the work is designed to directly involve graduate students, with a dual goal of producing a practical planning deliverable and providing hands-on professional training for emerging researchers and planners.
What kinds of academic or professional fields does this project relate to?
The notice describes training and work relevant to recreation management, conservation planning, and related fields, consistent with a research and planning-oriented conceptual plan effort.
When was this funding opportunity created?
The funding opportunity was created on September 8, 2017.
What is the overall function of this announcement?
The notice functions primarily as an administrative announcement documenting the National Park Service intent to fund a specific collaborative planning effort for the Chattahoochee National Water Trail through a restricted award.
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