National Water Trail Conceptual Plan | P17AS00804

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.

• 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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