Alaska Science and Culture Camp Educational Program- Henshaw Creek Culture and Science Camp | F19AS00369

Opportunity Information: Apply for F19AS00369

The Alaska Science and Culture Camp Educational Program - Henshaw Creek Culture and Science Camp (Funding Opportunity Number F19AS00369) is a discretionary funding opportunity from the U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Alaska Region 7. It is offered as a cooperative agreement, which generally means the selected applicant is expected to work closely with the federal partner during planning and implementation rather than operating completely independently. The program sits at the intersection of education and natural resources and is associated with CFDA 15.676.

The purpose of the opportunity is to support the collaborative planning and delivery of the Henshaw Creek Culture and Science Camp for youth from communities near the Kanuti National Wildlife Refuge. The camp is intended to function as an outdoor, place-based learning experience that helps local children build a stronger relationship with the lands and waters around them. A central expectation is that the camp will intentionally blend western scientific approaches (such as observation, data collection, ecology, and conservation science concepts) with traditional knowledge and lived experience from the region. The overall educational goal is to strengthen conservation ethics and stewardship values in participating youth by connecting scientific literacy to cultural context and local subsistence and land-use traditions.

Funding is designed to cover the practical components needed to run a camp program, including upfront planning and curriculum development, instruction during camp, transportation, and necessary supplies. In evaluating proposals, USFWS indicates a clear preference for camp concepts that show an active, working partnership with Kanuti National Wildlife Refuge. Priority is placed on proposals that use the refuge as an outdoor classroom, create meaningful hands-on learning opportunities for the students the program aims to serve, and measurably promote scientific literacy. Another stated priority is that the camp should advance the broader refuge mission by increasing conservation of fish, wildlife, plants, and also cultural and historical resources on Alaska's National Wildlife Refuges, not only through awareness but through informed behaviors and stewardship practices.

The award structure for this opportunity is relatively small and focused: the anticipated maximum federal amount (award ceiling) is $25,000, and USFWS expected to make one award. The opportunity was posted on September 4, 2019, with an original application closing date of September 9, 2019, indicating a short turnaround typical of some targeted, seasonal, or partner-driven program needs. Eligibility is listed broadly as "Others" with additional eligibility details referenced in the full announcement, suggesting the program may be open to certain types of local organizations, tribal entities, nonprofits, educational groups, or other community-based partners capable of delivering youth programming in collaboration with the refuge.

In practical terms, a strong proposal under this announcement would typically describe a clear camp plan and schedule, identify who the targeted youth participants are and how they will be recruited from nearby communities, and explain exactly how traditional knowledge holders, local experts, and science educators will co-lead or jointly shape the curriculum. It would also show how the refuge partnership will be active and not symbolic, for example through co-taught field activities, refuge-based lessons on habitat, fish and wildlife management, plant identification, water quality, navigation, safety, or cultural site awareness. The camp concept would ideally link those activities to longer-term conservation outcomes by teaching skills and values that encourage participants to care for the local environment and respect cultural and historical resources connected to the refuge landscape.

• The Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service in the education, natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Alaska Science and Culture Camp Educational Program- Henshaw Creek Culture and Science Camp" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.676.
• This funding opportunity was created on Sep 04, 2019.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Sep 09, 2019. (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 $25,000.00 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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