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

FAQs: Alaska Science and Culture Camp Educational Program - Henshaw Creek Culture and Science Camp (F19AS00369)

What is this funding opportunity?

This is a discretionary funding opportunity from the U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Alaska Region 7. The opportunity supports planning and delivery of the Henshaw Creek Culture and Science Camp for youth from communities near the Kanuti National Wildlife Refuge.

What is the official name and funding opportunity number?

The opportunity is titled "The Alaska Science and Culture Camp Educational Program - Henshaw Creek Culture and Science Camp" and the Funding Opportunity Number is F19AS00369.

Which agency is offering the funding?

The funding is offered by the U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Alaska Region 7.

What type of award is this (grant vs. cooperative agreement)?

This opportunity is offered as a cooperative agreement. That generally means the selected applicant is expected to work closely with the federal partner (USFWS/Kanuti National Wildlife Refuge) during planning and implementation, rather than operating completely independently.

What is the associated CFDA number?

The opportunity is associated with CFDA 15.676.

What is the main purpose of the program?

The purpose is to support collaborative planning and delivery of a youth culture and science camp that functions as an outdoor, place-based learning experience, strengthening youth connections to local lands and waters around the Kanuti National Wildlife Refuge.

Who is the camp intended to serve?

The camp is intended for youth from communities near the Kanuti National Wildlife Refuge.

What is meant by "place-based" learning in this context?

In this opportunity, place-based learning refers to outdoor learning that is rooted in the local landscape (lands and waters near the refuge) so students learn through direct experience, observation, and hands-on activities in the environment that surrounds their communities.

How should western science and traditional knowledge be used in the camp?

A central expectation is that the camp intentionally blends western scientific approaches (such as observation, data collection, ecology, and conservation science concepts) with traditional knowledge and lived experience from the region.

What educational outcomes is USFWS looking for?

The overall educational goal is to strengthen conservation ethics and stewardship values by connecting scientific literacy to cultural context and local subsistence and land-use traditions.

What kinds of costs can the funding cover?

Funding is designed to cover practical components needed to run the camp program, including upfront planning and curriculum development, instruction during camp, transportation, and necessary supplies.

How much funding is available?

The anticipated maximum federal amount (award ceiling) is $25,000.

How many awards does USFWS expect to make?

USFWS expected to make one award under this opportunity.

When was the opportunity posted and when did it close?

The opportunity was posted on September 4, 2019, with an original application closing date of September 9, 2019.

Is there a stated preference in how proposals should be designed?

Yes. USFWS indicates a clear preference for camp concepts that show an active, working partnership with Kanuti National Wildlife Refuge.

What does "active, working partnership" with the refuge mean here?

Based on the description, it means the refuge partnership should be real and operational, not symbolic. Examples given include co-taught field activities and refuge-based lessons such as habitat topics, fish and wildlife management, plant identification, water quality, navigation, safety, or cultural site awareness.

What kinds of camp activities appear to be a good fit?

The announcement highlights hands-on learning using the refuge as an outdoor classroom, with potential activities tied to observation, data collection, ecology, conservation concepts, and refuge-based topics like habitat, fish and wildlife management, plant identification, water quality, navigation, safety, and cultural site awareness.

What does USFWS prioritize in proposal evaluation?

Priority is placed on proposals that (1) use the refuge as an outdoor classroom, (2) create meaningful hands-on learning opportunities for the students served, and (3) measurably promote scientific literacy.

How important is measuring scientific literacy in this opportunity?

It is explicitly called out as a priority: proposals should measurably promote scientific literacy, indicating the camp concept should be able to show or demonstrate gains or outcomes related to scientific learning.

How does the camp connect to the refuge mission?

Another stated priority is that the camp should advance the broader refuge mission by increasing conservation of fish, wildlife, plants, and cultural and historical resources on Alaska's National Wildlife Refuges through awareness, informed behaviors, and stewardship practices.

What types of applicants are eligible?

Eligibility is listed broadly as "Others," with additional eligibility details referenced in the full announcement. This suggests the opportunity may be open to certain local organizations, tribal entities, nonprofits, educational groups, or other community-based partners capable of delivering youth programming in collaboration with the refuge.

What should a strong proposal typically include?

A strong proposal would typically describe a clear camp plan and schedule, identify targeted youth participants and recruitment from nearby communities, explain how traditional knowledge holders/local experts and science educators will co-lead or jointly shape the curriculum, and demonstrate an active partnership with the refuge through concrete co-developed and/or co-taught activities.

Does the program emphasize culture as well as science?

Yes. The camp is intended to intentionally blend western science with traditional knowledge and lived experience, linking scientific literacy to cultural context and local subsistence and land-use traditions.

Is the refuge expected to be used directly as part of the learning environment?

Yes. USFWS places priority on proposals that use the Kanuti National Wildlife Refuge as an outdoor classroom.

What longer-term outcomes does the opportunity describe?

The camp concept is expected to link 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.