Hemlock Woolly Adelgid Interns | P18AS00164

Hemlock Woolly Adelgid Interns Grant (P18AS00164) - FAQs

What is the Hemlock Woolly Adelgid Interns grant opportunity?

This is a discretionary National Park Service (NPS) funding opportunity under the U.S. Department of the Interior focused on hands-on natural resource fieldwork. The primary emphasis is controlling hemlock woolly adelgid infestations, mainly through insecticide-based treatment work carried out by interns in forest settings.

What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this grant?

The Funding Opportunity Number (FON) is P18AS00164.

Which federal agency is offering this opportunity?

The program is administered by the National Park Service (NPS) within the U.S. Department of the Interior.

What type of award is this?

The award is offered as a cooperative agreement. That typically means the selected recipient is expected to coordinate closely with the federal agency on project planning and implementation, rather than operating entirely independently.

What activity category does this funding fall under?

The opportunity is categorized under Natural Resources activities.

What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity is associated with CFDA 15.931.

When was the opportunity originally posted?

The original posting date listed is July 31, 2018.

What was the original application deadline?

The original application deadline listed is August 11, 2018.

What is the maximum (ceiling) award amount?

The listed award ceiling is $61,800.

How many awards were expected to be made?

The source data shows an expected number of awards of 0. In listings like this, that can reflect administrative estimates or that awards were not predetermined at the time of posting.

What is the main work interns are expected to perform?

The core work is physically demanding, field-based conservation and pest management focused on hemlock woolly adelgid control. This includes pesticide application in forest environments as part of efforts to control infestations.

Is pesticide application part of the internship work?

Yes. Interns are expected to carry out adelgid control work that includes pesticide application in forest settings.

How physically demanding is the fieldwork?

The work is described as rugged, backcountry fieldwork performed year-round in all types of weather. Expectations include hiking up to 8 miles per day while carrying up to 40 pounds of equipment on steep, uneven terrain, both on-trail and off-trail.

What kinds of field conditions should interns be prepared for?

Interns should be prepared to work safely and effectively in rugged backcountry conditions throughout the year, including operating in all types of weather. The work can involve remote areas and may require backpacking and camping in very primitive conditions.

Are navigation skills required?

Yes. Comfort with navigation using a GPS is specifically highlighted as central to the role.

Does the work involve backpacking and camping?

Yes. The position description emphasizes the ability to backpack and camp in very primitive conditions, which suggests work may occur in remote locations without easy access to facilities.

Are there additional duties beyond hemlock woolly adelgid control?

Yes. Depending on park needs, interns may be assigned other resource management tasks such as exotic or invasive plant control, bat monitoring activities, ginseng marking or plot-based work, and other related natural resource duties.

Does this internship support broader ecosystem management work?

Yes. While hemlock woolly adelgid response is a key component, the range of potential assignments indicates the internship can support broader natural resource and ecosystem management priorities.

Is pesticide certification required?

Yes. Interns must take and pass the Kentucky pesticide certification test to be eligible to apply pesticides in forest environments. This is described as a critical compliance and safety requirement.

Is a driver's license required?

Yes. A valid driver's license is explicitly required, reflecting the likelihood of traveling between sites or transporting staff and equipment as part of field operations.

Who is eligible to apply for the funding?

Eligibility is limited primarily to nonprofit organizations with IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) status, excluding institutions of higher education. The opportunity also references that other eligible applicants may be included as described in the additional eligibility information.

Can colleges and universities apply?

Based on the provided eligibility description, institutions of higher education are excluded from the primary eligible category of 501(c)(3) nonprofits.

Is this funding intended for individual interns to apply directly?

The eligibility language focuses on organizations (particularly 501(c)(3) nonprofits) as applicants. In practice, that indicates the funding is aimed at organizations capable of hosting, supervising, and supporting interns while coordinating the work with the National Park Service.

What does it mean that the recipient must coordinate closely with the National Park Service?

Because this is a cooperative agreement, the recipient would generally be expected to work in close coordination with NPS on planning and implementation of the fieldwork, rather than independently designing and executing the project without agency involvement.