Challenge Cost Share | P19AS00348

Opportunity Information: Apply for P19AS00348

The Challenge Cost Share opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number P19AS00348) is a discretionary National Park Service (NPS) funding action issued by the U.S. Department of the Interior. It is structured as a cooperative agreement, meaning the NPS expects to have substantial involvement in the work alongside the recipient rather than simply issuing funds and stepping back. The opportunity sits in the Natural Resources activity area and is associated with CFDA 15.943, which is commonly tied to NPS partnership and resource-related assistance efforts.

At its core, this agreement is meant to function as a practical mechanism for bringing in non-federal matching dollars to pair with ONPS funds (Office of National Park Service appropriated funds). The key idea is leverage: NPS dollars go further when a partner can contribute additional non-federal resources, whether that support comes in the form of cash, services, or other qualifying match. The Challenge Cost Share Program is presented here as a way to encourage shared investment in projects that advance the NPS mission while also aligning with the goals of local project partners.

The scope of the work emphasized in the description focuses on mission-related projects that benefit national parks, national trails, and wild and scenic rivers. The opportunity highlights the value of an efficient partnership model for identifying and funding projects across the country, particularly those that serve NPS visitors and support NPS programs. In other words, the funding is not limited to a single park unit or a narrow topic; instead, it is framed as a vehicle to support a range of projects where shared priorities exist between the NPS and partner organizations, and where a match can amplify impact.

In terms of who could typically be eligible, the listing uses the category "Others" and points to additional eligibility clarification in the full announcement. However, in this specific instance, the notice makes it clear that this is not an open competition. The posting is a notice of intent to award to The Outdoor Foundation under a previously competed cooperative agreement, and it explicitly states that no applications will be accepted. That means the opportunity functions primarily as a public transparency notice rather than a solicitation for new proposals.

The funding details indicate a single expected award, with an award ceiling of $386,000. The announcement was created on July 3, 2019. Taken together, the structure and wording show that the NPS is using the Challenge Cost Share framework to support a partner-assisted pipeline of projects, emphasizing matched contributions and broad public benefits to parks and related NPS-managed resources, while this particular listing is tied to a pre-selected recipient and is not open for submission.

• The Department of the Interior, National Park Service in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Challenge Cost Share" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.943.
• This funding opportunity was created on Jul 03, 2019.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Notice of intent to award to The Outdoor Foundation under previously competed Cooperative Agreement. No applications will be accepted.. (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 $386,000.00 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).

Apply for P19AS00348

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