Description
The National Parks Business Plan Internship (BPI) is a cooperative‑agreement funded by the NPS to create a graduate‑level internship program that improves business management, strategic planning, and operational health across the National Park System. One award of up to $1.7 million will be made to a public‑sector, educational, or nonprofit entity that will design, recruit, place, and manage 2‑3‑person intern teams for multi‑week projects at park units or program offices, collect performance data, and support alumni engagement. The award runs for four years (Sept 2027 – Aug 2031) and requires substantial NPS involvement, reporting, and compliance with federal regulations.
• Funding: up to $1,700,000 (≈ $425k per year) via a Cooperative Agreement (CA).
• Eligible recipients: State, local, tribal governments, public entities, higher‑education institutions, and 501(c)(3) nonprofits.
• Scope of work: program design, student outreach, recruitment, onboarding, placement logistics, stipend/payroll administration, data collection, evaluation, and alumni networking.
• Required deliverables: quarterly/annual performance reports, financial reports (SF‑425), data sharing, compliance with geospatial data standards, and adherence to DOI/FOIA regulations.
• Timeline: application opens 09/28/2026, closes 03/05/2027; performance period 09/01/2027 – 08/31/2031.
• Key contacts: Rebecca Uber (Administrative Contact) and Stephen Thompson (Programmatic Contact).
• No cost‑sharing required; single award expected; strong NPS technical oversight throughout the project.