Opportunity Information: Apply for NPS NOIP18AC00178
The Department of the Interior, National Park Service offered a discretionary funding opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number NPS NOIP18AC00178) titled "Inventory Historic Archaeological Resources at Keweenaw National Historic Park and Isle Royale National Park." The award was structured as a cooperative agreement, with one expected award and a maximum funding level (ceiling) of $150,000. The opportunity was open to public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, reflecting a focus on partnering with universities that can provide professional archeological expertise, research capacity, and public-facing educational engagement. The announcement was created on April 6, 2018, with an original closing date of April 16, 2018, indicating a short application window typical of some targeted, project-specific federal calls.
At its core, the project’s purpose was to conduct an archeological inventory in two Michigan park units: Keweenaw National Historic Park (KEWE) and Isle Royale National Park (ISRO). The work emphasized generating baseline archeological information in areas that had not been fully surveyed, documenting the location and context of historic sites, and producing the kinds of datasets the National Park Service relies on for day-to-day stewardship. For KEWE in particular, the inventory was framed as essential for making more informed and efficient decisions about public use and access within the Quincy Unit. By knowing what archeological resources are present and where they are located, the park can plan trails, interpretive access, and potential openings of additional areas to visitors while reducing the risk of inadvertent damage to sensitive cultural resources. The grant also highlighted that having solid baseline documentation supports quicker and more defensible responses to regulatory and compliance processes, since parks often need ready access to survey results and site information when projects trigger cultural resource review requirements.
A major theme of the opportunity was partnership-building and community involvement alongside resource protection. The project explicitly aimed to include partner organizations connected to KEWE as well as stakeholders at ISRO, with an emphasis on conservation relationships that involve private organizations and the balancing act between stewardship responsibilities and public use. The call also recognized that some park boundaries are adjacent to private lands and neighboring communities, and it positioned the archeological inventory as a platform for collaboration with nearby groups, including private landowners. This outward-facing approach was not just about data collection; it was also intended to strengthen working relationships and create shared understanding of local history and cultural landscapes.
One specific partnership highlighted in the announcement was with the Keweenaw Time Traveler, a web-based interactive mapping tool that allows residents to document and explore the history of their communities. The grant positioned the Time Traveler as an additional public platform for communicating archeological work and findings to local residents, helping translate technical fieldwork into information people can engage with. This component directly responded to community interest in being more actively involved in archeology at both parks, suggesting that the project was expected to have public humanities and interpretation value in addition to producing formal survey results.
The opportunity also carried a clear commitment to improving representation of tribal histories and perspectives in both parks. The survey and related contextual studies were described as a way to address the under-representation of tribal communities in existing historical narratives and documentation. Beyond the research outputs, the project was intended to support deeper collaboration among tribal leaders, National Park Service staff, and university partners, creating more sustained dialogue and identifying opportunities for stronger tribal involvement in stewardship and interpretation. In practical terms, this signals that inventory results were expected to be used not only to locate sites, but also to improve how park stories are told and whose histories are centered in interpretive programs.
Finally, the project tied its outcomes to visitor experience and safety. By documenting baseline conditions on previously unsurveyed lands, especially at KEWE, the park would be better positioned to plan for public access in a way that protects archeological resources while also designing safe visitor use. At Isle Royale, understanding the nature and location of historic sites was framed as supporting visitor safety on the island, implying that site locations and conditions can affect route planning, hazard awareness, and management decisions in a remote park setting. Overall, the grant opportunity combined archeological field inventory with planning support, compliance readiness, community engagement, tribal consultation and representation goals, and practical improvements to interpretation and public access.Apply for NPS NOIP18AC00178
- The Department of the Interior, National Park Service in the environment, humanities (see cultural affairs in cfda), science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Inventory Historic Archaeological Resources at Keweenaw National Historic Park and Isle Royale Naitonal Park" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.945.
- This funding opportunity was created on Apr 06, 2018.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Apr 16, 2018. (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 $150,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the title of this funding opportunity?
The funding opportunity was titled "Inventory Historic Archaeological Resources at Keweenaw National Historic Park and Isle Royale National Park."
Who offered this grant opportunity?
The opportunity was offered by the U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service (NPS).
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?
The Funding Opportunity Number listed in the announcement was NPS NOIP18AC00178.
What type of award was anticipated?
The award was structured as a cooperative agreement, which generally indicates an active partnership role for the National Park Service during project performance.
How many awards were expected?
The announcement indicated one expected award.
What was the maximum funding amount (ceiling)?
The maximum funding level (ceiling) for the opportunity was $150,000.
Who was eligible to apply?
The opportunity was open to public and state-controlled institutions of higher education. The eligibility focus reflected an intent to partner with universities capable of providing professional archaeological expertise, research capacity, and public-facing educational engagement.
When was the opportunity posted?
The announcement was created on April 6, 2018.
What was the original application closing date?
The original closing date listed was April 16, 2018.
How long was the application window?
Based on the creation date (April 6, 2018) and closing date (April 16, 2018), the application window was approximately 10 days, which is consistent with short, targeted, project-specific federal calls.
What was the main purpose of the project?
The core purpose was to conduct an archaeological inventory in two Michigan National Park Service units to generate baseline archaeological information in areas that had not been fully surveyed, document the location and context of historic sites, and produce datasets used for day-to-day stewardship.
Which park units were included in the project?
The work focused on two Michigan park units: Keweenaw National Historic Park (KEWE) and Isle Royale National Park (ISRO).
What kinds of work products or outcomes were emphasized?
The announcement emphasized producing baseline archaeological information, documenting site locations and context, and generating the kinds of inventory datasets the National Park Service relies on for stewardship, planning, and management decision-making.
Why was the inventory especially important for Keweenaw National Historic Park (KEWE)?
For KEWE, the inventory was framed as essential for making more informed and efficient decisions about public use and access within the Quincy Unit. Knowing where archaeological resources are located supports trail planning, interpretive access decisions, and potential opening of additional areas to visitors while reducing the risk of inadvertent damage to sensitive cultural resources.
How does an archaeological inventory support compliance and regulatory needs?
The opportunity noted that solid baseline documentation helps parks respond more quickly and defensibly to regulatory and compliance processes. When projects trigger cultural resource review requirements, having survey results and site information readily available supports timely, well-supported decisions.
Was community involvement part of the project’s intent?
Yes. A major theme was partnership-building and community involvement alongside resource protection. The project aimed to include partner organizations connected to KEWE and stakeholders at ISRO, balancing stewardship responsibilities with public use and strengthening conservation relationships that involve private organizations.
Did the opportunity mention working with private landowners or neighboring communities?
Yes. The announcement recognized that some park boundaries are adjacent to private lands and neighboring communities and positioned the inventory as a platform for collaboration with nearby groups, including private landowners.
How were the inventory results expected to help visitor access and planning?
By identifying what archaeological resources are present and where they are located, the parks can plan public access (such as trails and interpretive opportunities) in ways that protect cultural resources while enabling thoughtful, well-managed visitor use.
How were visitor experience and safety connected to this work?
The opportunity linked inventory outcomes to visitor experience and safety. At KEWE, documenting baseline conditions on previously unsurveyed lands was described as supporting safe visitor use while protecting resources. At ISRO, understanding the nature and location of historic sites was framed as supporting visitor safety in a remote park setting by informing route planning, hazard awareness, and management decisions.
What role did the Keweenaw Time Traveler play in the project?
The announcement highlighted a partnership with the Keweenaw Time Traveler, a web-based interactive mapping tool where residents can document and explore local history. The Time Traveler was positioned as a public platform for communicating archaeological work and findings to local residents, translating technical fieldwork into information people can engage with.
Was public education or interpretation part of the project’s expected value?
Yes. In addition to formal inventory results, the opportunity described an intent to provide public-facing educational engagement and public humanities value by sharing information through platforms like the Keweenaw Time Traveler and responding to community interest in being more involved in archaeology at both parks.
Did the opportunity address tribal histories and perspectives?
Yes. The call included a clear commitment to improving the representation of tribal histories and perspectives in both parks. The survey and contextual work were described as a way to address under-representation of tribal communities in existing narratives and documentation.
How was tribal collaboration described in the opportunity?
The project was intended to support deeper collaboration among tribal leaders, National Park Service staff, and university partners, encouraging sustained dialogue and identifying opportunities for stronger tribal involvement in stewardship and interpretation.
Was the project limited to data collection only?
No. While archaeological field inventory and baseline documentation were central, the opportunity also emphasized practical planning support, compliance readiness, community engagement, tribal consultation and representation goals, and improvements to interpretation and public access.
What geographic area did the project focus on?
The project focus was on two Michigan parks: Keweenaw National Historic Park and Isle Royale National Park.
Why did the opportunity focus on higher education institutions?
The eligibility limitation to public and state-controlled institutions of higher education reflected an emphasis on partnering with universities that can bring professional archaeological expertise, research capacity, and public-facing educational engagement aligned with the project’s goals.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Environment, Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA), Science and Technology and other Research and Development
Next opportunity: U.S. Consulate General HK, 175th Anniversary Programs
Previous opportunity: Next-Generation Non-Surgical Neurotechnology (N3)
Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for NPS NOIP18AC00178
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Inside Our Applicants Portal
Access Applicants Portal
- Grants Repository - Access current and historic funding opportunities with ease. Thousands of funding opportunities are published every week. We can help you sort through the database and find the eligible ones to apply for.
- Applicant Video Guides - The grant application process can be challenging to follow. We can help you with intuitive video guides to speed up the process and eliminate errors in submissions.
- Grant Proposal Wizard - We have developed a network of private funding organizations and investors across the United States. We can reach out and submit your proposal to these contacts to maximize your chances of getting the funding you need.
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Learn More
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "NPS NOIP18AC00178", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.