Department of Ecology, Montana State University was chosen for this award because this organization has a long history of demonstrated expertise on Yellowstone Lake related to the cutthroat trout and the lake trout suppression program. They were chos | P17AS00498

Opportunity Information: Apply for P17AS00498

This notice is a federal funding announcement from the U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service (NPS), identified by Funding Opportunity Number P17AS00498 and created on July 13, 2017. It falls under the discretionary funding category and uses a cooperative agreement as the funding instrument, which typically means the NPS expects to have substantial involvement in the work as it is carried out rather than simply issuing a grant and stepping back. The program area is listed under Education, Science and Technology, and other Research and Development, and it is associated with CFDA number 15.945.

The key point of the announcement is that it is not an open, competitive grant solicitation. Instead, it serves as a public notice that the NPS intends to fund specific project activities without competition. In practical terms, this means the agency has already selected an organization to carry out the work and is publishing the announcement to document its intent and provide transparency, rather than inviting new applications from the public. The posting explicitly states that it is not a request for applications and repeats that the purpose is public notice of NPS intent to fund the described activities noncompetitively.

The project focus, as reflected in the title and description, relates to Yellowstone Lake fisheries ecology, specifically issues involving native cutthroat trout and the lake trout suppression program. The title indicates that Montana State University is being selected because of its long history of demonstrated expertise connected to Yellowstone Lake, cutthroat trout, and efforts to suppress invasive lake trout. Although the title text appears truncated, the intent is clear: NPS is justifying a noncompetitive award based on the recipient's specialized background, experience, and continuity of work in this highly specific management and research area.

Financially, the announcement lists an award ceiling of $125,615 and anticipates a single award (Expected Awards: 1). That combination suggests a modestly sized, targeted project or a defined set of tasks rather than a broad multi-recipient program. Because it is a cooperative agreement, the work would likely involve coordination with NPS staff and alignment with NPS management priorities for Yellowstone Lake, such as monitoring fish populations, evaluating suppression outcomes, improving methods, or supporting research that informs ongoing lake trout control and cutthroat trout conservation strategies.

Eligibility information is included, stating eligible applicants as nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status other than institutions of higher education. However, the title references Montana State University, which is an institution of higher education, reinforcing that this notice is not structured as an open competition and that the typical eligibility language may not be the operative factor for this specific action. The announcement also lists no traditional closing date, because there is no application period; the "Original Closing Date" field reiterates that it is not a request for applications.

Overall, this opportunity is best understood as an administrative public notice for a one-time, noncompetitive cooperative agreement by the National Park Service to support specialized Yellowstone Lake work tied to cutthroat trout conservation and invasive lake trout suppression, with a maximum federal amount of $125,615 and one intended recipient.

• The Department of the Interior, National Park Service in the education, science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Department of Ecology, Montana State University was chosen for this award because this organization has a long history of demonstrated expertise on Yellowstone Lake related to the cutthroat trout and the lake trout suppression program. They were chos" 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 Jul 13, 2017.
• Applicants must submit their applications by This Funding Announcement is not a request for applications.This announcement is to provide public notice of the National Park Service (NPS), intention to fund the following project activities without competition.. (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 $125,615.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.

Apply for P17AS00498

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