Opportunity Information: Apply for NPS NOIP17AC00181
This notice describes a National Park Service (NPS) cooperative agreement task under an existing master cooperative agreement with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL), rather than an open, competitive funding opportunity. The listing is explicitly labeled "THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS," meaning the work is intended to be carried out by the named partner under Cooperative Agreement P16AC00011. The opportunity is issued by the U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, categorized under humanities/cultural affairs (CFDA 15.945), with an anticipated single award and a maximum funding amount of $101,504. The posting date is March 24, 2017, with an original closing date of April 3, 2017, reflecting the administrative window for this specific agreement action rather than a typical application deadline.
The project itself is a Historical Resource Study focused on African American homesteading in the Great Plains, aimed at producing new, monograph-length scholarship on a history the NPS identifies as under-documented. The research scope centers on three key places associated with African American homesteading: DeWitty, Nebraska; Nicodemus, Kansas; and Empire, Wyoming. If the research team can identify enough evidence and individuals, the study may also add a fourth component that examines isolated African American homesteaders elsewhere in the region, with the Shores family in Custer County, Nebraska offered as an example of the type of case that could be included. Across all sites, the study is intended to move beyond general narratives by identifying specific homesteaders and families, the land claims they pursued, whether and how they secured ownership, and what daily life looked like for them, including educational, cultural, social, and recreational experiences. A notable objective is to document, as specifically as possible, the landscapes these homesteaders occupied, linking historical experiences to identifiable places on the ground.
UNL, through its Center for Great Plains Studies, is the primary recipient responsible for carrying out the research and producing the deliverables. The planned outputs include a monograph-length Historical Resource Study of about 30,000 words and the production of 50 printed, adhesive-bound copies. In addition to the printed monograph, the partners anticipate a digital component designed to make the research accessible to a broader public audience, effectively translating the scholarship into interpretive media rather than leaving it only in academic form. The Center also retains the right to publish related findings in appropriate academic outlets, which signals that the work is expected to meet scholarly standards and contribute to the wider historical literature.
A key practical purpose of the work is to strengthen and update NPS interpretation at two specific park units: Homestead National Monument of America (HOME) and Nicodemus National Historic Site (NICO). In other words, the research is not only meant to fill a gap in historical scholarship, but also to provide the factual foundation that park staff can use to improve exhibits, programs, and public history storytelling related to homesteading and African American experiences in the Plains. To help ensure quality and relevance, the Center for Great Plains Studies will form an advisory board made up of experts and authors who will provide guidance during the research process and offer feedback on the draft product before it is finalized.
The NPS role is framed as collaborative and support-oriented, with multiple layers of assistance and review. NPS will work with the university on the study design and contribute substantial secondary-source information particularly for the Nicodemus portion. The HOME park historian will help with primary-source research, reinforcing that the project is expected to be grounded in original documentation such as land records, local archives, and related historical materials. The Midwest Regional (MWR) History Program will add peer review and advisory support, including sharing relevant information developed through the MWR Underground Railroad/Network to Freedom coordinator, and will coordinate review of the draft Historical Resource Study. HOME staff will also provide subject-matter expertise for the digital media products, ensuring that the public-facing components align with NPS interpretive needs and standards.
Overall, this cooperative agreement funds a targeted research-and-interpretation effort: a rigorous historical study of African American homesteaders in selected Great Plains communities, paired with products designed to improve NPS interpretive programming and public access to the findings. The structure, deliverables, and named partners make clear that this is a pre-arranged collaborative task under an existing agreement, not an open call for new applicants.Apply for NPS NOIP17AC00181
- The Department of the Interior, National Park Service in the humanities (see cultural affairs in cfda) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS-African American Homesteaders Historic Resource Study for HOME and NICO- THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS" 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 Mar 24, 2017.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Apr 03, 2017. (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 $101,504.00 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).
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is this an open government grant opportunity that anyone can apply for?
No. The listing is explicitly labeled "THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS." It describes a task to be carried out under an existing National Park Service (NPS) master cooperative agreement with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL), rather than a competitive funding opportunity.
What type of award is this (grant vs. cooperative agreement)?
This is a cooperative agreement task under an existing master cooperative agreement. The work is intended to be completed by the named partner under Cooperative Agreement P16AC00011.
Who is the issuing agency for this opportunity?
The opportunity is issued by the U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service (NPS).
What is the program area or category for this funding?
It is categorized under humanities/cultural affairs and is associated with CFDA 15.945.
Who is the intended recipient/partner for this cooperative agreement task?
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL), through its Center for Great Plains Studies, is the primary recipient responsible for carrying out the research and producing the deliverables.
How many awards are anticipated?
The notice indicates an anticipated single award.
What is the maximum funding amount?
The maximum funding amount listed is $101,504.
What are the posting and closing dates shown in the notice?
The posting date is March 24, 2017, and the original closing date is April 3, 2017. The dates reflect an administrative window for this specific agreement action rather than a typical application deadline, since it is not an open solicitation.
What is the project about, in plain terms?
The project is a Historical Resource Study focused on African American homesteading in the Great Plains. The goal is to produce new, monograph-length scholarship on a history that the NPS identifies as under-documented, and to translate the findings into products that can strengthen NPS interpretation and public understanding.
What kind of research product will be created?
The planned primary output is a monograph-length Historical Resource Study of about 30,000 words.
Will printed copies be produced?
Yes. The deliverables include producing 50 printed, adhesive-bound copies of the monograph.
Is there a digital or public-facing component, or is it only an academic report?
In addition to the printed monograph, the partners anticipate a digital component designed to make the research accessible to a broader public audience. The intent is to translate the scholarship into interpretive media rather than leaving it only in academic form.
Which locations are the main focus of the study?
The research scope centers on three key places associated with African American homesteading: DeWitty, Nebraska; Nicodemus, Kansas; and Empire, Wyoming.
Could the study include additional locations beyond the three main sites?
Possibly. If the research team can identify enough evidence and individuals, the study may add a fourth component examining isolated African American homesteaders elsewhere in the region. The Shores family in Custer County, Nebraska is given as an example of the type of case that could be included.
What kinds of questions will the study try to answer about African American homesteaders?
Across all sites, the study is intended to go beyond general narratives by identifying specific homesteaders and families, the land claims they pursued, whether and how they secured ownership, and what daily life looked like for them, including educational, cultural, social, and recreational experiences.
Does the study connect historical experiences to specific landscapes or physical places?
Yes. A notable objective is to document, as specifically as possible, the landscapes these homesteaders occupied, linking historical experiences to identifiable places on the ground.
How will this work be used by the National Park Service?
A key practical purpose is to strengthen and update NPS interpretation at two specific park units: Homestead National Monument of America (HOME) and Nicodemus National Historic Site (NICO). The research is intended to provide a factual foundation for improving exhibits, programs, and public history storytelling related to homesteading and African American experiences in the Plains.
Which NPS park units are specifically mentioned as benefiting from the work?
The notice specifically identifies Homestead National Monument of America (HOME) and Nicodemus National Historic Site (NICO).
Will there be expert oversight or review during the research process?
Yes. The Center for Great Plains Studies will form an advisory board made up of experts and authors to provide guidance during the research process and feedback on the draft product before it is finalized.
What role will NPS play in the project?
NPS is described as collaborative and support-oriented, providing assistance and multiple layers of review. NPS will work with UNL on study design, contribute substantial secondary-source information (especially for the Nicodemus portion), support primary-source research through the HOME park historian, and coordinate review through the Midwest Regional (MWR) History Program.
Who helps with primary-source research according to the notice?
The HOME park historian will help with primary-source research, reinforcing that the project is expected to be grounded in original documentation such as land records, local archives, and related historical materials.
What is the role of the Midwest Regional (MWR) History Program?
The MWR History Program will provide peer review and advisory support, share relevant information developed through the MWR Underground Railroad/Network to Freedom coordinator, and coordinate review of the draft Historical Resource Study.
Who supports the digital media products from the NPS side?
HOME staff will provide subject-matter expertise for the digital media products to help ensure that public-facing components align with NPS interpretive needs and standards.
Can UNL publish findings from this work in academic outlets?
Yes. The Center for Great Plains Studies retains the right to publish related findings in appropriate academic outlets, indicating the work is expected to meet scholarly standards and contribute to the wider historical literature.
What is the overall purpose of this cooperative agreement task?
Overall, the cooperative agreement funds a targeted research-and-interpretation effort: a rigorous historical study of African American homesteaders in selected Great Plains communities, paired with products designed to improve NPS interpretive programming and public access to the findings. The structure and named partners make clear it is a pre-arranged task under an existing agreement, not an open call for new applicants.
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