Opportunity Information: Apply for P26AS00055
The National Parks Business Plan Internship (BPI) is a National Park Service (NPS) discretionary funding opportunity that supports a partner organization in jointly running a graduate-level internship program aimed at strengthening the business management and operational performance of U.S. national parks and NPS programs. The core idea is to place highly qualified graduate students into practical, park- or program-facing work where they receive meaningful training in NPS business management and operations, gain direct exposure to how parks and NPS programs function day to day, and complete substantive analyses that produce actionable recommendations. Those recommendations are expected to help improve strategic planning and management decision-making across the NPS.
A major emphasis of the program is recruiting talent from professional graduate disciplines that are often underrepresented within the NPS workforce, such as students pursuing an MBA, Master of Public Policy, Master of Environmental Management, or similar degrees. Beyond the immediate internship experience, the program is also meant to encourage these students to consider longer-term federal careers with conservation and land management agencies. At the same time, it aims to build a durable stewardship ethic among participants, particularly by attracting graduate students from top universities and immersing them in real public-lands management challenges.
Funding is offered through a cooperative agreement, which generally indicates substantial collaboration between the award recipient and the NPS in carrying out the program. The opportunity is listed under CFDA number 15.954, with a single expected award and an award ceiling of $1,700,000. The funding opportunity number is P26AS00055, and the original application closing date is January 4, 2027.
Eligible applicants include a wide range of U.S.-based public and nonprofit entities: state governments; county, city, and township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized tribal governments; tribal organizations; and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations (other than institutions of higher education). The authority cited in the notice aligns with NPS partnership and assistance authorities for carrying out NPS programs for a public purpose. The program does not fund foreign entities and does not support projects conducted outside the United States.
Finally, applicants should be aware that NPS will review the SAM.gov Exclusions database prior to making an award. If an applicant organization or key project personnel are listed as ineligible, prohibited/restricted, or otherwise excluded (as applicable to this federal program), the NPS cannot make an award to that entity under this opportunity.Apply for P26AS00055
- The National Park Service in the other sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "National Parks Business Plan Internship" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.954.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-09-28.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2027-01-04.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $1,700,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) - National Parks Business Plan Internship (BPI)
What is the National Parks Business Plan Internship (BPI)?
The National Parks Business Plan Internship (BPI) is a National Park Service (NPS) discretionary funding opportunity that supports a partner organization in jointly running a graduate-level internship program focused on improving the business management and operational performance of U.S. national parks and NPS programs.
What is the main purpose of this funding opportunity?
The purpose is to place highly qualified graduate students into practical, park- or program-facing work where they receive training in NPS business management and operations, gain direct exposure to day-to-day park and program functions, and complete substantive analyses that produce actionable recommendations to improve strategic planning and management decision-making across the NPS.
Who will run the internship program?
The internship program is expected to be jointly run by the selected partner organization and the National Park Service, with substantial collaboration implied by the cooperative agreement structure.
What kind of work will the interns be expected to do?
Based on the opportunity description, interns will conduct practical, park- or program-facing work and complete substantive analyses that result in actionable recommendations intended to improve NPS strategic planning and management decision-making.
What outcomes are expected from the interns' work?
The expected outcome is that interns produce actionable recommendations from their analyses, and those recommendations help improve strategic planning and management decision-making across the National Park Service.
Is this internship program aimed at a particular education level?
Yes. The opportunity is aimed at a graduate-level internship program.
What graduate disciplines are emphasized for recruitment?
A major emphasis is recruiting talent from professional graduate disciplines that are often underrepresented within the NPS workforce, including (as examples provided) MBA programs, Master of Public Policy programs, Master of Environmental Management programs, or similar degrees.
Is part of the program goal to support long-term federal career interest?
Yes. Beyond the immediate internship experience, the program is intended to encourage participating graduate students to consider longer-term federal careers with conservation and land management agencies.
Does the program aim to build a stewardship ethic among participants?
Yes. The program aims to build a durable stewardship ethic, particularly by attracting graduate students from top universities and immersing them in real public-lands management challenges.
What type of federal funding instrument will be used?
Funding is offered through a cooperative agreement, which generally indicates substantial collaboration between the award recipient and the NPS in carrying out the program.
What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?
The opportunity is listed under CFDA number 15.954.
What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number is P26AS00055.
How many awards does NPS expect to make?
The notice states there is a single expected award.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling is $1,700,000.
What is the application closing date?
The original application closing date is January 4, 2027.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants include U.S.-based public and nonprofit entities, including: state governments; county, city, and township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized tribal governments; tribal organizations; and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations (other than institutions of higher education).
Are nonprofit organizations eligible?
Yes. 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations (other than institutions of higher education) are listed as eligible applicants.
Are colleges and universities eligible?
Yes. Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education are included as eligible applicants.
Are tribal governments and tribal organizations eligible?
Yes. Federally recognized tribal governments and tribal organizations are included as eligible applicants.
Are local governments eligible to apply?
Yes. County, city, and township governments and special district governments are included as eligible applicants.
Are school districts eligible to apply?
Yes. Independent school districts are included as eligible applicants.
Can foreign organizations apply?
No. The program does not fund foreign entities.
Can the funded work be conducted outside the United States?
No. The opportunity does not support projects conducted outside the United States.
What is the statutory or program authority basis mentioned for this opportunity?
The authority cited in the notice aligns with NPS partnership and assistance authorities for carrying out NPS programs for a public purpose.
Will NPS check SAM.gov before making an award?
Yes. NPS will review the SAM.gov Exclusions database prior to making an award.
What happens if the applicant organization is listed in SAM.gov Exclusions?
If the applicant organization is listed as ineligible, prohibited/restricted, or otherwise excluded (as applicable to this federal program), NPS cannot make an award to that entity under this opportunity.
Can key project personnel affect eligibility under SAM.gov Exclusions?
Yes. The notice indicates that if key project personnel are listed as ineligible, prohibited/restricted, or otherwise excluded (as applicable), NPS cannot make an award under this opportunity.
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