Opportunity Information: Apply for NPS NOIP18AC00295
Traditional Ecological Knowledge: Learning from Elders and Traditional Lake Use - APIS is a discretionary National Park Service (NPS) cooperative agreement designed to support a tribally led effort to document and apply Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) connected to the Apostle Islands area in the Great Lakes. The opportunity centers on a partnership among three federally recognized Chippewa tribes in Wisconsin, the Lac du Flambeau Band, the Red Cliff Band, and the Bad River Band. The core idea is to record multi-generational oral histories and place-based knowledge from elders and other recognized knowledge holders, then use that information to strengthen both tribal cultural continuity and NPS management decisions for natural and cultural resources in and around Apostle Islands National Lakeshore.
The project is led by the Tribal Historic Preservation Offices (THPOs) of the three tribes, emphasizing tribal direction, tribal priorities, and tribal control of the materials created. Using established oral history and documentation methods, the project trains and mentors approximately 9 to 12 tribal members drawn from different age groups. These participants learn how to conduct interviews in a respectful, culturally appropriate way and how to handle documentation responsibilities such as recording, note-taking, and information stewardship. A major educational feature is youth involvement, not only in gathering TEK from elders and community leaders, but also in media production, helping students gain practical experience beyond the classroom while deepening their understanding of the Great Lakes ecosystem and their communities lived relationships with it.
A key element of the grant is that all original interview materials are curated by the tribes, reinforcing tribal data governance and long-term preservation of sensitive cultural knowledge. While the project includes public-facing sharing of results, it is structured to respect cultural boundaries: tribes may decide that certain information is sacred, sensitive, or otherwise inappropriate for public release and therefore keep it within the community or under restricted access. For information that is appropriate to share, dissemination is planned through multiple formats such as web-based projects, short video clips, community events, and technical reports, allowing the results to reach both tribal audiences and the broader public in ways that are accessible and useful.
The public purposes of the opportunity are twofold. First, it expands the overall historical and ecological record by incorporating more first-hand knowledge from elders of all three tribes, adding depth and specificity to what is known about the Apostle Islands region and its long-term human and environmental history. This richer knowledge base can improve future management by helping the NPS and partners better understand natural and cultural resources, historical uses, and ongoing tribal connections to the area. Second, it builds community capacity by training tribal members, especially younger participants, in oral history collection and documentation skills, creating a pathway for continued knowledge transmission and stewardship work in the future. In short, the grant funds a collaborative, tribally guided TEK and oral history initiative that preserves living knowledge, strengthens intergenerational learning, and directly informs park and resource management while honoring tribal authority over what is collected and what is shared.
Administrative details show the opportunity was issued by the U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, under funding opportunity number NPS NOIP18AC00295, with an estimated single award up to 250,000 dollars. It falls under CFDA 15.954 and is categorized across community development, employment and training, environment, and natural resources. Eligibility was limited to federally recognized Native American tribal governments. The opportunity was created May 8, 2018, with an original closing date of May 18, 2018, reflecting a time-limited application window for a focused, partnership-based project in the Apostle Islands context.Apply for NPS NOIP18AC00295
- The Department of the Interior, National Park Service in the community development, employment, labor and training, environment, natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Traditional Ecological Knowledge: Learning from Elders and Traditional Lake Use- APIS" 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 May 08, 2018.
- Applicants must submit their applications by May 18, 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 $250,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized).
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the name of this grant opportunity?
The opportunity is titled "Traditional Ecological Knowledge: Learning from Elders and Traditional Lake Use - APIS".
Which federal agency issued this opportunity?
It was issued by the U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service (NPS).
What type of funding instrument is this?
This is a discretionary National Park Service (NPS) cooperative agreement.
What is the main purpose of the project?
The project supports a tribally led effort to document and apply Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) connected to the Apostle Islands area in the Great Lakes. It focuses on recording multi-generational oral histories and place-based knowledge from elders and other recognized knowledge holders, then using that knowledge to strengthen tribal cultural continuity and inform NPS natural and cultural resource management decisions.
Which tribes are involved in the partnership described?
The partnership centers on three federally recognized Chippewa tribes in Wisconsin: the Lac du Flambeau Band, the Red Cliff Band, and the Bad River Band.
Who leads the project?
The project is led by the Tribal Historic Preservation Offices (THPOs) of the three tribes, with an emphasis on tribal direction, tribal priorities, and tribal control of materials created.
What kinds of activities does the grant support?
Supported activities include documenting TEK through established oral history and documentation methods, recording multi-generational oral histories and place-based knowledge, training and mentoring tribal members to conduct respectful interviews, and producing shareable materials (where appropriate) such as web-based projects, short video clips, community events, and technical reports.
How many tribal members are trained through the project?
The project trains and mentors approximately 9 to 12 tribal members drawn from different age groups.
What skills do participants learn as part of the training?
Participants learn how to conduct interviews in a respectful, culturally appropriate way and how to manage documentation responsibilities such as recording, note-taking, and information stewardship.
How are youth involved in the project?
Youth are involved in gathering TEK from elders and community leaders and in media production. This is designed to give students practical experience beyond the classroom while strengthening their understanding of the Great Lakes ecosystem and their communities lived relationships with it.
Where is the project focused geographically?
The work is focused on the Apostle Islands area in the Great Lakes, specifically in and around Apostle Islands National Lakeshore.
What does TEK mean in the context of this opportunity?
In this opportunity, Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) refers to place-based, multi-generational knowledge shared by elders and other recognized knowledge holders, including ecological understanding, cultural practices, historical uses, and continuing tribal connections to the Apostle Islands region.
Who controls the interview materials and original recordings created by the project?
A key element is that all original interview materials are curated by the tribes. This reinforces tribal data governance and supports long-term preservation of sensitive cultural knowledge.
Will the information collected be shared publicly?
Some results may be shared publicly, but sharing is structured to respect cultural boundaries. The tribes may decide that certain information is sacred, sensitive, or otherwise inappropriate for public release and keep it within the community or under restricted access.
What public-facing formats are planned for sharing appropriate information?
For information deemed appropriate to share, planned dissemination formats include web-based projects, short video clips, community events, and technical reports.
How does this project support National Park Service management?
By expanding the historical and ecological record with first-hand knowledge from elders of all three tribes, the project creates a richer knowledge base that can improve future management. It helps the NPS and partners better understand natural and cultural resources, historical uses, and ongoing tribal connections to the area.
How does this project support tribal communities?
It strengthens cultural continuity and builds community capacity by training tribal members (including younger participants) in oral history collection and documentation, supporting continued knowledge transmission and stewardship work.
What are the stated public purposes of the opportunity?
The opportunity has two public purposes: (1) expanding the overall historical and ecological record by incorporating more first-hand knowledge from elders across all three tribes, and (2) building community capacity through training and mentorship that supports intergenerational knowledge transmission and future stewardship.
What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number is NPS NOIP18AC00295.
What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?
The opportunity is listed under CFDA 15.954.
What is the maximum award amount mentioned?
The opportunity described an estimated single award of up to $250,000.
How many awards were expected?
The administrative details indicate an estimated single award (one award) up to $250,000.
Who was eligible to apply?
Eligibility was limited to federally recognized Native American tribal governments.
What program categories does this opportunity fall under?
It is categorized across community development, employment and training, environment, and natural resources.
When was the opportunity created and when did it close?
The opportunity was created on May 8, 2018, with an original closing date of May 18, 2018, indicating a time-limited application window.
Is this opportunity tied to a specific park unit?
Yes. The project is connected to Apostle Islands National Lakeshore and focuses on TEK and traditional lake use connected to the Apostle Islands area.
What does "tribally guided" mean in this opportunity?
Based on the description, "tribally guided" means the effort emphasizes tribal direction, tribal priorities, and tribal control over the work and the materials created, including decisions about what is preserved, how it is curated, and what may be shared publicly.
How does the project address sensitive cultural knowledge?
It builds in protections by placing curation of original materials with the tribes and allowing tribes to restrict access to knowledge that is sacred, sensitive, or otherwise not appropriate for public release.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Community Development, Employment, Labor and Training, Environment, Natural Resources
Next opportunity: Promoting Economic Opportunity in the Western Sahara
Previous opportunity: Youth Recycling Stewards Partnership at Golden Gate NRA
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 NOIP18AC00295
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (NPS NOIP18AC00295) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Fuels Management Interns- THRO Apply for NPS NOIP18AC00513 Funding Number: NPS NOIP18AC00513 Agency: Department of the Interior, National Park Service Category: Community Development, Employment, Labor and Training, Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $300,000 |
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 NOIP18AC00295", 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.