Cooperative Research and Training Programs – Resources of the National Park System (15.945)
Cooperative Research and Training Programs – Resources of the National Park System (Assistance Listing 15.945) is run by the National Park Service, part of the Department of the Interior. It awarded $313 million in 1,704 grants from fiscal 2021 to 2025, about $183,848 per award on average. 1 funding opportunity is open or forecast now.
The typical award was $83,026. Half of the 1,704 awards fell between $40,003 and $180,837, and they ranged from $323 to $10.2 million.
- Awarded, FY 2021 to 2025$313 million
- Grant awards1,704
- Typical award$83,026
- Awarded in FY 2025$64.9 million
- Size rank487 of 1824
- Type of assistanceCooperative agreements
Key findings
- Annual funding rose from $43.6 million in fiscal 2021 to $64.9 million in fiscal 2025.
- It is the 487th largest of 1,824 federal grant programs by five-year awards.
- The 20 largest recipients received 52% of the money.
- Awards went to recipients in 54 states and territories.
What the program funds
To establish and maintain cooperative study units, in partnership with federal, state, and local governments, tribes, nonprofit organizations, and institutions of higher education, to facilitate multi-disciplinary science and integrated information products related to the resources of the National Park System. To maintain a comprehensive network of cooperative study units that provide full geographic and topical coverage for research, technical assistance, and educational activities related to the resources within units of the National Park System and their larger regions.
Open opportunities
Rules from the program listing
What the money can and cannot pay for
The objectives of the CESU program are: 1) Provide usable knowledge to support informed decision making; 2) Ensure the independence and objectivity of research; 3) Create and maintain effective partnerships among the Federal agencies and universities to share resources and expertise; 4) Take full advantage of university resources while benefiting faculty and students; 5) Encourage professional development of current and future Federal scientists, resource managers, and environmental leaders; and 6) Manage Federal resources effectively.
Matching requirements
This program has no statutory formula. Matching requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing. MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.
Award range and average, in the agency's words
Range: $5,000.00 - $2,000,000.00 Average: $150,000.00
Examples of funded projects
Fiscal Year2025: 1) Environmental Research and Monitoring - Funding supports scientific studies that assess the health of ecosystems. For example: Measuring water quality in rivers and lakes to detect pollution or changes over time; monitoring bat populations to understand the spread of diseases like white-nose syndrome, and using drones to observe marine mammals in remote coastal areas. 2) Cultural and Historical Preservation - Funding is used to document and protect cultural heritage. This includes: conducting archaeological surveys to uncover and record historic sites; and preserving historic buildings through masonry repair and conservation techniques. 3) Wildlife and Habitat Restoration - Projects aim to restore natural habitats and protect endangered species. Examples include: reintroducing native plants to areas overrun by invasive species; studying rare animals like alpine wildlife or shorebirds to inform conservation strategies; and restoring coral reefs and monitoring their recovery. 4) Student Engagement and Education - Funding helps connect young people with nature and science through: internships that provide hands-on experience in conservation and park management; field schools where students learn archaeological or ecological methods; and outreach programs that bring environmental science into classrooms.
Funding history and past recipients
From fiscal 2021 to 2025, Cooperative Research and Training Programs – Resources of the National Park System (15.945) awarded$313 million across 1,704 grant awards, an average of $183,848 per award.
Who usually wins
Colleges and universities received 74% of the money, nonprofits 19% and state and local governments 1.2%.
| Recipient type | Awards | Amount | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colleges and universities | 1,253 | $232 million | 74% |
| Nonprofits | 288 | $59.5 million | 19% |
| Other | 142 | $17.8 million | 5.7% |
| State and local governments | 21 | $3.7 million | 1.2% |
By state
41 states have a page for this program: those that received at least $1 million or 10 awards.
| State | Awards | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado | 133 | $39.5 million |
| Virginia | 97 | $25.1 million |
| Florida | 96 | $22.6 million |
| Hawaii | 70 | $19.7 million |
| California | 108 | $19.0 million |
| Arizona | 147 | $15.6 million |
| New Mexico | 70 | $15.5 million |
| Tennessee | 35 | $13.7 million |
| Oregon | 73 | $13.7 million |
| Alaska | 63 | $10.8 million |
| North Carolina | 28 | $9.3 million |
| District of Columbia | 41 | $9.1 million |
| Pennsylvania | 65 | $8.1 million |
| Utah | 49 | $7.8 million |
| Texas | 57 | $6.5 million |
| Montana | 55 | $6.4 million |
| New York | 40 | $5.8 million |
| Maryland | 48 | $5.0 million |
| Wyoming | 43 | $4.6 million |
| Nevada | 31 | $4.1 million |
| Minnesota | 27 | $4.0 million |
| Georgia | 28 | $3.9 million |
| U.S. Virgin Islands | 4 | $3.5 million |
| Rhode Island | 15 | $3.2 million |
| Massachusetts | 21 | $3.2 million |
| Michigan | 29 | $2.7 million |
| Vermont | 7 | $2.5 million |
| Maine | 14 | $2.3 million |
| Delaware | 15 | $2.3 million |
| Connecticut | 3 | $2.1 million |
| Washington | 29 | $2.0 million |
| Missouri | 10 | $1.9 million |
| Louisiana | 5 | $1.9 million |
| Wisconsin | 18 | $1.9 million |
| Nebraska | 6 | $1.8 million |
| South Carolina | 15 | $1.5 million |
| Idaho | 10 | $1.5 million |
| Indiana | 25 | $1.3 million |
| South Dakota | 6 | $1.1 million |
| New Jersey | 9 | $1.1 million |
| Mississippi | 9 | $997,181 |
| Guam | 7 | $839,507 |
| Kentucky | 10 | $653,378 |
| West Virginia | 3 | $567,655 |
| Iowa | 5 | $531,387 |
| North Dakota | 4 | $468,238 |
| Kansas | 6 | $451,138 |
| Arkansas | 4 | $226,058 |
| Illinois | 3 | $165,866 |
| New Hampshire | 2 | $161,826 |
| Ohio | 2 | $161,576 |
| Alabama | 2 | $160,962 |
| Oklahoma | 1 | $35,402 |
| American Samoa | 1 | $13,968 |