Congaree National Park Historic Resource Study | P17AS00388

Opportunity Information: Apply for P17AS00388

The Congaree National Park Historic Resource Study grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number P17AS00388) is a National Park Service project under the U.S. Department of the Interior focused on producing a comprehensive Historic Resource Study for Congaree National Park. The central goal is to strengthen and expand the park's existing National Register of Historic Places documentation while also building a solid historical framework that can support any future National Register nominations or updates. In practical terms, the work is meant to pull together what is already known about the park's cultural resources and present it in a clear, usable format that helps the National Park Service make better-informed decisions about preservation, planning, and interpretation.

The study itself is described as a synthesis of "all readily available cultural resource information from all disciplines," organized into a narrative reference document. That means the final product is expected to integrate existing research and records across multiple fields that contribute to cultural resource understanding, such as history, archaeology, architectural history, ethnography, landscape history, and related cultural resource specialties. Instead of producing isolated technical memos, the intent is to create a coherent historical account of the region and a structured overview of historic resources within the park. The audience is broad by design: park managers and planners who need context for stewardship decisions, interpreters developing public-facing programs, cultural resource professionals working on compliance and preservation, and members of the public who want an authoritative reference on the area's history.

From an administrative standpoint, this is a discretionary funding action using a Cooperative Agreement, categorized under Science and Technology and other Research and Development, with CFDA number 15.945. The anticipated funding ceiling is $76,531, and the opportunity indicates that only one award is expected. Importantly, the notice is not open for general competition. It is explicitly described as "not a request for applications" and functions instead as a notice of intent to make a restricted award to the University of South Carolina, identified as a partner under the Piedmont South Atlantic Coast Cooperative Ecosystems Studies Unit (CESU). While the eligibility section lists public and state-controlled institutions of higher education and other eligible entities, the restricted-award language makes clear that this particular action is intended for that specific institutional partner.

The key takeaway is that this is a targeted National Park Service investment in a foundational cultural resource planning document. By consolidating existing knowledge into an accessible, well-documented narrative and by reinforcing National Register-related documentation, the project is intended to improve how Congaree National Park identifies, explains, and protects its historic resources over time, while also giving staff and the public a dependable historical reference for the park and its surrounding region.

• The Department of the Interior, National Park Service in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Congaree National Park Historic Resource Study" 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 Jun 16, 2017.
• Applicants must submit their applications by This is not a request for applications. This is a notice of intent to make a restricted award to the University of South Carolina, a partner under the Piedmont South Atlantic Coast Cooperative Ecosystems Studies Unit.. (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 $76,531.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

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