Researching Wolverine Dispersal and Population Dynamics in Northern Alaska Using Genetic Techniques | P18AS00544

Opportunity Information: Apply for P18AS00544

The National Park Service (NPS), within the Department of the Interior, announced a discretionary funding opportunity titled "Researching Wolverine Dispersal and Population Dynamics in Northern Alaska Using Genetic Techniques" (Funding Opportunity Number P18AS00544). The project is structured as a cooperative agreement under the Natural Resources funding activity category (CFDA 15.945). It was created on August 16, 2018, with an original closing date of August 27, 2018, and it is explicitly issued as a notice of intent to award to the Wildlife Conservation Society. Because it is a sole-entity intent notice, applications are not being accepted from any other organization. The eligible applicant type listed is a nonprofit with 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education), and the expected outcome is a single award with an estimated funding ceiling of $44,856.

The purpose of the effort is to improve understanding of wolverine movement (dispersal) and population dynamics across northern Alaska using genetic methods. In practical terms, the project aims to collect biological samples and associated field information, then use genetic processing and analysis to infer relationships, connectivity, and population structure that are difficult to observe through sightings alone in remote Arctic environments. The cooperative agreement format indicates an expectation of close collaboration between NPS and the recipient during planning, implementation, and interpretation of results, rather than a hands-off pass-through grant.

The work is divided into four phases. Phase I focuses on building and maintaining partnerships, with specific emphasis on engaging local hunters and sharing information with other agencies. This phase is meant to set up coordination, ensure that local knowledge and participation are incorporated into study design and sample collection, and reduce duplication with other ongoing wildlife monitoring efforts. Phase II covers obtaining wolverine samples and related information, which typically implies organizing sample collection logistics, documenting where and when samples were collected, and capturing any relevant observations that can strengthen the value of the genetic dataset. Phase III involves processing the collected samples and analyzing the resulting genetic data to produce scientifically defensible findings about dispersal patterns and population characteristics. Phase IV centers on turning the scientific results into written and visual outreach products intended for community use and understanding across the region.

A key deliverable is outreach materials that can be used with communities throughout northern Alaska, with a minimum set of communities explicitly named: Kotzebue, Kiana, Kivalina, Anaktuvuk Pass, Arctic Village, and Barrow (Utqiagvik). These products are required to be Section 508 compliant, meaning they must be accessible to people with disabilities (for example, accessible PDFs, captioned video, image descriptions/alt text, and properly structured documents). The notice also specifies that the NPS Alaska Region will complete the 508 compliance work in-house using existing staff and funding, indicating that while the project must produce materials suitable for accessible dissemination, NPS intends to handle the formal accessibility compliance steps internally.

Overall, the opportunity funds a targeted, partner-driven genetics study designed to generate actionable insights about wolverines in northern Alaska and to translate those findings into community-facing products, with the award intended for a single nonprofit partner (Wildlife Conservation Society) under a cooperative agreement capped at $44,856.

• The Department of the Interior, National Park Service in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Researching Wolverine Dispersal and Population Dynamics in Northern Alaska Using Genetic Techniques" 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 Aug 16, 2018.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 27, 2018 This is a notice of intent to award to Wildlife Conservation Society. Applications will not be accepted from any other entity.. (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 $44,856.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.

Apply for P18AS00544

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