Youth Engagement, Education, and Employment | F19AS00287

Opportunity Information: Apply for F19AS00287

The Youth Engagement, Education, and Employment opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number F19AS00287) was a discretionary grant offered by the U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). It was structured as a cooperative agreement, meaning the agency expected to have substantial involvement in the funded work (for example, coordinating activities, providing technical input, or partnering closely during implementation) rather than simply issuing funds with minimal follow-up. The program sat at the intersection of community development, education, and environmental stewardship, and it was listed under CFDA 15.676.

The core purpose of the opportunity was to support projects that engage young people in conservation-related learning and service while also building pathways to employment. The title signals three connected outcomes: getting youth involved (youth engagement), using that involvement to build knowledge and skills (education), and translating those skills into real work experience and job readiness (employment). In practical terms, projects under a funding call like this typically emphasize hands-on conservation or public lands work, environmental education, volunteer service, and structured experiences that help participants develop workplace skills such as teamwork, safety practices, leadership, and technical field competencies.

Eligibility was limited to nonprofit organizations with IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) status, specifically excluding institutions of higher education. This points to an intent to fund community-based or mission-driven organizations that can recruit youth, supervise field or educational activities, and manage program delivery in partnership with FWS. Only one award was expected, and the maximum funding amount (award ceiling) was $42,900, indicating a relatively small, targeted project rather than a large multi-site initiative.

Timing was tight. The opportunity was created on July 2, 2019, with an original closing date of July 9, 2019. All required documents were due by 4 p.m. Mountain Daylight Time on Tuesday, July 9, 2019. Submissions were preferred through Grants.gov, though email submission was also allowed. That kind of short turnaround usually suggests the funding was intended for a specific, time-sensitive project need or a narrowly defined partnership where qualified applicants were expected to be ready to apply quickly.

The legal authorities cited in the notice reflect the Fish and Wildlife Service mission and the broader federal framework for youth and volunteer engagement on public lands. The opportunity referenced the Fish and Wildlife Act and the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, which generally support federal conservation actions and coordination around fish and wildlife resources. It also cited the National Fish Hatchery System Volunteer Act and the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act, both of which align with involving volunteers and partners in supporting hatchery and refuge operations and public use programs. Importantly for the youth-work focus, it referenced the Public Lands Corps Act (including the Public Lands Corps and Youth Conservation Corps provisions), which is a key authority for engaging youth and young adults in conservation service, training, and work experiences on public lands. The inclusion of the National Park Service Centennial Act (Public Law 114-289) reinforces the federal priority, around that period, of expanding youth involvement, service, and career exposure across public land and conservation agencies.

In summary, this was a small, single-award Fish and Wildlife Service cooperative agreement opportunity aimed at supporting a nonprofit-led project that would involve youth in conservation and public lands-related experiences, provide educational and skills-building components, and help participants move toward employment or career readiness in environmental and natural resource fields, all grounded in longstanding federal authorities for wildlife conservation, refuges and hatcheries, volunteerism, and youth conservation service.

• The Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service in the community development, education, environment sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Youth Engagement, Education, and Employment" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.676.
• This funding opportunity was created on Jul 02, 2019.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 09, 2019 All required documents and forms are due no later than Tuesday, July 9, 2019, by 4 p.m. MDT whether submitted via grants.gov (preferred) or via email.. (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 $42,900.00 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 F19AS00287

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