Archeology Site Stabilization | P17AS00275

Opportunity Information: Apply for P17AS00275

The Archeology Site Stabilization grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number P17AS00275) was a discretionary funding announcement from the U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, focused on rapid, on-the-ground protection of archeological resources in Great Smoky Mountains lands affected by the 2016 Chimney Tops Two and Cobbly Knob fires. The core purpose was emergency stabilization: reducing the immediate risk that post-fire conditions such as erosion, slope failure, and disturbance from falling timber could damage archeological sites or cause permanent loss of cultural information. Rather than a research-heavy project, this opportunity emphasized practical, field-based actions intended to prevent additional impacts after the fires.

The project was designed around employing two youth workers who already had education in archeology. Their role was to carry out site-by-site assessments first, then implement stabilization treatments tailored to conditions at each location. The initial assessments were meant to determine what kind of interventions were appropriate at each archeological site, recognizing that post-wildfire threats can vary depending on terrain, burn severity, soil exposure, and the presence of hazards like dead standing trees. After the assessment, the stabilization work was expected to concentrate on a few specific, high-value actions that directly reduce site vulnerability in the short term.

The anticipated stabilization measures included removing fire-killed trees that could fall and disturb cultural deposits, seeding disturbed or exposed areas using a park-approved seed mix to help reestablish ground cover and reduce erosion, and scattering woody debris or other organic material on steep slopes to slow runoff, trap sediment, and provide a protective surface layer. Taken together, these measures reflect common post-fire resource protection practices that aim to stabilize soils and limit surface movement, which is especially important for archeological sites where artifacts, features, and stratigraphy can be displaced or destroyed by erosion and debris flows.

From an administrative standpoint, funding was offered through a cooperative agreement, which typically signals that the National Park Service expected to have substantial involvement in coordinating or guiding the work (for example, aligning methods with park standards, confirming approved seed mixes, or prioritizing sites). The award ceiling was listed as $34,800. The opportunity was categorized under Natural Resources and linked to CFDA number 15.931. Eligibility was open to nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education) and to other eligible applicants as clarified in the full announcement’s eligibility notes. The posting date was May 18, 2017, with an original closing date of May 29, 2017, indicating a short application window consistent with the emergency nature of the stabilization work.

• The Department of the Interior, National Park Service in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Archeology Site Stabilization" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.931.
• This funding opportunity was created on May 18, 2017.
• Applicants must submit their applications by May 29, 2017. (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 $34,800.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for P17AS00275

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