Dworshak Natural Resource Training and Education

The Natural Resources Training and Education at Dworshak funding opportunity is administered by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Walla Walla District. USACE is a federal agency responsible for developing and managing water resources infrastructure, public lands, and environmental stewardship initiatives across the United States. This program is authorized under the Water Resources Development Act and aligns with the agency’s broader mission to provide engineering solutions that support public safety, environmental sustainability, and responsible resource management. The opportunity is offered as a cooperative agreement, reflecting substantial involvement by the federal agency in project execution and oversight. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to support outdoor education and workforce training programs focused on natural resources. The program emphasizes experiential learning opportunities for young adults, particularly those aged 16 and older, who are interested in careers in environmental management and conservation. Activities funded under this program include flood control infrastructure maintenance, environmental and recreational resource management, and public engagement initiatives. The program is designed to cultivate practical skills and foster stewardship ethics while preparing participants for further education or employment in natural resource fields. Funding supports a range of allowable activities tied to conservation and land management. These include vegetation and debris removal, invasive species management, trail construction and maintenance, landscaping, and prescribed burning. Work will take place on lands and infrastructure managed by the Dworshak Project. Projects are structured as hands-on training experiences delivered through scheduled sessions, specifically three one-week sessions over a five-month period. The recipient organization is responsible for recruiting participants, providing supervision, ensuring safety compliance, and supplying tools and transportation, while USACE provides technical guidance, project scopes, and certain materials and equipment. Eligibility for this opportunity is limited to non-federal public entities and nonprofit organizations. Applicants must demonstrate the capacity to recruit and manage youth participants, deliver training programs, and comply with federal regulations. There is no cost-sharing or matching requirement for this program, lowering the barrier to entry for eligible organizations. Applicants must also maintain compliance with federal administrative requirements, including registration in SAM.gov and possession of a Unique Entity Identifier. The application process requires submission of standard federal forms, including SF-424 and SF-424A, along with a program narrative describing the applicant’s ability to meet the program’s objectives. Additional required documents include disclosures related to lobbying, certifications, and proof of organizational authority. Applications may be submitted via email or through Grants.gov, and must be received by the specified deadline. Applicants are responsible for ensuring timely and complete submission, including registration with federal systems if applying online. Applications are evaluated through a multi-stage review process. Initial screening ensures eligibility and completeness, followed by a merit review assessing the applicant’s experience with youth training and conservation programs, organizational capacity, and past performance. Budget proposals are evaluated for reasonableness and alignment with project goals. Final award decisions are made by a Grants Officer based on technical recommendations. The anticipated award date is shortly after the application deadline, and the performance period spans approximately six months. The timeline for this opportunity includes an issue date of April 30, 2026, and an application deadline of May 30, 2026. The period of performance is expected to run from early June through late November 2026. Questions regarding the opportunity may be directed to the designated USACE contact via email or phone. This funding opportunity does not explicitly state that it recurs annually, and therefore should be treated as a single-cycle opportunity unless future announcements indicate otherwise.

Emphasize demonstrated experience with youth conservation programs; clearly align program narrative with training and stewardship objectives; provide realistic and well-justified budget; highlight organizational capacity and past performance