Administrative History for Dayton Aviaiton Heritage National Historic Site | NPS NOIP17AC00065 01

Opportunity Information: Apply for NPS NOIP17AC00065 01

This grant opportunity from the Department of the Interior, National Park Service (NPS), seeks a nonprofit partner to research and write a full Administrative History (AH) for Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park in Ohio. Issued through the NPS Midwest Regional Office, the project is meant to produce a well-documented, readable narrative that supports both day-to-day park management and long-term interpretation. In practical terms, the AH is intended to become a core reference for how and why the park developed the way it did, what decisions shaped its stewardship, and how its stories and resources have been managed over time.

A central purpose of the study is to synthesize relevant primary and secondary sources specifically tied to Dayton Aviation Heritage NHP, then analyze the park's distinctive partnership-based model. The NPS is looking for more than a simple chronology. The administrative history is expected to examine the park's non-traditional relationships and cooperative arrangements, evaluate whether the partnership model is rational and effective, and consider whether it can serve as a useful template in other contexts across the National Park System and the broader historic preservation field. The intended audience is broad: park staff and NPS leadership who need operational and policy context, scholars interested in commemoration and agency history, and general readers who want a clear explanation of how the park came to be and how it functions.

The need is described as urgent because many key individuals involved in creating the park during the 1980s are elderly, making it important to capture their firsthand accounts while they are still available. As a result, oral history interviewing is an important component, alongside document-based research. The scope emphasizes studying major events, activities, and issues connected to NPS stewardship, with a detailed narrative analysis rather than an overly exhaustive treatment of every minor topic.

The required level of investigation is described as "thorough" as defined by NPS-28 guidance. That means focused research in accessible, relevant documentary sources (both primary and secondary) without extensive travel, efficient extraction of usable information, interviewing all readily available knowledgeable individuals, and reporting findings at a depth appropriate to the project directives rather than producing unnecessary detail. The outcome is expected to transfer knowledge effectively, preserving institutional memory and providing a management tool that can guide future decisions.

Administratively, the opportunity is a discretionary award made through a cooperative agreement under CFDA 15.945, in the categories of Education, Humanities, and research and development. Eligibility is limited to nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education). The funding opportunity number is NPS NOIP17AC00065 01. The anticipated award ceiling is $150,000, with one award expected. The opportunity was posted July 13, 2018, with an original closing date of July 27, 2018.

• The Department of the Interior, National Park Service in the education, humanities (see cultural affairs in cfda), science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Administrative History for Dayton Aviaiton Heritage National Historic Site" 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 Jul 13, 2018.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 27, 2018. (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 $150,000.00 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 NPS NOIP17AC00065 01

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