NEW RESEARCH GRANT PROPOSAL

2026 RESEARCH GRANT APPLICATION: 1-Year Project

The information supplied is limited to the space provided and submitted on this form. An application received in any other format will be discarded. Additional attachments are not permitted.
If you are unable to complete the application in one sitting, you can save your application and choose to email yourself a link and/or forward the link to another party for access to the application.
Tell Us About Your Project
Research project title*
Park(s) where research will be conducted*
Research project title *
Park(s) where research will be conducted*

Funding and Project Duration
Total funding request for 2026*
Project start date*

MonthDayYear
Project start date must be no earlier than March 23, 2026, and no later than September 30, 2026.
Projected project completion date*

MonthDayYear

Budget

Outline Your Project Costs Priority will be given to those applications where matching cash or in-kind contributions are included. It is very important to note any matching or in-kind funds in your budget.

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR(S) PERSONNEL Specify below the amount, type and source for cash or in-kind contribution(s).

	List first & last name	Funds requested from WNP	Cash/in-kind contribution(s): Amount, type, and source
1
2
3
4
5

Clearly describe the specific duties each Principal Investigator (PI) will perform, their expected deliverables, and why funding is being requested. Cash or in-kind contributions require explanation only in the context of the duties and expected deliverables. If no PI personnel apply, insert N/A.*

0/200

SUPPORTING PERSONNEL Specify below the amount, type and source for cash or in-kind contribution(s).

	‎‎‎‎‎‎‎List first and last name	Position/Role	Funds requested from WNP	Cash/in-kind contribution(s): Amount, type, and source
1
2
3
4
5

Provide a detailed description of the specific duties each supporting personnel will perform, along with their expected deliverables and the purpose of the funding request. If stipends are part of the request, include a detailed breakdown of stipend expenses by category, ensuring the total matches the stipend amount requested. Cash or in-kind contributions only need explanation as they relate to duties and expected deliverables. If no supporting personnel apply, insert N/A.*

0/200

Total Personnel Cost. If not applicable, insert zero.*

	Funds requested from WNP	Cash/in-kind contributions
Total Personnel Costs

OTHER EXPENSE(S) Specify below the amount, type and source for cash or in-kind contribution(s). If not applicable, insert zero.*

	Funds requested from WNP	Cash/in-kind contribution(s): Amount, type, and source)
Supplies and material
Consulting services
Computer services
Subcontracts
Equipment
Travel and subsistence
Other
Other
Other

Total Other Expense(s)*

	Funds requested from WNP	Cash or in-kind contribution(s0
Total Other Expenses

BUDGET TOTALS This is the total personnel cost(s) plus other expenses.*

	Funds requested from WNP	Cash or in-kind contribution(s)
Totals

Consulting Services: Identify the individual(s) providing consulting services. Describe their role, responsibilities, expected deliverables, and clearly state the consulting fee(s) per person. If not applicable, insert N/A.*

0/100
Equipment: Itemize any equipment purchases over $100. Include the purpose of each item and how it supports the project. If not applicable, insert N/A.*

0/100
Travel and Subsistence: Outline travel plans, including destination, purpose, duration, person, and a breakdown of anticipated costs (e.g., lodging, meals, transportation). If not applicable, insert N/A.*

0/100
Other: Explain any expenses listed under the "Other" category, including the purpose of the expense, and why it does not fit into the standard budget categories. If not applicable, insert N/A*

0/175
If this application is a request is for seed money to justify proposing a larger project to another agency, or if the proposed research will augment an already funded or proposed non-WNP project, clearly explain the relationship. If not applicable, insert N/A.*

0/250

RESEARCH PARTCIPANT(S)

Who is Involved with Your Project

Primary Principal Investigator (PI)*


Name
Company/Organization Name
Address
City
State
Zip
Phone
Email Address

Additional Principal Investigator (PI)


Name
Company/Organization Name
Address
City
State
Zip
Phone
Email Address

Additional Principal Investigator (PI)


Name
Company/Organization Name
Address
City
State
Zip
Phone
Email Address

Additional Principal Investigator (PI)


Name
Company/Organization Name
Address
City
State
Zip
Phone
Email Address

Additional Principal Investigator (PI)


Name
Company/Organization Name
Address
City
State
Zip
Phone
Email Address

Benefiting/Host Park Superintendent submitting this proposal*


Name
Park Name
Address
City
State
Zip
Phone
Email Address

Check the box if Chief of Interpretation position is currently vacant.
QUALIFICATIONS OF THE PI(s) CONDUCTING THE RESEARCH List only those qualifications directly related to this application. Include a list of other WNP-funded research conducted by the PI(s).*

0/500
List the name(s) of research participant(s) who will acquire advanced degree(s) because of working on this project, if any.

Tell Us About Your Project
ABSTRACT Provide of summary of your project.*

0/300
JUSTIFICATION The submitting park should address the questions in this section. 1) Delineate where this project ranks in the submitting park's research priorities for all funding sources.*

0/75
2) Are National Park Service-appropriated funds available for the project?*

YesNo
3) If the park did not solicit this proposal, explain why the project is important to the park. If not applicable, insert N/A.*

0/75
4) Describe how this research enriches visitors' undertanding of the park's complex histories and ecological challenges.*

0/75
5) Explain the implications for interpretation and resource management.*

0/75
6) Outline how the research will benefit park visitors.*

0/75
RESEARCH OBJECTIVES, DESIGN, AND METHODOLOGY. Be concise. Include the facilities and sites to be used*

0/1000
EXPLAIN HOW THE RESEARCH WILL ENHANCE THE INTERPRETIVE MISSION OF THE PARK.*

0/150
DESCRIBE THE PLAN FOR AN INTERPRETATION-RELATED PRODUCT OF THE RESEARCH.*

0/150
SPECIFY PRODUCT(S) AND/OR MATERIAL(S) OF THE RESEARCH (articles, theses, maps, checklists, etc.).*

0/150

Cultural Heritage and Community Engagement
This section is optional but encouraged if applicable to the project. It offers an opportunity to describe how the research will foster connections with local, tribal, and/or underrepresented communities, and demonstrate and/or cultivate awareness and respect for ecological and cultural knowledge. Highlighting how the research advances accessibility, and improves access and opportunities within the park, will enhance the overall impact of the proposal.
1. Describe how the research project will foster stronger connections between the National Park Service and local, tribal, and/or underrepresented communities. If not applicable, insert N/A.*

0/100
2. Explain how the project will demonstrate and/or cultivate cultural awareness and respect for the ecological and cultural knowledge of local, tribal, and/or underrepresented communities. If not applicable, insert N/A.*

0/100
3. Outline the ways in which the research will contribute to advancing accessibility, and improved opportunities within the park, both currently and in the future. If not applicable, insert N/A.*

0/100

Acknowledgement
- Western National Parks Association (WNP) is the grant funder (grantor).
- The benefiting/host park is the grant awardee (grantee).
- Applications must reflect a project start date no earlier than March 23, 2026, and no later than September 30, 2026.
- Approval of an application does not guarantee funding. If selected, the benefiting/host park will receive the 2026 Research Grant Awardee Handbook, which includes the grant agreement, funding disbursement schedule and stipulations, and full terms and conditions. This handbook requires electronic signatures from the park superintendent, chief of interpretation, and primary principal investigator to finalize the grant award. Terms outlined in the handbook are final and cannot be modified.
- I understand that salaries, wages, and fringe benefits are strictly ineligible expenses, and any application including them will be disqualified from funding consideration.
- If awarded a fiscal year 2026 WNP research grant:
  - It will be for one year.
  - Per the guidelines in the 2026 Research Grant Awardee Handbook, if the park cannot accept grant checks directly, the park may be required to identify a regional NPS office that can receive payment disbursements on its behalf to satisfy the grant’s payment stipulation.
If awarded a research grant, does the park have the ability to accept checks for grant fund disbursement?*

YesNo
ACKNOWLEDGED AND SUBMITTED ON BEHALF OF THE BENEFITING/HOST PARK:

By submitting this application, I confirm that I have reviewed and understand the above information and have reviewed the draft 2026 Research Grant Awardee Handbook provided by WNP. I verify that both I and the chief of interpretation have reviewed this application and approve its submission to WNP for consideration.
Benefiting/Host Park Superintendent*
Insert Your First and Last Name
Use your mouse to sign your full name.
Signature*

Clear
Submission Date will automatically populate.*

MonthDayYear
Date
Hour MinutesAM/PM Option
To ensure WNP receives your application, click Submit and wait for the following message to appear: “Thank you for submitting your research project.”

WNP will review your submission and send a confirmation email to the superintendent and chief of interpretation, including a copy of your application within fourteen days of receipt.

Funding decisions will be announced the week of February 16, 2026. Best of luck!
Should be Empty:

2026 RESEARCH GRANT APPLICATION: 1-Year Project

Tell Us About Your Project

Funding and Project Duration

Budget

RESEARCH PARTCIPANT(S)

Tell Us About Your Project

Cultural Heritage and Community Engagement

Acknowledgement