Opportunity Information: Apply for P18AS00631
The Department of the Interior, National Park Service announced a discretionary cooperative agreement opportunity titled "Historic Resource Study of the Blackford House, Ferry Hill, and Bridgeport Community African American History" (Funding Opportunity Number P18AS00631), created September 4, 2018. The project sits in the humanities and cultural affairs space (CFDA 15.945) and is designed to support a single award with an anticipated maximum federal funding amount of $56,749. The funding instrument is a cooperative agreement, which typically signals that the National Park Service expects to be actively involved during the project rather than simply providing funds and receiving a final report.
The purpose of the grant is to produce a Historic Resource Study centered on African American history connected to the Blackford House, Ferry Hill, and the Bridgeport Community in Maryland, with specific attention to Lock 38 and Ferry Hill. The National Park Service intends to work directly with a research team to create research products that take a comprehensive approach to documenting the lives and labor of both enslaved and free African American workers. In practical terms, this means developing a well-supported historical narrative that explains who these individuals and communities were, how they lived, and how their work contributed to the local economy and the broader social fabric of the area.
A key emphasis of the project is understanding African American roles in the local economy and community life, which suggests research that goes beyond a single site history and instead ties people, places, and labor systems together across the surrounding landscape. The study is expected to result in a synthesized history of the African American experience at Lock 38 and Ferry Hill, likely drawing from archival records, maps, property and probate documents, census data, local and regional histories, institutional holdings, and other primary and secondary sources relevant to the canal-era and community development of the region. The description also highlights the possibility of identifying or analyzing connections to the Underground Railroad, implying that researchers may be expected to assess evidence for escape networks, routes, safe locations, and local actors, while carefully distinguishing between documented history, plausible interpretation, and oral tradition.
Eligibility is listed broadly as "Others," with the notice pointing applicants to an additional eligibility clarification field (not included in the text provided). The opportunity also notes that "NO APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED," indicating that, while the opportunity was formally posted, it is not open for new submissions in its posted form and may have been intended for a specific partner, time-limited solicitation, or an already-determined collaborative arrangement.
Overall, the grant opportunity is aimed at producing an authoritative Historic Resource Study that strengthens how these sites and their surrounding community can interpret African American history, including the intertwined experiences of enslaved and free people, their economic contributions, community formation, and potential Underground Railroad associations. The end result is meant to give the park a stronger research foundation for stewardship, interpretation, and public education related to these historically significant locations.Apply for P18AS00631
- The Department of the Interior, National Park Service in the humanities (see cultural affairs in cfda), information and statistics sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Historic Resource Study of the Blackford House, Ferry Hill, and Bridgeport Community African American History" 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 Sep 04, 2018.
- Applicants must submit their applications by NO APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED. (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 $56,749.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the title of this funding opportunity?
The opportunity is titled "Historic Resource Study of the Blackford House, Ferry Hill, and Bridgeport Community African American History".
Which agency is offering this opportunity?
The opportunity was announced by the U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service (NPS).
What is the Funding Opportunity Number?
The Funding Opportunity Number listed is P18AS00631.
When was this opportunity created?
The notice states it was created on September 4, 2018.
What type of funding instrument is being used?
The funding instrument is a cooperative agreement.
What does a cooperative agreement imply about the National Park Service's role?
In this context, a cooperative agreement typically means the National Park Service expects to be actively involved during the project, rather than only providing funding and receiving a final report at the end.
What is the overall purpose of the grant?
The purpose is to produce a Historic Resource Study focused on African American history connected to the Blackford House, Ferry Hill, and the Bridgeport Community in Maryland, with specific attention to Lock 38 and Ferry Hill.
What topic area does this project fall under?
The project is described as sitting in the humanities and cultural affairs space.
Is there a CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
Yes. The CFDA number provided is 15.945.
How many awards does the opportunity anticipate making?
The opportunity is designed to support a single award.
What is the anticipated maximum federal funding amount?
The anticipated maximum federal funding amount is $56,749.
What geographic area and sites are emphasized in the study?
The study centers on African American history associated with the Blackford House, Ferry Hill, and the Bridgeport Community in Maryland, with specific attention to Lock 38 and Ferry Hill.
What kinds of historical experiences should the Historic Resource Study document?
The notice emphasizes a comprehensive approach to documenting the lives and labor of both enslaved and free African American workers, including who they were, how they lived, and how their work contributed to the local economy and the broader community.
Is the project limited to a single site history?
No. The description suggests the research should go beyond a single site history and instead connect people, places, and labor systems across the surrounding landscape, especially as they relate to the local economy and community life.
What are the expected research outcomes or deliverables?
The primary outcome is an authoritative Historic Resource Study that provides a synthesized history of the African American experience at Lock 38 and Ferry Hill, strengthening the research foundation for stewardship, interpretation, and public education.
What sources might be used to develop the Historic Resource Study?
The notice indicates the study will likely draw from sources such as archival records, maps, property and probate documents, census data, local and regional histories, institutional holdings, and other relevant primary and secondary sources tied to the canal era and community development in the region.
Does the opportunity mention the Underground Railroad?
Yes. The description highlights the possibility of identifying or analyzing connections to the Underground Railroad.
How should Underground Railroad connections be handled in the study, based on the notice?
The notice implies researchers may be expected to assess evidence for escape networks, routes, safe locations, and local actors, while carefully distinguishing between documented history, plausible interpretation, and oral tradition.
What is the intended benefit of this Historic Resource Study for the park or site managers?
The end result is intended to give the park a stronger research foundation for resource stewardship, interpretation, and public education related to these historically significant locations and communities.
Who is eligible to apply, according to the notice?
Eligibility is listed broadly as "Others". The notice also references an additional eligibility clarification field, but that clarification is not included in the information provided here.
Are applications currently being accepted for this opportunity?
No. The opportunity states "NO APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED", meaning it is not open for new submissions in its posted form.
What might it mean that "NO APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED" even though the opportunity was posted?
Based on the notice text, it suggests the posting may not be open for competition and may have been intended for a specific partner, a time-limited solicitation, or an already-determined collaborative arrangement.
Is this funding described as discretionary?
Yes. It is described as a discretionary cooperative agreement opportunity.
What is the central historical focus of the narrative to be developed?
The central focus is a well-supported narrative documenting African American life and work in connection with the targeted sites and community, including the intertwined experiences of enslaved and free people, their economic contributions, and community formation in the area.
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