The U.S. Department of the Interior’s National Park Service (NPS), through the National Center for Preservation Technology and Training (NCPTT), has announced the Fiscal Year 2025 Preservation Technology and Training Cooperative Agreements program (NOFO number P25AS00212). This program aims to advance innovative research, training, and dissemination of technologies and methods for preserving cultural resources, including buildings, landscapes, and archeological materials. The initiative seeks projects that push the boundaries of preservation practice and create tools, materials, or methodologies that can be shared widely with national, regional, and local preservation stakeholders.

The program prioritizes projects in areas such as augmented reality, artificial intelligence, machine learning for cultural resource management, climate change impacts on cultural resources, and projects incorporating Indigenous knowledge from descendant and marginalized communities. Additional emphasis is placed on media projects like graphic stories, zines, short videos, and digital documentation initiatives that go beyond basic data collection and provide new ways to analyze and share preservation knowledge. Proposals must include robust dissemination plans to ensure results reach audiences beyond direct participants.

The total anticipated funding for this program is $200,000, with an estimated 4-6 awards ranging from $15,000 to $50,000 per project. Funding allocations include a maximum of $50,000 for innovative research, $25,000 for specialized workshops or training, and $15,000 for media projects. Cost-sharing is encouraged but not required. Projects are expected to commence around September 1, 2025, and run for one to two years, depending on the negotiated statement of work.

Eligible applicants include state, local, and tribal governments, Native Hawaiian organizations, educational institutions, and other public entities. Projects must be conducted within the United States, and foreign entities are not eligible. Applicants must be registered in SAM.gov and have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). While prior consultation with NCPTT program staff is not mandatory, it is strongly recommended to ensure alignment with program goals.

The application package must include forms such as SF-424, SF-424A, SF-424B, SF-LLL, a project narrative, a detailed budget, a budget narrative, and a dissemination plan. The project narrative must address criteria including innovation, national need and impact, dissemination strategy, team qualifications, and a clear work plan. Proposals will be evaluated on innovation, national significance, dissemination reach, methodology, team expertise, and cost feasibility.

Applications must be submitted via email to NOFO-NCPTT@NPS.gov by March 4, 2025, at 11:59 PM Eastern Time. NPS expects to notify selected applicants by July 1, 2025, with awards finalized by September 2025. For questions, applicants can contact the NCPTT Administrative Coordinator or the Financial Assistance Awarding Officer.