Pacific Northwest Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU)

November 8, 2026

Request for Letters of Interest: In-Depth Historic Research Study on the Fort Spokane Native American Boarding School, Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area, Washington

LARO CESU NPF grant RLI_FY27Download

Deadline: December 15, 2026, 5:00 pm Pacific Time
Funding: Up to $82,045
NPS Contact: Denise Bausch, Chief, Interpretation and Education, Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area, denise_bausch@nps.gov, 509-754-7830

Overview
Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area (LARO) is seeking principal investigator(s) to develop a comprehensive Historic Resource Study of Fort Spokane, focusing primarily on the Indian boarding school period (1899-1929). Fort Spokane has served as a U.S. Army post, an educational facility, and later a medical site, but documentation of the boarding school era remains limited. The study will expand the factual record and support future interpretive and educational planning.

Anticipated Work

  • Collaborate with the National Park Service to design and implement the project
  • Conduct original archival research in regional and national repositories
  • Consult with Tribal partners on the appropriate handling of culturally significant or private information
  • Collect oral histories, where appropriate and in line with professional standards
  • Travel as needed to complete research
  • Prepare a Historic Resource Study that documents findings in a clear, factual, and professionally neutral manner
  • Provide a final compiled report to the NPS and Tribal partners

Deliverables

  • Research plan and project timeline
  • Summary of archival findings
  • Documentation of oral histories, where applicable
  • Complete Historic Resource Study manuscript
  • Recommendations for integrating findings into interpretive programming

Eligibility
Open to qualified researchers, accredited academic institutions, Tribal organizations, and nonprofit entities that are CESU partners with demonstrated expertise in historical research, cultural resource studies, public history, or related fields. Applicants must have an active Master Cooperative Agreement with NPS in place at the time of award.

Period of Performance
Tentative start March 2027, tentative end March 2028.

Funding
Up to $82,045, administered by NPS through a Task Agreement at the CESU Network IDC rate (17.5%).

How to Apply
Email a Letter of Interest to denise_bausch@nps.gov by December 15, 2026, 5:00 pm PT, including:

  1. Name, department, institution or organization, CESU affiliation, and contact information
  2. A statement of qualifications (max. 2 pages, single-spaced, 12 pt): biographical sketch, relevant past projects and published works, and available personnel and their expertise
  3. A vision for implementing the project (max. 4 pages, single-spaced, 12 pt): strategy, approach, special capabilities, timeline, roles and responsibilities, specific tasks, and deliverables

Submissions will be evaluated on qualifications, relevant experience, and proposed approach. Selected applicants may be invited to submit a full application or detailed scope of work.

See attached PDF for more details!