National/Western U.S. — WNP 2027 James E. Cook Nature’s Classroom K–12 Education Grants (Up to $2,000)

FundingOne classroom experience award per class: up to $750 virtual park-ranger classroom; up to $750 in-classroom park ranger; up to $2,000 in-park class visit. No universal mandatory matching contribution published. 90% initial payment and 10% after accepted final report.

DeadlineDecember 11, 2026, end of day; official Western National Parks 2027 classroom application packet does not give exact cutoff hour/time zone. Open since August 4, 2026. Experiences must take place April 1, 2027–May 30, 2028.

Last verified2026-10-26

Required next actionReview WNP 2027 six-page Nature's Classroom Application Packet; identify qualifying WNP-partner national park and coordinate with NPS representative; choose virtual, ranger in-classroom or in-park visit; document students' access barriers, park-stewardship learning aims, costs, and transportation if required. Submit the application at wnpa.org/grants by December 11, 2026 end of day; if awarded submit school W-9 and signed principal/teacher grant letter and final report within 60 days after the experience.

Broad Eligibility

K-12 public/private/parochial/home-school educators serving underrepresented youth; must partner and plan experience with an eligible WNP-partner NPS park and park representative. Title I priority, not required. One grant application per class. Sabino Canyon NRA and Palisades Visitor Center excluded.

Atlas Analysis

Full source review October 26 2026: current official WNP online program webpage and six-page 2027 Application Packet updated September 3 2026. Competitive education grant, not procurement. Per-class maximum $750 virtual/in-class or $2,000 park visit, 90/10 disbursement, no mandatory match stated, December 11 2026 EOD deadline no timezone, 2027–28 experience schedule. Eligible K12 educators with underrepresented students at partner NPS park; Title I preference; two AZ park exceptions. Precreation catalog search included 'James E. Cook Nature', 'Nature's Classroom Grant', and 'Western National Parks', no matching 2027 record in published/pending/draft statuses.

2027 James E. Cook Nature’s Classroom Grant — Western National Parks

Western National Parks (WNP) is accepting applications for its 2027 James E. Cook Nature’s Classroom Grant, which funds K–12 educators’ educational experiences in partnership with eligible National Park Service park units. This is an actual competitive classroom and park-education grant, not a procurement contract or an award to individual students.

Per-class funding and application deadline

Educators may apply for up to $750 for a virtual classroom experience with a park ranger, up to $750 for an in-classroom park-ranger experience, or up to $2,000 for an in-park visit involving a class. The current 2027 application window opened August 4, 2026 and closes December 11, 2026, end of day. The funder does not publish an exact hour or time zone. No mandatory universal applicant matching percentage is specified. Award notifications are anticipated the week of February 15, 2027.

Who may apply and geographic eligibility

Eligible applicants are K–12 public, private, parochial, and home-school educators seeking to provide underrepresented students with greater access to outdoor recreation or interpretive and educational park programs. Applicants must arrange an experience directly with a WNP-partner National Park Service unit, selecting the park and coordinating with its staff before submitting. A qualifying WNP-partner park is necessary; not every U.S. national park qualifies. Sabino Canyon National Recreation Area and Palisades Visitor Center, both in Arizona, are specifically ineligible. Priority is given to Title I schools, but Title I status is not required. Multiple classes from one school may apply, but only one application per class may be submitted.

Allowable projects and payment conditions

Proposed learning experiences must emphasize a park-themed outcome related to environment, history, outdoor recreation or healthy lifestyles plus park stewardship. Allowable costs include transportation, program and entry fees, educational and field-trip supplies, citizen-science materials, and reasonable virtual-classroom equipment or conferencing expenses. Activities must occur between April 1, 2027 and May 30, 2028, and funding expires May 31, 2028. Successful schools must supply a current W-9 and a grant award letter signed by the principal and responsible teacher, comply with applicable school and park safety rules, and submit a final report within 60 days after the experience. WNP pays 90% of the award up front and withholds the last 10% pending an accepted final report.

Official application instructions

Before applying, select an eligible partner park, contact the NPS staff person who will collaborate on the classroom experience, and confirm transportation availability where relevant. Submit the complete online application through the official WNP grant portal; applications in other formats are not accepted. Read the 2027 Nature’s Classroom Grant Application Packet (PDF) for all requirements. Verified October 26, 2026.

Source verificationReferenced source · wnpa.orgAtlas last verified this record 2026-10-26. Always use the funder's current application materials, amendments and portal instructions as the controlling source.View source and application materials ↗