Opportunity Information: Apply for S22AS00329
The OSMRE VISTA Program is a discretionary federal funding opportunity run by the Department of the Interior's Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE). It is structured as a cooperative agreement, meaning the selected recipient is expected to work in close partnership with OSMRE rather than operating entirely independently. The basic aim is to connect communities affected by legacy, pre-regulatory mining impacts with dedicated AmeriCorps Volunteers in Service to America (VISTAs) who can help build local capacity, strengthen community-led projects, and support long-term recovery and improvement efforts. The program was also created as a way for OSMRE to deepen its engagement with service-minded adults, particularly younger people, whose interests and skills align with OSMRE's mission.
At the center of the program is the placement of mission-oriented VISTA members in eligible communities for a one-year term of service. These communities are specifically described as places impacted by mining practices that occurred before modern regulatory frameworks, which often left behind environmental damage and related economic challenges. VISTAs serve through positions approved by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) or through an intermediary organization that manages AmeriCorps/VISTA placements. While the VISTAs themselves receive a living allowance and other service benefits, the grant funding supports the overall partnership and administration needed to recruit, place, and manage these positions in a way that advances OSMRE-related goals.
Program activities are intentionally broad, but they are anchored to OSMRE's mission and the needs of coalfield and other mining-impacted communities. Key focus areas include community and environmental reclamation (helping communities move projects forward that address land and water impacts), community environmental stewardship (building local programs and partnerships that protect and restore environmental resources), economic improvement (supporting community-driven economic development connected to reclamation, resilience, and local assets), educational opportunities (strengthening training, outreach, and pathways that prepare people for relevant work and civic engagement), and research (supporting learning, data gathering, and project development that helps communities make informed decisions). The grant emphasizes innovation and collaboration, with the recipient expected to work directly with OSMRE across these categories rather than treating them as separate, stand-alone initiatives.
The opportunity is open to nonprofit organizations that have IRS 501(c)(3) status, excluding institutions of higher education as direct applicants under the listed eligibility category. Even so, the notice signals a clear interest in inclusive participation by encouraging DOI-affiliated Minority Serving Institutions and similar institutions that serve high concentrations of historically underrepresented students to be involved, reflecting an emphasis on strengthening science and technology instruction and broadening participation. In practical terms, that encouragement often translates into partnerships, project roles, training components, or other forms of collaboration that align with the program's community development mission.
For VISTA members, the program also highlights the personal and professional benefits that come with national service. After successfully completing a term, VISTAs may earn a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award that can be applied to higher education costs or qualified student loans, or they may choose a cash stipend in certain cases. They also gain non-competitive eligibility for certain federal jobs, which can be an important career advantage for those interested in public service.
The source details identify the opportunity as Funding Opportunity Number S22AS00329 under CFDA 15.254, categorized under Community Development. The original closing date listed was September 19, 2022, and the award ceiling was $225,000. The posting was created July 19, 2022. Overall, the program is best understood as a capacity-building and community development effort that leverages AmeriCorps/VISTA service to help mining-impacted communities advance reclamation, stewardship, education, research, and local economic improvement in close coordination with OSMRE.Apply for S22AS00329
- The Office of Surface Mining in the community development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "OSMRE VISTA Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.254.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2022-07-19.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2022-09-19. (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 $225,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.
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OSMRE VISTA Program Grant (S22AS00329) - Frequently Asked Questions
1) What is the OSMRE VISTA Program grant?
The OSMRE VISTA Program is a discretionary federal funding opportunity run by the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI), Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE). The program is designed to connect communities affected by legacy (pre-regulatory) mining impacts with AmeriCorps Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) members who serve one-year terms focused on building local capacity and supporting long-term community recovery and improvement.
2) What type of federal award is this?
This opportunity is structured as a cooperative agreement. That means the selected recipient is expected to work in close partnership with OSMRE to carry out program goals, rather than operating entirely independently.
3) What is the main purpose of the program?
The main purpose is capacity-building in communities impacted by pre-regulatory mining. The program places mission-oriented VISTA members to help strengthen community-led projects, advance recovery efforts, and support long-term improvements aligned with OSMRE's mission.
4) What communities does the program focus on?
The program focuses on eligible communities impacted by legacy mining practices that occurred before modern regulatory frameworks. These areas often face environmental damage (such as land and water impacts) and related economic challenges.
5) How does AmeriCorps VISTA fit into this grant?
The program centers on placing AmeriCorps VISTA members in eligible communities for one-year terms of service. These VISTA positions must be approved by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) or operated through an intermediary organization that manages AmeriCorps/VISTA placements.
6) What does the grant funding support versus what VISTAs receive?
VISTA members receive a living allowance and other service benefits through the AmeriCorps/VISTA structure. The grant funding supports the partnership and administration needed to recruit, place, and manage VISTA positions in a way that advances OSMRE-related goals.
7) What kinds of activities or project areas can be supported?
Activities are broad but tied to OSMRE's mission and the needs of mining-impacted communities. The opportunity highlights these focus areas:
- Community and environmental reclamation: helping move projects forward that address land and water impacts
- Community environmental stewardship: building local programs and partnerships to protect and restore environmental resources
- Economic improvement: supporting community-driven economic development connected to reclamation, resilience, and local assets
- Educational opportunities: strengthening training, outreach, and pathways that prepare people for relevant work and civic engagement
- Research: supporting learning, data gathering, and project development to help communities make informed decisions
8) Does the program treat these focus areas as separate initiatives?
No. The grant emphasizes innovation and collaboration, with the expectation that the recipient will work directly with OSMRE across these categories rather than treating them as stand-alone efforts.
9) Who is eligible to apply?
The opportunity is open to nonprofit organizations with IRS 501(c)(3) status. Under the listed eligibility category, institutions of higher education are excluded as direct applicants.
10) Can colleges or universities participate at all?
Yes, the notice indicates an interest in inclusive participation and encourages involvement by DOI-affiliated Minority Serving Institutions and similar institutions serving high concentrations of historically underrepresented students. While they are excluded as direct applicants under the listed eligibility category, this encouragement suggests participation through partnerships, roles in projects, training components, or other collaborations aligned with the program's community development mission.
11) What is CNCS and why is it mentioned?
The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) is referenced because VISTA positions must be approved through CNCS processes (or managed through an intermediary organization that administers AmeriCorps/VISTA placements). This is part of how VISTA service positions are authorized and managed.
12) What is the expected term of service for VISTA members placed through this program?
The program describes placement of VISTA members for a one-year term of service.
13) What benefits can VISTA members receive after completing service?
After successfully completing a term, VISTA members may earn a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award that can be applied to higher education costs or qualified student loans. In certain cases, they may choose a cash stipend instead. The program also notes that VISTAs can gain non-competitive eligibility for certain federal jobs.
14) What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this grant?
The Funding Opportunity Number is S22AS00329.
15) What is the CFDA number and category listed for the opportunity?
The opportunity is identified under CFDA 15.254 and is categorized under Community Development.
16) What was the application closing date listed in the source details?
The original closing date listed was September 19, 2022.
17) What is the maximum (ceiling) award amount noted?
The award ceiling listed in the source details is $225,000.
18) When was the opportunity posting created?
The posting was created on July 19, 2022.
19) How is this program best described overall?
Overall, it is a capacity-building and community development effort that leverages AmeriCorps/VISTA service to help mining-impacted communities advance reclamation, environmental stewardship, education, research, and local economic improvement, in close coordination with OSMRE.
20) Why does the program emphasize engagement with younger or service-minded adults?
The program was also created to deepen OSMRE's engagement with service-minded adults, particularly younger people, whose interests and skills align with OSMRE's mission, by connecting them to meaningful national service roles in mining-impacted communities.
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