The Network to Freedom shifted to an online application system. All applications for the January 15, 2023 deadline and beyond need to be submitted through this electronic system.
Since its inception, the Network to Freedom team dreamed of creating an online database of its sites, facilities, and programs. It is unclear when this could be created, but shifting to this online application system is the first step towards developing such a system.
In order to support Network to Freedom applicants through this transition, the Network to Freedom Program will provide a series of training opportunities and learning resources so that new users can more easily navigate this new system.
Open House: New Application System
The January 15, 2024 deadline to submit Network to Freedom applications is fast approaching! If you would like more direct technical assistance as you work through your online application, the Network to Freedom Program will be hosting several open houses for applicants to receive technical assistance.
December 12, 2023 at 1pm EST
https://asalh.zoom.us/j/99292128490?pwd=Q3NyQzJYS3VLRHI2TTMvZ0NyY08xUT09
Meeting ID: 992 9212 8490
Passcode: 111266
If you have pressing questions about the application system please email network_to_freedom@nps.gov or our data manager at christina_cargill@nps.gov.
Each Open House will last one hour. Participants can come and go as they please throughout that hour.
To receive the entry information, please submit your email address here.
Recording: Full Online Application Training.
Throughout October, the Network to Freedom team hosted several training sessions explaining how to use the online application system. Watch a recording of one of these sessions below.
Visit our keyboard shortcuts docs for details
- Duration:
- 30 minutes, 28 seconds
View this online application training session from November 2022 to understand the new Network to Freedom application system. Starting with the January 15, 2022 application deadline, the Network to Freedom will no longer accept applications created in word processors or PDF documents. The only way to submit a Network to Freedom application is via the online system. To create an account and access the online application, visit https://apps.cr.nps.gov/ntf
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. All users need to create an account before they can access the online application.
Go to the Network to Freedom Online Application login page and click on the create account link to the right of the "Sign In" Button. Fill out all required fields and click "Submit."
After you create your account, you will receive an email asking to confirm your account. Click "yes." This may be sent to your junk/spam inbox, so please check your junk/spam inboxes.
Use your email and password to sign in. After clicking "Sign in," the user will be prompted to enter a code. A two step verification code will be sent to the user via email. They must input the code within three minutes of receiving the code. This code may be sent to your junk/spam inbox, so please check your junk/spam inboxes.
Each login session lasts 30 minutes. This time starts once the verification code is entered, and the user sees their home dashboard. There is a countdown timer on the top right hand corner of the application that will tell the user how many minutes remain in their session. After 30 minutes, there will be a pop up that asks the user if they would like to extend their session. If you do not extend your session, you will lose any information that you entered since you “saved” your application. Thus, it is critical that users save their work frequently while working.
You may consider drafting narratives for answering the application questions in a word processor so that you can cut and paste them into the online form. Endnotes are recommended for citations, rather than footnotes, because they will retain the format better when pasted into the application text boxes.
The user will select the button that says New Application. The new user’s application list will be empty as they have not submitted anything.
Start filling out the general information fields first so you can save your draft successfully. The session lasts 30 minutes. A pop-up message will appear to warn you that your session is about to expire. The user will have two options: extend the sessions for another 30 minutes or log in later to start a new session. Users should save the record as soon as they start filling out required fields. Because there is no autosave feature at this time, users should save their work often.
We recommend drafting narratives for answering the application questions in a word processor so that you can cut and paste them into the online form. Endnotes are recommended for citations, rather than footnotes, because they will retain the format better when pasted into the application text boxes.
You may save your application as a draft and continue to work on it. To save your work, click the "Save" button at the top or the bottom of the virtual application. You should save your work early and often, as there is currently no autosave feature.
Note that clicking "Submit" will submit your final draft of your work to a regional manager for review. You will not be able to edit your work again once you click "Submit."
If the site is open to the public, then you will need to set your open times. Right now, there is only options for times from 12:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. In future updates, there will be options such as "By Appointment Only" or "Sunrise to Sunset."
If hours shift throughout the week, the user can add those times.
To save your time, please press the blue button "Add Time." If you do not press this, your input will not be saved.
The user must select Applicant Preparer or Owner before putting the correct contact information in. The user must press the blue button that says "Add" to have the contact info stored in the application draft. Users can add as many applicant preparer/owners as necessary.
To submit consent letters, maps, photos, or pdfs associated with the potential member, the user must go down to the last heading called ADDITIONAL DATA. These files can be uploaded using the blue upload button. Right now, there is no limit of uploads. The acceptable file types are pdf, jpeg, gif, jpg, png, doc, or docx.
Once the applicant feels satisfied with their application, they will press the "Submit" button. The submit button means that the applicant has completed the application and would like to submit to the Network to Freedom Staff for review. Once the submit button is pressed, the applicant cannot edit this application anymore.
Last updated: December 7, 2023