Funding Wizard

Emphasis will be placed on projects that provide technical assistance to NRCS staff in the implementation of Farm Bill conservation programs in California counties. NRCS seeks collaboration with conservation partners and outside entities to perform conservation planning on private lands and complete conservation plans under NRCS conservation planning policy.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), under the Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production (OUAIP), is soliciting applications from local governments to host a Community Compost and Food Waste Reduction (CCFWR) pilot project for fiscal year (FY) 2021.See the Notice of Funding Opportunity under the Related Documents tab for further details including application submission information and application review information.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) requests applications for the Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production (UAIP) Competitive Grants Program for fiscal year (FY) 2021. There are two types of UAIP Grants types which are entitled (1) Planning Projects and (2) Implementation Projects. (1) Planning Projects (PP): The estimated funding floor for PP is $50,000 and the funding ceiling is $200,000. (2) Implementation Projects (IP): The estimated funding floor for IP is $50,000 and the funding ceiling is $300,000.The funding floor means the minimum agreement funding amount for the Federal share per agreement awarded. The ceiling is the maximum agreement funding amount for the Federal share per agreement awarded. These numbers refer to the total agreement amount, not any specific budget period.The primary goal of UAIP is to assist eligible entities with projects that support the development of urban agriculture and innovative production. NRCS anticipates that the amount available for support of this program in FY 2021 will be approximately $4 million.See the Notice of Funding Opportunity under the Related Documents tab for further information regarding eligibility, how to prepare an application and apply, evaluation criteria, etc.

SUMMARY INFORMATION Federal Awarding Agency Name: U.S. Department of Agriculture – NRCS Notice of Funding Opportunity Title: Notice of Funding Opportunity for NRCS’s Wetland Mitigation Banking Program for Federal fiscal year (FY) 2022 Notice of Funding Opportunity Number: USDA-NRCS-NHQ-WMBP-21-NOFO0001116 Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA): This program is listed in the Assistance Listings under the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance number 10.933 Notice of Funding Opportunity Summary NRCS is announcing the availability of up to $5 million in Wetland Mitigation Banking Program (WMBP) grant funds for the development and establishment of mitigation banks and banking opportunities solely for agricultural producers with wetlands subject to the Wetland Conservation Compliance provisions of the 1985 Food Security Act (as amended). WMBP is a competitive grants program accepting proposals from qualified applicants with the expertise and capacity to operate and manage all aspects of a wetland mitigation bank. Eligible entities include Federally recognized Native American tribal governments, State and local units of government, for-profit entities, small businesses, special district governments, nonprofits with or without a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS other than institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, and public and State controlled institutions of higher education. Applications will be accepted from eligible entities to carry out projects in any of the 50 States, the District of Columbia, the Caribbean Area (Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands), and the Pacific Islands Area (Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands). Priority will be given to banks based in locations with significant numbers of individual wetlands, wetland acres, and conservation compliance requests. According to NRCS data, these locations include the Prairie Pothole Region, Nebraska Rainwater Basin Region, and the states of Iowa, Nebraska, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Indiana, Illinois, South Dakota, Georgia, and Ohio. For new users of Grants.gov, see Section D.1. of the full announcement for information about steps required before submitting an application via Grants.gov. Key Dates Applicants must submit their applications via Grants.gov by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on August 16, 2021. For technical issues with Grants.gov, contact Grants.gov Applicant Support at 1-800-518-4726 or support@grants.gov. Awarding agency staff cannot support applicants regarding Grants.gov accounts. Questions regarding this notice of funding opportunity (NFO) may be submitted until July 22, 2021. Responses to questions posed will be posted on Grants.gov approximately two weeks before the application due date. A webinar for potential WMBP applicants is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. Eastern time on July 20, 2021. Participate in the webinar by using the coordinates below: Step 1: Dial into the conference. Dial-in: 888-251-2949 or 215-861-0694 Access Code: 2318215# Need an international dial-in number? Step 2: Join the conference on your computer. Entry Link: https://ems8.intellor.com/login/839421 The agency anticipates making selections by October 1, 2021 and expects to execute awards by January 01, 2022. Federal Funding Floor and Ceiling Amounts The estimated funding floor for this opportunity is $400,000 and the estimated funding ceiling is $1,000,000. The funding floor means the minimum agreement funding amount for the Federal share per agreement awarded. The ceiling is the maximum agreement funding amount for the Federal share per agreement awarded. These numbers refer to the total agreement amount, not any specific budget period. Federal Financial Assistance Training The funding available through this NFO is Federal financial assistance. Grants 101 Training is highly recommended for those seeking knowledge about Federal financial assistance. The training is free and available to the public via https://www.cfo.gov/grants-training/. It consists of five modules covering each of the following topics: 1) laws, regulations, and guidance; 2) financial assistance mechanisms; 3) uniform guidance administrative requirements; 4) cost principles; and 5) risk management and single audit. FPAC agencies also apply Federal financial assistance regulations to certain non-assistance awards (e.g., non-assistance cooperative agreements). See the Related Documents tab of this opportunity for the full announcement.

Funding Opportunity Summary (For more information, download from the Related Documents tab of this opportunity the Request for Applications (RFA) titled "Request for Applications_USDA-NRCS-NHQ-REJ-21-NOFO0001121")The Office of Outreach and Partnerships Division (OPD) within the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) provides leadership and funding to ensure that all programs and services are made accessible to all NRCS customers, fairly and equitably, with emphasis on reaching the underserved and socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers and landowners. In this Request for Applications (RFA), NRCS requests applications for four OPD priority areas through the Racial Equity and Justice Conservation Cooperative Agreements. The goal of this outreach is for NRCS in collaboration with partners to expand the delivery of conservation assistance to historically underserved farmers and ranchers, including socially disadvantaged, limited resource, beginning, tribal and veteran. Proposals should support activities that introduce the concepts of climate-smart agriculture and to assist producers with planning and implementation of conservation practices and principles.In accordance with 2 CFR §415.1(d), this is a non-competitive RFA restricted to eligible entities listed in section C.1. NRCS has determined that noncompetitive awards under this RFA are in the best interest of the Government and necessary to the accomplishment of the goals of theprogram to provide outreach and technical assistance to historically underserved communities. The anticipated amount for cooperative agreements under this solicitation is approximately $50 million in fiscal year (FY) 2022.Key DatesThis RFA solicits applications for eligible entities to enter into cooperative agreements with NRCS. Applications must be received by 11:59p.m. Eastern Time on October 25, 2021. Applications received after this deadline will not be considered for funding.WebinarA webinar for potential applicants will be scheduled for late September. When available, instructions regarding how to access the webinar will be posted in the opportunity on Grants.gov in the Synopsis tab and added to this RFA.Application PackageNRCS expects applicants to read the entire RFA prior to submitting their application to ensure that they understand the program’s requirements. This application checklist provides the required and conditionally required documents for an application package. Conservation Outreach: Racial Equity and Justice Conservation Cooperative Agreements requires that all application packages include the following, which can be found in the Related Documents tab of the opportunity in Grants.gov: � Project Proposal Templateo Ensure the required format and does not exceed the page limit.o Ensure project excludes unallowable costs and activities per Section D, Part 6, Funding Restrictions. � SF 424 – Application for Federal Assistance � SF 424A – Budget Information - Non-Construction Programs. � Grants.gov Lobbying Form, Certification and Disclosure of LobbyingIf applicable, packages may also be required to include the following documents: � Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA) or De Minimis Indirect Cost RateAgreementFederal Financial Assistance TrainingThe funding available through this NFO is Federal financial assistance. Grants 101 Training is highly recommended for those seeking knowledge about Federal financial assistance. The training is free and available to the public via https://www.cfo.gov/grants-training/. It consists offive modules covering each of the following topics: 1) laws, regulations, and guidance; 2) financial assistance mechanisms; 3) uniform guidance administrative requirements; 4) cost principles; and 5) risk management and single audit. FPAC agencies also apply Federal financial assistance regulations to certain non-assistance awards (e.g., non-assistance cooperative agreements).

US Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is looking for a partner to develop multiple training courses for employees, partners, and technical service providers on topics associated with our conservation planning such as in the areas of economics, practice standards, conservation activities and others. The vision for these courses is that they would be online training developed in a format compatible with our AgLearn Learning Management System, would be 508 compliant, and include an exam to measure learner knowledge. NRCS will supply subject matter experts working with an interested Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units (CESU) network partner who will provide training development resources. Together we will create the elements related to course objectives, learning outcomes and course content. All courses developed will be the property of USDA, NRCS who will be provided the course in its final form along with all supporting materials including but not limited to files, documents, and videos in editable formats. The development timeline of these trainings will be staggered within a three-year agreement following a priority list of training topics. These courses may be added to the list of required courses for our conservation planner and/or technical service provider program certification. Funding available would be through a contribution agreement and is only being offered to institutions of higher education associated with the CESU network. Information on the CESU network can be accessed at http://www.cesu.psu.edu/. Applicants must submit their applications via Grants.gov by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on April 11, 2022. For technical issues with Grants.gov, contact Grants.gov Applicant Support at 1-800-518-4726 or support@grants.gov. Awarding agency staff cannot support applicants regarding Grants.gov accounts. The agency anticipates making selections by May 6, 2022 and expects to execute awards by June 17, 2022. These dates are estimates and are subject to change.

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), an agency under the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), is announcing the potential availability of funding for agreements for the purposes of:• Promoting research collaboration between the NRCS Soil and Plant Science Division (SPSD) and university cooperators on significant national issues;• Providing technology transfer and training for NRCS staff;• Assisting in training of students in soil science and related fields.Proposals must be for projects based in the United States and its territories and possessions and focus on the priorities described in Section A of this notice. Research proposals are sought. NRCS anticipates that the amount available for support of this program in FY 2022 will be up to $1,500,000.00. Eligibility is limited to institutions of higher education in the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) network (http://www.cesu.psu.edu/). Proposals are requested for competitive consideration of awards for projects 2-3 years in duration.The agency anticipates making selections by June 1, 2022 and expects to execute awards by August 15, 2022. These dates are estimates and are subject to change.Applicants must submit their applications via Grants.gov by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on April 12, 2022. For technical issues with Grants.gov, contact Grants.gov Applicant Support at 1-800-518-4726 or support@grants.gov. Awarding agency staff cannot support applicants regarding Grants.gov accounts.For inquiries specific to the content of the NFO requirements, contact the federal awarding agency contact. Please limit questions to those regarding specific information contained in this NFO (such as dates, page numbers, clarification of discrepancies, etc.). Questions related to eligibility or the merits of a specific proposal will not be addressed.

The Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) promotes coordination of NRCS conservation activities with partners that offer value-added contributions that expand our collective ability to address on-farm, watershed, and regional natural resource concerns. NRCS seeks to coinvest with RCPP partners to implement projects that demonstrate innovative solutions to conservation challenges and provide measurable improvements and outcomes tied to the resource concerns they seek to address.Through RCPP, partners propose projects—using guidance contained in this notice—that generate conservation benefits by addressing specific natural resource objectives in a state/multistate area or address one or more primary resource concerns within a critical conservation area (CCA) for the benefit of eligible agricultural producers and landowners. NRCS and partners design, implement and evaluate RCPP projects on agricultural and non-industrial private forest land. NRCS coinvests in RCPP projects selected through a competitive application process that evaluates applications based on four criteria: impact, partner contributions, innovation, and partnerships and management.The RCPP AFA component is intended to support project structures and approaches that cannot be carried out as effectively through RCPP Classic. RCPP AFA applicants must describe the innovative nature of the conservation approach they are proposing to justify potential funding through an RCPP AFA rather than RCPP Classic. Additionally, applicants should consider the additional administrative and technical assistance responsibilities that accompany receipt of an RCPP AFA award.The Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (2018 Farm Bill) amendments to RCPP provides examples of project types that might be implemented through RCPP AFA:Projects that use innovative approaches to leverage the Federal investment in conservation;• Projects that deploy a pay-for-performance conservation approach;• Projects that seek large-scale infrastructure investments that generate conservation benefits for agricultural producers and nonindustrial private forest owners.Although RCPP AFA provides flexibilities to partners, these projects share the overarching focus of RCPP — engaging with producers and landowners to implement conservation practices, systems and approaches on or for the benefit of agricultural and nonindustrial private forest lands.This notice announces the availability of funding for up to 15 RCPP AFA projects in FY 2022. Applications are accepted from all 50 States, the Caribbean Area (Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands), and U.S. territories in the Pacific Island Areas (Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands).SUBMISSIONS: Applications must be submitted through the Programs Portal.FOR MORE INFORMATION: Applicants are encouraged to contact the appropriate State RCPP Coordinator(s) with questions. A list of State RCPP coordinators, as of the date of this announcement’s posting, is on the RCPP website: RCPP - How to Apply NRCS (usda.gov). Applicants can also email the RCPP inbox—rcpp@usda.gov--with questions about the announcement. The national RCPP website is also a great source of current information about the program.Interested applicants are encouraged to participate in a webinar with general information about the Classic and AFA funding announcements. The webinar is scheduled for January 20, 2022 from 3-4:30 p.m. Eastern. Instructions for participating in the webinar are below:The conference begins at 3:00 PM Eastern Time on January 20, 2022; you may join the conference 10 minutes prior.To join the conference, click: https://ems8.intellor.com/login/842136 Join the Zoom event and follow the prompts to connect audio by computer or telephone.Need to join via phone only? 888-251-2949 or 215-861-0694 - Need an international number? Access Code: 2626600# .Zoom Support: 800-345-0857

SUMMARY INFORMATION Federal Awarding Agency Name: U.S. Department of Agriculture – U.S. Department of Agriculture – U.S. Department of Agriculture –Natural Resources Conservation Service Notice of Funding Opportunity Title: NRCS Technical Assistance and Outreach for FY2022 Notice of Funding Opportunity Number: USDA-NRCS-AL-CTA-22-NOFO0001182 Assistance Listing: This program is listed in the Assistance Listings on Sam.gov under 10.902 Soil and Water Conservation (CTA): 16 U.S.C. 590a-f, 590q. 10.904 Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act, 16 U.S.C. 1001-1009, 1012. 10.912 Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP): 16 U.S.C. 3839aa et seq. 10.924 Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP): 16 U.S.C. 3839aa-21 et seq. 10.931 Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP): 16 U.S.C. 3865 et seq. SAM is a web-based, government-wide application that collects, validates, stores, and disseminates business information about the federal government's trading partners in support of the contract awards, grants, and electronic payment processes. Notice of Funding Opportunity Summary This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NFO) is being released prior to appropriation and/or apportionment of funds for fiscal year 2022. Enactment of additional continuing resolutions or an appropriations act may affect the availability or level of funding for this program. The NRCS, an agency under the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), is seeking support from and opportunities to partner with likeminded natural resource conservation partners. The overall intent of this solicitation is to solicit partnerships to help enhance the implementation of key technical services and outreach projects for Fiscal Year 2022. Proposals will be accepted for projects performed in Alabama. NRCS anticipates that the amount available for support of this program in FY 2022 will be up to $600,000. Agreements awarded in pursuant to this NFO may be 1-5 years in duration. This notice identifies the objectives, eligibility criteria, and application instructions. Applications will be screened for completeness and compliance with the provisions of this notice. Incomplete and/or noncompliant applications may be eliminated from competition and notification of elimination will be sent to the applicant. The Alabama State Conservationist reserves the right not to fund any or all applications. NRCS will accept applications under this notice for single or multiyear applications submitted by eligible entities. For new users of Grants.gov, see Section D. for information about steps required before applying via Grants.gov. Key Dates Applicants must submit their applications via Grants.gov by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on May 6, 2022. For technical issues with Grants.gov, contact Grants.gov Applicant Support at 1-800-518-4726 or support@grants.gov. Awarding agency staff cannot support applicants regarding Grants.gov accounts. For inquiries specific to the content of the NFO requirements, contact the federal awarding agency contact (section G of this NFO). Please limit questions to those regarding specific information contained in this NFO (such as dates, page numbers, clarification of discrepancies, etc.) Questions related to eligibility, or the merits of a specific proposal will not be addressed. The agency anticipates making selections by June 6, 2022 and expects to execute awards by July 15, 2022. These dates are estimates and are subject to change. Federal Funding Floor and Ceiling Amounts The estimated funding floor for this opportunity is $7,500.00 and the estimated funding ceiling is $60,000.00. The funding floor means the minimum agreement funding amount for the Federal share per agreement awarded. The ceiling is the maximum agreement funding amount for the Federal share per agreement awarded. These numbers refer to the total agreement amount, not any specific budget period. Federal Financial Assistance Training The funding available through this NFO is Federal financial assistance. Grants 101 Training is highly recommended for those seeking knowledge about Federal financial assistance. The training is free and available to the public via https://www.cfo.gov/grants-training/. It consists of five modules covering each of the following topics: 1) laws, regulations, and guidance; 2) financial assistance mechanisms; 3) uniform guidance administrative requirements; 4) cost principles; and 5) risk management and single audit. FPAC agencies also apply Federal financial assistance regulations to certain non-assistance awards (e.g., non-assistance cooperative agreements).

This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NFO) is being released prior to appropriation and/or apportionment of funds for fiscal year 2022. Enactment of additional continuing resolutions or an appropriations act may affect the availability or level of funding for this program. The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), an agency under the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), is announcing the availability of funding for the purpose of leveraging NRCS resources to encourage collaboration with partners in providing farm bill program outreach and education to historically underserved groups. The Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (2018 Farm Bill) includes provisions that address the unique circumstances and concerns of beginning farmers and ranchers, veteran farmers and ranchers, socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, and limited resource farmers and ranchers, collectively referred to as “historically underserved producers.” Additional information is available here: Historically Underserved Farmers and Ranchers. The overall intent of this solicitation is to solicit partnerships to help enhance the implementation of key conservation objectives and priorities outlined in this announcement. Proposals will be accepted from eligible entities for projects located in Tennessee. NRCS anticipates the total amount awarded under this announcement in Federal fiscal year 2022 will be approximately $300,000.00. Proposals are requested from eligible entities for competitive consideration of agreement awards for projects between one (1) to three (3) years in duration. Entity types that may be eligible under these criteria include the following: • City or township governments• County governments• For profit organizations other than small businesses• Independent school districts• Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS (other than institutions of higher education)• Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c)(3) status with the IRS (other than institutions of higher education)• Private institutions of higher education• Public and State-controlled institutions of higher education• Small businesses• Special district governments• State governmentsFor new users of Grants.gov, see Section D. for information about steps required before submitting an application via Grants.gov. Applicants must submit their applications via Grants.gov by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on May 16, 2022. For technical issues with Grants.gov, contact Grants.gov Applicant Support at 1-800-518-4726 or support@grants.gov. Awarding agency staff cannot support applicants regarding Grants.gov accounts. For inquiries specific to the content of the NFO requirements, contact the federal awarding agency contact (section G of this NFO). Please limit questions to those regarding specific information contained in this NFO (such as dates, page numbers, clarification of discrepancies, etc.) Questions related to eligibility, or the merits of a specific proposal, will not be addressed. The agency anticipates making selections by June 15, 2022 and expects to execute awards by September 15, 2022. These dates are estimates and are subject to change.