Conservation Partnership Funding for Fiscal Year (FY) 2021– MISSOURI | USDA NRCS MO MULTI 21 NOFO0001080

Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NRCS MO MULTI 21 NOFO0001080

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Missouri is offering Conservation Partnership Funding for FY 2021 to build partnerships that expand conservation outreach, education, and technical assistance tied to USDA-NRCS programs and Farm Bill conservation efforts. The main goal is to support groups that can help reach Missouri farmers, private landowners, conservation organizations, partner agencies, and the general public through practical activities like workshops, conferences, trainings, and other educational or outreach events. NRCS is especially interested in collaborative projects that provide real, on-the-ground support to Missouri NRCS Field Offices, meaning proposals that strengthen local delivery of conservation assistance and help connect eligible landowners with NRCS programs and practices.

Projects must be carried out in Missouri and should focus on Farm Bill conservation priorities rather than academic or experimental research. Research proposals are explicitly not allowed and will not be considered. Funding is intended for partnership-driven implementation support, outreach, and technical assistance that helps people understand, access, and successfully use NRCS conservation programs. The agency expects roughly $750,000 total to be available for FY 2021 under this opportunity, with awards issued as grants. Agreements may run from 1 to 3 years, and applicants may submit either single-year or multi-year proposals.

The opportunity is a discretionary grant competition (Funding Opportunity Number: USDA NRCS MO MULTI 21 NOFO0001080) under CFDA 10.902, covering agriculture, environment, and natural resources work. NRCS anticipates making about 10 awards, and the maximum award amount (award ceiling) is $500,000. As with many competitive federal solicitations, applications will be screened for completeness and compliance with the notice requirements. Proposals that are missing required elements or do not follow the instructions can be removed from consideration, and applicants will be notified if that happens. NRCS also notes that the Missouri State Conservationist retains the right not to fund some or all applications, even if they are eligible.

A wide range of organizations are eligible to apply, including state, county, and local governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized tribal governments; other tribal organizations; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; and nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (as long as they are not institutions of higher education). This broad eligibility reflects NRCSs intent to work with many kinds of partners that already have trusted relationships in local communities and can help deliver conservation education and assistance.

Applications had to be submitted through Grants.gov by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on May 15, 2021 (original closing date). NRCS emphasized that Grants.gov account or submission troubleshooting must go through Grants.gov Applicant Support (1-800-518-4726 or support@grants.gov) rather than agency staff. Questions about the funding notice itself could be submitted until April 12, 2021, with responses posted on Grants.gov about two weeks before the deadline. NRCS also offered an applicant webinar on April 14, 2021, with advance registration due by April 7, 2021 via email to the listed contact (Jessica Phillips at jessica.phillips@usda.gov). The agency planned to make selections by June 15, 2021 and execute awards by September 15, 2021.

In practical terms, this grant program is designed for organizations that can help NRCS extend its reach across Missouri by educating landowners, improving participation in NRCS conservation programs, and supporting field-level conservation delivery through coordinated, partner-led outreach and technical assistance.

• The Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service in the agriculture, environment, natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Conservation Partnership Funding for Fiscal Year (FY) 2021– MISSOURI" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.902.
• This funding opportunity was created on Mar 26, 2021.
• Applicants must submit their applications by May 15, 2021 Applications must be received by 1159 pm Eastern Time.. (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 $500,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 10 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), 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.

Apply for USDA NRCS MO MULTI 21 NOFO0001080

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