Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 Conservation Partnership Grant Agreement Funding Opportunity for NRCS Missouri | USDA NRCS MO MULTI 22 NOFO0001155

Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NRCS MO MULTI 22 NOFO0001155

The Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 Conservation Partnership Grant Agreement Funding Opportunity for NRCS Missouri is a discretionary grant program from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) aimed at building partnerships that strengthen conservation work across Missouri. The notice is issued ahead of final FY 2022 funding decisions, meaning the total amount available could change depending on continuing resolutions or a final appropriations act. Within that uncertainty, NRCS indicates it anticipates roughly $1,000,000 will be available to support selected projects.

The core purpose of this opportunity is to fund partner-led outreach, education, and technical assistance tied to USDA-NRCS conservation programs, particularly those connected to Farm Bill conservation. NRCS is looking for “like minded” conservation partners who can help reach Missouri producers, private landowners, conservation organizations, cooperating agencies, and the broader public through practical learning and engagement activities. Examples mentioned include conservation outreach workshops, conferences, and trainings designed to increase awareness, understanding, and participation in NRCS conservation efforts. Projects must be carried out in Missouri and should be focused on applied program support rather than generating new research; research proposals are explicitly not allowed and will not be considered.

Awards made under this notice can be structured as single-year or multi-year agreements, with project periods expected to range from 1 to 3 years. NRCS also notes that applications will go through an initial screening for completeness and compliance with the notice requirements. Submissions that are incomplete or do not follow the required instructions can be removed from competition, and applicants will be notified if their proposal is eliminated at that stage. The Missouri State Conservationist retains discretion not to fund any applications, even if they are eligible and responsive.

Eligibility is broad and includes multiple types of public and nonprofit entities that commonly work in conservation and agricultural assistance. Eligible applicants include state, county, and local governments (including special districts); independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; tribal organizations that are not federally recognized governments; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; and nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education). The program is administered by USDA-NRCS, and the funding aligns with CFDA numbers 10.902, 10.912, and 10.924. The opportunity number is USDA NRCS MO MULTI 22 NOFO0001155.

In terms of scale, the notice lists an award ceiling of $650,000 and anticipates making about 15 awards, suggesting NRCS may support a mix of smaller and larger partnership projects depending on need and impact. While the total expected funding is about $1,000,000, the ceiling indicates individual projects could be relatively substantial if they are well-justified and aligned with NRCS priorities, though actual award sizes will depend on selections and final funding availability.

Applications were required to be submitted through Grants.gov no later than 11:59 pm Eastern Time on Monday, May 9, 2022. The notice emphasizes that technical help with Grants.gov must be handled through Grants.gov support (1-800-518-4726 or support@grants.gov) and that NRCS staff will not troubleshoot Grants.gov accounts. Questions to the agency were limited to clarifying information contained in the notice itself, such as deadlines, page references, or inconsistencies; NRCS would not respond to questions about whether a specific applicant is eligible or whether a particular project idea is competitive.

Finally, NRCS provided estimated timing for the selection and award process, noting it expected to make selections by June 1, 2022 and to execute awards by September 15, 2022, with the caveat that these dates were subject to change. Overall, this funding opportunity is designed for organizations that can deliver hands-on conservation outreach and assistance in Missouri, helping producers and communities better understand and use NRCS Farm Bill conservation programs, while staying clearly outside the scope of research activities.

• The Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service in the agriculture, environment, natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 Conservation Partnership Grant Agreement Funding Opportunity for NRCS Missouri" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.902, 10.912, 10.924.
• This funding opportunity was created on Mar 08, 2022.
• Applicants must submit their applications by May 09, 2022. (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 $650,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 15 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, Private institutions of higher education.

Apply for USDA NRCS MO MULTI 22 NOFO0001155

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