Minnesota Fiscal Year (FY) 21 Cooperative Agreement Notice of Funding Opportunity | USDA NRCS 10902 6322XXXX 21 0001

Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NRCS 10902 6322XXXX 21 0001

The Minnesota Fiscal Year (FY) 21 Cooperative Agreement Notice of Funding Opportunity is a competitive funding announcement from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) focused on projects in Minnesota that strengthen conservation outcomes through partnerships. NRCS is using cooperative agreements to leverage its technical expertise and resources while encouraging collaboration among local organizations and building conservation leadership at the state and community levels. The overarching goal is to address Minnesota-specific natural resource concerns by supporting partners who can plan, deliver, and expand conservation work in ways that NRCS alone cannot do as effectively.

The opportunity targets three main initiative areas. First, Urban Conservation Planning is designed around the reality that urban natural resource challenges are different from rural ones. Projects in this category are expected to increase conservation planning and on-the-ground implementation in cities and other urban settings by teaming with community groups, urban organizations, master gardeners, and similar partners. Eligible work includes helping residents and local groups design and carry out conservation practices, expanding urban agriculture through community gardens, and addressing common city-based resource issues such as invasive species, pollinator and beneficial insect habitat, soil health, water quality, and stormwater runoff. A major emphasis is making urban conservation easier to access by pairing technical help with financial support and creating more visible funding pathways for urban conservation projects.

Second, Locally Grown Foods focuses on improving the resilience and reach of conservation-minded food production and distribution networks. NRCS is looking for projects that build awareness and strengthen local food systems, including efforts to identify food deserts and create sustainable local production options that can serve those communities. This initiative also supports the growth of locally grown and locally processed food services, and it encourages expansion of farmers markets along with broader local food and fiber networks. A related piece of this initiative is connecting urban consumers with rural producers by showcasing conservation work happening on farms and helping the public better understand how conservation and food production intersect. Activities such as agritourism events and field days are specifically called out as ways to demonstrate on-farm ecosystem benefits in a format that the public can experience directly.

Third, Reaching Out to Historically Underserved Clients and Providing Technical and Financial Assistance concentrates on improving access to NRCS programs for groups that have traditionally faced barriers to participation. The intent is to increase both technical and program delivery by identifying cultural, informational, or procedural barriers that limit the use of NRCS assistance. Projects may include outreach and education efforts that explain NRCS programs and technical materials in more accessible ways, hands-on help for underserved producers and land managers as they apply for NRCS assistance, and direct planning support that positions participants to successfully adopt conservation practices and participate in USDA conservation programs over the long term.

Funding for this Minnesota opportunity is expected to total about $750,000 in FY 2021, with individual federal award amounts anticipated to range from $50,000 (the floor) to $300,000 (the ceiling). Awards are intended to support projects lasting two to three years, and NRCS expects to make roughly four awards. The announcement is categorized as discretionary funding and uses a cooperative agreement instrument, which generally means substantial involvement by the federal agency is expected during the project compared with a standard grant.

Eligible applicants include federally recognized tribal governments, state governments, and local government entities (including counties, cities or townships, and special districts), as well as public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, and nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (other than higher education institutions). Applications are submitted through Grants.gov and are screened first for completeness and compliance with the notice requirements; proposals that are incomplete or noncompliant are removed from consideration.

Key dates included a question deadline of January 15, 2021, with NRCS planning to post a consolidated Q-and-A at least two weeks before the application deadline. Applications were due via Grants.gov by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on February 26, 2021. NRCS anticipated selection decisions by March 12, 2021, and expected to execute awards by June 1, 2021. For applicants new to federal financial assistance, the notice also points to the free Grants 101 training hosted at cfo.gov, which covers core topics like grants regulations, administrative requirements, cost principles, and audit and risk management concepts. For full requirements and submission instructions, applicants are directed to the Full Announcement document posted with the opportunity in Grants.gov (Opportunity Number: USDA NRCS 10902 6322XXXX 21 0001; CFDA/Assistance Listing: 10.902).

• The Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service in the agriculture, natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Minnesota Fiscal Year (FY) 21 Cooperative Agreement Notice of Funding Opportunity" 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 Dec 28, 2020.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Feb 26, 2021 Applications must be received by 1159pm on February 26, 2021.. (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 $300,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 4 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), 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 10902 6322XXXX 21 0001

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