FY 2023 Equity in Conservation Outreach Cooperative Agreements | USDA NRCS NHQ ECO 23 NOFO0001222

Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NRCS NHQ ECO 23 NOFO0001222

The FY 2023 Equity in Conservation Outreach Cooperative Agreements opportunity is a discretionary USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) funding program designed to broaden access to NRCS conservation programs and services, especially for historically underserved producers and underserved communities. The central aim is outreach: helping more people learn about, trust, and successfully participate in NRCS conservation assistance, while also creating pathways for students to explore and enter careers connected to agriculture, natural resources, and related sciences. In practical terms, NRCS is looking for partners who can meet producers and communities where they are, reduce barriers to participation, and connect them to conservation planning and climate-smart approaches that protect working lands and the natural resources tied to those lands.

Projects are expected to focus on priority areas described in the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NFO) under the Program Description section. While the specific priority list is contained in the full NFO, the overall direction is clear: proposed work should promote diverse and inclusive participation in NRCS programs and deliver outreach and technical assistance that helps people adopt conservation planning and climate-smart practices. NRCS highlights outcomes like protecting farmland ecosystems, improving watershed health, and supporting wildlife habitat. Importantly, the geographic and community scope is broad, spanning underserved rural agricultural communities as well as urban producers and small acreage operators, reflecting an intent to reach audiences that may not traditionally be connected to federal conservation assistance.

This funding is offered as cooperative agreements, meaning NRCS anticipates substantial involvement with awardees during implementation rather than a hands-off grant relationship. Program leadership is housed within the NRCS Outreach and Partnerships Division, which emphasizes fairness and equity in access to NRCS programs and services, with particular attention to historically underserved groups. Another notable feature is that this is a noncompetitive NFO, limited to certain eligible applicant types; NRCS states this structure is necessary and in the government interest to accomplish the program goals of delivering outreach and technical assistance to underserved producers and communities.

Eligible applicants include federally recognized Native American tribal governments and other tribal organizations, nonprofit organizations (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3), excluding institutions of higher education), individuals, and other entities as described in the NFO eligibility section. The opportunity is listed under CFDA 10.938 and falls within the agriculture, environment, and natural resources activity area. The anticipated maximum award size (award ceiling) is $1,000,000, and NRCS indicates an expectation of up to 250 awards, suggesting the program is designed to support a wide range of partner-led outreach efforts rather than just a small number of large projects.

Applicants should also note the funding timing caveat: the NFO was released before final fiscal year 2023 appropriations and apportionment, and continuing resolutions or an appropriations act could affect whether funds are available and at what level. This is a standard federal notice, but it matters for planning since it signals potential changes in total funding or award timing.

Applications must be submitted by email to sm.fpac.nrcs.dcwa2.opdapplications@usda.gov. The source information contains two different deadline references: one section states 11:59 pm Eastern Time on 4/03/2023, while the listing fields show an original closing date of 4/28/2023 with an application deadline of 11:59 pm Eastern Time on 4/28/2023. Because these dates conflict, applicants would need to rely on the most current official NFO instructions and any posted updates, and use the agency contact listed in section G for clarification specifically about the discrepancy. NRCS also notes that questions should be limited to clarifying information in the NFO (for example, dates or page references) and that they will not address questions about whether an applicant is eligible or whether a particular project concept is strong. To support prospective applicants, NRCS planned at least three informational webinars, with details posted on the NRCS Equity in Conservation cooperative agreements webpage.

• The Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service in the agriculture, environment, natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FY 2023 Equity in Conservation Outreach Cooperative Agreements" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.938.
• This funding opportunity was created on Feb 27, 2023.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Apr 28, 2023 Applicants must submit their applications by 1159 pm Eastern Time on 4/28/2023 in an email sent to sm.fpac.nrcs.dcwa2.opdapplications@usda.gov.. (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 $1,000,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 250 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), 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, Individuals, Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for USDA NRCS NHQ ECO 23 NOFO0001222

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