NFO for Conservation Collaboration Agreements - Kansas | USDA NRCS KS MULTI 24 NOFO0001361

Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NRCS KS MULTI 24 NOFO0001361

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is offering a competitive funding opportunity in Kansas called the "NFO for Conservation Collaboration Agreements - Kansas" (Funding Opportunity Number: USDA NRCS KS MULTI 24 NOFO0001361). The purpose is to support partnership agreements that help NRCS stretch and leverage its resources while tackling locally important natural resource concerns. The program is built around strengthening collaboration across organizations and building conservation leadership at both the state and community level, meaning projects should show clear coordination among partners and practical on-the-ground value for Kansas resource priorities tied to agriculture, environment, and natural resources.

This notice is released ahead of final federal fiscal year 2024 funding decisions, so the total amount available could change depending on appropriations, apportionment, or continuing resolutions. Applicants should keep in mind that the agency is signaling intent to award, but the final funding level and the number or size of awards may be affected by Congressional budget outcomes. Even so, NRCS is proceeding with the competition schedule so potential partners can submit proposals on time and be positioned for awards if and when funding is finalized.

Eligible applicants are broad and include state governments, local governments (county, city, township), special district governments, public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, federally recognized tribal governments, tribal organizations (including those other than federally recognized tribal governments), and nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status (other than higher education institutions). In practice, that means conservation districts, watershed groups, universities, tribes, counties, municipalities, and conservation-focused nonprofits are all typical candidates, as long as they can propose a project that aligns with NRCS goals and can manage a federal agreement. The funding instrument is listed as "Other" under discretionary funding, and the opportunity spans multiple CFDA/Assistance Listing program numbers: 10.069, 10.902, 10.912, 10.924, and 10.931.

Projects are expected to run between 1 and 5 years, giving applicants flexibility to propose anything from shorter planning and pilot efforts to longer multi-year implementation and capacity-building projects. NRCS indicates an award ceiling of $3,000,000, and it expects to make about 6 awards, suggesting a competitive process where proposals will likely need to demonstrate strong partnerships, clear outcomes, and credible plans for delivery and measurable conservation impact. While the summary does not list a minimum award amount, the ceiling and expected award count imply that awards could vary widely based on project scope, geographic reach, and anticipated outcomes.

Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov no later than 11:59 pm Eastern Time on May 3, 2024. Applicants new to Grants.gov are directed to consult Section D of the full NFO for the required setup steps, which typically include registration actions that can take time, so last-minute submissions are risky. If applicants run into technical problems with Grants.gov itself, they are instructed to contact Grants.gov Applicant Support (1-800-518-4726 or support@grants.gov). NRCS staff explicitly will not assist with Grants.gov account or technical troubleshooting, so application teams need to plan ahead for registrations, workspace access, and submission validation.

For questions about the content of the NFO, applicants are directed to the federal awarding agency contact listed in Section G of the full announcement. NRCS also sets a boundary on questions: they will only address questions that seek clarification on what is already in the notice (such as dates, page references, or resolving inconsistencies). They will not provide feedback on whether an applicant is eligible in a specific situation or whether a particular project concept is strong, which reinforces that applicants should rely on the written requirements and ensure their submission is complete and compliant.

NRCS estimates it will make selection decisions by August 1, 2024, and execute awards by September 30, 2024, though both dates are explicitly subject to change. Overall, the opportunity is aimed at Kansas-based conservation collaboration projects that combine local leadership and partner capacity with NRCS priorities, using multi-year agreements to address real natural resource needs through coordinated planning, outreach, technical assistance, and/or implementation-oriented conservation work.

• The Natural Resources Conservation Service in the agriculture, environment, natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NFO for Conservation Collaboration Agreements - Kansas" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.069, 10.902, 10.912, 10.924, 10.931.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2024-03-04.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-05-03. (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 $3,000,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 6 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), 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.

Apply for USDA NRCS KS MULTI 24 NOFO0001361

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