Kentucky Easement Programs Restoration | USDA NRCS KY EASE 24NOFO0001320

Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NRCS KY EASE 24NOFO0001320

The Kentucky Easement Programs Restoration opportunity is a competitive federal funding announcement from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA NRCS). It is formally titled "Kentucky NRCS Easement Restoration and Management Assistance" (Notice of Funding Opportunity number USDA-NRCS-KY-EASE-24NOFO0001320) and is tied to federal assistance listings associated with easement and wetlands work, including 10.072 (Wetlands Reserve Program) and 10.931 (Agricultural Conservation Easement Program), as referenced on SAM.gov. The goal is to bring in conservation partners to strengthen how conservation programs and services are delivered across the Commonwealth of Kentucky, with an emphasis on implementing NRCS conservation objectives and priorities described in the full notice.

Funding is provided through cooperative agreements, meaning awardees should expect to work collaboratively with NRCS rather than operate completely independently. Projects can be proposed for terms ranging from one to five years, and NRCS indicates it expects to support multiple recipients. The notice states an anticipated funding level of about $2,000,000 per year over a five-year period (up to $10,000,000 total), and the opportunity listing also notes an award ceiling of $4,000,000 and an expectation of around five awards. Applicants must be able to provide support statewide, not just in a single county or region, and the announcement also allows organizations that already hold Kentucky cooperative agreements to use this as a pathway to request additional funding for ongoing work.

A wide range of applicant types are eligible, including state, county, and city or township governments; special district governments; federally recognized tribal governments; nonprofit organizations (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3), excluding institutions of higher education as the nonprofit category is described); and for-profit organizations (including small businesses and other for-profits). Applications are screened for completeness and compliance with the notice requirements, and incomplete or noncompliant submissions can be removed from consideration. The Kentucky State Conservationist also retains discretion not to fund any or all applications, even if they are eligible.

Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on June 30, 2024 (the opportunity data also lists an original closing date of June 24, 2024, so applicants should verify the controlling deadline in the official notice and the live Grants.gov posting). NRCS staff will not assist with Grants.gov account or technical issues; those must go to Grants.gov Applicant Support (1-800-518-4726 or support@grants.gov). Program questions are limited to clarifying information contained in the notice (such as dates, page references, or discrepancies), and the agency notes it will not address questions about eligibility determinations for a particular applicant or the perceived merits of a draft proposal. Selection decisions are anticipated by about August 1, 2024, with awards expected to be executed by September 30, 2024, though both dates are described as estimates that may change.

• The Natural Resources Conservation Service in the agriculture sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Kentucky Easement Programs Restoration" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.931.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2024-05-23.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-06-24. (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 $4,000,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 5 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), 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, For-profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses.

Apply for USDA NRCS KY EASE 24NOFO0001320

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