The USDA NRCS is offering grants for urban conservation projects in Tennessee to enhance conservation objectives.

The NRCS, an agency under the United States Department of Agriculture, is seeking opportunities to partner with likeminded natural resource conservation partners. The overall intent of this solicitation is to solicit partnerships to help enhance the implementation of key conservation objectives and priorities outlined in this announcement.

Proposals will be accepted from eligible entities for projects located in Tennessee. NRCS anticipates the total amount awarded under this announcement in Federal fiscal year 2020 will be approximately $150,000.00. Proposals are requested from eligible local Conservation Districts, non-profit organizations, non-government organizations and institutions of higher learning for competitive consideration of grant awards for projects with a one to three-year duration.  Entity types that may be eligible under this criteria include the following:

• City or township governments
• County governments
• For profit organizations other than small businesses
• Independent school districts
• 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)
• Private institutions of higher education
• Public and State-controlled institutions of higher education
• Small businesses
• Special district governments
• State governments

 This notice identifies the objectives, eligibility criteria, and application instructions. Applications will be screened for completeness and compliance with the provisions of this notice. Incomplete and/or noncompliant applications will be eliminated from competition and notification of elimination will be sent to the applicant.

Proposals must be received by 11:59 pm Eastern Standard Time on Friday, July 3, 2020. Proposals received after 11:59 pm on July 3, 2020 will not be considered and immediately eliminated from competition. Proposals in the possession of NRCS will be scored as they are received and, if eligible, added to a ranking list of projects for funding consideration throughout FY 2020. Funding decisions will be made by the NRCS State Conservationist, informed by the ranking list and the availability of funding in the program whose CFDA number is listed above. Applicants must submit their applications via Grants.gov by 11:59 pm Eastern Time. For technical issues with Grants.gov, please contact Grants.gov Applicant Support at 1-800-518-4726 or support@grants.gov. Awarding agency staff cannot support applicants regarding Grants.gov accounts.