The USDA-NRCS Caribbean Partners for Conservation Grant for Natural Resource Management

Notice of Funding Opportunity Summary

All modifications to this announcement are highlighted in yellow. Please review information and update applications if needed. This is the official update, and all previous inquiries must refer to this modification.

Deadline date modification #3: pg. 2

Project management methodology modification pg. 14

Clarification on Deliverables pg. 15

Letters of Support update pg. 19

Merit/Technical Criteria updates pg. 24

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), an agency under the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), is announcing the potential availability of funding for agreements for the purpose of leveraging NRCS resources, addressing local natural resource issues, encouraging collaboration and developing state and community-level conservation leadership. Proposals must be for projects based in the Caribbean Area (Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI)) and focus on conservation issues as noted in Section A (2) of this notice. Collaborative projects that provide on-the-ground support for Caribbean NRCS Field Offices are highly encouraged. Research proposals will not be accepted, nor considered. NRCS anticipates that the amount available for support of this program in FY 2024 will be up to $1,500,000.00. Proposals are requested from City or township governments, county governments, Federally recognized Native American tribal governments, state governments, nonprofits having or not having a 501 (c)(3) status with the IRS (other than institutions of higher education), or institutions of higher education for competitive consideration of awards for 2 projects between 1 and 3 years in duration. Organizations may use this opportunity to request additional funding for existing agreements in the Caribbean Area.

Awarded organizations may be required to attend administrative training and may be required to present project updates in the form of a formal presentation to the Caribbean NRCS leadership.

This notice identifies the objectives, eligibility criteria, and application instructions for projects. Proposals will be screened for completeness and compliance with the provisions of this notice. Incomplete and/or non-compliant proposals may be eliminated from competition, and notification of elimination will be sent to the applicant.

For new users of Grants.gov, see Section D. of the full Notice of Funding Opportunity for information about steps required before submitting an application via Grants.gov.

Key Dates

Applicants must submit their applications via Grants.gov by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on May 26th, 2024. For technical issues with Grants.gov, contact Grants.gov Applicant Support at 1-800- 518-4726 or support@grants.gov. Awarding agency staff cannot support applicants regarding Grants.gov accounts.

For inquiries specific to the content of the NFO requirements, contact the federal awarding agency contact (section G of this NFO). Please limit questions to those regarding specific information contained in this NFO (such as dates, page numbers, clarification of discrepancies, etc.). Questions related to eligibility, or the merits of a specific proposal will not be addressed.

The agency anticipates making selections by June 1st, 2024 and expects to execute awards by July 20th, 2024. These dates are estimates and are subject to change.

Notice of Funding Opportunity Summary

Revision to close date

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), an agency under the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), is announcing the potential availability of funding for agreements for the purpose of leveraging NRCS resources, addressing local natural resource issues, encouraging collaboration and developing state and community-level conservation leadership. Proposals must be for projects based in the Caribbean Area (Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI)) and focus on conservation issues as noted in Section A (2) of this notice. Collaborative projects that provide on-the-ground support for Caribbean NRCS Field Offices are highly encouraged. Research proposals will not be accepted, nor considered. NRCS anticipates that the amount available for support of this program in FY 2024 will be up to $1,500,000.00. Proposals are requested from City or township governments, county governments, Federally recognized Native American tribal governments, state governments, nonprofits having or not having a 501 (c)(3) status with the IRS (other than institutions of higher education), or institutions of higher education for competitive consideration of awards for 2 projects between 1 and 3 years in duration. Organizations may use this opportunity to request additional funding for existing agreements in the Caribbean Area.

Awarded organizations may be required to attend administrative training and may be required to present project updates in the form of a formal presentation to the Caribbean NRCS leadership.

This notice identifies the objectives, eligibility criteria, and application instructions for projects. Proposals will be screened for completeness and compliance with the provisions of this notice. Incomplete and/or non-compliant proposals may be eliminated from competition, and notification of elimination will be sent to the applicant.

For new users of Grants.gov, see Section D. of the full Notice of Funding Opportunity for information about steps required before submitting an application via Grants.gov.

Key Dates

Applicants must submit their applications via Grants.gov by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on May 22nd, 2024. For technical issues with Grants.gov, contact Grants.gov Applicant Support at 1-800- 518-4726 or support@grants.gov. Awarding agency staff cannot support applicants regarding Grants.gov accounts.

For inquiries specific to the content of the NFO requirements, contact the federal awarding agency contact (section G of this NFO). Please limit questions to those regarding specific information contained in this NFO (such as dates, page numbers, clarification of discrepancies, etc.). Questions related to eligibility, or the merits of a specific proposal will not be addressed.

The agency anticipates making selections by June 1st, 2024 and expects to execute awards by July 20th, 2024. These dates are estimates and are subject to change.

Notice of Funding Opportunity Summary

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), an agency under the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), is announcing the potential availability of funding for agreements for the purpose of leveraging NRCS resources, addressing local natural resource issues, encouraging collaboration and developing state and community-level conservation leadership. Proposals must be for projects based in the Caribbean Area (Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI)) and focus on conservation issues as noted in Section A (2) of this notice. Collaborative projects that provide on-the-ground support for Caribbean NRCS Field Offices are highly encouraged. Research proposals will not be accepted, nor considered. NRCS anticipates that the amount available for support of this program in FY 2024 will be up to $1,500,000.00. Proposals are requested from City or township governments, county governments, Federally recognized Native American tribal governments, state governments, nonprofits having or not having a 501 (c)(3) status with the IRS (other than institutions of higher education), or institutions of higher education for competitive consideration of awards for 2 projects between 1 and 3 years in duration. Organizations may use this opportunity to request additional funding for existing agreements in the Caribbean Area.

Awarded organizations may be required to attend administrative training and may be required to present project updates in the form of a formal presentation to the Caribbean NRCS leadership.

This notice identifies the objectives, eligibility criteria, and application instructions for projects. Proposals will be screened for completeness and compliance with the provisions of this notice. Incomplete and/or non-compliant proposals may be eliminated from competition, and notification of elimination will be sent to the applicant.

For new users of Grants.gov, see Section D. of the full Notice of Funding Opportunity for information about steps required before submitting an application via Grants.gov.

Key Dates

Applicants must submit their applications via Grants.gov by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on May 15th, 2024. For technical issues with Grants.gov, contact Grants.gov Applicant Support at 1-800- 518-4726 or support@grants.gov. Awarding agency staff cannot support applicants regarding Grants.gov accounts.

For inquiries specific to the content of the NFO requirements, contact the federal awarding agency contact (section G of this NFO). Please limit questions to those regarding specific information contained in this NFO (such as dates, page numbers, clarification of discrepancies, etc.). Questions related to eligibility, or the merits of a specific proposal will not be addressed.

The agency anticipates making selections by June 1st, 2024 and expects to execute awards by July 20th, 2024. These dates are estimates and are subject to change.

Notice of Funding Opportunity Summary

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), an agency under the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), is announcing the potential availability of funding for agreements for the purpose of leveraging NRCS resources, addressing local natural resource issues, encouraging collaboration and developing state and community-level conservation leadership. Proposals must be for projects based in the Caribbean Area (Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI)) and focus on conservation issues as noted in Section A (2) of this notice. Collaborative projects that provide on-the-ground support for Caribbean NRCS Field Offices are highly encouraged. Research proposals will not be accepted, nor considered. NRCS anticipates that the amount available for support of this program in FY 2024 will be up to $1,500,000.00. Proposals are requested from City or township governments, county governments, Federally recognized Native American tribal governments, state governments, nonprofits having or not having a 501 (c)(3) status with the IRS (other than institutions of higher education), or institutions of higher education for competitive consideration of awards for 2 projects between 1 and 3 years in duration. Organizations may use this opportunity to request additional funding for existing agreements in the Caribbean Area.

Awarded organizations may be required to attend administrative training and may be required to present project updates in the form of a formal presentation to the Caribbean NRCS leadership.

This notice identifies the objectives, eligibility criteria, and application instructions for projects. Proposals will be screened for completeness and compliance with the provisions of this notice. Incomplete and/or non-compliant proposals may be eliminated from competition, and notification of elimination will be sent to the applicant.

For new users of Grants.gov, see Section D. of the full Notice of Funding Opportunity for information about steps required before submitting an application via Grants.gov.

Key Dates

Applicants must submit their applications via Grants.gov by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on May 15th, 2024. For technical issues with Grants.gov, contact Grants.gov Applicant Support at 1-800- 518-4726 or support@grants.gov. Awarding agency staff cannot support applicants regarding Grants.gov accounts.

For inquiries specific to the content of the NFO requirements, contact the federal awarding agency contact (section G of this NFO). Please limit questions to those regarding specific information contained in this NFO (such as dates, page numbers, clarification of discrepancies, etc.). Questions related to eligibility, or the merits of a specific proposal will not be addressed.

The agency anticipates making selections by June 1st, 2024 and expects to execute awards by July 20th, 2024. These dates are estimates and are subject to change.

Notice of Funding Opportunity Summary

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), an agency under the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), is announcing the potential availability of funding for agreements for the purpose of leveraging NRCS resources, addressing local natural resource issues, encouraging collaboration and developing state and community-level conservation leadership. Proposals must be for projects based in the Caribbean Area (Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI)) and focus on conservation issues as noted in Section A (2) of this notice. Collaborative projects that provide on-the-ground support for Caribbean NRCS Field Offices are highly encouraged. Research proposals will not be accepted, nor considered. NRCS anticipates that the amount available for support of this program in FY 2024 will be up to $1,500,000.00. Proposals are requested from City or township governments, county governments, Federally recognized Native American tribal governments, state governments, nonprofits having or not having a 501 (c)(3) status with the IRS (other than institutions of higher education), or institutions of higher education for competitive consideration of awards for 2 projects between 1 and 3 years in duration. Organizations may use this opportunity to request additional funding for existing agreements in the Caribbean Area.

Awarded organizations may be required to attend administrative training and may be required to present project updates in the form of a formal presentation to the Caribbean NRCS leadership.

This notice identifies the objectives, eligibility criteria, and application instructions for projects. Proposals will be screened for completeness and compliance with the provisions of this notice. Incomplete and/or non-compliant proposals may be eliminated from competition, and notification of elimination will be sent to the applicant.

For new users of Grants.gov, see Section D. of the full Notice of Funding Opportunity for information about steps required before submitting an application via Grants.gov.

Key Dates

Applicants must submit their applications via Grants.gov by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on May 8th, 2024. For technical issues with Grants.gov, contact Grants.gov Applicant Support at 1-800- 518-4726 or support@grants.gov. Awarding agency staff cannot support applicants regarding Grants.gov accounts.

For inquiries specific to the content of the NFO requirements, contact the federal awarding agency contact (section G of this NFO). Please limit questions to those regarding specific information contained in this NFO (such as dates, page numbers, clarification of discrepancies, etc.). Questions related to eligibility, or the merits of a specific proposal will not be addressed.

The agency anticipates making selections by June 1st, 2024 and expects to execute awards by July 20th, 2024. These dates are estimates and are subject to change.

Notice of Funding Opportunity Summary

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), an agency under the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), is announcing the potential availability of funding for agreements for the purpose of leveraging NRCS resources, addressing local natural resource issues, encouraging collaboration and developing state and community-level conservation leadership. Proposals must be for projects based in the Caribbean Area (Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI)) and focus on conservation issues as noted in Section A (2) of this notice. Collaborative projects that provide on-the-ground support for Caribbean NRCS Field Offices are highly encouraged. Research proposals will not be accepted, nor considered. NRCS anticipates that the amount available for support of this program in FY 2024 will be up to $1,500,000.00. Proposals are requested from City or township governments, county governments, Federally recognized Native American tribal governments, state governments, nonprofits having or not having a 501 (c)(3) status with the IRS (other than institutions of higher education), or institutions of higher education for competitive consideration of awards for 2 projects between 1 and 3 years in duration. Organizations may use this opportunity to request additional funding for existing agreements in the Caribbean Area.

Awarded organizations may be required to attend administrative training and may be required to present project updates in the form of a formal presentation to the Caribbean NRCS leadership.

This notice identifies the objectives, eligibility criteria, and application instructions for projects. Proposals will be screened for completeness and compliance with the provisions of this notice. Incomplete and/or non-compliant proposals may be eliminated from competition, and notification of elimination will be sent to the applicant.

For new users of Grants.gov, see Section D. of the full Notice of Funding Opportunity for information about steps required before submitting an application via Grants.gov.

Key Dates

Applicants must submit their applications via Grants.gov by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on May 8th, 2024. For technical issues with Grants.gov, contact Grants.gov Applicant Support at 1-800- 518-4726 or support@grants.gov. Awarding agency staff cannot support applicants regarding Grants.gov accounts.

For inquiries specific to the content of the NFO requirements, contact the federal awarding agency contact (section G of this NFO). Please limit questions to those regarding specific information contained in this NFO (such as dates, page numbers, clarification of discrepancies, etc.). Questions related to eligibility, or the merits of a specific proposal will not be addressed.

The agency anticipates making selections by June 1st, 2024 and expects to execute awards by July 20th, 2024. These dates are estimates and are subject to change.

Notice of Funding Opportunity Summary

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), an agency under the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), is announcing the potential availability of funding for agreements for the purpose of leveraging NRCS resources, addressing local natural resource issues, encouraging collaboration and developing state and community-level conservation leadership. Proposals must be for projects based in the Caribbean Area (Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI)) and focus on conservation issues as noted in Section A (2) of this notice. Collaborative projects that provide on-the-ground support for Caribbean NRCS Field Offices are highly encouraged. Research proposals will not be accepted, nor considered. NRCS anticipates that the amount available for support of this program in FY 2024 will be up to $1,500,000.00. Proposals are requested from City or township governments, county governments, Federally recognized Native American tribal governments, state governments, nonprofits having or not having a 501 (c)(3) status with the IRS (other than institutions of higher education), or institutions of higher education for competitive consideration of awards for 2 projects between 1 and 3 years in duration. Organizations may use this opportunity to request additional funding for existing agreements in the Caribbean Area.

Awarded organizations may be required to attend administrative training and may be required to present project updates in the form of a formal presentation to the Caribbean NRCS leadership.

This notice identifies the objectives, eligibility criteria, and application instructions for projects. Proposals will be screened for completeness and compliance with the provisions of this notice. Incomplete and/or non-compliant proposals may be eliminated from competition, and notification of elimination will be sent to the applicant.

For new users of Grants.gov, see Section D. of the full Notice of Funding Opportunity for information about steps required before submitting an application via Grants.gov.

Key Dates

Applicants must submit their applications via Grants.gov by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on May 8th, 2024. For technical issues with Grants.gov, contact Grants.gov Applicant Support at 1-800- 518-4726 or support@grants.gov. Awarding agency staff cannot support applicants regarding Grants.gov accounts.

For inquiries specific to the content of the NFO requirements, contact the federal awarding agency contact (section G of this NFO). Please limit questions to those regarding specific information contained in this NFO (such as dates, page numbers, clarification of discrepancies, etc.). Questions related to eligibility, or the merits of a specific proposal will not be addressed.

The agency anticipates making selections by June 1st, 2024 and expects to execute awards by July 20th, 2024. These dates are estimates and are subject to change.