Tennessee NRCS Easement Programs Restoration and Stewardship Assistance.

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Notice of Funding Opportunity Summary

This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NFO) is being released prior to appropriation and/or apportionment of funds for fiscal year 2023. Enactment of additional continuing resolutions or an appropriations act may affect the availability or level of funding for this program.

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is directing resources toward the restoration of degraded wetlands and associated uplands. In addition, resources will be directed toward stewardship activities on existing easements across the state of Tennessee. With the sole exception of Federal agencies, NRCS invites applications from all qualified U.S. based non-federal entities (NFE) and individuals. NFEs of all sizes are encouraged to apply. Information related to NRCS Easement Programs can be found at the following link: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs-initiatives/acep-agricultural-conservation-easement-program

A total of up to $3 million technical assistance and $10 million financial assistance is available in FY2023. A total of up to 3 agreements may be awarded from this NFO as budget allows. All agreements will be five years in duration. 

For new users of Grants.gov, see Section D. 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 25th, 2023.  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 15, 2023, and expects to execute awards by September 15, 2023. These dates are estimates and are subject to change.

Federal Funding Floor and Ceiling Amounts

The estimated funding floor for this opportunity is $2,000,000.00, and the estimated funding ceiling is $5,000,000.00. The funding floor means the minimum agreement funding amount for the Federal share per agreement awarded. The ceiling is the maximum agreement funding amount for the Federal share per agreement awarded. These numbers refer to the total agreement amount, not any specific budget period.

Federal Financial Assistance Training

The funding available through this NFO is Federal financial assistance. Grants 101 Training is highly recommended for those seeking knowledge about Federal financial assistance. The training is free and available to the public via https://www.cfo.gov/grants-training/. It consists of five modules covering each of the following topics: 1) laws, regulations, and guidance; 2) financial assistance mechanisms; 3) uniform guidance administrative requirements; 4) cost principles; and 5) risk management and single audit. FPAC agencies also apply Federal financial assistance regulations to certain non-assistance awards (e.g., non-assistance cooperative agreements).