Georgia NRCS Outreach and Education for Fiscal Year 2024 | USDA NRCS GA MULTI 24 NOFO0001348

Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NRCS GA MULTI 24 NOFO0001348

The Georgia NRCS Outreach and Education for Fiscal Year 2024 opportunity is a discretionary federal grant competition run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Georgia. It is designed to fund partnerships that expand outreach and education about USDA-NRCS conservation programs across the state of Georgia. In practical terms, NRCS is looking for organizations that can help connect farmers, landowners, and local communities to NRCS resources by increasing awareness, understanding, and participation in NRCS conservation assistance and related initiatives. The opportunity is tied to Assistance Listing numbers 10.902, 10.912, and 10.924 as shown on SAM.gov.

Projects must be performed in Georgia, and the program is framed as a partnership approach with "likeminded natural resource conservation partners." While the short description does not list specific project models, the emphasis is clearly on outreach and education activities that help eligible audiences learn about NRCS programs and how to engage with them. Awards may support either single-year or multi-year efforts, and NRCS indicates that agreements may run from 1 to 3 years depending on the proposed scope and the award structure.

Funding is anticipated at about $2.5 million total for FY 2024 across all awards, although the notice explicitly states it is released prior to final appropriation or apportionment. That means final funding levels could change if Congress passes continuing resolutions or a full appropriations act that affects USDA funding. Individual awards are expected to range from a federal share of $25,000 (floor) up to $100,000 (ceiling). NRCS estimates roughly 20 awards, which suggests a competitive process with multiple recipients rather than a single large statewide award.

A wide range of applicant types are eligible, including state, county, and city or township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments); public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; and nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status (as long as they are not institutions of higher education in that nonprofit category). This eligibility list signals that NRCS expects proposals from universities, local governments, conservation districts and similar entities, and community-based nonprofits that can credibly reach agricultural producers and other conservation audiences.

Applications had to be submitted through Grants.gov, with the deadline set for 11:59 pm Eastern Time on March 23, 2024. The notice draws a clear line between Grants.gov technical support and programmatic questions: technical submission issues must go to Grants.gov Applicant Support, while questions about the content of the notice (for example, clarification of dates or sections) go to the federal awarding agency contact listed in the full NFO. NRCS also notes that it will not respond to questions that amount to pre-reviewing a proposal, such as whether an applicant is eligible in a borderline case or whether a specific project idea is likely to win.

On the review and award timeline, NRCS projected selections by May 5, 2024, with awards executed by July 31, 2024, while emphasizing these are estimates and may shift. Applications are screened first for completeness and compliance with the notice requirements; incomplete or noncompliant submissions are removed from consideration and applicants are notified of elimination. The Georgia State Conservationist also retains discretion not to fund any or all applications, even if submissions are otherwise eligible, which is a standard condition in many federal discretionary competitions.

Finally, NRCS flags that this is federal financial assistance and encourages applicants, especially those newer to federal grants, to take the free "Grants 101" training hosted at CFO.gov. The training covers the key federal compliance areas that frequently affect grantees, including the Uniform Guidance administrative requirements, cost principles, risk management, and single audit expectations. This is a helpful hint that applicants should be prepared not only to deliver outreach, but also to manage federal grant compliance, documentation, and financial reporting in line with federal standards.

• The Natural Resources Conservation Service in the agriculture, environment, natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Georgia NRCS Outreach and Education for Fiscal Year 2024" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.902.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2024-02-21.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-03-23. (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 $100,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 20 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, 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, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education.

Apply for USDA NRCS GA MULTI 24 NOFO0001348

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