Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NRCS IA MULTI 23 NOFO0001242
The Iowa Partners for Conservation (IPC) funding opportunity is a competitive grant program run by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to support conservation work in Iowa. The main goal is to leverage NRCS resources by partnering with state and local entities to tackle priority natural resource concerns, strengthen collaboration across communities, and build conservation leadership at the state and local level. Projects are expected to be practical and action-oriented, with an emphasis on efforts that help deliver conservation assistance on the ground. NRCS specifically encourages proposals that provide direct support to Iowa NRCS Field Offices, meaning projects that expand local capacity to plan, coordinate, and implement conservation practices with landowners and communities.
All proposed work must be based in Iowa and must address the conservation issue areas referenced in the notice (Section A(2)). While the detailed issue list is not included in the text provided, the program sits within agriculture, environment, and natural resources (CFDA 10.902), so applicants should align projects with NRCS-type priorities such as soil health, water quality, erosion reduction, habitat improvements, and related watershed or landscape conservation needs as defined by the NFO. A key limitation is that research proposals are not allowed and will not be reviewed, so applicants need to focus on implementation, outreach, technical assistance, coordination, or other applied conservation delivery activities rather than studies or experiments.
Funding is described as potentially available for FY 2023, but it is explicitly contingent on federal appropriations and apportionment. The notice was released before final budget decisions, and continuing resolutions or an appropriations act could change how much money is available, or whether any awards are made at all. NRCS anticipates up to $5,000,000 total may be available for the program in FY 2023, though budget constraints could prevent funding. Individual awards have an upper limit (award ceiling) of $2,200,000, and the agency expects to make about 15 awards. Funded projects are intended to run for multi-year periods, with project durations ranging from 2 to 5 years. The opportunity also allows current partners to request additional funding for existing Iowa IPC agreements, not just brand-new projects.
Eligible applicants cover a broad range of public and nonprofit partners, including state governments, county governments, and city or township governments; federally recognized Native American tribal governments and certain tribal organizations; nonprofits with IRS 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education under that nonprofit category); and both public and private institutions of higher education. This wide eligibility is designed to encourage partnerships among local governments, universities, nonprofits, and tribal entities that can help expand conservation capacity and coordination across Iowa.
Applications had to be submitted through Grants.gov, with the deadline set for 11:59 pm Eastern Time on May 28, 2023. The notice emphasizes that Grants.gov technical support is handled only by the Grants.gov Applicant Support line and email, and that NRCS staff cannot assist with setting up or troubleshooting Grants.gov accounts. For questions about the content of the funding notice itself, applicants were directed to the federal awarding agency contact listed in the NFO, but questions were limited to clarifying information in the notice (like dates or discrepancies). The agency stated it would not respond to questions about whether an applicant is eligible or whether a specific project idea is strong, which signals that applicants needed to self-assess fit and compliance with the published requirements.
NRCS estimated a relatively fast selection and award timeline, with selections anticipated by June 15, 2023 and awards expected to be executed by September 16, 2023, although those dates were estimates and could change. Award recipients may also be required to provide updates to Iowa NRCS leadership in a formal presentation format, reinforcing that the program expects accountability, clear progress reporting, and results that can be communicated to state conservation leadership.Apply for USDA NRCS IA MULTI 23 NOFO0001242
- The Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service in the agriculture, environment, natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Iowa Partners for Conservation" 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 Apr 18, 2023.
- Applicants must submit their applications by May 28, 2023. (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 $2,200,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 15 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), 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, Private institutions of higher education.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Iowa Partners for Conservation (IPC) - USDA NRCS
What is the Iowa Partners for Conservation (IPC) funding opportunity?
The Iowa Partners for Conservation (IPC) is a competitive grant program run by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to support conservation work in Iowa by partnering with state and local entities.
What is the main purpose of IPC?
The program is designed to leverage NRCS resources by partnering with state and local organizations to address priority natural resource concerns, strengthen collaboration across communities, and build conservation leadership at the state and local level.
What types of projects does NRCS want to fund through IPC?
Projects are expected to be practical and action-oriented, with an emphasis on delivering conservation assistance on the ground. The opportunity highlights implementation-focused work such as conservation coordination, outreach, technical assistance, and other applied conservation delivery activities.
Is there a preference for projects that support Iowa NRCS Field Offices?
Yes. NRCS specifically encourages proposals that provide direct support to Iowa NRCS Field Offices, including efforts that expand local capacity to plan, coordinate, and implement conservation practices with landowners and communities.
Where must the proposed work take place?
All proposed work must be based in Iowa.
Do projects need to address specific conservation priorities?
Yes. Proposed work must address the conservation issue areas referenced in the notice (Section A(2)). While the detailed list is not included in the information provided here, the program is within agriculture, environment, and natural resources (CFDA 10.902) and is intended to align with NRCS-type priorities such as soil health, water quality, erosion reduction, habitat improvements, and related watershed or landscape conservation needs as defined by the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NFO).
Are research proposals allowed?
No. Research proposals are not allowed and will not be reviewed. Proposals must focus on applied, on-the-ground conservation delivery rather than studies or experiments.
How much total funding is expected to be available?
NRCS anticipates that up to $5,000,000 total may be available for IPC in FY 2023, but availability is contingent on federal appropriations and apportionment.
Is the funding guaranteed?
No. The notice states that funding is contingent on federal appropriations and apportionment, and continuing resolutions or an appropriations act could change the amount available or whether awards are made at all.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling) for an individual project?
The award ceiling for an individual award is $2,200,000.
How many awards does NRCS expect to make?
NRCS expects to make about 15 awards.
How long can projects run?
Projects are intended to be multi-year efforts, with project periods ranging from 2 to 5 years.
Can existing IPC partners request additional funding for an ongoing agreement?
Yes. The opportunity allows current partners to request additional funding for existing Iowa IPC agreements, not only brand-new projects.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants include a broad range of public and nonprofit partners, including:
- State governments
- County governments
- City or township governments
- Federally recognized Native American tribal governments and certain tribal organizations
- Nonprofits with IRS 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education under that nonprofit category)
- Public and private institutions of higher education
Are institutions of higher education eligible?
Yes. Both public and private institutions of higher education are eligible applicants under this opportunity.
Are 501(c)(3) nonprofits eligible?
Yes. Nonprofits with IRS 501(c)(3) status are eligible, with the note that institutions of higher education are excluded under that nonprofit category (even though higher education institutions are eligible under their own category).
How were applications submitted?
Applications had to be submitted through Grants.gov.
What was the application deadline?
The deadline was 11:59 pm Eastern Time on May 28, 2023.
Who provides technical support for Grants.gov submissions?
Grants.gov technical support is handled only by the Grants.gov Applicant Support line and email. NRCS staff cannot help applicants set up or troubleshoot Grants.gov accounts.
Who could applicants contact with questions about the funding notice?
Applicants were directed to the federal awarding agency contact listed in the NFO for questions about the content of the funding notice.
What kinds of questions would NRCS answer about the opportunity?
Questions were limited to clarifying information in the notice, such as dates or discrepancies.
Will NRCS tell an applicant whether they are eligible or whether their project idea is strong?
No. The agency stated it would not respond to questions about whether an applicant is eligible or whether a specific project idea is strong, meaning applicants needed to self-assess fit and compliance with the published requirements.
When were selections expected to be made?
Selections were anticipated by June 15, 2023, though this was an estimate and could change.
When were awards expected to be executed?
Awards were expected to be executed by September 16, 2023, though this was an estimate and could change.
Are award recipients expected to provide updates to NRCS?
Yes. Award recipients may be required to provide updates to Iowa NRCS leadership in a formal presentation format, indicating an expectation for accountability, progress reporting, and clearly communicated results.
What program area does IPC fall under?
The opportunity sits within agriculture, environment, and natural resources and is associated with CFDA 10.902.
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