Iowa Partners for Conservation | USDA NRCS IA MULTI 23 NOFO0001242

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.

• 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.

Apply for USDA NRCS IA MULTI 23 NOFO0001242

[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal: