FY 22 Arkansas Technical Assistance Projects | USDA NRCS AR MULTI 22 NOFO0001138

Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NRCS AR MULTI 22 NOFO0001138

The FY 22 Arkansas Technical Assistance Projects opportunity is a discretionary USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) funding announcement from the Arkansas NRCS State Office designed to build partnerships that can deliver on-the-ground technical assistance for agricultural conservation work across Arkansas. The program is set up as a cooperative agreement, which generally means NRCS expects to be substantially involved with the selected partners during project implementation rather than simply issuing a pass-through grant. A key point in the notice is that it was released ahead of final federal budget decisions for fiscal year 2022, so the ultimate availability and level of funding could shift depending on continuing resolutions or an appropriations act.

The core purpose of the solicitation is to bring in capable, like-minded conservation partners to provide technical services that help producers address NRCS-identified conservation objectives and focus areas. While the notice does not list the specific priorities in the text provided, it makes clear that conservation priorities will be determined by NRCS and tied to local needs on agricultural lands. In practice, that typically means the work supports planning, design, and implementation assistance for conservation practices, outreach and coordination with producers, and other field-level technical support that increases adoption and quality of conservation outcomes.

Funding is expected to total about $3,000,000 for FY 2022, with an anticipated 25 awards. The notice lists an award ceiling of $3,000,000, indicating that is the maximum award amount under the opportunity, though the expected number of awards suggests NRCS may fund a range of smaller projects rather than a single large one. NRCS will consider both single-year and multi-year applications, giving applicants flexibility to propose either shorter technical assistance efforts or longer-term capacity and delivery models.

Eligibility is broad and includes state, county, and local governments; special district governments; public and private institutions of higher education; federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations; nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status; for-profit organizations other than small businesses; and small businesses. Despite the wide eligibility list, proposals must meet two practical thresholds emphasized in the notice: applicants must have an established track record of working cooperatively with agricultural producers to address conservation priorities, and they must be able to provide support within the State of Arkansas. The solicitation states that proposals will be accepted from Arkansas, reinforcing that the geographic focus and operational capacity must be centered in-state.

Applications are submitted through Grants.gov, and the announcement specifically flags that new Grants.gov users should review the steps in the application instructions section to ensure registration and submission are completed correctly. NRCS will screen applications for completeness and compliance with the notice requirements, and any incomplete or noncompliant submissions will be removed from consideration with a notice sent to the applicant. The Arkansas State Conservationist also reserves the right not to fund any or all applications, underscoring that funding decisions are contingent on both the quality of proposals and NRCS program considerations.

Key administrative details include the opportunity number USDA NRCS AR MULTI 22 NOFO0001138, a creation date of March 15, 2022, and an original application deadline of April 29, 2022. The funding activity category is Agriculture, and the notice references multiple CFDA numbers (10.069, 10.902, 10.903, 10.912, 10.924, 10.931), indicating the work may align with several NRCS assistance authorities or program areas. Overall, the opportunity is aimed at expanding NRCS’s ability to deliver conservation technical assistance in Arkansas by leveraging partners that already have strong relationships with producers and proven capacity to execute conservation work effectively.

• The Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service in the agriculture sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FY 22 Arkansas Technical Assistance Projects" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.069, 10.902, 10.903, 10.912, 10.924, 10.931.
• This funding opportunity was created on Mar 15, 2022.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Apr 29, 2022. (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 $3,000,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 25 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district 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, Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses.

Apply for USDA NRCS AR MULTI 22 NOFO0001138

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