Grants for Private Institutions Of Higher Education

The LGBTQ Grant Program, managed by the LGBTQ Fund of Mississippi and held at the Community Foundation for Mississippi, aims to support the LGBTQ Mississippian community. Its core mission is to provide resources for planning, research, and general operations that address the critical needs of LGBTQ individuals, enabling them to live safely, openly, and free from alienation, isolation, prejudice, and discrimination. This aligns with the vision, mission, and beliefs defined by the Advisory Board of The LGBTQ Fund of Mississippi, demonstrating a commitment to fostering a more inclusive and accepting environment within the state. The program primarily targets LGBTQ Mississippians across all counties. Special attention is given to communities that have been historically underserved, including but not limited to communities of color, youth, seniors, and persons in rural communities. The program also focuses on intersectional programs that address faith and acceptance, as well as efforts specifically serving transgender and gender non-conforming persons. The overarching impact goal is to create a positive direct impact on Mississippi’s LGBTQ population, ensuring their safety, well-being, and freedom from discrimination. The program prioritizes proposals that demonstrate a clear commitment to addressing the needs of these underserved LGBTQ communities. This includes initiatives that promote acceptance and understanding, particularly at the intersection of faith and LGBTQ identities. Furthermore, a significant focus is placed on supporting programs and services that cater to transgender and gender non-conforming individuals, acknowledging their unique needs and challenges. Expected outcomes and measurable results are implicitly tied to the program's objectives: reducing alienation, isolation, prejudice, and discrimination among LGBTQ Mississippians, and fostering an environment where they can live safely and openly. While specific quantitative metrics are not detailed, the program's success will likely be measured by the positive direct impact on the LGBTQ population, as demonstrated through the reach and effectiveness of the funded projects in addressing their priority needs. The foundation's strategic priorities are centered on supporting initiatives that resonate with the LGBTQ Fund of Mississippi's vision, mission, and beliefs, essentially advocating for the fundamental rights and well-being of the LGBTQ community in Mississippi.

The Animal Services Responsive Grant, offered by the San Antonio Area Foundation, aims to improve the quality of life for all animals, educate the community on responsible pet care, and enhance spay/neuter and adoption services. This aligns with the foundation's broader mission to support vital community needs, ensuring that organizations dedicated to animal welfare receive the necessary funding to operate and expand their reach. By focusing on these key areas, the grant seeks to create a more humane environment for animals and foster responsible pet ownership within the community. The primary beneficiaries of this grant are animals in need, as well as the communities and individuals who benefit from enhanced animal welfare services. The grant targets organizations working in specific Texas counties: Atascosa, Bandera, Bexar, Comal, Guadalupe, Kendall, Medina, and Wilson. The impact goals are centered on reducing animal suffering, increasing pet adoptions, promoting spay/neuter initiatives to control pet overpopulation, and educating the public on best practices for animal care. The grant prioritizes nonprofit organizations that demonstrate a clear commitment to these objectives and have a proven track record of serving their local animal populations. The program's priorities include supporting direct animal care services, public education campaigns, and programs that facilitate adoption and spay/neuter. The expected outcomes are a measurable reduction in the number of homeless and neglected animals, an increase in responsible pet ownership, and a more informed community regarding animal welfare issues. Measurable results are tied to the organizational budget and corresponding award amounts, indicating that larger, more established organizations with greater capacity are expected to achieve more significant outcomes. For instance, organizations with budgets over $1,000,000 are eligible for a $50,000 award, implying an expectation of broader impact. The San Antonio Area Foundation's strategic priorities, as demonstrated by this grant, include fostering community well-being through targeted support for critical services. Their theory of change appears to be that by providing financial resources to qualified animal welfare organizations, these organizations will be empowered to implement effective programs that directly address the root causes of animal neglect and overpopulation, ultimately leading to a healthier and more compassionate community for both humans and animals. The eligibility criteria, such as requiring 501(c)(3) status and local operation, ensure that funding is directed to legitimate and impactful entities. This grant does not support endowments, capital campaigns, religious purposes, scholarships, political activities, or lobbying efforts. This restriction further refines the foundation's strategic focus, ensuring that funds are directly applied to programmatic efforts that align with the core goals of animal services. The focus is strictly on responsive grants that address immediate and ongoing needs, rather than long-term institutional building or advocacy.

The PATH Foundation’s **Better Together Fund** is designed to strengthen community connections by supporting local events that bring people together in celebration, collaboration, and shared purpose. Established in 2021, the fund reflects PATH’s mission to enhance the quality of life in Virginia’s Piedmont region by fostering engagement, well-being, and unity among residents. Through this program, the foundation aims to make small but meaningful investments in events that inspire belonging and reinforce the social fabric of local communities. Eligible nonprofits and organizations operating in **Fauquier, Rappahannock, and Culpeper counties** may apply for grants of up to **$2,500 per event**. Funding can be used to support a wide variety of community-facing gatherings—such as festivals, cultural celebrations, educational activities, and other inclusive events that encourage participation and connection among local residents. The initiative is particularly focused on efforts that celebrate diversity, build relationships, and create shared experiences that strengthen the sense of community. To qualify, events must take place within one year of submission and comply with all applicable health and safety guidelines. Applicants must be recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, religious institutions, or local government entities. The program’s flexible structure allows for a broad range of creative and community-driven ideas, ensuring that small towns and neighborhoods have the opportunity to host meaningful events that align with PATH’s goal of cultivating healthier, more connected communities. While the grant duration is not specified, the funding operates on a rolling basis, emphasizing timeliness and local relevance. Events supported by the Better Together Fund are intended to be accessible, inclusive, and beneficial to the broader public rather than serving narrow organizational or private interests. The fund’s straightforward application process encourages both established and smaller community groups to apply, removing barriers for those who may not typically pursue grant funding. Through the Better Together Fund, the PATH Foundation continues to champion collaboration and social cohesion as essential pillars of community health. By investing in shared experiences that unite people across backgrounds, the foundation underscores its belief that thriving communities are built not just through infrastructure and services—but through connection, empathy, and collective joy.

Notice of Funding Opportunity SummaryNRCS is announcing the availability of Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) State Program funding to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies. Applications are accepted from eligible entities (Section C) for projects carried out in the state of Pennsylvania. A total of up to $225,000 is available for the Pennsylvania CIG competition in FY 2024. All non-Foreign, non-federal entities (NFE) and individuals are invited to apply, with the sole exception of federal agencies. Projects may be between one and three years in duration. The maximum award amount for a single award in FY 2024 is $75,000.For new users of Grants.gov, see Section D. of the full Notice of Funding Opportunity for information about steps required before submitting an application via Grants.gov. Completing all steps required to start an application can take a significant amount of time, plan accordingly.Key DatesApplicants must submit their applications via Grants.gov by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on July 31, 2024. 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 specificinformation 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.A webinar for CIG applicants is scheduled for June 12, 2024 at 9am Eastern Standard Time. Information on how to participate in the webinar will be posted to the PA CSP website. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Pennsylvania State CIG website to learn more about the CIG program.The agency anticipates making selections by August 31, 2024 and expects to execute awards by September 30, 2024. These dates are estimates and are subject to change.

The U.S. Embassy Libreville Public Diplomacy Section (PDS) of the U.S. Department of State is pleased to announce that funding is available through its Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program. PDS invites proposals for programs that strengthen cultural ties between the U.S. and Gabon through cultural and exchange programming that highlights shared values and promotes bilateral cooperation. All programs must include an American cultural element, or connection with American expert/s, organization/s, or institution/s in a specific field that will promote increased understanding of U.S. policy and perspectives.

Notice of Funding Opportunity Summary NRCS is announcing the availability of Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) State Program funding to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies. Applications are accepted from eligible entities (Section C) for projects carried out in the state of Texas. A total of up to $1,000,000 is available for the Texas CIG competition in FY 2024. All non-Foreign, non-federal entities (NFE) and individuals are invited to apply, with the sole exception of federal agencies. Projects may be between one and three years in duration. The maximum award amount for a single award in FY 2024 is $300,000. For new users of Grants.gov, see Section D. of the full Notice of Funding Opportunity for information about steps required before submitting an application via Grants.gov. Completing all steps required to start an application can take a significant amount of time, plan accordingly. Key Dates Applicants must submit their applications via Grants.gov by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on July 1, 2024. 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 July 25, 2024, and expects to execute awards by September 14, 2024. These dates are estimates and are subject to change.

With this solicitation, BJA seeks to support state, local, and tribal law enforcement and prosecution agencies, and their community partners, to address hate crimes by establishing a coordinated hate crimes resource center. The purpose of the resource center is to coordinate resources and research across several BJA funded hate crimes prevention and response programs. This will create one single location for communities to access the latest promising practices, research, and implementation support from across many disciplines to address hate crimes.

The U.S. Embassy Praia of the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for organizations to submit applications to carry out a program to economically empower and increase employment opportunities for at least 100 female, informal workers, through targeted capacity building, awareness, training, and other activities to be proposed by the organizations. Official data show that poverty in Cabo Verde disproportionately impacts women. Government officials and civil society representatives recognize that poverty has a female face. Poverty among women contributes to other issues as well. Women living in poverty, including informal and domestic workers, are particularly susceptible to abuse and gender-based violence, and sexual harassment. Lack of knowledge and of access to important information, including on their legal rights, also creates vulnerabilities for this group. For women with children, parental responsibilities sometimes hinder the ability of women to compete in the labor market and secure quality jobs. In Cabo Verde, over 60.1 percent of single parent families are led by women. Data suggest that women face more challenges in finding jobs. The latest survey on the informal sector found that 62.5 percent of informal workers are women, and their income is 28.7 percent less than men engaged in similar activities. Data indicate that more than 25 percent of Cabo Verdean women are domestic workers, from those more that 90 percent do not have a work contract and only 10 percent are enrolled in the social security system. Informal jobs are extremely vulnerable to shocks, as confirmed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Many women remain unemployed or engaged in precarious work. Project proposals should address the above problems by strengthening the capacity of women through the acquisition of relevant business management skills and practical tools, as well providing knowledge about their rights, all of which will improve their knowledge and skillset, and help women compete for better, more stable employment opportunities. The proposed implementation strategy should involve relevant expertise and know-how in the design and implementation phases of the project and include relevant partnerships with non-governmental, community-based organizations, municipalities, central government departments, and/or other relevant entities. Proposed projects should build monitoring and evaluation - including time-bound milestones for performance/results into the project. Participants and Audiences: Main project beneficiaries are female, informal workers (with majority being domestic workers). Priority Region: Project activities will be implemented in Cabo Verde. Project proposals should identify targeted island(s). Preference will be given to projects that propose a more inclusive and national approach, aligned with the available budget and anticipated period of performance. Program Goal: By the end of the performance period, the project will economically empower and increase employment opportunities for at least 100 women informal workers, with a majority being domestic workers, through targeted capacity building and awareness. Program Objectives: Objective 1: Equip female, informal workers, particularly domestic workers, with knowledge and skillset to access safer and more secure employment. Objective 2: Enhance the knowledge of informal workers, particularly domestic workers, regarding their rights. Objective 3: Organize relevant stakeholders to advocate for legal and procedural reforms for the benefit of informal workers, with a focus on issues and barriers facing domestic workers. Expected Results: Expected results of the program must at least include: At least 100 women adequately identified and trained in small business management and other practical training, and with stronger knowledge about their rights and duties. Selected women must represent diverse participants inclusive of marginalized populations. Support at least 100 women find an improved employment opportunity, including self-employment. A measurable increase in awareness of workers rights, including the rights of domestic workers. Further advance reforms for the benefit of female, informal workers. Main Activities: Detailed activities should be proposed by applicants, and should include at minimum: - Include a planning phase to clarify projects activities; public presentation of the project on the targeted islands; mapping and liaison with key partners on the beneficiary islands and at the central level, including through the establishment of memorandums of understanding (MOUs) for relevant partnerships for project implementation; technical and logistical organization of the trainings and awareness campaigns. The projects technical team will work together with the partners to design the training program, awareness campaign and other project activities, and select the beneficiary women, trainers and other needs based on the implementation approach. - Implement capacity building which should include topics such as Small Business Management, Financial Education, Marketing and Stock Management, Gender/Gender Based Violence/ Harassment in the informal working environment, Workers Rights and Duties Health and Safety at Work, and Caregiver Training as an employment opportunity, and any others identified by the applicant. Proposed training modules should include the number of days required for completion, and criteria to be considered for a successful completion. - Design and implement a competitive cash award program for the establishment or sustainable continuation of a small business, with clear processes and criteria, to benefit women that had successfully completed training activities. The applicant should explain how these disbursements will be tracked and success measured.- Implement information and awareness campaigns on informal and domestic workers rights and duties. - Implement advocacy activities to advance reforms that would benefit female, informal and domestic workers. Performance Indicators: The project should monitor and report on performance indicators that are specific, measurable, achievable, reasonable, and time bound. Applicants should establish, where possible, performance targets for each expected result and include details on sources that will be used to document performance, how the indicators will be measured and frequency of measurement. Applicants shall use and add indicators to the list below and insert it in the proposed application document. Subsequent to the award, periodic reporting of indicators will be required. - Number of women trained.- Number with increased economic opportunities as a result of the program, including engaged in income generating activities and self-employment. - Number of information campaigns informal and domestic workers rights and duties (radio, TV, social media) implemented.- Number of civil society organizations supported with project funds (sex disaggregated)- Meetings with government officials (or others to advance reforms). Although reflected in the preliminary indicators above, the following indicators are required: - Percentage of female participants in USG-assisted programs designed to increase access to productive economic resources (e.g., assets, credit, income, or employment).- Number of persons trained with USG assistance to advance outcomes consistent with gender equality or female empowerment through their roles in public or private sector and/or civil society institutions or organizations (sex disaggregated).- Percent of individuals with better employment following participation in USG-assisted workforce development programs (sex disaggregated).The funding will be for U.S. Government Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 (ESF/Gender Equity and Equality Action (GEEA) Fund.)This notice is subject to availability of funding.

The Department of States Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons (TIP Office) announces an open competition for projects in support of a forthcoming Child Protection Compact (CPC) Partnership between the United States and the Government of Romania.

This grant provides funding for collaborative projects among archivists and institutions to improve the processing, preservation, and access to Congressional Records collections across the United States.

The National Nuclear Forensics Expertise Development Program (NNFEDP) works to build a nuclear forensics workforce of recognized technical experts and leaders through fostering scholastic and research collaboration between and among academia, the national and defense laboratories, and the National Technical Nuclear Forensics (NTNF) Interagency, as required by law. The implementation of the NNFEDP fulfills the requirements outlined in Homeland Security Act of 2002, as amended. This program also aligns with Goal 1 of the DHS Strategic Plan fiscal years 2020-2024 [Department of Homeland Security's Strategic Plan for Fiscal Years 2020-2024 Homeland Security (dhs.gov)]: Counter Terrorism and Homeland Security Threats and Objectives 1.2: Detect and Disrupt Threats, and 1.4: Counter Weapons of Mass Destruction and Emerging Threats. To accomplish this mandate, the following initiative has been implemented: The Nuclear Forensics Research Award (NFRA) supports the establishment of a team of faculty, students, and technical staff at the national or defense laboratories to conduct research in the field of nuclear forensics.

The Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) of the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for organizations to submit applications to carry out a project to increase the effectiveness of investigation and prosecution of public corruption crimes. This project will increase accountability and improve the handling of public corruption cases by both investigators and prosecutors through concurrent training and cooperation. This project will have three key components: Objective 1: Training and capacity building Training and building capacity of anti-corruption investigators and prosecutors. Objective 2: Institutional support Providing institutional support including policy level changes and technological advancements to strengthen accountability and social inclusion mechanisms. Objective 3: Awareness Raising Raising public awareness of project initiatives to improve citizens confidence in public service delivery so they are encouraged to report corruption cases. The project will build capacity of investigators and prosecutors to handle public corruption cases both by training and mentoring a cadre of master trainers and by directly training investigators and prosecutors. The specific objectives are to increase the number of appropriate public corruption charges by law enforcement, improve the effective prosecution of public corruption cases, develop policies to encourage citizens to file complaints, and raise citizens awareness and confidence in public service delivery mechanisms. This call for proposals is intended to scale up existing work in Balochistan and expand it to benefit anti-corruption establishments in Sindh, Punjab, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) to: 1. Train investigators and prosecutors to prosecute corruption cases. 2. Provide institutional support to design effective policies that encourage transparency, accountability, and the use of modern technological tools to invest

The purpose of the Cooperative Agreement is to restore a total of 450 linear feet in two separate reaches with measures to provide structural repair and erosion prevention strategies along the indicated stream at Naval Support Facility Indian Head (NSFIH), located in northwestern Charles County, Maryland. The work shall include all necessary measures to meet the stream restoration efforts to reduce erosion and Nonpoint Source (NPS) pollution. These measures will include installing stream erosion control measures through living shoreline, bolder toe, gabion removal, native plantings, and supporting measures to reduce shoreline erosion. This project will already have all the necessary designs and permitting in place. The Cooperator shall abide by the permits issued by Charles County, the State of Maryland, the US Army Corps of Engineers, and any others.

This funding opportunity supports collaborative efforts to strengthen the archival capacity of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) by enhancing their ability to preserve, access, and promote their unique collections.

Gabon has vast natural resources in its maritime and terrestrial ecosystems that are being exploited through illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing; illegal logging; and poaching. According to a 2019 report by the Environmental Investigation Agency, illegal logging costs Gabon an estimated $1 billion per year, while WildAid reports IUU fishing results in $610 million in losses per year. Objective of the grant: Raise public awareness about the devastating effects of illegal fishing, logging and encourage the community of Gabon to act against these detrimental practices. The goals of the awareness campaign on illegal fishing and logging are as follows: Raise Public Awareness: The primary goal is to educate and inform the community of Libreville and Gabon in general about the detrimental effects of illegal fishing and logging. Increase public understanding of the environmental, economic, and social consequences associated with these activities. Behavior Change: Encourage individuals to take a stand against illegal fishing and logging by adopting sustainable practices. Motivate citizens to report illegal activities, support conservation efforts, and promote responsible fishing and logging practices. Community Engagement: Foster a sense of ownership and responsibility among the community members of Libreville, and Gabon. Encourage active participation in events, workshops, and seminars that promote environmental conservation and sustainable resource management. Advocacy and Policy Support: Generate public support for stronger regulations and enforcement measures against illegal fishing and logging. Advocate for policy changes that enhance the protection of marine resources and forests in Gabon. Partnerships and Collaborations: Establish partnerships and collaborations with local organizations, government bodies, press and influencers to create a united front against illegal activities. Leverage collective efforts to maximize the campaign's impact and sustainable outcomes. Long-Term Awareness and Behavior Shift: Create a lasting impact by instilling a sense of responsibility and understanding of the importance of preserving marine resources and forests. Lay the foundation for long-term behavior change and sustainable practices among individuals and communities.

This grant provides funding for nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, and government agencies to improve online access to historical records, particularly those that highlight the contributions and histories of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, as well as early legal documents related to the evolution of U.S. democracy.

The Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) solicits applications designed to increase the ability of EPA Region 3 states (Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia and the District of Columbia) to manage food scraps more sustainably through composting. In particular, the NOFO seeks to increase capacity for food scraps composting in the region through the upgrade of yard waste composting facilities. The upgraded yard waste composting facilities will be capable of processing waste food which increases the capacity for wasted food composting in the region. For further details see the NOFO.

Notice of Funding Opportunity SummaryThe Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), an agency under the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is announcing potential availability of cooperative agreements for the purpose of leveraging NRCS resources to assist with conducting important coastal restoration throughout Massachusetts. NRCS recognizes the importance of shellfish, salt marsh, and eelgrass restoration and the beneficial outcomes it can have on the environment and climate change. Restoration of rare and declining communities, including coastal habitats has been an underutilized practice in Massachusetts. This agreement will be used to encourage the restoration of coastal habitats through the use of this NRCS practice by conducting outreach, providing training, identifying and completing projects, and monitoring of outcomes.NRCS-Massachusetts is making a funding opportunity available for applicants to submit proposals with an award ceiling of $600,000 and a minimum project award of $300,000. NRCS will be awarding a cooperative agreement for up to a five-year period. If, in coordination with NRCS, additional resources are needed at a rate that exceeds this schedule, NRCS may add funds to this agreement to support continued partnership over the performance period.The primary goal is to expand coastal restoration to NRCS customers throughout eastern Massachusetts. The project list ranges in size from less than an acre private or leased property to several hundred-acre private properties. Applicants will identify the average number of projects they could complete with a minimum of five being acceptable for this agreement. NRCS will work with the selected applicant to make the choice of priority restoration sites each year of the agreement based on interest and need. Applicants will be required to hold 1-2 restoration trainings per year for NRCS staff and partners to expand their knowledge on the subject. Applicants should provide a list of training ideas to NRCS for the length of the agreement. Applicants will be awarded based on the specified scoring criteria in Section E of this announcement. Eligible applicants are identified in Section C of this announcement. Applicants should be familiar with all applicable state, federal, local laws, policies, and regulations that apply to coastal restoration in the locales of Massachusetts.For new users of Grants.gov, see Section D. of the full Notice of Funding Opportunity for information about steps required before submitting an application via Grants.gov.Key DatesApplicants must submit their applications via Grants.gov by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on June 29, 2024. 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 30, 2024, and expects to execute awards by August 15, 2024. These dates are estimates and are subject to change.

The U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office, https://cops.usdoj.gov) is pleased to announce that it is seeking applications for funding for the FY24 Safer Outcomes: Enhancing De-Escalation and Crisis Response Training for Law Enforcement Expansion of Regional De-Escalation Training Centers program. The goal of this solicitation is to promote safe outcomes during police encounters with persons in crisis through the expansion of the COPS Office network of regional de-escalation training centers. These centers provide relevant de-escalation and crisis response training for law enforcement in a multistate region. Awards under this solicitation will be made to training centers administered by institutions of higher education and nonprofit organizations with experience providing training to law enforcement at the national or regional level. Training is supported for law enforcement officers, support personnel employed by law enforcement agencies, and mental health professionals working on a crisis intervention team as an employee of a law enforcement agency or under a legal agreement with a law enforcement agency.

Notice of Funding Opportunity SummaryThe Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), an agency under the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is announcing potential availability of cooperative agreements for the purpose of leveraging NRCS resources to assist our agency with conducting and implementing important conservation whole farm planning on multiple private landowner properties throughout Southeastern Massachusetts. NRCS recognizes the importance of expanding conservation efforts including irrigation, erosion control, integrated pest management, nutrient management and forestry efforts in Southeastern Massachusetts and the beneficial outcomes it can have on the environment. The agreement holder will also be responsible for providing training to NRCS staff and affiliates as well as customer outreach.NRCS-Massachusetts is making a funding opportunity available for applicants to submit proposals with an award ceiling of $400,000 and a minimum project award of $200,000. NRCS will be awarding a cooperative agreement for up to a five-year period. If, in coordination with NRCS, additional resources are needed at a rate that exceeds this schedule, NRCS may add funds to this agreement to support continued partnership over the performance period.The primary goal is to expand conservation planning to NRCS customers throughout Southeastern Massachusetts. The project list ranges in size from less than 1-acre farms to several hundred-acre farms. Applicants will identify the average number of conservation site visits and written whole farm conservation plans that they could complete in any year with a minimum of fifteen per year being acceptable for this agreement. NRCS will work with the selected applicant to make the choice of priority conservation site visits each year of the agreement based on interest and need. Applicants will be required to hold 1-2 conservation focused trainings per year for NRCS staff and partners to expand their technical knowledge. Applicants should provide a list of training ideas to NRCS for the length of the agreement. Applicants will be awarded based on the specified scoring criteria in Section E of this announcement. Eligible applicants include: all domestic applicants. Neither foreign entities nor individuals are eligible to apply for this opportunity. Applicants should be familiar with all applicable state, federal, local laws, policies, and regulations that apply to conservation improvements in the locales of Massachusetts.For new users of Grants.gov, see Section D. of the full Notice of Funding Opportunity for information about steps required before submitting an application via Grants.gov.Key DatesApplicants must submit their applications via Grants.gov by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on June 29, 2024. 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 30, 2024, and expects to execute awards by August 15, 2024. These dates are estimates and are subject to change.