Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NRCS PIA MULTI 21 NOFO0001062
The Pacific Islands Area Fiscal Year 2021 Conservation Solutions Through Strategic Partnerships Announcement for Funding is a discretionary federal grant opportunity from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). It is designed to fund cooperative agreements that strengthen and scale conservation work across the Pacific Islands Area, specifically Hawaii, American Samoa, Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI). The basic idea is to use strategic partnerships to expand on-the-ground conservation delivery, improve implementation of Farm Bill-supported practices, and generate better local outcomes tied to soil health, climate-related soil processes, and watershed function.
A major focus of the opportunity is increasing conservation delivery capacity, especially by helping Soil and Water Conservation Districts and newer or emerging partners put more trained staff into the field and into support roles. NRCS is particularly interested in additional staffing and partner capacity connected to NRCS Service Centers serving American Samoa and CNMI, but proposals may also target any NRCS Service Center area within the broader Pacific Islands Area. This capacity-building emphasis is tied to practical performance goals: improving Farm Bill contract completion rates and improving how well contracted conservation practices are actually implemented. In other words, the funding is not only about planning or outreach; it is also about moving contracts and conservation practices to successful completion.
Another central goal is expanding the adoption and implementation of soil health management on cropland. Applicants are encouraged to propose interactive education, outreach, and feedback events that actively engage producers and other customers in soil health management systems and the development of soil health plans. Alongside outreach, NRCS wants to build local technical capacity by increasing the availability and capability of certified Technical Service Providers (TSPs) who can develop soil health management plans consistent with NRCS requirements, specifically referencing the Soil Health Management Plan Criteria under Practice/Activity Code 116. This part of the program is aimed at creating sustained, locally based expertise so that more producers can access qualified technical assistance over time.
The opportunity also supports evaluation and learning related to climate and nutrient dynamics in island cropping systems. NRCS is seeking projects that evaluate carbon and nitrogen cycles in local cropping systems to better understand how established conservation practices affect soil organic matter and soil carbon. This signals interest in practical, place-based measurement or assessment work that can inform future conservation decisions and demonstrate outcomes in Pacific Island conditions, which often differ from continental U.S. agriculture in soils, climate, and production systems.
In addition, NRCS invites innovative projects that amplify conservation outcomes in a few targeted areas: the economics of soil health (helping quantify costs, benefits, and adoption drivers), soil carbon amendments aligned with NRCS conservation practice standards (including reference to Soil Carbon Amendment, Code 808), and improved watershed function. These themes point to projects that go beyond routine practice adoption and try to improve the effectiveness, scalability, or economic case for conservation, while also addressing landscape-level benefits like water quality, infiltration, and hydrologic resilience.
All of these priorities are meant to be advanced through strategic partnerships that accelerate results and align with NRCS Pacific Islands Area direction-setting documents. Proposals are expected to support the Pacific Islands Area Targeted Conservation Delivery Strategy and the Pacific Islands Area Strategic Plan Initiative, meaning applicants should show clear alignment with NRCS regional priorities and explain how the partnership approach will produce faster or broader impacts than NRCS could achieve alone.
From an administrative standpoint, the funding instrument is a cooperative agreement, which typically means NRCS expects active involvement during project implementation rather than a hands-off grant relationship. The opportunity is listed under CFDA numbers 10.902, 10.912, 10.917, and 10.924, and it covers subject areas spanning agriculture, environment, and natural resources. Eligible applicants include state, county, and city or township governments; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; and nonprofits both with and without 501(c)(3) status (as long as they are not institutions of higher education in the nonprofit category).
The notice was created February 25, 2021, and applications were required to be submitted through Grants.gov by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on April 26, 2021. Questions about the notice could be submitted by email until April 7, 2021, with NRCS indicating that responses would be posted on Grants.gov about two weeks before the deadline. NRCS also scheduled an applicant webinar for March 10, 2021, at 2:00 pm Hawaii Standard Time, with participation details posted on the NRCS Pacific Islands Area events webpage. The award ceiling is $500,000, and NRCS anticipated making about 7 awards, signaling a competitive process with a limited number of relatively substantial projects expected to be funded.Apply for USDA NRCS PIA MULTI 21 NOFO0001062
- The Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service in the agriculture, environment, natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Pacific Islands Area Fiscal Year 2021 Conservation Solutions Through Strategic Partnerships Announcement for Funding" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.902, 10.912, 10.917, 10.924.
- This funding opportunity was created on Feb 25, 2021.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Apr 26, 2021 Applicants must submit their applications via Grants.gov by 1159 pm Eastern Time on April 26, 2021. Questions regarding this notice of funding opportunity (NFO) may be submitted until April 7, 2021, via email to the Federal Awarding Agency Contact (see section H. of the NFO) with the Opportunity Number in the subject line. Responses to questions posed will be posted on Grants.gov approximately two weeks before the application due date. A webinar for applicants is scheduled for March 10, 2021, at 2 p.m. Hawaii Standard Time. Information on how to participate in the webinar will be posted to the NRCS PIA website (https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/events/pia/newsroom/events/eventDate3-2021).. (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 $500,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 7 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the name of this grant opportunity?
The opportunity is titled "Pacific Islands Area Fiscal Year 2021 Conservation Solutions Through Strategic Partnerships Announcement for Funding."
Which federal agency is offering this funding?
This is a discretionary federal grant opportunity from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).
What type of funding instrument is being used?
The funding instrument is a cooperative agreement, which generally means NRCS expects to be actively involved during project implementation rather than taking a fully hands-off role.
What is the main purpose of this opportunity?
The program is designed to fund cooperative agreements that strengthen and scale conservation work across the Pacific Islands Area by using strategic partnerships to expand on-the-ground conservation delivery, improve implementation of Farm Bill-supported practices, and generate stronger local outcomes tied to soil health, climate-related soil processes, and watershed function.
What geographic areas does "Pacific Islands Area" include for this opportunity?
The Pacific Islands Area referenced here includes Hawaii, American Samoa, Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI).
Is NRCS focusing on any particular locations within the Pacific Islands Area?
NRCS expressed particular interest in additional staffing and partner capacity connected to NRCS Service Centers serving American Samoa and CNMI. However, proposals may target any NRCS Service Center area within the broader Pacific Islands Area.
What does NRCS mean by "strategic partnerships" in this announcement?
Based on the announcement, strategic partnerships are collaborations intended to accelerate conservation results and produce faster or broader impacts than NRCS could achieve alone, while aligning with NRCS Pacific Islands Area priorities and direction-setting documents.
What are the top program priorities described in the announcement?
The announcement highlights several priorities, including: increasing conservation delivery capacity (especially staffing), improving Farm Bill contract completion rates and practice implementation, expanding soil health management adoption on cropland, building local technical capacity (including Technical Service Providers), evaluating carbon and nitrogen cycles in island cropping systems, and supporting innovative projects related to soil health economics, soil carbon amendments, and watershed function.
Is this funding only for planning and outreach activities?
No. While outreach and education are included, NRCS emphasizes practical outcomes such as improving Farm Bill contract completion rates and improving how well contracted conservation practices are implemented. The intent is to support on-the-ground delivery through to successful completion.
How does this opportunity address conservation delivery capacity?
A major focus is increasing conservation delivery capacity by helping Soil and Water Conservation Districts and newer or emerging partners put more trained staff into field roles and support roles, with particular interest in capacity connected to NRCS Service Centers serving American Samoa and CNMI.
What does the announcement say about improving Farm Bill contract completion?
The notice ties capacity-building to performance goals, specifically improving Farm Bill contract completion rates and improving the quality of conservation practice implementation under those contracts.
What soil health activities are encouraged?
Applicants are encouraged to propose interactive education, outreach, and feedback events that actively engage producers and other customers in soil health management systems and in developing soil health plans.
Does the opportunity mention any specific NRCS practice or activity codes?
Yes. It references the Soil Health Management Plan Criteria under Practice/Activity Code 116. It also references Soil Carbon Amendment, Code 808, in the context of projects aligned with NRCS conservation practice standards.
What role do Technical Service Providers (TSPs) play in this funding opportunity?
NRCS wants to build local technical capacity by increasing the availability and capability of certified Technical Service Providers (TSPs) who can develop soil health management plans consistent with NRCS requirements, including the Soil Health Management Plan Criteria (Code 116).
What types of climate- and nutrient-related evaluation work are supported?
The announcement supports projects that evaluate carbon and nitrogen cycles in island cropping systems to better understand how established conservation practices affect soil organic matter and soil carbon, with an emphasis on practical, place-based assessment relevant to Pacific Island conditions.
What innovative topic areas does NRCS specifically invite?
NRCS invites innovative projects that amplify conservation outcomes in targeted areas including: the economics of soil health (quantifying costs, benefits, and adoption drivers), soil carbon amendments aligned with NRCS practice standards (including Code 808), and improved watershed function.
What does the announcement mean by "economics of soil health"?
Within this notice, it refers to efforts that help quantify the costs and benefits of soil health practices and better understand what drives adoption.
How is watershed function addressed in the opportunity?
Improved watershed function is identified as a targeted area for innovative projects, reflecting interest in landscape-level benefits such as water quality, infiltration, and hydrologic resilience.
Are projects expected to align with any NRCS regional strategy documents?
Yes. Proposals are expected to support the Pacific Islands Area Targeted Conservation Delivery Strategy and the Pacific Islands Area Strategic Plan Initiative, and applicants should describe how their proposed partnership approach aligns with these regional priorities.
What CFDA numbers are associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is listed under CFDA numbers 10.902, 10.912, 10.917, and 10.924.
What subject areas does this funding cover?
The notice indicates the opportunity spans subject areas including agriculture, environment, and natural resources.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants include: state governments; county governments; city or township governments; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; and nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (provided they are not institutions of higher education in the nonprofit category).
Are nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status eligible?
Yes. The announcement states nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status are eligible, as long as they are not institutions of higher education under the nonprofit category.
How many awards did NRCS anticipate making?
NRCS anticipated making about 7 awards.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling is $500,000.
Does the announcement indicate whether this is competitive?
Yes. The combination of an anticipated ~7 awards and a stated award ceiling indicates a competitive process with a limited number of relatively substantial projects expected to be funded.
When was the notice created?
The notice was created on February 25, 2021.
When was the application deadline?
Applications were required to be submitted through Grants.gov by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on April 26, 2021.
Where were applications required to be submitted?
Applications were required to be submitted through Grants.gov.
Was there a deadline for submitting questions about the notice?
Yes. Questions could be submitted by email until April 7, 2021.
How and when were answers to applicant questions shared?
NRCS indicated that responses to submitted questions would be posted on Grants.gov about two weeks before the application deadline.
Was there an applicant webinar?
Yes. NRCS scheduled an applicant webinar for March 10, 2021, at 2:00 pm Hawaii Standard Time, with participation details posted on the NRCS Pacific Islands Area events webpage.
What kinds of organizations are specifically mentioned as needing capacity support?
The announcement specifically calls out Soil and Water Conservation Districts and newer or emerging partners as priority targets for capacity-building, especially to add trained staff for field and support roles.
What outcomes is NRCS trying to achieve through this funding?
Key outcomes described include stronger conservation delivery capacity, higher Farm Bill contract completion rates, better implementation of contracted conservation practices, broader adoption of soil health management on cropland, stronger local technical assistance capacity (including TSP capability), and improved understanding and demonstration of soil carbon and nutrient dynamics under island conditions.
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| Louisiana Conservation Delivery Technical Assistance, FY21 Apply for USDA NRCS LA MULTI 21 NOFO0001095 Funding Number: USDA NRCS LA MULTI 21 NOFO0001095 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service Category: Agriculture, Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $3,000,000 |
| Conservation Outreach, FY 2021 Apply for USDA NRCS LA MULTI 21 NOFO0001079 Funding Number: USDA NRCS LA MULTI 21 NOFO0001079 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service Category: Agriculture, Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $2,000,000 |
| Technical Assistance for Conservation Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 – NORTH CAROLINA Apply for USDA NRCS MULTI NC 21 NOFO0001060 Funding Number: USDA NRCS MULTI NC 21 NOFO0001060 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service Category: Agriculture, Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $450,000 |
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| Outreach Funding for Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 – NORTH CAROLINA Apply for USDA NRCS NC MULTI 21 NOFO0001082 Funding Number: USDA NRCS NC MULTI 21 NOFO0001082 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service Category: Agriculture, Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $200,000 |
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| Tennessee NRCS Urban Conservation Project Apply for USDA NRCS TN CTA 21 NOFO0001086 Funding Number: USDA NRCS TN CTA 21 NOFO0001086 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service Category: Agriculture, Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $10,000 |
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