Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NRCS NHQ 09 02
Apply for USDA NRCS NHQ 09 02
- The Natural Resources Conservation Service in the agriculture natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Agricultural Water Enhancement Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.912 Environmental Quality Incentives Program.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jan 16, 2009 and posted on Jan 16, 2009.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Mar 2, 2009. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $58,400,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Eligible applicants include: Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized) Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification) State governments Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education City or township governments County governments Individuals.
- Entities that are eligible to enter into AWEP partnerships agreements include, but are not limited to, federal recognized Indian Tribes, States, units of local government, agricultural or silivicultural associations, other groups of such producers, such as an irrigation association, agricultural land trust, or other non governmental organization that has experience working with agricultural producers.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Agricultural Water Enhancement Program (AWEP) is a voluntary USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) funding opportunity designed to help agricultural producers conserve groundwater and surface water and, where applicable, improve water quality. AWEP works by providing financial and technical assistance so producers can plan and install conservation practices on agricultural land. The program is delivered as part of the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), meaning the assistance ultimately flows through EQIP-style contracts with producers, focused on practical, on-the-ground improvements in defined project areas.
A central feature of AWEP is its partnership-based approach. NRCS solicits proposals from potential partners that want to enter into a partnership agreement with the NRCS Chief to establish AWEP project areas and coordinate participation by producers. Producers can participate either individually or as part of a larger partnership project, depending on how the project is structured. Partners can play different roles: some may primarily help organize local participation and facilitate producer applications, while others may contribute additional technical expertise or provide supplemental funding to strengthen the conservation outcomes. Even so, AWEP funds themselves are intended to be delivered to agricultural producers for conservation implementation, not to partners for running the project.
The geographic scope is broad. Proposals are accepted nationwide across all 50 states, and also in the Caribbean Area (Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands) and the Pacific Islands Area (Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands). The overarching goal across these jurisdictions is consistent: promote water conservation and water quality improvements through targeted conservation practice adoption on agricultural lands.
Eligibility for partnership agreements is intentionally wide to accommodate the many types of organizations that work directly with producers. Eligible applicants include federally recognized Native American tribal governments, state governments, counties, cities or townships, individuals, and qualifying nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education). The notice also highlights that other experienced entities may be eligible, such as agricultural or silvicultural associations, groups of producers, irrigation associations, agricultural land trusts, and other nongovernmental organizations with relevant experience working with agricultural producers. The key expectation is that partners have the capacity and relationships to help drive producer participation and meaningful conservation outcomes.
A notable restriction is that AWEP funding cannot be used to pay a partner's administrative expenses. The announcement defines administrative activities broadly as indirect or direct costs associated with submitting or implementing the project proposal. In practice, this means AWEP dollars are meant for conservation planning and implementation by producers rather than for overhead, staffing, or other partner management costs tied to running the partnership project.
From the posting details provided, this opportunity was issued under Funding Opportunity Number USDA NRCS NHQ 09 02, categorized as a discretionary program under agriculture and natural resources, and linked to CFDA 10.912 (Environmental Quality Incentives Program). The total estimated funding amount listed is $58,400,000. No cost sharing or matching requirement is indicated in the opportunity summary. The notice was originally posted on January 16, 2009, with a closing date of March 2, 2009, and it was later archived on April 1, 2009. For further information, the notice points to the NRCS homepage and AWEP contact resources, including an NRCS AWEP specialist contact at USDA NRCS in Washington, D.C.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Agricultural Water Enhancement Program (AWEP)
What is the Agricultural Water Enhancement Program (AWEP)?
The Agricultural Water Enhancement Program (AWEP) is a voluntary funding opportunity from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). It is designed to help agricultural producers conserve groundwater and surface water and, where applicable, improve water quality by supporting conservation planning and the installation of conservation practices on agricultural land.
What is the main goal of AWEP?
The overarching goal is to promote water conservation and water quality improvements through targeted adoption of conservation practices on agricultural lands within defined project areas.
How does AWEP deliver assistance to producers?
AWEP provides financial and technical assistance so producers can plan and install conservation practices. The program is delivered as part of the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), so assistance ultimately flows through EQIP-style contracts with producers, focused on practical, on-the-ground improvements in designated AWEP project areas.
Is AWEP mandatory for producers?
No. AWEP is described as a voluntary program.
Is AWEP a standalone program or part of another NRCS program?
AWEP is delivered as part of EQIP (Environmental Quality Incentives Program). The opportunity is linked to CFDA 10.912 (Environmental Quality Incentives Program).
What types of assistance does AWEP provide?
AWEP provides both financial and technical assistance to support conservation planning and the installation of conservation practices on agricultural land.
Who can apply to create an AWEP project area?
NRCS solicits proposals from potential partners that want to enter into a partnership agreement with the NRCS Chief to establish AWEP project areas and coordinate participation by producers.
What is the partnership-based approach in AWEP?
A central feature of AWEP is its partnership model. Partners submit proposals to work with NRCS to establish AWEP project areas and help coordinate producer participation. Partners may help organize local participation, facilitate producer applications, contribute technical expertise, or provide supplemental funding to strengthen conservation outcomes.
Can producers participate without being part of a partnership group?
Yes. Producers can participate either individually or as part of a larger partnership project, depending on how the project is structured.
Who ultimately receives AWEP funds?
AWEP funds are intended to be delivered to agricultural producers for conservation implementation. The notice emphasizes that AWEP funds are not intended to be provided to partners for running the project.
Can AWEP funds be used to pay a partner's administrative expenses?
No. AWEP funding cannot be used to pay a partner's administrative expenses. The announcement defines administrative activities broadly as indirect or direct costs associated with submitting or implementing the project proposal. In practical terms, AWEP dollars are intended for conservation planning and implementation by producers rather than partner overhead, staffing, or management costs tied to running the partnership project.
What kinds of organizations are eligible to apply as partners?
Eligibility for partnership agreements is intentionally broad. Eligible applicants include federally recognized Native American tribal governments, state governments, counties, cities or townships, individuals, and qualifying nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education).
Are institutions of higher education eligible as 501(c)(3) nonprofit applicants?
No. The eligibility description specifies qualifying nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status, excluding institutions of higher education.
Are producer groups or agricultural associations eligible to apply as partners?
The notice indicates that other experienced entities may be eligible, including agricultural or silvicultural associations, groups of producers, irrigation associations, agricultural land trusts, and other nongovernmental organizations with relevant experience working with agricultural producers.
What is the key expectation for eligible partners?
The key expectation is that partners have the capacity and relationships needed to help drive producer participation and achieve meaningful conservation outcomes.
Where is AWEP available geographically?
Proposals are accepted nationwide across all 50 states, and also in the Caribbean Area (Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands) and the Pacific Islands Area (Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands).
Does AWEP focus on groundwater, surface water, or both?
AWEP is intended to help conserve both groundwater and surface water and, where applicable, improve water quality.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this announcement?
The Funding Opportunity Number listed is USDA NRCS NHQ 09 02.
How is the program categorized in the opportunity posting?
The opportunity is categorized as a discretionary program under agriculture and natural resources.
What CFDA number is associated with AWEP in this posting?
The posting links the opportunity to CFDA 10.912, Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP).
What is the estimated total funding amount for this opportunity?
The total estimated funding amount listed is $58,400,000.
Is a cost share or matching contribution required?
No cost sharing or matching requirement is indicated in the opportunity summary provided.
When was this opportunity posted and when did it close?
The notice was originally posted on January 16, 2009, with a closing date of March 2, 2009.
Is this opportunity still active?
No. The notice was later archived on April 1, 2009.
Where can someone look for official program information or contacts?
The notice points to the NRCS homepage and AWEP contact resources, including an NRCS AWEP specialist contact at USDA NRCS in Washington, D.C.
What role does NRCS play in AWEP partnerships?
NRCS solicits partner proposals and enters into partnership agreements with the NRCS Chief to establish AWEP project areas and coordinate producer participation. NRCS also delivers the program through EQIP-style contracts with producers for conservation implementation.
What types of partner contributions are mentioned besides organizing participation?
Partners may provide additional technical expertise or offer supplemental funding to strengthen conservation outcomes, in addition to organizing local participation and facilitating producer applications.
Does AWEP fund project operations for partner organizations?
No. The notice specifically states that AWEP funds are intended for conservation implementation by producers and cannot be used for partner administrative expenses related to submitting or implementing the project proposal.
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