Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NRCS GA 08 03
Apply for USDA NRCS GA 08 03
- The Georgia State Office in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Georgia Resource Conservation Development Projects" and is now available to receive applicants.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jun 3, 2008 and posted on Jun 3, 2008.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 3, 2008. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $250,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $50,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 11 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
- 6. ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS State and local governments and nonprofit organizations with authority to plan or carry out activities relating to resource use and development in multi jurisdictional areas in Georgia may apply for these funds. Pre selection criteria require that proposed projects be contained in one of Georgia s authorized RCD Council areas, be included in the Council s Area Plan, and the Area Plan be current.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Opportunity Summary:
The Georgia Resource Conservation and Development Projects opportunity is a USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) funding announcement (CFDA 10.901) run through the NRCS Georgia State Office. Its main goal is to support and kickstart both new and ongoing conservation efforts and the wise use and development of natural resources across Georgia, under the long-running Resource Conservation and Development (RCD) program. The RCD program is designed to help local communities organize, plan, and carry out projects that improve local quality of life, with NRCS providing support such as an RCD coordinator and other technical or program assistance while local RCD councils set priorities based on local needs.
Applicants can request either a grant or a cooperative agreement, and the difference comes down to how involved NRCS needs to be in the project. If the project can succeed without meaningful NRCS participation, it will typically be structured as a grant. If the applicant expects or requests significant NRCS involvement that is important to the project’s success, it will be structured as a cooperative agreement, and the agreement will spell out NRCS’s total commitment, including both monetary and non-monetary contributions. Applicants are expected to clearly state whether they want NRCS significant involvement.
Eligible applicants include state and local governments and nonprofit organizations that have the authority to plan or carry out activities tied to resource use and development in multi-jurisdictional areas in Georgia. A key threshold requirement is that the proposed project must be tied directly to an authorized Georgia RCD Council area, must appear in that Council’s Area Plan, and the Area Plan must be current. If an applicant does not represent a specific RCD Council, they must provide documentation showing the application is being submitted as a result of an official action by the governing RCD Council. In other words, alignment with the local RCD structure and its approved planning documents is not optional; it is part of the basic eligibility screening.
NRCS screens and ranks applications in stages. First, they check whether the applicant is eligible and whether the application package includes all required components. They also require applicant organizations to have a Dun and Bradstreet DUNS number and to include Central Contractor Registry (CCR) information, which was the federal system used at the time for organizational registration to do business and receive grant funding. After that completeness review, eligible and complete applications are evaluated and ranked by the Responsible Official. Selection is based on how well a proposal meets NRCS needs and advances RCD objectives, with added emphasis on practical, measurable outcomes and feasibility. The selection criteria favor projects that can be completed on time, that address at least one NRCS RCD program goal (examples listed include jobs created, businesses created, watershed plans developed, watershed acres impacted, and wildlife acres impacted), and that advance one or more legislated RCD objectives: land management, land conservation, water management, and/or community development. Proposals also need to show that the requested funding level is well supported by the budget information submitted (referenced as SF-424B budget information for non-construction programs in the announcement text). NRCS may decide to request additional discussions or interviews, and it reserves the right to make selections using the written application and any additional information it considers appropriate. A stated program intention is to spread funding as broadly as possible across Georgia, ideally making at least one award per RCD Council.
Funding for this cycle was estimated at about $250,000 total, subject to Congressional appropriation. NRCS anticipated making roughly 11 to 15 awards using either grants or cooperative agreements. Award sizes were described with an estimated floor of $3,000 and a ceiling of $50,000. The project period for resulting agreements was expected to be three years, again dependent on continued availability of funds.
The application deadline was 4:30 p.m. local time on July 3, 2008, with late submissions not considered. Applicants had to submit one original and two copies to the NRCS contact in Athens, Georgia (USDA NRCS, 355 East Hancock Avenue, Mail Stop 202, Athens, GA 30601). Applicants could also submit electronically through Grants.gov using the USDA NRCS application package template for the Georgia State Office. The required application package included the SF-424 series (SF-424, SF-424A, SF-424B) plus DUNS and CCR details, a project narrative of no more than five pages, and a copy of the RCD Council’s current Area Plan. The narrative had to be very specific, including the project title and dates, the exact crosswalk to the Council Area Plan (goal/objective/strategy and page number), which legislated program objectives and NRCS program goals the project addresses, the project objective statement, deliverables, methodology, milestone dates, budget, the percentage of cost share from non-NRCS sources (even though the opportunity states there is no cost-sharing or matching requirement, they still request that information), and a plan for documenting expenditures. If requesting a cooperative agreement, the narrative also needed to describe the requested NRCS involvement.
Administratively, awards were made under the authority of Public Law 97-98 (95 Stat. 1213) for CFDA 10.901. Recipients had to comply with standard federal grant/cooperative agreement rules and incorporated regulations (including various parts of 7 CFR and applicable OMB circulars for cost principles, administrative requirements, and audits). A notable constraint is that indirect costs under cooperative agreements between USDA and nonprofit institutions (including universities) were generally capped at 10 percent of total direct costs under the referenced appropriations language, unless a permitted exception applied; any indirect costs requested needed to be justified and could not exceed the cap or the institution’s negotiated rate with its cognizant federal agency, as applicable. The listed agency point of contact for the opportunity was Louis Hendricks, Contract Specialist, reachable by phone at (706) 546-2018 and by email at louis.hendricks@ga.usda.gov for technical questions.
Georgia Resource Conservation and Development (RCD) Projects - FAQ
What is the Georgia Resource Conservation and Development (RCD) Projects opportunity?
It is a USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Georgia State Office funding opportunity under the long-running Resource Conservation and Development (RCD) program (CFDA 10.901). The purpose is to support and launch new and ongoing conservation efforts and the wise use and development of natural resources across Georgia, with projects prioritized through local Georgia RCD Councils and their Area Plans.
What is the main goal of the RCD program as described in this announcement?
The program is designed to help local communities organize, plan, and carry out projects that improve local quality of life. NRCS provides support (including an RCD coordinator and other technical or program assistance), while local RCD Councils set priorities based on local needs.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants include state and local governments and nonprofit organizations that have authority to plan or carry out activities tied to resource use and development in multi-jurisdictional areas in Georgia.
What is the key eligibility threshold related to RCD Councils and Area Plans?
The proposed project must be tied directly to an authorized Georgia RCD Council area, must appear in that Council's Area Plan, and the Area Plan must be current. This alignment with the local RCD structure and its approved planning documents is treated as a basic eligibility screen.
What if an applicant does not represent a specific RCD Council?
If the applicant does not represent a specific RCD Council, they must provide documentation showing the application is being submitted as a result of an official action by the governing RCD Council.
Is this funding offered as a grant or a cooperative agreement?
Applicants may request either a grant or a cooperative agreement. The choice depends on how involved NRCS needs to be in the project.
What is the difference between a grant and a cooperative agreement for this opportunity?
If the project can succeed without meaningful NRCS participation, it will typically be structured as a grant. If the applicant expects or requests significant NRCS involvement that is important to the project's success, it will be structured as a cooperative agreement, and the agreement will spell out NRCS's total commitment, including both monetary and non-monetary contributions.
Do applicants need to specify whether they want significant NRCS involvement?
Yes. Applicants are expected to clearly state whether they want NRCS significant involvement. If requesting a cooperative agreement, the project narrative must also describe the requested NRCS involvement.
How does NRCS review, screen, and rank applications?
NRCS uses a staged process. First, it checks eligibility and whether the application package includes all required components. After that completeness review, eligible and complete applications are evaluated and ranked by the Responsible Official.
What organizational identifiers/registrations are required in the application?
Applicant organizations are required to have a Dun and Bradstreet DUNS number and to include Central Contractor Registry (CCR) information (the federal registration system referenced in the announcement for doing business with the government and receiving grant funding).
What factors does NRCS emphasize when selecting projects?
Selection is based on how well a proposal meets NRCS needs and advances RCD objectives, with emphasis on practical, measurable outcomes and feasibility. Projects are favored if they can be completed on time, address at least one NRCS RCD program goal, and advance one or more legislated RCD objectives.
What are examples of NRCS RCD program goals mentioned in the announcement?
Examples listed include jobs created, businesses created, watershed plans developed, watershed acres impacted, and wildlife acres impacted.
What legislated RCD objectives can a proposal address?
The legislated RCD objectives identified are land management, land conservation, water management, and/or community development.
Does the budget need to justify the amount requested?
Yes. Proposals need to show that the requested funding level is well supported by the budget information submitted (referenced in the announcement as SF-424B budget information for non-construction programs).
Can NRCS request additional information or interviews?
Yes. NRCS may request additional discussions or interviews, and it reserves the right to make selections using the written application and any additional information it considers appropriate.
Is there an intention to distribute funding across Georgia?
Yes. A stated program intention is to spread funding as broadly as possible across Georgia, ideally making at least one award per RCD Council.
How much total funding was estimated for this cycle?
Total funding for this cycle was estimated at about $250,000, subject to Congressional appropriation.
How many awards did NRCS anticipate making?
NRCS anticipated making roughly 11 to 15 awards using either grants or cooperative agreements.
What is the expected award size range?
Award sizes were described with an estimated minimum (floor) of $3,000 and a maximum (ceiling) of $50,000.
What is the expected project period?
The project period for resulting agreements was expected to be three years, dependent on continued availability of funds.
When was the application deadline, and are late submissions accepted?
The application deadline was 4:30 p.m. local time on July 3, 2008. Late submissions were not considered.
How could applicants submit an application?
Applicants had two submission options: (1) submit a paper package consisting of one original and two copies to the NRCS contact in Athens, Georgia, or (2) submit electronically through Grants.gov using the USDA NRCS application package template for the Georgia State Office.
What was the paper submission address listed in the announcement?
USDA NRCS, 355 East Hancock Avenue, Mail Stop 202, Athens, GA 30601.
What forms and attachments were required in the application package?
The required application package included the SF-424 series (SF-424, SF-424A, SF-424B), DUNS and CCR details, a project narrative of no more than five pages, and a copy of the RCD Council's current Area Plan.
How long could the project narrative be?
The project narrative was limited to no more than five pages.
What specific information needed to be included in the project narrative?
The narrative needed to include: the project title and dates; the exact crosswalk to the Council Area Plan (goal/objective/strategy and page number); which legislated program objectives and NRCS program goals the project addresses; a project objective statement; deliverables; methodology; milestone dates; budget; the percentage of cost share from non-NRCS sources; and a plan for documenting expenditures. If requesting a cooperative agreement, it also needed to describe the requested NRCS involvement.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
The opportunity states there is no cost-sharing or matching requirement. However, applicants were still asked to include the percentage of cost share from non-NRCS sources in the project narrative.
What authority and CFDA number apply to this program?
Awards were made under the authority of Public Law 97-98 (95 Stat. 1213) and are associated with CFDA 10.901.
What compliance requirements apply to recipients?
Recipients had to comply with standard federal grant/cooperative agreement rules and incorporated regulations, including various parts of 7 CFR and applicable OMB circulars covering cost principles, administrative requirements, and audits.
Are there limits on indirect costs?
Yes, a notable constraint is that indirect costs under cooperative agreements between USDA and nonprofit institutions (including universities) were generally capped at 10 percent of total direct costs under the referenced appropriations language, unless a permitted exception applied. Any indirect costs requested needed to be justified and could not exceed the cap or the institution's negotiated rate with its cognizant federal agency, as applicable.
Who is the agency point of contact for technical questions?
The listed point of contact is Louis Hendricks, Contract Specialist. Phone: (706) 546-2018. Email: louis.hendricks@ga.usda.gov.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Natural Resources
Next opportunity: Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Pacific Northwest CESU
Previous opportunity: Archives Basic Projects
USGrants.org Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for USDA NRCS GA 08 03
[Watch] how do funding administrators access proposals?
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (USDA NRCS GA 08 03) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| CESU Quantify Thickness of Harding Icefield Apply for J9845100013 Funding Number: J9845100013 Agency: National Park Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Farm Bill Assistance in Trinity County, CA Apply for USDA NRCS CA 10 0004 Funding Number: USDA NRCS CA 10 0004 Agency: California State Office Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $25,000 |
| Farm Bill Assistance in Kern County, CA Apply for USDA NRCS CA 10 0005 Funding Number: USDA NRCS CA 10 0005 Agency: California State Office Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| Herbarium Study of Plant Samples from the Arctic Network of Alaskas National Parks Apply for J9840100052 Funding Number: J9840100052 Agency: National Park Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| Hemlock Woolly Adelgid Systemic Treatment Research Study Letters of Interest Apply for NPS LIGRSM100104 Funding Number: NPS LIGRSM100104 Agency: National Park Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $80,000 |
| Vascular and non vascular plant specimen identification, curation, and technical support for vegetation monitoring in the Southwest Alaska Network Apply for J2101100015 Funding Number: J2101100015 Agency: National Park Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| A Technical Plan to Conduct a Landcover (Vegetation) Inventory for Alagnak Wild River Apply for J2141L0003 Funding Number: J2141L0003 Agency: National Park Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $103,968 |
| WETLAND RESTORATION ASSISTANCE Apply for USDA NRCS IA 10 02 Funding Number: USDA NRCS IA 10 02 Agency: USDA NRCS Iowa State Office Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Landbird Monitoring 2010 Option Apply for NPS NOINOCAJ9471101071 Funding Number: NPS NOINOCAJ9471101071 Agency: National Park Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $47,283 |
| Farm Bill Assistance in San Joaquin County, CA Apply for USDA NRCS CA 10 0006 Funding Number: USDA NRCS CA 10 0006 Agency: California State Office Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Halibut Research Publication Apply for J9815100510 Funding Number: J9815100510 Agency: National Park Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $15,000 |
| A Technical Plan to Conduct Landcover (Vegetation) Inventories for Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park and Sitka National Historical Park Apply for J2141100002 Funding Number: J2141100002 Agency: National Park Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $105,000 |
| Butterfly Monitoring North Cascades NP Apply for NPS NOINOCAJ9471101283 Funding Number: NPS NOINOCAJ9471101283 Agency: National Park Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $12,000 |
| Invasive Plant Control by SAGA Crews in Alaskas National Parks Apply for J9923110001 Funding Number: J9923110001 Agency: National Park Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Joint Venture Habitat Restoration and Protection Apply for FWS JVGLRI 2011 Funding Number: FWS JVGLRI 2011 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Diagnostic, field, and training assistance for avian health and disease monitoring Apply for FWS DMBM AHDP 2011 0001 Funding Number: FWS DMBM AHDP 2011 0001 Agency: Migratory Birds Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| White nose Syndrome Grants to States Apply for WNS 2011 R5 Funding Number: WNS 2011 R5 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| SAGA Glacier Bay Headquarters Trail Work Apply for P11AC90259 Funding Number: P11AC90259 Agency: National Park Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $25,000 |
| Wetland Design Assistance Apply for USDA NRCS OK 11 001 Funding Number: USDA NRCS OK 11 001 Agency: USDA NRCS Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $2,000,000 |
| Notice of Intent - Delaware Geological Survey Participation as Data Provider in NGWMN Apply for USGS 16 FA 0023 Funding Number: USGS 16 FA 0023 Agency: DOI-USGS1 Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $27,101 |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Subscribe to Leads
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "USDA NRCS GA 08 03", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.