Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NRCS NHQ VPA HIP 15 01
Apply for USDA NRCS NHQ VPA HIP 15 01
- The Natural Resources Conservation Service in the agriculture environment natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.093 Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program.
- This funding opportunity was created on Feb 23, 2015 and posted on Feb 23, 2015.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Apr 24, 2015. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $40,000,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $1,000,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: State governments Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized).
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Opportunity Summary:
The Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program (VPA-HIP) is a USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) competitive grant program created under Section 1240R of the Food Security Act of 1985 (as amended). It is designed specifically for State governments and federally recognized Tribal governments, and it funds programs that persuade private landowners and land operators to voluntarily open privately held farm, ranch, and forest lands to the public for wildlife-dependent recreation. The core idea is to expand public opportunities for activities like hunting, fishing, and related outdoor recreation while supporting access agreements that can also encourage better habitat outcomes on working lands.
Funding for VPA-HIP is mandatory funding authorized across fiscal years 2014 through 2018, with up to $40,000,000 available over that broader window. For FY 2014, $20,000,000 was made available and awarded, and NRCS anticipated up to $20,000,000 available again in FY 2015 under this announcement. Individual awards under this opportunity range from a minimum (award floor) of $75,000 to a maximum (award ceiling) of $1,000,000. The opportunity is listed as a discretionary grant competition under CFDA 10.093, categorized under agriculture, environment, and natural resources, and it does not require cost sharing or matching funds.
Projects funded through VPA-HIP are intended to support state or tribal programs that build voluntary public access agreements with private landholders. A notable detail is that participation is not limited strictly to landowners; it can include individuals who have control of the land for the full agreement period, even if they do not own the property. The program also includes a policy lever tied to migratory bird hunting access rules: if a state sets migratory bird hunting opening dates that are not consistent for residents and nonresidents, the grant amount is reduced by 25 percent. That penalty does not apply to Tribal government grantees.
Administration of the program is governed by the regulations at 7 CFR part 1455, with oversight under NRCS leadership operating through the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) supervision structure described in the notice. The announcement provides the program objectives, eligibility rules for applicants and projects, and the required application forms and instructions needed to apply.
For this specific funding notice (USDA NRCS NHQ VPA HIP 15 01), the posting date was February 23, 2015, and the application deadline (closing date) was April 24, 2015, with an archive date of May 24, 2015. Eligible applicants are limited to state governments and federally recognized Tribal governments. The contact listed for access issues with the full announcement is Stewart Smith, Grants Specialist, at 202-720-2929.
Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program (VPA-HIP) FAQs
1) What is the Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program (VPA-HIP)?
VPA-HIP is a USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) competitive grant program created under Section 1240R of the Food Security Act of 1985 (as amended). It provides funding for programs that encourage private landowners and land operators to voluntarily open privately held farm, ranch, and forest lands to the public for wildlife-dependent recreation.
2) What is the main purpose of VPA-HIP funding?
The purpose is to expand public opportunities for wildlife-dependent recreation such as hunting, fishing, and related outdoor activities by supporting voluntary public access agreements with private landholders. The program is also intended to support access agreements that can encourage better habitat outcomes on working lands.
3) Who is eligible to apply for this grant?
Eligible applicants are limited to State governments and federally recognized Tribal governments.
4) Are local governments, nonprofits, universities, or individuals eligible applicants?
Not under the information provided. The notice states eligibility is limited to State governments and federally recognized Tribal governments.
5) What types of lands are intended to be included in VPA-HIP access agreements?
The program focuses on privately held farm, ranch, and forest lands that are voluntarily opened to the public for wildlife-dependent recreation.
6) What kinds of recreation does VPA-HIP support?
VPA-HIP is aimed at wildlife-dependent recreation, including hunting, fishing, and related outdoor recreation activities.
7) Does participation require the land to be owned by the participant?
No. Participation is not limited strictly to landowners. It can include individuals who have control of the land for the full agreement period, even if they do not own the property.
8) What is the minimum and maximum award amount under this opportunity?
Individual awards range from an award floor of $75,000 to an award ceiling of $1,000,000.
9) How much funding was expected to be available for FY 2015 under this announcement?
NRCS anticipated up to $20,000,000 would be available in FY 2015 under this announcement.
10) How much funding was available and awarded for FY 2014?
For FY 2014, $20,000,000 was made available and awarded.
11) Is VPA-HIP funded by mandatory or discretionary funding?
The notice describes VPA-HIP as having mandatory funding authorized across fiscal years 2014 through 2018, while also listing the opportunity as a discretionary grant competition under CFDA 10.093.
12) Is cost sharing or match required?
No. The opportunity does not require cost sharing or matching funds.
13) What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is listed under CFDA 10.093.
14) What general categories does this grant fall under?
The opportunity is categorized under agriculture, environment, and natural resources.
15) What is the policy related to migratory bird hunting dates, and how can it affect funding?
If a State sets migratory bird hunting opening dates that are not consistent for residents and nonresidents, the grant amount is reduced by 25 percent.
16) Does the 25 percent migratory bird hunting penalty apply to Tribal government grantees?
No. The notice states that this penalty does not apply to Tribal government grantees.
17) What regulations govern the administration of VPA-HIP?
Administration of the program is governed by regulations at 7 CFR part 1455.
18) Which USDA agency oversees this program?
The program is a USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) competitive grant program. Oversight is described as operating through an NRCS leadership structure under Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) supervision as referenced in the notice.
19) What is the specific funding notice number for the opportunity described here?
The specific funding notice is identified as USDA NRCS NHQ VPA HIP 15 01.
20) When was this funding notice posted?
The posting date was February 23, 2015.
21) What was the application deadline (closing date)?
The application deadline (closing date) was April 24, 2015.
22) When was the notice archived?
The archive date was May 24, 2015.
23) What is the overall funding authorization window referenced for VPA-HIP?
Funding is described as mandatory funding authorized across fiscal years 2014 through 2018, with up to $40,000,000 available over that broader window.
24) What does the grant fund, in practical terms, based on the notice description?
Projects are intended to support State or Tribal programs that build voluntary public access agreements with private landholders to open working lands (farms, ranches, forests) for public wildlife-dependent recreation.
25) Where can applicants find application forms and instructions?
The announcement provides the program objectives, eligibility rules for applicants and projects, and the required application forms and instructions needed to apply.
26) Who should be contacted for access issues related to the full announcement?
The contact listed for access issues with the full announcement is Stewart Smith, Grants Specialist, at 202-720-2929.
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