USDA-NRCS-IN-WLEB-18-01 | USDA NRCS 10902 52KYXXXX 18 0001

Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NRCS 10902 52KYXXXX 18 0001

USDA-NRCS-IN-WLEB-18-01 is a competitive USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Indiana funding opportunity focused on reducing nutrient runoff from agricultural lands in the Western Lake Erie Basin (WLEB) to improve local and downstream water quality. The grant is framed around two closely linked resource concerns in the basin: nutrient management challenges and harmful algal blooms, which are also treated as an international priority under the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, Annex 4. In practical terms, NRCS is looking to team up with conservation-minded partners to speed up the adoption of conservation practices and approaches that measurably reduce nutrient losses that contribute to impaired water quality and algal bloom risk in Lake Erie.

The funding mechanism is a cooperative agreement, which typically signals a more hands-on relationship between the federal agency and the award recipient than a standard grant, often involving coordination, technical collaboration, or shared implementation roles. The opportunity falls under the Agriculture, Environment, and Natural Resources activity category and is tied to CFDA 10.902. Indiana NRCS indicated that roughly $100,000 would be available for fiscal year 2018 under this notice, with an award ceiling of $100,000 and an expectation of one award. Proposed projects were expected to run between one and three years, allowing for either short, targeted efforts or multi-year work that can demonstrate sustained adoption and outcomes.

Eligibility was broad, aiming to attract a wide range of organizations that can influence or support conservation uptake in an agricultural watershed. Eligible applicants included county and municipal governments, special district governments, public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, federally recognized tribal governments, nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status, for-profit organizations (other than small businesses), and small businesses. This wide eligibility list suggests NRCS wanted proposals not only from traditional conservation nonprofits and universities, but also from local governments, watershed groups, and private-sector entities that can deliver outreach, technical assistance, implementation support, monitoring, or other services that help producers adopt nutrient-reducing practices.

The application window opened with the opportunity’s creation date of May 8, 2018, and closed on June 15, 2018. NRCS emphasized that submissions would be screened for completeness and compliance with the notice requirements before being considered competitively. Applications that were incomplete or failed to meet the stated requirements would be removed from consideration, and applicants would be notified of their elimination. The notice also made clear that the Indiana State Conservationist retained the authority to reject any or all applications, which is a standard safeguard that preserves agency discretion if proposals do not meet program needs, funding priorities, or administrative requirements.

Overall, this opportunity was designed to catalyze partnerships in the Indiana portion of the Western Lake Erie Basin that can drive faster and broader conservation adoption on agricultural lands, ultimately targeting nutrient loss reductions and improved water quality outcomes that align with regional Great Lakes priorities.

• The Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service in the agriculture, environment, natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "USDA-NRCS-IN-WLEB-18-01" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.902.
• This funding opportunity was created on May 08, 2018.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 15, 2018. (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 $100,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), 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, For profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses.

Apply for USDA NRCS 10902 52KYXXXX 18 0001

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