Funding Opportunities

Summary
FSA is announcing the availability of cooperative agreement funding for up to $10 million to monitor, assess, and evaluate conservation approaches and technologies in conjunction with the Conservation Reserve Program. Projects are expected to inform policy and/or improve delivery of the Conservation Reserve Program. For 2024, applications will be accepted from eligible entities for projects addressing at least one of the following priorities:

Ecosystem Benefits
Assess CRP’s impact on natural resources such as climate mitigation/adaptation, wildlife habitat, water quality/quantity, and soil health.

Bottom Up, Middle Out
Evaluate CRP’s role in strengthening farm operations’ viability and resilience. Develop program delivery strategies that improve the CRPs function to support economic growth and stability within rural communities.

Citizen Science
Identify ways for agricultural producers to monitor conditions on and share lessons learned from enrolled CRP acres.

Evaluating CRP in the Big Picture
Evaluating and developing strategies of how CRP fits into a larger framework of natural resources management and conservation.

Applications will be accepted from all non-Foreign, non-Federal entities (see Section C-Eligible Applicants). Projects may be between 1 and 5 years in duration. The minimum amount for an award is $500,000, while the maximum amount for an award is $5 million.

Applicants are encouraged to visit the MAE website (https://www.fsa.usda.gov/programs-and-services/economic-and-policy-anal…) to learn more about the MAE program and past projects.

For new users of Grants.gov, see Section D. of the full Notice of Funding Opportunity for information about steps required before submitting an application via Grants.gov.

Key Dates
Applicants must submit their applications via Grants.gov by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on May 31, 2024. For technical issues with Grants.gov, contact Grants.gov Applicant Support at 1-800-518-4726 or support@grants.gov. Awarding agency staff cannot support applicants regarding Grants.gov accounts.

For inquiries specific to the content of the NOFO requirements, contact the federal awarding agency contact (section G of this NOFO). Please limit questions to those regarding specific information contained in this NOFO (such as dates, page numbers, clarification of discrepancies, etc.). Questions related to eligibility or the merits of a specific proposal will not be addressed.

The agency anticipates making selections by July 12, 2024, and expects to execute awards by September 30, 2024. These dates are estimates and are subject to change.

The purpose of the NOFO is to establish and maintain a network of Regional Centers for Public Health Preparedness and Response to increase implementation of evidence-based strategies and interventions (EBSIs) and to improve public health preparedness and response, as informed by the needs of the communities involved. Support will be provided for up to ten centers to determine and support implementation of activities needed to increase use of EBSIs that will improve public health preparedness and response, as informed by the needs of the communities as described in regional workplans. The goal is to fund one center in each of the 10 HHS Regions. Each center will1) Coordinate relevant activities with applicable State, local, and Tribal health departments and officials, health care facilities, and health care coalitions to improve public health preparedness and response, as informed by the needs of the community, or communities involved.2) Develop and implement activities to support focus areas and objectives created by a regional coordinating body in 2023-24.3) As determined necessary by the CDC, and based on the availability of funding, support further implementation of evidence-based practices, or conduct research, evaluation, translation or dissemination necessary to address active or anticipated public health emergencies.4) One center will be awarded additional funds to support coordination and convening of centers and provide technical assistance and training as needed. For the NOFO and application information Zoom webinar, scheduled on Monday, April 1, 2024, 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. ET., please register at https://cdc.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/vJItc-uorjIpE_T4tMi0-EeW8IrJKP….

Building a clean and equitable energy economy and addressing the climate crisis is a top priority of the Biden Administration. This FOA will advance the Biden Administration’s goals to deliver an equitable, clean energy future, and put the United States on a path to achieve net-zero emissions, economy-wide, by no later than 2050 to the benefit of all Americans. This FOA is funded by two Department of Energy (DOE) offices: the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy’s (EERE) Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) and the Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management’s (FECM) Carbon Conversion Program. BETO’s primary focus is on developing technologies that convert domestic biomass and/or waste resources to affordable biofuels and bioproducts that significantly reduce carbon emissions on a life-cycle basis as compared to equivalent petroleum-based products. These bioenergy technologies can enable a transition to a clean energy economy, create high-quality jobs, support rural economies, and spur innovation in renewable energy and chemicals production. The activities funded by BETO through this funding opportunity will mobilize public clean energy investment by addressing research and development (R&D) challenges in the conversion of various seaweeds and blends of seaweeds (with wet waste feedstocks such as waste microalgae) to low-carbon fuels and chemicals. These activities can also help develop solutions for communities that are affected by harmful algal blooms to reduce the costs associated with managing these wastes. The priority of FECM’s Carbon Conversion Program is to develop multiple pathways by which captured and concentrated carbon dioxide (CO2) is converted into economically viable and environmentally sustainable products. The near-term objective of this program’s R&D is to accelerate deployment of carbon management technologies through the conversion of CO2 into value-added products. Under this FOA, applications are sought that use anthropogenic carbon dioxide emissions in the cultivation process and then convert macro and/or micro algae into low carbon products. Conversion for agricultural products such as animal feed are of particular interest. Algae is a promising type of renewable biomass-based feedstock with the potential to contribute to BETO’s and FECM’s missions and help meet the aggressive clean energy goals being pursued by DOE. For purposes of this FOA, “algae” includes microalgae, cyanobacteria, and macroalgae (also referred to as seaweed). All types of algae may be of interest to this FOA, subject to the topic-specific requirements described in each Topic Area. • Topic Area 1: Conversion of Seaweeds to Low-Carbon Fuels and Bioproducts • Topic Area 2: Conversion of Algal Biomass for Low-Carbon Agricultural Bioproducts Questions regarding the FOA must be submitted to MacroFOA@ee.doe.gov. The eXCHANGE system is currently designed to enforce hard deadlines for Concept Paper and Full Application submissions. The APPLY and SUBMIT buttons automatically disable at the defined submission deadlines. The intention of this design is to consistently enforce a standard deadline for all applicants. Applicants that experience issues with submissions PRIOR to the FOA Deadline: In the event that an Applicant experiences technical difficulties with a submission, the Applicant should contact the eXCHANGE helpdesk for assistance (exchangehelp@hq.doe.gov). The eXCHANGE helpdesk and/or the EERE eXCHANGE System Administrators (eXCHANGE@ee.doe.gov) will assist the Applicant in resolving all issues. Applicants that experience issues with submissions that result in a late submission: In the event that an Applicant experiences technical difficulties with a submission that results in a late submission, the Applicant should contact the eXCHANGE helpdesk for assistance (exchangehelp@hq.doe.gov). The eXCHANGE helpdesk and/or the EERE eXCHANGE System Administrators (eXCHANGE@ee.doe.gov) will assist the Applicant in resolving all issues (including finalizing the submission on behalf of, and with the Applicant's concurrence). DOE will only accept late applications when the Applicant has a) encountered technical difficulties beyond their control; b) has contacted the eXCHANGE helpdesk for assistance; and c) has submitted the application through eXCHANGE within 24 hours of the FOA's posted deadline. Please view the full FOA by visiting EERE-Exchange.energy.gov. The required Concept Paper due date for this FOA is 05/10/2024 at 5PM ET. The Full Application due date for this FOA is 6/27/2024 at 5PM ET.

Multistate Conservation Grants are authorized under 16 U.S.C. 669h-2 and 16 U.S.C. 777m, providing funding for wildlife restoration and sport fish restoration projects and recruitment, retention and reactivation (R3) projects that address regional or national priority needs of State fish and wildlife agencies and their partners that are beyond the scale, scope, and capabilities of a single State. The priority needs, also known as Strategic Priorities, are identified annually by the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (AFWA) with input from State fish and wildlife agencies and their partners. Recipients awarded Traditional Multistate Conservation Grants (T-MSCG) may use the funds for wildlife or sport fish projects involving research, restoration, conservation and management of wild birds, wild mammals, sport fish, and their habitats. These funds may also be used for projects providing for public use and benefit from these resources, including hunter safety and education, aquatic education, angler R3 projects and other purposes consistent with the enabling legislation. Recipients awarded under R3 Multistate Conservation Grants (R3-MSCG) can only use the funds for hunter recruitment and recreational shooter recruitment projects that promote a national hunting and shooting sport recruitment program, including related communication and outreach activities.

Purpose:
The CalMoneySmart program aims to enhance financial empowerment among unbanked and underbanked Californians by funding nonprofit organizations. Through financial education and empowerment services, it seeks to reduce disparities, improve financial literacy, and foster wealth-building opportunities. The program awards grantees up to $200K per year for two consecutive fiscal years to promote financial stability and security statewide.

Description:
Grant funds may only be used for the following financial education and empowerment services for the targeted at-risk unbanked and underbanked populations:

1) Designing, developing, or offering, free of charge to consumers, classroom or web-based financial education and empowerment content intended to help unbanked and underbanked consumers achieve, identify, and access lower cost financial products and services, establish or improve their credit, increase their savings, or lower their debt.
2) Providing individualized, free financial coaching to unbanked and underbanked consumers.
3) Designing, developing, or offering, free of charge to consumers, a financial product or service intended to help unbanked and underbanked consumers identify and access responsible financial products and financial services, establish or improve their credit, increase their savings, or lower their debt.

Every project funded with a grant from the Financial Empowerment Fund shall meet the following criteria:
1) Promote and enhance the economic security of consumers.
2) Adhere to the five principles of effective financial education described in the June 2017 report issued by the federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau titled “Effective financial education: Five principles and how to use them.”

Grant awards will be announced for a two-year period covering two consecutive fiscal years. Funds for each fiscal year are disbursed separately and any unexpended funds must be returned to the DFPI. Disbursement of funding for the second fiscal year is contingent on submission of a satisfactory annual report.

A mandatory in-person training for grantees will be held during the grant cycle. Final details will be included in the grant agreement.

Grantees may use no more than 15 percent of the grant to cover administrative (indirect) costs. Failure to comply shall render the Applicant ineligible for a grant during the subsequent fiscal year and until the noncompliance is corrected.

A grantee may subcontract services that it has agreed to provide under the grant agreement, so long as those services are conducted on behalf of the grantee. Subcontract arrangements must be clearly described in the scope of work and budget.

Accepting grant funds with the intent of distributing those funds to other nonprofit organizations (for example, sub-grants or fiscal sponsorship) is not allowed.

Grant funding may not be used for financial incentives for individuals. Prohibited incentives include, but are not limited to, match funding for savings accounts, participant stipends, or gift cards with a cash value.

Grantees are required to submit preliminary and final annual reports, in a form and by a date specified by the Commissioner of Financial Protection and Innovation, documenting:
1) The specific uses to which grant funds were allocated,
2) The number of individuals aided through use of the funds,
3) Quantitative results regarding the impact of grant funding, and
4) Any other information requested by the Commissioner.

Failure to submit satisfactory reports shall render the Applicant ineligible for any DFPI grant during the subsequent fiscal year and until the required report is submitted. 

Purpose:
The California Energy Commission’s Siting, Transmission, and Environmental Protection Division announces California Clean Energy Planning Program (CCEPP) and the availability of up to $1,550,000 in grant funds for this first-come, first-served grant solicitation.

Description:
This solicitation has two purposes: 1) make $1,050,000 available to California Native American tribes for clean energy future planning as well as to better enable their participation in statewide clean energy and energy infrastructure planning activities and 2) make $500,000 available to local government entities to develop new or updated land use planning documents that support and advance the development of clean energy in their jurisdiction.

Purpose:
To help create sustainable urban forests across the state, $30.8 million in funding will be available to support urban and community forestry projects in historically disinvested urban communities throughout California.

Description:
The Inflation Reduction Act supports urban and community forestry investments that foster:

1) Increased and equitable access to urban tree canopy and associated human health, environmental, and economic benefits in disadvantaged communities.

2) Broadened community engagement in local urban forest planning, tree planting, and management activities.

3) Improved community and urban forest resilience to climate change, extreme heat, forest pests and diseases, and storm events through best management and maintenance practices.

There are six grant options available: Urban Forest Expansion and Improvement, Urban Forest Management Activities, Urban Forestry Education and Workforce Development, Urban Forestry Regional or Statewide Impact, Urban Forest Equity Capacity Building, and Green Schoolyards.

Projects must directly serve priority populations within one or more defined disadvantaged and/or low-income community in an urban area. In California, CAL FIRE’s Urban and Community Forestry Program is administering this federal grant funding.

Program Background, Objective, and Goals:
The Wildlife Program fulfills the Department of the Interior visions of improving the management of wildlife and their habitats, and upholding trust and related responsibilities. The Wildlife Program is responsible for administering program activities that support maintaining functioning wildlife habitats, developing, and implementing restoration projects, and the inventory and monitoring of priority habitats and species to track trends and use on public lands. BLM-managed lands are vital to thousands of species of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates. To provide for the long-term conservation of wildlife and biodiversity on public lands, the Wildlife Program uses a science-based approach to manage public lands to identify projects that support meeting land health standards and desired resource objectives for priority species and habitats, as outlined in land use plans. The program is focused on addressing habitat connectivity issues and implementing projects that consider climate change impacts to short- and long term objectives.

The Wildlife Program uses a multi-scale approach that involves coordination with BLM offices and other programs; Federal, state, and tribal governments; and non-governmental partners to accomplish projects and coordinated management at appropriate scales. The BLM's primary partners in wildlife habitat conservation include the respective state fish and wildlife agencies, tribal governments, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The Wildlife Program also collaborates with other agencies and numerous conservation partners to leverage resources and maximize the benefits for wildlife habitat. The BLM uses the latest geospatial data technologies to share wildlife and wildlife data within BLM and with partners to work more efficiently. This program will fund projects under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act PL 117-58, Section 40804(b) Ecosystem Restoration.

Program Background, Objective, and Goals:
One of the BLM's highest priorities is to promote ecosystem health and one of the greatest obstacles to achieving this goal is the rapid expansion of weeds across public lands. These invasive plants can dominate and often cause permanent damage to natural plant communities. If not eradicated or controlled, noxious weeds will continue to jeopardize the health of public lands and to constrain the myriad activities that occur on them. This program supports projects funded through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Section 40804 (b) Ecosystem Restoration. This program supports projects funded through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), Sections 50221 Resilience, 50222 Ecosystems Restoration and 50303 DOI. BLM Arizona State Office (AZ) Invasive and Noxious Plant Management Programs work to prevent, detect, inventory, control, and monitor weed populations on public lands.

Program Background, Objective, and Goals:
Since the Plant Conservation and Restoration Management Program (PCRP) was established in 2001, the Program has dramatically improved the availability and use of locally adapted, genetically appropriate native seed for restoration. The PCRP-led Seeds of Success project has made more than 27,000 native seed collections across 44 states and 93 ecoregions. Under PCRP leadership, the Plant Conservation Alliance developed and released the National Seed Strategy for Rehabilitation and Restoration—the first of its kind in the world. Since PCRP created the Native Forb and Grass Seed Production IDIQ Contract in 2018, BLM staff have ordered more than 100,000 pounds of seed from 55 native species across 62 seed transfer zones. The proportion of native seed purchased through the BLM National Seed Warehouse System increased from roughly 50% native seed in 2001 (the year PCRP was established) to 80% native seed in 2019. PCRP partnerships with federal agencies and non-federal organizations have grown millions of seedlings for restoration on BLM lands, provided education and job opportunities for disadvantaged communities, and developed much of the science that land managers use to inform restoration seeding decisions. Finally, PCRP sponsored the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine’s Assessment of Seed Needs and Capacities and the Open Access publication of the first international principles and standards for using native seeds in ecological restoration. Through these myriad accomplishments, PCRP has consistently proven to be a global leader in the development of locally adapted native plant materials and their use in restoring adaptive and resilient ecosystems. This program also supports projects funded through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act P.L. 117-58, Section 40704(b) Ecosystem Restoration. This program supports projects funded through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), Sections 50221 Resilience, 50222 Ecosystems Restoration and 50303 DOI. Public lands contain a diversity of native plant communities that make up over 50 ecoregions across BLM administered lands. Each ecoregion contains native plants that have adapted to those environments. The program will continue to work with partners to increase the quantity, diversity, and effectiveness of native forbs and grasses for restoration of wildlife habitats and rehabilitation after wildfires.