The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), an agency under the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), is announcing the potential availability of funding for agreements for the purpose of leveraging NRCS resources, addressing local natural resource issues, encouraging collaboration and

credit:

developing state-and-community-level conservation leadership.

Proposals must be for projects based in Indiana and focus on conservation issues as noted in Section A (2) of this notice.

Collaborative projects that provide on-the-ground support for Indiana NRCS Field Offices are highly encouraged.

Reaching underserved and minority landowners and farmers is also highly encouraged.

Research proposals will not be accepted, nor considered.

NRCS anticipates that the amount available for support of this program in FY 2021 will be up to $1,000,00 0. 0 0.

Proposals are requested from City or township governments, county governments, Federally recognized Native American tribal governments, state governments, nonprofits having a 501 (c)(3) status with the IRS (other than institutions of higher education), or institutions of higher education for competitive consideration of awards for projects between two and five years in duration.

Organizations may use this opportunity to request additional funding for existing Indiana partnership agreements.

Awarded organizations may be required to attend administrative training and will be required to present project updates.This notice identifies the objectives, eligibility criteria, and application instructions for projects.

Proposals will be screened for completeness and compliance with the provisions of this notice.

Incomplete and/or noncompliant proposals will be eliminated from competition, and notification of elimination will be sent to the applicant.Applications must be submitted by 11:59 p.m.

Eastern Time on January 25, 202 1.