Notice of Funding Opportunity SummaryThis Notice of Funding Opportunity (NFO) is being released prior to appropriation and/or apportionment of funds for fiscal year 202 3. Enactment of additional continuing resolutions or an appropriations act may affect the availability or level of funding for this

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program.The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), an agency under the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), is seeking support from natural resource conservation partners to work together to help enhance conservation delivery in the State of Mississippi.

The overall intent of this announcement is to solicit partnerships to help enhance the implementation of key conservation objectives and priorities outlined further in this document.

Proposals will be accepted from eligible entities delivering conservation programs and services in Mississippi for competitive consideration of awards for projects between one (1) and five (5) years in duration.

NRCS anticipates the amount of funding available for this announcement will be approximately $5,000,000 annually which will be awarded to multiple recipients.

All applicants must be capable of providing support throughout the State of Mississippi.

Proposals are requested from city or township governments, county governments, federally recognized Native American tribal governments, 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, public and State‐controlled institutions of higher education, special district governments, or State governments.

Entities may use this opportunity to request additional funding for existing Mississippi partnership agreements.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 applications may be eliminated from competition and notification of elimination will be sent to the applicant.

The Mississippi State Conservationist reserves the right not to fund any or all applications.

NRCS will accept applications under this notice for single or multiyear applications submitted by eligible entities.For new users of Grants.gov, see Section D.

for information about steps required before submitting an application via Grants.gov.Key DatesApplicants must submit their applications via Grants.gov by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on January 21, 202 3. 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 NFO requirements, contact the federal awarding agency contact (section G of this NFO).

Please limit questions to those regarding specific information contained in this NFO (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 January 25, 2023 and expects to execute awards by February 15, 202 3. These dates are estimates and are subject to change.