Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NRCS NHQ SOIL 20 NOFO0001003
The 2020 Soil Science Collaborative Research Proposals opportunity is a competitive federal funding announcement from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), specifically tied to the NRCS Soil and Plant Science Division (SPSD). The program is designed to strengthen applied soil science research partnerships between NRCS and universities, with an emphasis on work that addresses significant national soil-related issues while also improving the flow of practical knowledge back into the agency. In addition to supporting research itself, the announcement highlights two workforce and capacity-building goals: technology transfer and training for NRCS staff, and hands-on training opportunities for students preparing for careers in soil science and closely related disciplines.
Funding is offered through cooperative agreements, which typically means NRCS expects to stay engaged during the project period rather than simply issuing a hands-off grant. For FY 2020, NRCS anticipated up to $1.7 million total for the program. Individual awards could be as large as $500,000, and the agency expected to make about four awards. Projects were intended to be relatively short and outcome-focused, with proposed periods of performance of one to two years. All projects had to be based in the United States or its territories and possessions, and they needed to align with the priority topics described in Section A of the notice.
Eligibility is restricted: only institutions of higher education that are part of the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) Network are allowed to apply. Applicants therefore needed to confirm CESU membership status through the network information provided (http://www.cesu.psu.edu/). The notice makes clear that applications would be reviewed first for basic completeness and compliance with the stated requirements; proposals that were missing required elements or did not follow instructions could be removed from consideration without further review, with applicants notified of the elimination.
The timeline for the competition was structured around a short question-and-application window followed by a summer selection decision and a fall start date. Questions were due May 19, 2020, with answers posted May 25, 2020. Complete applications were due June 11, 2020, and NRCS planned to notify selected applicants by June 30, 2020. The planned project start date was September 15, 2020. Submissions had to be made through Grants.gov by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on the closing date. The announcement also notes an important practical limitation: NRCS staff would not help troubleshoot Grants.gov account or submission problems, and applicants were directed instead to Grants.gov Applicant Support (1-800-518-4726 or support@grants.gov) for technical assistance.
Key identifiers for the opportunity include the title "2020 Soil Science Collaborative Research Proposals" and the funding opportunity number USDA NRCS NHQ SOIL 20 NOFO0001003. It is categorized as a discretionary opportunity, with activity areas spanning agriculture, environment, natural resources, and science and technology research and development. The CFDA listing associated with the program is 10.903.Apply for USDA NRCS NHQ SOIL 20 NOFO0001003
- The Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service in the agriculture, environment, natural resources, science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "2020 Soil Science Collaborative Research Proposals" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.903.
- This funding opportunity was created on Apr 27, 2020.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 11, 2020 Applications must be received by 1159 pm Eastern Time.. (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 $500,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 4 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): 2020 Soil Science Collaborative Research Proposals (USDA NRCS)
1) What is the 2020 Soil Science Collaborative Research Proposals opportunity?
It is a competitive federal funding opportunity from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), tied to the NRCS Soil and Plant Science Division (SPSD). It supports applied soil science research partnerships between NRCS and universities, with an emphasis on addressing significant national soil-related issues and improving how practical knowledge flows back into NRCS.
2) Which USDA office is sponsoring this funding announcement?
The opportunity is offered by USDA NRCS and is specifically associated with the NRCS Soil and Plant Science Division (SPSD).
3) What type of funding instrument is used?
Funding is provided through cooperative agreements, meaning NRCS typically expects to remain engaged during the project period rather than issuing a hands-off grant.
4) What is the overall purpose of the program?
The program is designed to strengthen applied soil science research partnerships between NRCS and universities, focused on priority soil-related issues of national importance and on getting usable results back into NRCS operations and decision-making.
5) Are there workforce or training goals in addition to research?
Yes. The announcement highlights two capacity-building goals: (1) technology transfer and training for NRCS staff, and (2) hands-on training opportunities for students preparing for careers in soil science and closely related disciplines.
6) How much funding was NRCS anticipating for FY 2020?
NRCS anticipated up to $1.7 million in total program funding for FY 2020.
7) What is the maximum expected award size?
Individual awards could be as large as $500,000.
8) How many awards was NRCS expecting to make?
NRCS expected to make about four awards.
9) What is the expected project period of performance?
Proposed periods of performance were intended to be one to two years, with projects described as relatively short and outcome-focused.
10) Where must funded projects be based?
All projects had to be based in the United States or its territories and possessions.
11) Do projects need to match specific priority topics?
Yes. Projects needed to align with the priority topics described in Section A of the notice.
12) Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is restricted to institutions of higher education that are part of the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) Network.
13) How can an applicant confirm CESU Network membership?
Applicants were directed to confirm CESU membership status using the CESU Network information provided at http://www.cesu.psu.edu/.
14) What happens if an application is incomplete or does not follow instructions?
Applications were to be reviewed first for basic completeness and compliance. Proposals missing required elements or not following instructions could be removed from consideration without further review, and applicants would be notified of the elimination.
15) What are the key dates for questions and answers?
Questions were due May 19, 2020, and answers were posted May 25, 2020.
16) When were applications due?
Complete applications were due June 11, 2020.
17) What time were applications due on the closing date?
Submissions had to be made through Grants.gov by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on the closing date.
18) When did NRCS plan to notify selected applicants?
NRCS planned to notify selected applicants by June 30, 2020.
19) What was the planned project start date?
The planned project start date was September 15, 2020.
20) How were applications required to be submitted?
Applications had to be submitted through Grants.gov.
21) Will NRCS help with Grants.gov account or submission issues?
No. The announcement notes that NRCS staff would not help troubleshoot Grants.gov account or submission problems. Applicants were directed to contact Grants.gov Applicant Support for technical assistance.
22) What is the Grants.gov Applicant Support contact information provided?
Applicants were directed to Grants.gov Applicant Support at 1-800-518-4726 or support@grants.gov.
23) What is the official title of this opportunity?
The title is "2020 Soil Science Collaborative Research Proposals."
24) What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number is USDA NRCS NHQ SOIL 20 NOFO0001003.
25) How is this opportunity categorized?
It is categorized as a discretionary opportunity.
26) What activity areas does this opportunity cover?
The activity areas span agriculture, environment, natural resources, and science and technology research and development.
27) What CFDA listing is associated with this program?
The associated CFDA listing is 10.903.
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