# Agriculture Conservation Experienced Services (ACES) Program

Source: https://welltoldgrants.com/grants/usda-nrcs-nhq-aces-24-nofo0001365-agriculture-conservation-experienced-services-aces-program/  
Official notice: https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/356599

> Natural Resources Conservation Service offered grants to nonprofits. It expected to make about 5 awards worth $20.0 million in total. Applications closed on February 13, 2025.

| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Opportunity number | USDA-NRCS-NHQ-ACES-24-NOFO0001365 |
| Agency | Natural Resources Conservation Service |
| Status | Forecast |
| Deadline | February 13, 2025 |
| Award ceiling | not stated |
| Award floor | not stated |
| Expected awards | 5 |
| Total funding | $20.0 million |
| Cost sharing | not required |
| Assistance Listings | 10.904, 10.912, 10.916, 10.921, 10.923, 10.924, 10.931, 10.932 |

## Who can apply

- Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education

Section 1252, Subtitle F of Title XII of the Food Security Act of 1985, as amended by Title II of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008, Subtitle H, Section 2710, and revised by Title II of the Agricultural Act of 2014, Subtitle F, Section 2504, carried out in accordance with the Community Service Senior Opportunities Act (42 U.S.C. 3056 et seq.)

## What the grant funds

This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NFO) is being released prior to appropriation and/or apportionment of funds for fiscal year 2025. Enactment of additional continuing resolutions or an appropriations act may affect the availability or level of funding for this program. Resulting awards will be governed by revisions to Title 2 of the CFR (2024 Revisions), including 2 CFR part 200, published on April 22, 2024, which become effective October 01, 2024. Link for more information: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2023/10/05/2023-21078/guidance-for-grants-and-agreements The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is directing resources towards the delivery of providing technical services in support of the conservation-related programs and authorities carried out by the Secretary. Such technical services may include conservation planning assistance, technical consultation, and assistance with design and implementation of conservation practices. These technical services are provided through the Agriculture Conservation Experienced Services (ACES) Program, established for the purpose of utilizing the talents of individuals who are age 55 or older, but who are not employees of the Department of Agriculture or a State agriculture department, to provide technical services in support of the conservation related programs and authorities carried out by the Secretary. NRCS is announcing the opportunity for nonprofit private agencies and organizations eligible to receive grants under the Community Service Senior Opportunities Act (42 U.S.C. 3056 et seq.) to secure participants for the ACES Program who will provide technical services under the program. There is no funding available under this announcement, but approved applicants will be awarded national agreements making them eligible to enter into individual agreements that provide funding for services. The area covered by the services include all 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Caribbean Area (Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands), and the Pacific Islands Area (Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands). NRCS has existing agreements in place that expire August 30, 2025. New awards will be made August 31, 2025, for a five-year period. There is no minimum or maximum award amount guaranteed. It is estimated NRCS will make up to five awards to provide these services.

## Questions people ask

### Is USDA-NRCS-NHQ-ACES-24-NOFO0001365 still open?

No. It closed on February 13, 2025.

### Who can apply for Agriculture Conservation Experienced Services (ACES) Program?

Natural Resources Conservation Service accepted applications from nonprofits. The notice adds further conditions, so read its eligibility section.

### What is the deadline for Agriculture Conservation Experienced Services (ACES) Program?

Closed February 13, 2025. Applications are no longer accepted; the program's newer notices are on this page when there are any.

### How much funding is available?

About $20.0 million in total across about 5 awards.

### Who has won Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention grants before?

The largest recipients over five fiscal years were Mississippi Soil and Water Conservation Commission, Arkansas Black Mayors Association, Inc., Santa Clara Valley Water District. The program made 261 awards worth $1.1 billion in that time.