Wetland Mitigation Banking Program Fiscal Year (FY) 2026

This guide provides instructions for preparing and submitting grant applications to USDA agencies, including the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Farm Service Agency (FSA), and Risk Management Agency (RMA), via Grants.gov. Administered by the Farm Production and Conservation Business Center (FPAC-BC), the guide outlines the standard application registration process, software requirements, and Workspace collaboration features. To avoid exclusion from agency consideration, applicants must adhere strictly to formatting and attachment rules, including submitting documents in PDF format, keeping file sizes under 10 MB, using at least 12-point font with 1-inch margins, and avoiding special characters in file names. The guide details how to track application status, view submission manifests, and contact the Grants.gov Contact Center for technical support. Additionally, the document provides step-by-step instructions for completing standard federal forms, such as the SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance) and SF-424A (Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs). It highlights agency-specific requirements for the Project Narrative, Project Abstract, and Budget Narrative, alongside mandatory templates like the Current and Pending Support table and the GADSUM9 Applicant Contact(s) Information form. Non-compliant applications, including those with expired SAM registrations or incorrect file attachments, will be rejected.

This document serves as the Grants.gov Application Guide (October 1, 2024 version) for preparing and submitting federal financial assistance applications to three USDA agencies under the Farm Production and Conservation Business Center (FPAC-BC): the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), the Farm Service Agency (FSA), and the Risk Management Agency (RMA). The guide outlines the essential steps for registration, system requirements, and utilizing the Grants.gov Workspace environment. To avoid exclusion from agency consideration, applicants must adhere strictly to formatting rules, including submitting all attachments in PDF format, keeping files under 10 MB, using a minimum 12-point font, and avoiding special characters in file names. It also provides detailed, block-by-block instructions for completing the standard Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424) and the Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs (SF-424A) forms, specifying USDA-specific field requirements. Furthermore, the guide details instructions for submitting a Project Narrative, Project Abstract, and Budget Narrative. It highlights mandatory "Other Attachments," which include a Statement of Current and Pending Support for key personnel and the GADSUM9 Applicant Contact(s) Information form to identify administrative, program, and signatory officials. Finally, it provides troubleshooting resources and details the multi-step validation process conducted by both Grants.gov and FPAC-BC staff to determine application eligibility.