Support Local Capacity with Counties to Enhance Military Readiness | HQ003425NFOEASD09

Opportunity Information: Apply for HQ003425NFOEASD09

The grant opportunity "Support Local Capacity with Counties to Enhance Military Readiness" is a U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) cooperative agreement designed to strengthen how counties work with nearby military installations and ranges on natural resource management, conservation, and land-use issues that can affect mission readiness. The basic idea is that military training and operations often depend on surrounding landscapes (forests, farms, watersheds, habitat areas, and other working lands) remaining compatible with military needs. By improving coordination with county governments, the DoD aims to reduce or prevent land-use conflicts, environmental constraints, and other encroachment pressures that could limit current or future military activities.

This agreement specifically funds a partnership between the DoD and the National Association of Counties Research Foundation (NACoRF). NACoRF would use its national network of county officials, communication platforms, and regular gatherings of county leaders to increase county-level understanding of DoD resources, priorities, and the day-to-day realities of military bases located within county jurisdictions. At the same time, the structure is meant to be two-way: DoD offices and officials would have a clearer channel to engage county leaders on specific issues, gather feedback, and use that input to shape or refine both new and existing DoD partnership programs.

A major focus of the work is building local capacity around land use and management practices near installations. The opportunity emphasizes the importance of private, working lands (and explicitly highlights non-foreign-owned lands) to military readiness, along with the long-standing role the DoD has played in supporting the sustainability of these landscapes. A key deliverable described in the notice is an actionable strategic plan that identifies practical opportunities and approaches for engaging private landowners in ways that align private interests (such as keeping land in productive farming or forestry) with public interests (such as conservation outcomes and military compatibility). The work also includes identifying funding opportunities that can help conserve and protect large blocks of private working lands near DoD facilities, with attention to working forests, agricultural lands, watersheds, and habitats that can buffer installations from incompatible development and reduce environmental or regulatory friction.

Another highlighted component is addressing rising concerns about foreign ownership of land near military installations. The notice frames this as supporting the "America First Investment" executive direction by helping keep agricultural land in the hands of farmers and strengthening visibility into landownership changes. Because county officials and elected county leaders often have the most immediate insight into land transactions and local development patterns, the partnership is intended to improve situational awareness and coordination on this issue while still keeping the program rooted in conservation and land management strategies.

From an administrative standpoint, this is a discretionary opportunity administered by Washington Headquarters Services under a cooperative agreement mechanism (meaning the DoD expects to be substantially involved in the funded work, rather than simply issuing a hands-off grant). It falls under the Environment and Natural Resources activity category and is associated with CFDA 12.017. The opportunity anticipates a single award with an award ceiling of $1,350,000, and the original closing date listed is 2025-08-23. Eligibility is restricted: only the National Association of Counties Research Foundation may apply, and no other applicants will be considered.

• The Washington Headquarters Services in the environment, natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Support Local Capacity with Counties to Enhance Military Readiness" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 12.017.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2025-07-24.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2025-08-23. (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 $1,350,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others.

Apply for HQ003425NFOEASD09

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