Free Technical Assistance

Connect for More Information

Applicants are encouraged to connect with the Merced MLRP technical assistance team early on in the proposal development process. Technical assistance sessions can help applicants think through project ideas, key considerations, and application components. Meeting with the technical assistance team well ahead of the March 14, 2025 will help ensure that your project proposal meets the MLRP requirements.

The following types of free technical assistance are available:

• Application Webinar: Watch a recording of the virtual webinar that walks applicants through the project solicitation, eligible project types, and the project application form.   

• 1:1 Technical Assistance Sessions: Receive support to develop your project concept as well as components of your project application. 

• Site Visits: On-site visits may be available to further assist with the development of project concepts and applications.

• Specialized Support: Receive guidance on technical elements of a project design such as ecological or agronomic elements and/or specific plans such as vegetation prescriptions, restoration plans, or maps, as appropriate.

Request Technical Assistance Now

Applicants are invited to contact the Merced MLRP team with questions, requests, and comments at any time. Get in touch by using the Technical Assistance Request Form or email us at info@mercedmlrp.org.

What are the Technical Assistance Guidelines and Tips for Applicants?

To maintain fair access to assistance by all applicants, the TA Team has implemented the following protocols for individual TA Sessions: 

1. The TA Team will provide assistance or guidance to applicants, but applicants are responsible for developing all aspects of their project application.

2. Each project application will receive up to a total of 12 hours of technical assistance from the TA team. 8hrs will be set aside for direct general support (includes site visits and 1:1 TA sessions) while 4 hrs will be set aside for specialized support (described above).

3. The TA Team will treat all applicants equally and provide accurate information. However, the TA Team cannot guarantee that information it provides to an applicant will guarantee the completeness or success of the application.

4. If applicants have materials they would like to review with the TA Team, please aim to submit those materials to the TA Team 48 hours in advance of scheduled meetings.

5. Any proposal-specific information provided by an applicant during a session will not be disclosed by the TA Team to other applicants. 

6. If questions or issues are identified during one or more sessions that are of general interest to all applicants, the TA Team may publish them in an FAQ. No project-specific information will be revealed in the FAQ.

7. TA assistance will focus only on programmatic guidance and technical aspects of project implementation. Applicants may need to seek third-party services for items that would require legal, tax, or other professional opinions. 

View and download the Merced MLRP Technical Assistance Guide for Applicants.

TA Planning and Timeframe

TA sessions will be available between November 15, 2024 and March 14, 2025, Monday through Friday, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. (Note that session days and hours may vary according to TA Team member availability.) All sessions will be scheduled as virtual meetings using Zoom. In-person meetings may be offered according to needs and circumstances.