NOFO: NRCS Conservation Innovation Grants (US)

Deadline: 20-May-2022

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is seeking applications for its NRCS’ Conservation Innovation Grants.

The purpose of CIG is to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies in conjunction with agricultural production. CIG projects are expected to lead to the transfer of conservation technologies, management systems, and innovative approaches (such as market-based systems) to agricultural producers, into government technical manuals and guides, or to the private sector.

CIG generally funds pilot projects, field demonstrations, and on-farm conservation research. On-farm conservation research is defined as an investigation conducted to answer a specific applied conservation question using a statistically valid design while employing farm-scale equipment on farms, ranches, or private forest lands.

Priorities

Urban & Small Farm Agriculture Conservation
Innovation in agricultural systems, technology, testing, outreach, and partnerships for the Broad-Scale Application of Climate-Smart Agriculture
Innovation in natural resource assessment leading to improved conservation planning and application efficiency

Funding Information

Estimated Total Program Funding: $1,000,000
Award Ceiling: $200,000
Award Floor: $50,000

Projects or Activities

CIG funds the development and field testing, on-farm research and demonstration, evaluation, or implementation of:
- Approaches to incentivizing conservation adoption, including market-based and conservation finance approaches; and
- conservation technologies, practices, and systems.
Projects or activities under CIG must comply with all applicable federal, tribal, state, and local laws and regulations throughout the project; and
- Use technology or approach that was studied sufficiently to indicate a high probability for success;
- Demonstrate, evaluate, and verify the effectiveness, utility, affordability, and usability of natural resource conservation technologies and approaches in the field;
- Adapt and transfer conservation technologies, management, practices, systems, approaches, and incentive systems to improve performance and encourage adoption;
- Introduce proven conservation technologies and approaches to a geographic area or the agricultural sector where that technology or approach is not currently in use.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants and applications must meet eligibility criteria by the application deadline to be considered for award.
The eligible applicant type is determined by the implementing program statute.
All U.S.-based non-Federal entities (NFE) and individuals, except Federal agencies, are eligible to apply for projects carried out in Texas.
The following entity types are eligible:
- City or township governments
- County governments
- For-profit organizations other than small businesses
- Independent school districts
- Individuals
- Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
- Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments)
- Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS (other than institutions of higher education)
- Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c)(3) status with the IRS (other than institutions of higher education)
- Private institutions of higher education
- Public and State-controlled institutions of higher education
- Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities
- Small businesses
- Special district governments
- State governments