Deadline: 29-Apr-22
The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is seeking applications for the 2022 Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) Program to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies.
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
- Resilient local and regional food – Projects should propose innovative conservation approaches to combat the climate crisis and conserve and protect the nation’s lands, biodiversity and natural resources including the soil, air and water.
- Climate-smart strategies – Projects should propose innovative conservation approaches that increase environmental benefits while dealing with climate induced changes.
- Soil health for climate mitigation, adaptation, and resilience – Projects should explore innovative approaches to push the boundaries and knowledge of the complex interactions between climate change and soil health and must address either carbon sequestration or climate resilience.
- Nutrient management adoption to meet watershed or regional water quality goals – Projects should apply promising nutrient management practices and technologies that result in the measurable reduction of excess nutrients over time on a watershed scale by implementing innovative technologies and approaches.
- Increasing conservation adoption – Projects should seek to increase the pace and scale of conservation adoption on working lands to sufficiently address persistent natural resource challenges.
Funding Information
- NRCS Connecticut expects to award approximately $245,000 through this opportunity.
- Projects may be between 1 and 3 years in duration. Applicants should plan their projects based on an estimated project start date of September 15, 2022.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants and applications must meet eligibility criteria by the application deadline to be considered for award. Eligible applicant type is determined by the implementing program statute. Applicant entities identified in the SAM.gov exclusions database as ineligible, prohibited/restricted, or excluded from receiving Federal contracts and certain Federal assistance and benefits will not be considered for Federal funding, as applicable to the funding being requested under this Federal program.
All U.S.-based non-Federal entities (NFE) and individuals, with the exception of Federal agencies, are eligible to apply for projects carried out in Connecticut. 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
For more information, visit Grants.gov.
For more information, visit https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=338390