Conservation Innovation Grants State Program (US)

Deadline: 17-May-22

The Natural Resources Conservation Service has announced the Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) State Program.

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.

Priorities

Soil Health/Climate Smart Ag
Water Quality and Quantity
Wildlife Habitat
Urban Agriculture
Reaching Underserved Customers

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 duration of 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 agricultural sector where that technology or approach is not currently in use.

Funding Information

Estimated Total Program Funding: $350,000
Award Ceiling: $100,000
Award Floor: $25,000

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, with the exception of Federal agencies, are eligible to apply for projects carried out in Iowa.
The following entity types are eligible:
- City or township governments
- County governments
- Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
- Nonprofits having 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
- State governments