Deadline: 22-Jun-2020
The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has announced a call for proposals for Conservation Innovation Grants to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies.
The Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) program is authorized as part of the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) (16 U.S.C. 3839aa-8). The Secretary of Agriculture delegated the authority for the administration of EQIP, including CIG, to the Chief of the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), who is Vice President of the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC). EQIP is funded and administered by NRCS under the authorities of CCC.
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 NRCS 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.
Innovative Conservation 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 a 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.
Technologies and approaches that are eligible for funding in a project’s geographic area using an EQIP contract for an established conservation practice standard are ineligible for CIG funding, except where the use of those technologies and approaches demonstrates clear innovation.
Priorities
For FY 2020, NRCS accepts proposals that address one or more of the State priorities listed below.
- Soil Health:
- Develop basic technology to improve understanding and monitoring for landowners regarding adaptation strategies and management practices for cropping systems affected by salinity build up and dynamics in Montana soils.
- Develop basic technology to improve understanding and monitoring for landowners regarding adaptation strategies and management practices for cropping systems affected by acidity build up and dynamics in Montana soils.
- Demonstrate integrated systems with practices and management for increasing soil organic matter.
- Quantify the impacts of cover crop presence, species mix, and management (e.g., termination growth stage, tillage practice, grazing) on soil water content and subsequent crop yield across a range of climates and cropping systems, especially in water limited regions.
- Innovative development and promotion of a soil health network, farmer to farmer network, in Montana to advance soil health technology (research and applied research), implementation and adoption of soil health management systems on perennial and annual crops in Montana.
- Water Quality and Quantity:
- Develop innovative water management systems that enhance a producer’s ability to monitor irrigation needs effectively and efficiently and increase water, energy, and nutrient savings while maintaining high levels of agricultural production.
- Explore options to replace fluid-based weighing precipitation gauges currently used at mountain SNOTEL sites with a fluid-less, or alternative system, which offers similar performance and extended maintenance intervals (non-annual).
- Range Health:
- The objective of this priority is to develop and/or implement new technologies, methods or market-based approaches to maintain, restore, or enhance plant health and vigor on pasture and range lands while sustaining productivity.
Funding Information
- It is anticipated that a total of up to $225,000 in funding will be available for this announcement. The funding floor for a single award is $25,000 and the funding ceiling for a single award is $75,000.
- NRCS accepts proposals for projects of one to three years in duration.
Eligibility Criteria
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 Montana. Individuals and entities may submit more than one application and may receive more than one award.
For more information, visit https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=327288