Deadline: 9 January 2017
Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is seeking applications for its 2017 National Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) Program with an aim to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies, while leveraging the Federal investment in environmental enhancement and protection 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 EQIP eligible producers, into NRCS technical manuals and guides, or to the private sector.
CIG promotes the sharing of skills, knowledge, technologies, and facilities among communities, governments, and other institutions to ensure that scientific and technological developments are accessible to a wider range of users.
CIG Categories for FY 2017
- Historically underserved producer or veteran farmers or ranchers.
- Data analytics for natural resources conservation.
- Pay-for-success models to stimulate conservation adoption.
- Precision conservation approaches.
- Projects that demonstrate the cost effectiveness of leveraged public and private impact investments in working lands conservation.
- Water management technologies and approaches to maximize agricultural production efficiency and minimize off-site impacts.
Projects or Activities
- Make use of proven technology or a technology that has been studied sufficiently to indicate a high probability for success;
- Demonstrate, evaluate, or verify environmental (i.e., soil, water, air, plants, energy, and animal) effectiveness, utility, affordability, and usability of conservation technology in the field;
- Adapt conservation technologies, management, practices, systems, procedures, approaches, and incentive systems to improve performance and encourage adoption; Introduce conservation systems, approaches, and procedures from another geographic area or agricultural sector; or
- Demonstrate transferability of knowledge.
Funding Information
- Estimated Total Program Funding: $25,000,000
- Award Ceiling: $2,000,000
Eligibility Criteria
- Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
- State governments
- Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
- County governments
- Small businesses
- Special district governments
- City or township governments
- Individuals
- Private institutions of higher education
- For profit organizations other than Small businesses
- Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted via given website.
Eligible Country: United States
For more information, please visit grants.gov.