Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NRCS PR CIG 17 01
The Conservation Innovation Grant (CIG) is a discretionary grant program run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) through the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Its core goal is to speed up the real-world use of innovative conservation practices and technologies that protect natural resources while still supporting productive agriculture. In plain terms, the program is meant to help take conservation solutions that have already been shown to work and move them into broader, on-the-ground adoption, especially where there is a clear opportunity to scale up an emerging or proven approach.
CIG is focused on demonstration and application rather than basic research. Funded projects are typically pilot efforts and field demonstrations that show how a conservation method performs under real operating conditions and how it can be adopted more widely. The program expects that successful projects will result in practical outputs that can be transferred into NRCS technical manuals and guidance, or otherwise moved into the private sector for broader use. The program also emphasizes collaboration and knowledge-sharing, encouraging communities, governments, nonprofits, universities, and other partners to pool skills, facilities, and experience so that conservation innovations become accessible to more people and not limited to a small circle of early adopters.
Although research is generally not funded under CIG, there is a specific exception for on-farm conservation research. This is narrowly defined as research conducted on working farms to answer a specific conservation question using a statistically valid study design. That means using appropriate replication, farm-scale equipment, and a clear plan for analyzing results. Even under this exception, NRCS limits support to research that directly stimulates innovative natural resource management approaches tied to agricultural production, rather than open-ended or purely academic research.
This particular opportunity is for proposals coming from the NRCS Caribbean Area, and NRCS will accept both single-year and multi-year projects, with a maximum project length of three years. A wide range of applicants are eligible, including federally recognized Tribal governments, state and local governments, special district governments, public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status, for-profit entities (including small businesses), and individuals. The listing identifies the program under CFDA number 10.912 and categorizes it under agriculture, environment, and natural resources.
In terms of award size and scale, the opportunity lists an award ceiling of $75,000 and anticipates making about 60 awards. Applications are screened first for completeness and compliance with the notice requirements, and proposals that are incomplete or noncompliant are removed from consideration. Complete proposals are then scored by a technical peer review panel using the evaluation criteria described in the solicitation instructions. After peer review, proposals and reviews are sent to the Caribbean Area Review Board, which makes recommendations to the NRCS State Conservationist, who makes the final funding selections.
Key administrative details included in the source listing are the Funding Opportunity Number USDA NRCS PR CIG 17 01, an original closing date of April 28, 2017, and a creation date of March 3, 2017. The overall takeaway is that this grant is designed to help applicants prove, demonstrate, and expand practical conservation solutions in real farm and land management settings, with the end goal of turning those solutions into tools and guidance that can be used broadly across the conservation and agricultural community.Apply for USDA NRCS PR CIG 17 01
- The Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service in the agriculture, environment, natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Conservation Innovation Grant" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.912.
- This funding opportunity was created on Mar 03, 2017.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Apr 28, 2017. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $75,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 60 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, 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, Individuals, For profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses.
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Conservation Innovation Grant (CIG) - NRCS Caribbean Area FAQs
1) What is the Conservation Innovation Grant (CIG) program?
The Conservation Innovation Grant (CIG) is a discretionary grant program run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) through the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). It is designed to speed up real-world use of innovative conservation practices and technologies that protect natural resources while still supporting productive agriculture.
2) What is the main goal of CIG?
The main goal is to move conservation solutions that have already been shown to work into broader, on-the-ground adoption. The emphasis is on scaling up an emerging or proven approach where there is a clear opportunity for wider use.
3) Is CIG intended to fund basic research?
No. CIG is focused on demonstration and application rather than basic research. Funded projects are typically pilot efforts and field demonstrations carried out under real operating conditions.
4) What kinds of projects does CIG typically fund?
CIG typically funds pilot projects and field demonstrations that show how a conservation practice or technology performs in real-world conditions and how it can be adopted more widely. Projects are expected to produce practical outputs that can be transferred into NRCS technical manuals and guidance, or otherwise moved into broader use (including through the private sector).
5) Does CIG ever allow research activities?
Yes, but only under a specific exception for on-farm conservation research. This exception is narrowly defined and applies to research conducted on working farms to answer a specific conservation question using a statistically valid study design.
6) What does NRCS mean by "on-farm conservation research" under CIG?
On-farm conservation research is research done on working farms that addresses a specific conservation question and uses a statistically valid design. The description provided includes appropriate replication, farm-scale equipment, and a clear plan for analyzing results.
7) Are there limits on the type of research allowed under the on-farm exception?
Yes. Even under the on-farm exception, NRCS limits support to research that directly stimulates innovative natural resource management approaches tied to agricultural production, rather than open-ended or purely academic research.
8) Which geographic area does this opportunity cover?
This particular opportunity is for proposals coming from the NRCS Caribbean Area.
9) What is the maximum project period?
NRCS will accept both single-year and multi-year projects, with a maximum project length of three years.
10) Who is eligible to apply?
The opportunity lists a wide range of eligible applicants, including:
- Federally recognized Tribal governments
- State and local governments
- Special district governments
- Public and private institutions of higher education
- Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status
- For-profit entities (including small businesses)
- Individuals
11) What is the CFDA number for this program?
The listing identifies the program under CFDA number 10.912.
12) How is this opportunity categorized?
The opportunity is categorized under agriculture, environment, and natural resources.
13) What is the maximum award amount for this opportunity?
The opportunity lists an award ceiling of $75,000.
14) How many awards does NRCS expect to make?
The opportunity anticipates making about 60 awards.
15) How are applications reviewed and selected?
The selection process described in the listing includes several steps:
- Initial screening: Applications are screened for completeness and compliance with the notice requirements. Incomplete or noncompliant proposals are removed from consideration.
- Technical peer review: Complete proposals are scored by a technical peer review panel using the evaluation criteria described in the solicitation instructions.
- Area review: Proposals and reviews are sent to the Caribbean Area Review Board, which makes recommendations.
- Final decision: The NRCS State Conservationist makes the final funding selections.
16) What happens if an application is incomplete or does not follow the notice requirements?
Applications that are incomplete or noncompliant are removed from consideration during the initial screening stage.
17) What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this listing?
The Funding Opportunity Number provided is USDA NRCS PR CIG 17 01.
18) What were the key dates listed for this opportunity?
The source listing includes an original closing date of April 28, 2017, and a creation date of March 3, 2017.
19) What is the expected outcome of a successful CIG project?
A successful project is expected to result in practical outputs that can be transferred into NRCS technical manuals and guidance or otherwise moved into broader use. The program’s overall intent is to turn proven conservation solutions into tools, approaches, and guidance that can be used widely across the conservation and agricultural community.
20) Does the program encourage partnerships and collaboration?
Yes. The program emphasizes collaboration and knowledge-sharing, encouraging communities, governments, nonprofits, universities, and other partners to pool skills, facilities, and experience so conservation innovations become accessible to more people and are not limited to a small circle of early adopters.
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| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Conservation Innovation Grant Apply for USDA NRCS NM CIG 17 01 Funding Number: USDA NRCS NM CIG 17 01 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service Category: Agriculture, Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $75,000 |
| New Hampshire Conservation Innovation Grants - Fiscal Year 2017 Apply for USDA NRCS NH CIG 17 01 Funding Number: USDA NRCS NH CIG 17 01 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Utah State Office Category: Agriculture, Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $75,000 |
| Conservation Innovation Grant Apply for USDA NRCS RI CIG 17 01 Funding Number: USDA NRCS RI CIG 17 01 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service Category: Agriculture, Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $75,000 |
| Virginia Conservation Innovation Grant Apply for USDA NRCS VA CIG 17 01 Funding Number: USDA NRCS VA CIG 17 01 Agency: Department of Agriculture, USDA-NRCS-NHQ Category: Agriculture, Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $75,000 |
| MI Conservation Innovation Grants for Fiscal Year 2017 Apply for USDA NRCS MI 17 01 Funding Number: USDA NRCS MI 17 01 Agency: Department of Agriculture, USDA-NRCS-NHQ Category: Agriculture, Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $75,000 |
| South Carolina Conservation Innovation Grants Apply for USDA NRCS SC CIG 17 01 Funding Number: USDA NRCS SC CIG 17 01 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service Category: Agriculture, Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $75,000 |
| Colorado Conservation Innovation Grants - Fiscal Year 2017 Apply for USDA NRCS CO CIG 17 01 Funding Number: USDA NRCS CO CIG 17 01 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Utah State Office Category: Agriculture, Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $75,000 |
| Pennsylvania Cheseapeake Bay Conservation Innovation Grants Apply for USDA NRCS PABAY CIG 17 01 Funding Number: USDA NRCS PABAY CIG 17 01 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service Category: Agriculture, Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| California Conservation Innovation Grants Apply for USDA NRCS CA CIG 17 01 Funding Number: USDA NRCS CA CIG 17 01 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service Category: Agriculture, Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $75,000 |
| Mississippi Conservation Technical Assistance (CTA) Apply for USDA NRCS MS CTA 17 01 Funding Number: USDA NRCS MS CTA 17 01 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service Category: Agriculture, Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Vermont Conservation Innovation Grant Apply for USDA NRCS VT CIG 17 01 Funding Number: USDA NRCS VT CIG 17 01 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service Category: Agriculture, Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $75,000 |
| Mississippi ACEP-WRP-EWP Apply for USDA NRCS MS ACEP 17 01 Funding Number: USDA NRCS MS ACEP 17 01 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service Category: Agriculture, Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Oregon Conservation Innovation Grants - Forest Stand Resiliency Apply for USDA NRCS OR CIG 17 02 Funding Number: USDA NRCS OR CIG 17 02 Agency: Department of Agriculture, NRCS Oregon Category: Agriculture, Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $75,000 |
| Inventory and Monitoring Changes In Vegetative Communities on Flood Irrigated Wet Meadows Apply for F17AS00244 Funding Number: F17AS00244 Agency: Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Agriculture, Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $65,000 |
| Assistance with the organization and function of the Pike River - Lake Carmi and Rock River Watersheds Planning Groups (VT) Apply for USDA NRCS VT CTA EQIP 03 Funding Number: USDA NRCS VT CTA EQIP 03 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service Category: Agriculture, Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $75,000 |
| Assistance with the organization and function of the Hungerford Brook and St Albans Bay Watersheds (VT) Apply for USDA NRCS VT CTA EQIP 17 02 Funding Number: USDA NRCS VT CTA EQIP 17 02 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service Category: Agriculture, Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $87,500 |
| 2017 NRCS Conservation Technical Assistance in Vermont Apply for USDA NRCS VT CTA EQIP ACEP FRPP WRP 01 Funding Number: USDA NRCS VT CTA EQIP ACEP FRPP WRP 01 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service Category: Agriculture, Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $400,000 |
| Assistance with the organization and function of the East Creek and McKenzie Brook Watersheds (VT) Apply for USDA NRCS VT CTA EQIP 17 01 Funding Number: USDA NRCS VT CTA EQIP 17 01 Agency: Department of Agriculture, USDA-NRCS-NHQ Category: Agriculture, Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $87,500 |
| Conservation Collaboration Grants or Agreements Fiscal Year (FY) 2018 Apply for USDA NRCS MULTI STATE CENTRAL CCG 001 Funding Number: USDA NRCS MULTI STATE CENTRAL CCG 001 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service Category: Agriculture, Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $2,500,000 |
| NRCS Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) Apply for USDA NRCS GA CIG 001 Funding Number: USDA NRCS GA CIG 001 Agency: Department of Agriculture, USDA-NRCS-MSD-Ft Worth Office Category: Agriculture, Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $75,000 |
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