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Conservation Innovation Grants Sign-Ups Announced For State and National Competition

Auburn, Alabama - January 14, 2008

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Chief Arlen Lancaster announced the request for proposals for Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) for fiscal year 2008. The CIG program is designed to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies. There will be a national sign-up with applications being due into Washington by COB on February 20, 2008.

National Sign-up Deadline February 20, 2008

The Department of Agriculture’s NRCS administers CIG. For fiscal year FY2008, up to $20 million is available for the National CIG competition. Funds for single- or multi-year projects, (not to exceed three years) will be awarded through a nationwide competitive grants process with applications accepted from all 50 States, the Caribbean Area (Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands) and the Pacific Basin Area (Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands) from all eligible non-federal government or non-government organizations or individuals, including federally recognized tribes.

The categories available for the National signup include:

  • Natural Resource Concerns Category—up to $10 million available for proposals addressing one or more of the CIG natural resource concerns.
  • Technology Category—up to $5 million available for proposals addressing one or more of the CIG technology categories.
  • Chesapeake Bay Watershed Category—for more info www.nfwf.org/cheaspeake.

Applicants should explain how large of a national geographic area that the project would benefit. Projects may be watershed-based, regional, multi-State, or nationwide in scope. Applications should describe the use of innovative technologies or approaches, or both, to address a natural resource conservation concern(s).

Funding for CIG is made available through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). All proposed CIG projects must involve EQIP-eligible producers. CIG funds that are used to provide direct or indirect payments to individuals or entities to implement structural, vegetative or management practices are subject to the $450,000 EQIP payment limitation. CIG

is not a research program, but rather a tool to stimulate the adoption of conservation approaches or technologies that have been studied sufficiently to indicate a high likelihood of success, and are likely candidates for eventual technology transfer.

CIG will fund projects targeting innovative on-the-ground conservation, including pilot projects and field demonstrations. Technologies and approaches that are commonly used in the geographic area covered by the application, and which are eligible for funding through EQIP, are not eligible for funding through CIG. Proposed projects must conform to the description of innovative conservation projects or activities published in the Announcement of Program Funding (APF).

CIG funds pilot projects and conservation field trials that can last from one to three years. Grants for approved projects cannot exceed 50 percent of the total project cost. The federal contribution for a single project cannot exceed $1 million. At least 50 percent of the total cost of the project must come from non-Federal matching funds (cash and in-kind contributions) provided by the grantee. While NRCS will provide technical oversight for each project receiving an award, the grantee is responsible for providing the technical assistance required to successfully complete the project.

Proposals must be received in NRCS National Headquarters by 5 p.m., Eastern Standard Time (EST) on February 20, 2008.

The address for hand-delivered applications or applications submitted using express mail or overnight courier service is: USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service; Conservation Innovation Grants Program; Financial Assistance Programs Division, Room 5237-S; 1400 Independence Ave, SW; Washington, DC 20250.

Applications sent via the U.S. Postal Service must be sent to the following address: USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service; Conservation Innovation Grants Program; Financial Assistance Programs Division; Room 5237-S, Post Office Box 2890, Washington, D.C. 20013-2890.

You can apply for the national sign-up electronically at : http://www.grants.gov/. For more information about NRCS conservation programs online, visit: http://www.nrcs.usda.gov, or visit the nearest USDA Service Center in your area.

Alabama State CIG Sign-up information.


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For details, contact your local Natural Resources Conservation Service office.


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