Conservation Innovation Grants
NRCS provides funding opportunities for agriculturalists and others through various programs. Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) is a voluntary program intended to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies while leveraging Federal investment in environmental enhancement and protection, in conjunction with agricultural production. Under CIG, Environmental Quality Incentives Program funds are used to award competitive grants to non-Federal governmental or nongovernmental organizations, Tribes, or individuals.
CIG enables NRCS to work with other public and private entities to accelerate technology transfer and adoption of promising technologies and approaches to address some of the Nation's most pressing natural resource concerns. CIG will benefit agricultural producers by providing more options for environmental enhancement and compliance with Federal, State, and local regulations. NRCS administers CIG.
Announcement of Selected Projects from the Fiscal Year 2013 Adaptation to Drought Competition
Last year’s drought was the worst since the 1950s, having large impacts on producers across the country. With another possible drought this year, this grant program is one of the ways the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service is working to help producers prepare. The grants will address drought-related issues, such as grazing management, warm season forage systems, irrigation strategies and innovative cropping systems.
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Fiscal Year 2013 Adaptation to Drought Awardees (HTML | PDF, 82 KB)
Press Release: Grants to Help Farms & Ranches Build Resilience to Drought
Funding Opportunity
National Competition
NRCS is offering a funding opportunity 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.The application period is now closed.
State Competition
NRCS is also offering a funding opportunity at the State level 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. Please find States offering a competition below.
· Georgia: Due June 3, 2013
· Kansas: Due June 7, 2013
· Louisiana: Due June 3, 2013
· New Hampshire: Due May 17, 2013
· New York: Due May 10, 2013
· New Mexico: Due June 1, 2013
· North Dakota: Due May 20, 2013
· Oregon: Due May 17, 2013
· Pennsylvania: Due May 27, 2013
· Rhode Island: Due May 24, 2013
· South Carolina: Due May 13, 2013
· South Dakota: Due May 17, 2013
· Vermont: Due June 7, 2013
· Wyoming: Due June 28, 2013
Integration Report
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Integration Report (PDF, 15 MB) - This report examines the Conservation Innovation Grants program experience to date, looking at where and how grants were awarded, project results, and the process NRCS is putting in place to evaluate, replicate, and potentially adopt the technologies and practices for widespread use.
Showcase
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CIG 5-Year Compendium (PDF, 1.9 MB)
2011 Conservation Innovation Grants Showcase (PDF, 211 KB)
Additional Information
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Conservation Innovation Grants: Fact Sheet (PDF, 42KB)
Conservation Innovation Grant Program: Key Points (PDF, 45KB)
Conservation Innovation Grant Program: Program Description (PDF, 42KB)
Conservation Innovation Grant Program: Questions and Answers (PDF, 87KB)
CIG Awards from Previous Years
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Program Contact
Gregorio Cruz: (703) 235-8065
