Conservation Innovation Grants - Caribbean

2023 Caribbean CIG 

Applications are requested from eligible government agencies, non-governmental organizations or individuals. CIG will fund single and multi-year projects, not to exceed 3 years (anticipated project start date of September 30, 2023). Funds are awarded through a competitive process. The maximum award amount for any individual project will not exceed $100,000 in FY 2023. At least 10 percent of the total funds available for CIG in FY 2023 will be set aside for proposals from Historically Underserved producers, veteran farmers or ranchers, or community-based organizations comprised of or representing these entities. The closing date to submit 2023 applications is April 23, 2023.

Caribbean Area CIG Priorities for 2023

For Fiscal Year 2023, CIG will focus on the following topics – one or more may be selected for proposals:

1. Interim Practice Validation Data - Infiltration ditch environmental assessment.
2. Water Quality
   1. Validate technology that helps monitor or capture nutrients and sediments in surface waters that may impact water quality downstream.
   2. Validate field guidelines for Nitrogen Risk Assessment on Nutrient Management Planning.
3. Climate Change
   1. Validate innovative water management techniques in the Caribbean to increase water infiltration and retention to mitigate for extended drought and climate change.
   2. Validate or develop Carbon Markets Based Economics for Caribbean Area.
4. Soil Health
   1. Soil Health Management Systems Implementation Trials: Implementation of innovative conservation practices and systems that improve soil health in tropical soils (tropical crops), with the integration of science and technology. The systems need to achieve and target a combination of conservation practices conforming with the four basic Soil Health principles (use plant diversity to increase diversity, reduce soil disturbance, keep plants growing with living roots through the year and keep soil cover as much as possible).
   2. The final product should include guidelines for NRCS field personnel indicating how to combine existing scenarios and new recommended scenarios to existing standards or interim CPS to increase soil health farming enterprises.
5. Erosion Management and Monitoring on Steep Land
   1. Erosion Management and Implementation Guidelines on and not limited to Steep Farm Roads and Trails or Rock Terraces.
   2. The final product sought are guidelines for NRCS field personnel indicating how to combine existing scenarios and new recommended scenarios to existing standards or interim CPS to reduce/control erosion on steep farming enterprises.
6. Urban Conservation Soil Test Guidelines
   1. Validate X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) or other technologies to assess heavy metals or other limitations.
   2. Produce local scenarios for urban areas to address Resource Concerns.
7. Waste Management
   1. Obtain local data on production and nutrient composition of waste produced by animal husbandry practices (dairy, poultry, swine).
   2. Validate technology to manage waste effectively.

More information

For more information on how to apply, including Webinars, Sample grant application documents, and guides to federal grant applications, please visit https://cig.sc.egov.usda.gov/applicants.

Publications

Contact

• Caribbean Area CIG Coordinator: Mario Rodriguez, 787-766-5065, 787-452-5852