
News
New Mexico will not offer a CIG opportunity in fiscal year 2025. Please visit the national CIG webpage for information on national opportunities. A link is below.
New Mexico NRCS funds state level Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) projects to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies. Applications are accepted for projects located only in New Mexico. Eligible applicants are individuals, non-federal government and non-government organizations. Projects must be between one and three years in duration. New Mexico typically funds up to $50,000 each year. The funding floor for a single award is $5,000 and the funding ceiling for a single award is $50,000.
Please read the New Mexico Notice of Funding below for complete information on eligibility and how to apply for the state CIG. Proposals must demonstrate innovation with a pilot project, field demonstrations or on-farm conservation research. On-farm conservation research is defined as an investigation conducted to answer a specific applied conservation question using a statistically valid design while employing farm-scale equipment on farms, ranches or private forest lands. Projects must involve producers who are eligible for EQIP.
The NRCS Notice of Funding Opportunity (NFO), Opportunity Number USDA-NRCS-NM-CIG-23-NOFO0001263, has been posted to Grants.gov and is open for applications through May 1, 2023. The opportunity can be found easily on Grants.gov through the basic search criteria using “CIG”, the opportunity number, or by searching the CFDA of 10.912. It can also be found by filtering for All Department of Agriculture. Applicants must be registered with SAM.gov and Grants.gov prior to submitting an application.
New Mexico CIG 2023 Notice of Funding (NOF)
A de minimis agreement must be submitted if a de minimis rate is being requested.
10 Percent De Minimis Indirect Cost Rate
Funded New Mexico CIG Projects
Explore the new CIG website to learn about funding opportunities, find grantee resources, access information about past projects, and more.
Program Contacts:
Athena Cholas
Resource Conservationist
(505) 761-4419
Assistant State Conservationist for Programs
(505) 761-4454
NRCS has established a webinar series to allow employees, partner conservationists and other interested stakeholders to hear directly from CIG grantees.
General information about the CIG program, who is eligible and how to apply.
CIG provides special consideration and benefits to Historically Underserved applicants and projects that support Historically Underserved producers.
The 2021 Congressional report briefly describes the history of CIG and how the program is managed.
Contact your local service center to start your application.