Conservation Innovation Grant (CIG)
(Application Period Closed)
California CIG Application Packages are Due by 5 PM PST on June 10, 2019
The Conservation Innovation Grant (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. These projects may be watershed-based, regional, or statewide in scope.
- A CIG funding notice is announced each year. Funds for single- or multi-year projects, not to exceed three years, are awarded through a competitive grants process.
- The latest CIG success stories can be found on the USDA Blog.
- Follow the link to access the searchable prior years funded national and state CIGs projects database: National CIG Search.
National CIG Competition
The application period for the National CIG competition is July 30, 2019
NRCS offered 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.
- Projects may be watershed-based, regional, multi-state or nationwide in scope. The natural resource concerns eligible for funding through CIG are identified in the funding announcement and may change annually to focus on new and emerging, high priority natural resource concerns
- Follow the link to obtain information on the National CIG Program, NRCS nationally-administered CIG grant program.
California CIG Competition
(Application Period Closed)
California CIG Application Packages are Due by 5 PM PST on June 10, 2019
The CIG state component emphasizes projects that benefit a limited geographical area. The intent of the CIG state competition is to provide flexibility to NRCS State Conservationists to target CIG funds to individual producers and smaller organizations that may possess promising innovations, but may not compete well on the larger scale of the national grants competition.
Eligibility
Who May Apply for CIG -
- State and Local Government Entities
- Tribal Entities
- Non-Governmental Organizations
- Individuals
Projects must involve producers who meet the EQIP eligibility requirements set forth in § 1466.6(b)(1) through (3). - EQIP Eligibility Requirements
- Selection will be based on the FY 2018 CIG Program criteria - More Info
- Selected applicants may receive grants of up to 50 percent of the total project cost, NOT to exceed $75,000.
- Applicants must provide non-Federal funding EQUAL to the amount of Federal Funds requested. Non-Federal Funds must be derived from cash and/or in-kind sources, Matching Funds must be secured at the time of application
How To Apply
To apply, follow the requirements in the California CIG Announcement - USDA-NRCS-CA-CIG-19-GEN0010105 (PDF; 1.2MB).
- Applications MUST be submitted electronically through Grants.gov.
- In addition, a PDF of the complete application must be emailed to Erik.Beardsley@usda.gov
- Both submissions must be received by the submission due date, June 10, 2019 by 5 PM Pacific Standard Time (PST)
- See section IV of the CIG announcement for more information regarding how to submit and application.
- Required documents and instructions are available on Grants.gov
- Project Abstract
- Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424)
- Project Narrative
- Assessment of Environmental Impacts
- Budget Information
- Indirect Costs
- Matching
- List of Previous CIG Awards (if applicable)
- Certifications
- Letters of Support
Contact
RaeAnn Dubay, Program Manager
Natural Resources Conservation Service
Davis State Office, California
Phone: 530-792-5653
Email: RaeAnn.Dubay@usda.gov
Erik Beardsley, State CIG Program Manager
Natural Resources Conservation Service
Davis State Office, California
Phone: 530-792-5649
Email: Erik.Beardsley@usda.gov
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