FY 2008 Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG)
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 (EQIP) funds are used to award
competitive grants to non-Federal governmental or non-governmental
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. The Natural Resources Conservation
Service (NRCS) administers CIG. The CIG requires a 50-50 match between the
agency and the applicant. Oregon applicants can apply to the
national program for funding.
FY 2008 CIG Funding Announcement
For fiscal year (FY) 2008, 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.
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.
Applicants in Oregon may consider applying for the following CIG categories for
FY 2008:
- Natural Resource Concerns Category—up to $10 million available for proposals
addressing one or more of the CIG natural resource concerns. This component was
also offered in FY 2004, FY 2005, FY 2006, and FY 2007 awards.
-
Technology Category—up to $5 million available for proposals addressing one or
more of the CIG technology categories. This component was offered for the first
time in FY 2006.
To view the complete Announcement of Program Funding, visit:
http://www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/index.html. Enter NRCS in the Quick Search box,
then click on the Submit button. On the Search Results page, look for fr17de07N
Conservation Innovation Grants Fiscal Year 2008 Announcement.
How to Apply
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.
Application is a two-fold process, and applicants must submit two copies of the
application packet.
Step 1: Obtain a State Conservationist Letter of Review
Submit an application packet to the Oregon NRCS State Conservationist by
February 15, 2008:
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
State Conservationist
1201 NE Lloyd Blvd, Suite 900
Portland, OR 97232
If a project is multi-state in scope, all states in the project area must be
sent the application for review. The State Conservationist(s) will submit a
letter of review directly to NRCS National Headquarters.
Step 2: Submit Application Packet to NRCS National
Headquarters
Submit a proposal to the NRCS National Headquarters by 5 p.m., Eastern
Standard Time (EST), on Wednesday, February 20, 2008:
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
Conservation Innovation Grants Program
Financial Assistance Programs Division, Room 5239-S
1400 Independence Ave, SW
Washington, DC 20250
The packet must include a copy of the cover letter showing that the application
was sent to the appropriate State Conservationist(s) for review.
To apply electronically, visit: 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.
Archived CIG Information
Program Contact
Todd Peplin
Phone: (541) 923-4358 ext 131
Email: todd.peplin@or.usda.gov
Last Modified:
02/12/2008
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