The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is announcing the availability of Conservation Innovation Grants funding to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies.
Donor Name: Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
State: Iowa
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline (mm/dd/yyyy): 05/17/2022
Size of the Grant: $25,000 – $100,000
Grant Duration: 3 years
Details:
The purpose of CIG is to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies in conjunction with agricultural production. CIG projects are expected to lead to the transfer of conservation technologies, management systems, and innovative approaches (such as market-based systems) to agricultural producers, into government technical manuals and guides, or to the private sector. CIG generally funds pilot projects, field demonstrations, and 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.
Priorities
- Soil Health/Climate Smart Ag
- Water Quality and Quantity
- Wildlife Habitat
- Urban Agriculture
- Reaching Underserved Customers
Funding Information
- The estimated funding floor for this opportunity is $25,000, and the estimated funding ceiling is $100,000.00.
Grant Period
- Projects may be between 1 and 3 years in duration. Applicants should plan their projects based on an estimated project start date of September 16, 2022.
Innovative Conservation Projects or Activities
CIG funds the development and field testing, on-farm research and demonstration, evaluation, or implementation of:
- Approaches to incentivizing conservation adoption, including market-based and conservation finance approaches; and
- Conservation technologies, practices, and systems.
Projects or activities under CIG must comply with all applicable federal, tribal, state, and local laws and regulations throughout the duration of the project; and
- Use technology or approach that was studied sufficiently to indicate a high probability for success;
- Demonstrate, evaluate, and verify the effectiveness, utility, affordability, and usability of natural resource conservation technologies and approaches in the field;
- Adapt and transfer conservation technologies, management, practices, systems, approaches, and incentive systems to improve performance and encourage adoption;
- Introduce proven conservation technologies and approaches to a geographic area or agricultural sector where that technology or approach is not currently in use.
Eligibility Criteria
All U.S.-based non-Federal entities (NFE) and individuals, with the exception of Federal agencies, are eligible to apply for projects carried out in Iowa. The following entity types are eligible:
- City or township governments
- County governments
- Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
- Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS (other than institutions of higher education)
- Private institutions of higher education
- Public and State-controlled institutions of higher education
- State governments
For more information, visit Grants.gov.
