The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is seeking applications for the Conservation Innovation Grants Program to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies in conjunction with agricultural production.
Donor Name: Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
State: Utah
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 04/29/2022
Size of the Grant: $200,000
Grant Duration: 3 years
Details:
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.
CIG Priorities
- Soil Health: Proposals in this category must support the improvement or adoption of soil health practices in one or more soil health management principles (minimize disturbance, maximize biodiversity, maximize soil cover, maximize living roots, livestock integration). Proposals should reflect a clear understanding of soil health issues in Utah.
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Water Optimization Technologies: Proposals in this category must apply innovative technologies that address one of the following irrigation issues.
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Enhance the efficiency, timing, and placement of irrigation water.
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Reduce the severity and extent of salinity through irrigation water management.
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Mitigate the impacts of drought on irrigated cropland through innovations in cropping systems, tillage, or other cultural practices.
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Urban Farming Technologies: Proposals in this category must demonstrate innovative approaches or methods that will support the adoption of conservation practices for farming operations located in urban high-density settings or develop an urban conservation farm showcase to provide training to urban farmers on urban conservation strategies.
Funding Information
- NRCS Utah expects to award approximately $200,000 through this opportunity.
- Projects may be between 1 and 3 years in duration. Applicants should plan their projects based on an estimated project start date of September 15, 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
Applicants and applications must meet eligibility criteria by the application deadline to be considered for award. The eligible applicant type is determined by the implementing program statute. 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 Utah. The following entity types are eligible:
- City or township governments
- County governments
- For-profit organizations other than small businesses
- Independent school districts
- Individuals
- Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
- Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments)
- Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS (other than institutions of higher education)
- Nonprofits that do not have 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
- Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities
- Small businesses
- Special district governments
- State governments
For more information, visit Grants.gov.
