Search Grant Opportunities

Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) On-Farm Conservation Innovation Trials for fiscal year (FY) 2023

ID: USDA-NRCS-NHQ-CIGOFT-23-NOFO0001312 • Type: Posted

Description

Notice of Funding Opportunity Summary

NRCS is announcing the availability of CIG On-Farm Conservation Innovation Trials (On-Farm Trials) to stimulate the adoption and evaluation of innovative conservation approaches in partnership with agricultural producers. For 2023, applications will be accepted from eligible entities for projects addressing at least one of the following priorities: irrigation management technologies; feed management and enteric methane reduction; grazing lands; nutrient management; and soil health demonstration (SHD) trials. Up to $50 million is available for On-Farm Trials in 2023. On-Farm Trials projects may be between 3 and 5 years in duration.

For new users of Grants.gov, see Section IV for information about steps required before submitting your application through Grants.gov.

Key Dates

Applicants must submit their applications through Grants.gov by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on October 30, 2023. For technical issues with Grants.gov, contact Grants.gov Applicant Support at 1-800-518-4726 or support@grants.gov. Awarding agency staff cannot support applicants regarding Grants.gov accounts.

For inquiries specific to the content of the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NFO) requirements, contact the Federal awarding agency (Section VII of this NFO). Please limit questions to specific information contained in this NFO (such as dates, page numbers, clarification of discrepancies, etc.). Questions related to eligibility or the merits of a specific proposal will not be addressed.

A webinar for On-Farm Trials applicants is scheduled for September 13, 2023 at 3 p.m. Eastern Time. Information on how to participate in the Microsoft Teams webinar can be obtained through the following link and phone number:

Join on your computer or mobile app

Click here to join the meeting

Or call in (audio only)

+1 202-650-0123

Phone Conference ID: 565 622 505#

The agency anticipates making selections by January 15, 2024 and expects to execute awards by May 31, 2024. These dates are estimates and are subject to change.

Background
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is offering Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) On-Farm Conservation Innovation Trials (On-Farm Trials) for fiscal year (FY) 2023. The purpose of On-Farm Trials is to stimulate the evaluation and adoption of innovative conservation approaches in partnership with agricultural producers.

Grant Details
For 2023, applications will be accepted from eligible entities for projects addressing at least one of the following priorities: irrigation management technologies; feed management and enteric methane reduction; grazing lands; nutrient management; and soil health demonstration (SHD) trials. The projects may be between 3 and 5 years in duration. The funding floor for this opportunity is $250,000, and the funding ceiling is $5 million. The total funding available for On-Farm Trials in 2023 is up to $50 million.

Eligibility Requirements
Eligible applicants include city or township governments, county governments, Native American tribal governments, Native American tribal organizations, nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, private institutions of higher education, public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, and small businesses.

Period of Performance
Projects may be between 3 and 5 years in duration with an estimated project start date of May 31, 2023. The agency anticipates making selections by January 15, 2024 and expects to execute awards by May 31, 2024.

Grant Value
Up to $50 million is available for On-Farm Trials in 2023. The funding floor for this opportunity is $250,000, and the funding ceiling is $5 million.

Place of Performance
Proposed projects must be performed in the United States or U.S. territories. NRCS welcomes applications from partners working in urban agriculture settings.
Show All

Overview

Agency
Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) [USDA]
Category of Funding
Agriculture
Environment
Natural Resources
Science and Technology and other Research and Development
Funding Instruments
Grant
Grant Program (CFDA)
10.912 - Environmental Quality Incentives Program
Grant Category
Discretionary
Cost Sharing / Matching Requirement
False
Source
Grants.gov
On 8/31/23 Natural Resources Conservation Service posted grant opportunity USDA-NRCS-NHQ-CIGOFT-23-NOFO0001312 for Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) On-Farm Conservation Innovation Trials for fiscal year (FY) 2023 with funding of $50.0 million. The grant will be issued under grant program 10.912 Environmental Quality Incentives Program. It is expected that 15 total grants will be made worth between $250,000 and $5.0 million.

Timing

Posted Date
Aug. 31, 2023, 12:00 a.m. EDT
Closing Date
Nov. 3, 2023, 12:00 a.m. EDT Past Due
Closing Date Explanation
Applications must be received by 11:59 pm Eastern Time. Due to Grants.gov system maintenance rescheduled to October 28-31, 2023, during which time Grants.gov will be unavailable, the funding opportunity close date is being extended to November 3, 2023. There will be no further extension of the deadline.
Last Updated
Oct. 20, 2023, 3:28 p.m. EDT
Version
7
Archive Date
Dec. 3, 2023

Eligibility

Eligible Applicants
County governments
City or township governments
For profit organizations other than small businesses
Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
Small businesses
Special district governments
State governments
Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments)
Private institutions of higher education
Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
Additional Info
For-profit entities are eligible for On-Farm Trials if their primary business is related to agriculture. Nonprofit entities are eligible for On-Farm Trials if they have experience working with agricultural producers.

Award Sizing

Ceiling
$5,000,000
Floor
$250,000
Estimated Program Funding
$50,000,000
Estimated Number of Grants
15

Contacts

Contact
Aileen Anderson Grants Management Specialist
Contact Email
nrcscig@usda.gov
Email Description
If you have any questions related to preparing application content.
Contact Phone
(315) 221-5884
Additional Information
See Related Documents Tab.

Documents

Posted documents for USDA-NRCS-NHQ-CIGOFT-23-NOFO0001312

Grant Awards

Grants awarded through USDA-NRCS-NHQ-CIGOFT-23-NOFO0001312

Incumbent or Similar Grants

Grants similar to USDA-NRCS-NHQ-CIGOFT-23-NOFO0001312

Similar Active Opportunities

Open grant opportunities similar to USDA-NRCS-NHQ-CIGOFT-23-NOFO0001312