USDA Announces Conservation Grant Sign-Up

The deadline for submitting applications has been extended to March 20, 2009.

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Bangor, ME – January 30, 2009 – The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has announced the availability of program funding for Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) for fiscal year 2009. The CIG program is designed to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies. Grants for approved projects cannot exceed 50 percent of the total project cost. Applications must be received by close of business March 2, 2009.

The Department of Agriculture’s NRCS administers CIG. For Fiscal Year 2009, up to $15 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.

FY 2009 CIG categories are:

o Natural Resource Concerns – up to $5 million available for proposals addressing one or more of the CIG natural resource concerns.
o Technology – up to $6 million available for proposals addressing one or more of the CIG technology categories.
o Grant Leveraging Category – Up to $4 million to pilot the leveraging of CIG grants projects that provide further grants that align with the purposes of CIG. This is the first year CIG offers this category.

Applicants should explain the geographic area that the project would benefit and describe the innovative technologies or approaches used to address the natural resource concern. Applicants should also describe the innovative technologies or approaches which will be used to address the natural resource conservation concern. Other requirements are identified in the Announcement of Program Funding.

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 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.

2009 Application Materials 
   

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