Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NRCS NHQ CIGCLASSIC 23 NOFO0001311
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is offering up to $15 million in funding through its Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) Classic Program for federal fiscal year 2023. This opportunity is meant to spark new and practical conservation solutions that can be used alongside real-world agricultural production. The emphasis is on innovation that can be tested, demonstrated, and then broadly adopted, with an expectation that funded projects will help move proven conservation technologies and approaches into the hands of agricultural producers and the private sector.
CIG Classic projects are intended to do more than just research an idea; they are expected to support the transfer and adoption of conservation practices. NRCS highlights outcomes like developing technical manuals, guides, and other practical instructional materials that make it easier for producers and industry partners to apply the results. The program also encourages innovation in management systems and market-based approaches, not just equipment or field practices, as long as the end result helps advance conservation goals in working agricultural landscapes.
Applications are open to non-Federal entities and individuals located in the United States, with eligibility details referenced in the notice (Section III(A)). Grants may support projects lasting from 1 to 3 years. The maximum award amount for any single project in FY 2023 is $2 million, and NRCS expects to make roughly 17 awards under this funding announcement. The opportunity is listed as a discretionary grant, tied to CFDA number 10.912, and covers a broad set of activity areas including agriculture, natural resources, environment, energy, science and technology, and other research and development themes connected to conservation innovation.
All applications must be submitted through Grants.gov, with a firm deadline of 11:59 pm Eastern Time on October 30, 2023. Applicants who run into technical problems with Grants.gov are directed to Grants.gov Applicant Support (1-800-518-4726 or support@grants.gov), and NRCS notes that its staff cannot help troubleshoot Grants.gov account issues. For questions strictly about the content and requirements of the Notice of Funding Opportunity (such as clarifying dates, page references, or resolving discrepancies), applicants are instructed to contact the federal awarding agency using the contact information provided in the notice. NRCS also makes clear that it will not respond to questions about whether a particular applicant is eligible or whether a particular project idea is likely to be competitive.
To help applicants prepare, NRCS scheduled a webinar for CIG Classic applicants on September 12, 2023 at 2:00 pm Eastern Time, hosted via Microsoft Teams with an option to join by phone. NRCS encourages potential applicants to review the CIG program website for additional background and directs general questions about the announcement to nrcscig@usda.gov. After the submission period closes, NRCS estimates it will make selections by January 15, 2024, and expects to execute awards by May 31, 2024, while noting that these dates are projections and could change.Apply for USDA NRCS NHQ CIGCLASSIC 23 NOFO0001311
- The Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service in the agriculture, business and commerce, energy, environment, natural resources, science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Announcement for Program Funding for NRCS’s Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) Classic Program for Federal fiscal year (FY) 2023" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.912.
- This funding opportunity was created on Aug 31, 2023.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Oct 30, 2023 Applications must be received by 1159 pm Eastern Time.. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $2,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 17 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification), Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility.
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FAQs: USDA NRCS Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) Classic Program (FY 2023)
What is this funding opportunity?
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is offering funding through its Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) Classic Program for federal fiscal year (FY) 2023. The program is designed to spark new and practical conservation solutions that can be tested, demonstrated, and then broadly adopted in real-world agricultural production.
How much total funding is available?
NRCS is offering up to $15 million in total funding under this CIG Classic funding announcement for FY 2023.
What is the maximum award amount per project?
The maximum award amount for any single project in FY 2023 is $2 million.
How many awards does NRCS expect to make?
NRCS expects to make roughly 17 awards under this funding announcement.
How long can a project last?
Grants may support projects lasting from 1 to 3 years.
Who is eligible to apply?
Applications are open to non-Federal entities and individuals located in the United States. The notice references specific eligibility details in Section III(A).
Is this a research grant, or is it focused on implementation?
CIG Classic projects are intended to do more than just research an idea. Funded projects are expected to support transfer and adoption of conservation practices, including moving proven conservation technologies and approaches into the hands of agricultural producers and the private sector.
What kinds of outcomes is NRCS looking for from funded projects?
NRCS highlights practical outcomes that help adoption, such as developing technical manuals, guides, and other instructional materials that make it easier for producers and industry partners to apply project results.
What types of innovations does the program support?
The emphasis is on innovation that can be tested, demonstrated, and broadly adopted. The program encourages innovation not only in equipment or field practices, but also in management systems and market-based approaches, as long as the results advance conservation goals in working agricultural landscapes.
What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?
This opportunity is tied to CFDA number 10.912.
What type of grant is this?
The opportunity is listed as a discretionary grant.
What activity areas does this opportunity cover?
The announcement covers a broad set of activity areas, including agriculture, natural resources, environment, energy, science and technology, and other research and development themes connected to conservation innovation.
How do applicants submit an application?
All applications must be submitted through Grants.gov.
What is the application deadline?
The firm submission deadline is 11:59 pm Eastern Time on October 30, 2023.
What should an applicant do if they have technical problems with Grants.gov?
Applicants are directed to Grants.gov Applicant Support at 1-800-518-4726 or support@grants.gov. NRCS notes that its staff cannot help troubleshoot Grants.gov account issues.
Where can applicants send general questions about the announcement?
NRCS directs general questions about the announcement to nrcscig@usda.gov.
Who should applicants contact with questions about the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) content and requirements?
For questions strictly about the content and requirements of the NOFO (for example, clarifying dates, page references, or resolving discrepancies), applicants are instructed to contact the federal awarding agency using the contact information provided in the notice.
Will NRCS tell me if I am eligible or whether my project idea is competitive?
No. NRCS states that it will not respond to questions about whether a particular applicant is eligible or whether a particular project idea is likely to be competitive.
Was there an applicant webinar for this opportunity?
Yes. NRCS scheduled a webinar for CIG Classic applicants on September 12, 2023 at 2:00 pm Eastern Time, hosted via Microsoft Teams, with an option to join by phone.
Are the selection and award dates set in stone?
No. NRCS provides projected dates and notes they could change. After the submission period closes, NRCS estimates selections by January 15, 2024, and expects to execute awards by May 31, 2024.
Where can applicants find additional background information?
NRCS encourages potential applicants to review the CIG program website for additional background.
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