California Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG)
The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), an agency under the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), is accepting applications for a grant program that will provide up to $75,000 of funding to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies in California.
CIG is used to apply or demonstrate previously proven technology with an emphasis on opportunities to scale proven, emerging conservation strategies. Projects can be between one and three years in duration with an anticipated project start date of August 16, 2017. Selected applicants may receive CIG grants of up to 50 percent of their total project cost (not to exceed $75,000).
For the purposes of CIG, the proposed innovative project or activity must promote environmental protection or natural resources enhancement, and encompass development and pilot field testing, on-farm research and demonstration, evaluation, and/or implementation of:
- Conservation adoption incentive systems, including market-based systems; or
- Promising conservation technologies, practices, systems, procedures, or approaches.
Projects or activities under CIG must comply with all Federal, State, and local regulations throughout the duration of the project and:
- Make use of proven technology or a technology that has been studied sufficiently to indicate a high probability for success;
- Demonstrate, evaluate, or verify environmental (soil, water, air, plants, energy and animal) effectiveness, utility, affordability, and usability of conservation technology in the field;
- Adapt conservation technologies, management, practices, systems, procedures, approaches, and incentive systems to improve performance, and encourage adoption,
- Introduce conservation systems, approaches, and procedures from another geographic area or agricultural sector; or
- Demonstrate transferability of knowledge.
Eligible entities include: Indian Tribes, State and local units of government, non-governmental organizations, and individuals. Projects must involve producers who meet the EQIP Eligibility Requirements.
The full request for proposals is here.
About the Author
For more information on this grant or how to apply with Morrison's assistance, please contact the Morrison Grants Team by email at grants@morrisonco.net or call us at 530-893-4764.
The application is due June 7, 2017 by 4:30 pm