Funding-USDA - 2017
National Conservation Innovation Grants APF; January 9, 2017
Agency
Department
of Agriculture
Natural
Resources Conservation Service
Description
Overview:
The purpose of CIG is to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative
conservation approaches and technologies, while leveraging the Federal
investment in environmental enhancement and protection in conjunction with
agricultural production. CIG projects are expected to lead to the transfer of
conservation technologies, management systems, and innovative approaches (such
as market-based systems) to EQIP eligible producers, into NRCS technical
manuals and guides, or to the private sector. CIG is used to apply or
demonstrate previously proven technology in order to increase adoption, with an
emphasis on opportunities to scale proven, emerging conservation strategies.
CIG promotes the sharing of skills, knowledge, technologies, and facilities
among communities, governments, and other institutions to ensure that
scientific and technological developments are accessible to a wider range of
users. CIG projects targeting innovative on-the-ground conservation, including
pilot projects, field demonstrations, and on-farm conservation research.
On-farm conservation research is defined as an investigation conducted to
answer a specific conservation-related question using a statistically valid
design while employing farm-scale equipment on farm fields. Specifically, a
valid study design will use an appropriate number ofreplications
and statistical analysis ofresults. To the extent
NRCS funds research projects through CIG, the agency will only fund on-farm
research projects that stimulate innovative approaches to natural resource
management in conjunction with agricultural production. NRCS will accept
proposals under this notice for single or multiyear projects, not to exceed 3
years, submitted by eligible entities from any of the 50 States, the District
of Columbia, the Caribbean Area (Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands), or
the Pacific Islands Area (Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the
Northern Mariana Islands). Eligible entities include Indian Tribes, State and
local units of government, non-governmental organizations, and individuals.
Complete proposals received by the deadline will be evaluated through a
two-tier review process. The first-tier review will be performed by a technical
peer review panel based on the Proposal Evaluation Criteria identified in the
instructions in section V, patt B. For the
second-tier review, full proposals, along with evaluations from the technical
peer review panel and State Conservationist, will be forwarded to the Grants
Review Board. The Grants Review Board will make its recommendations for project
approval to the NRCS Chief who will make the final selections.
Announcement
Number:
USDA-NRCS-NHQ-CIG-17-01
Closing
Date:
Jan
09, 2017
Link
to Full Announcement
http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=289864
Contact
Information
Melleny Cotton
(202)720-7412