Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) On-Farm Conservation Innovation Trials for fiscal year (FY) 2023 | USDA NRCS NHQ CIGOFT 23 NOFO0001312

Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NRCS NHQ CIGOFT 23 NOFO0001312

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is offering the FY 2023 Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) On-Farm Conservation Innovation Trials (On-Farm Trials) program to help move practical, innovative conservation ideas from concept to real-world use on working farms and ranches. The main goal is to speed up adoption and evaluation of new or improved conservation approaches by funding projects that are carried out in partnership with agricultural producers, so results are grounded in on-the-ground conditions and can be replicated or scaled more broadly if they work.

For FY 2023, NRCS will accept applications for on-farm trial projects that address at least one of four stated priorities: irrigation management technologies, feed management and enteric methane reduction, grazing lands, and nutrient management and soil health demonstration (SHD) trials. The focus across these priorities is on testing and demonstrating approaches that measurably improve natural resource outcomes, such as water use efficiency, reduced greenhouse gas emissions from livestock digestion, better grazing management outcomes, or improved nutrient cycling and soil health performance.

Total funding available is up to $50 million for FY 2023, with individual awards capped at $5,000,000. NRCS anticipates making about 15 awards under this notice. Projects are expected to run for multi-year periods, with allowable project durations ranging from 3 to 5 years, reflecting the reality that conservation outcomes and producer adoption often require several seasons to evaluate properly.

Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov, with a hard deadline of 11:59 pm Eastern Time on October 30, 2023. Applicants experiencing technical problems with Grants.gov are directed to Grants.gov Applicant Support (1-800-518-4726 or support@grants.gov), and NRCS staff will not assist with Grants.gov account issues. Questions to the agency are intended to be limited to clarifying information already contained in the Notice of Funding Opportunity (for example, confirming dates, page references, or resolving inconsistencies). NRCS notes that it will not respond to questions about applicant eligibility determinations or the strength or competitiveness of a specific project idea.

NRCS scheduled an informational webinar for prospective On-Farm Trials applicants on September 13, 2023 at 3:00 pm Eastern Time via Microsoft Teams, with participation available by computer/mobile app or by phone (audio only) at 1-202-650-0123 using Conference ID 565 622 505#. While the exact timeline can change, NRCS estimated selections would be made by January 15, 2024, with award execution expected by May 31, 2024.

This opportunity is a discretionary grant program (CFDA 10.912) supporting work in agriculture, the environment, natural resources, and research and development. Eligibility is broad and includes state, county, and local governments; special district governments; public and private institutions of higher education; federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations; nonprofits (including both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3)); and for-profit entities including small businesses. The funding opportunity number is USDA NRCS NHQ CIGOFT 23 NOFO0001312, and the notice was created on August 31, 2023 with an original closing date of October 30, 2023.

• The Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service in the agriculture, environment, natural resources, science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) On-Farm Conservation Innovation Trials for 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 $5,000,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 15 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses.

Apply for USDA NRCS NHQ CIGOFT 23 NOFO0001312

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