Virginia Conservation Innovation Grants

The summary for the Virginia Conservation Innovation Grants grant is detailed below. This summary states who is eligible for the grant, how much grant money will be awarded, current and past deadlines, Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) numbers, and a sampling of similar government grants. Verify the accuracy of the data FederalGrants.com provides by visiting the webpage noted in the Link to Full Announcement section or by contacting the appropriate person listed as the Grant Announcement Contact. If any section is incomplete, please visit the website for the Natural Resources Conservation Service, which is the U.S. government agency offering this grant.
Virginia Conservation Innovation Grants: 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) 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 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 funds projects targeting innovative on-the-ground conservation, including pilot projects and field demonstrations. CIG does not fund research projects, with the exception of on-farm conservation research. On-farm conservation research is defined as an investigation conducted to answer a specified 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 of replications and statistical analysis of results. To the extent NRCS funds research projects through CIG, the Agency will only fund 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 three years, submitted by eligible entities from Virginia. Eligible entities include Indian Tribes, State and local units of government, universities and colleges, non-governmental organizations, soil and water conservation districts and individuals.

Proposals will be screened for completeness and compliance with the provisions of this notice. Incomplete and/or noncompliant proposals will be eliminated from competition, and notification of elimination will be sent to the applicant. Complete proposals received by the applicable deadline will be evaluated by a Virginia CIG Review Group made up of NRCS staff. The CIG Review Group will evaluate complete proposal applications based on the Proposal Evaluation Criteria identified in the instructions in section V.B. We will be especially looking for proposals that demonstrate the use of innovative technologies and/or approaches to address at least one of the topics provided in section I.D. of this notice. The CIG Review Group will make its recommendations for project approval to the NRCS State Conservationist who will make the final selections.
Federal Grant Title: Virginia Conservation Innovation Grants
Federal Agency Name: Natural Resources Conservation Service
Grant Categories: Agriculture Environment Natural Resources
Type of Opportunity: Discretionary
Funding Opportunity Number: USDA-NRCS-VA-CIG-16-01
Type of Funding: Grant
CFDA Numbers: 321837, 321838
CFDA Descriptions: Environmental Quality Incentives Program
Current Application Deadline: Jun 24, 2016
Original Application Deadline: Jun 24, 2016
Posted Date: May 3, 2016
Creation Date: May 3, 2016
Archive Date: Jul 24, 2016
Total Program Funding: $150,000
Maximum Federal Grant Award: $75,000
Minimum Federal Grant Award: $0
Expected Number of Awards: 10
Cost Sharing or Matching: Yes
Applicants Eligible for this Grant
Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
State governments
County governments
Special district governments
Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities
City or township governments
Individuals
Private institutions of higher education
Small businesses
Link to Full Grant Announcement
NRCS VA Homepage
Grant Announcement Contact
Twyla Gendron, Business Svcs. Spec. USDA, NRCS 1606 Santa Rosa Rd., Ste. 209 Richmond, Virginia 23229-5014
CIG Administrative Contact

Natural Resources Conservation Service 202.720.2604