2008 Conservation Innovation Grants

The Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) program is a voluntary program intended to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies while leveraging Federal investment in environmental enhancement and protection, in conjunction with agricultural production.

Under CIG, Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) funds are used to award competitive grants to non-Federal governmental or non-governmental organizations, Tribes, or individuals. CIG enables the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to work with other public and private entities to accelerate technology transfer and adoption of promising technologies and approaches to address some of the Nation's most pressing natural resource concerns.

Conservation Innovation Grants will benefit agricultural producers by providing more options for environmental enhancement and compliance with Federal, State, and local regulations. NRCS administers this program.

• 2008 CIG Funding Announcement

• 2008 New York State CIG Materials

• Obtaining a Data Universal Numbering System number (DUNS)

• Register with the Central Contracting Registry (CCR)

• Information for Grantees

• Prior Year CIG Information

• Rules. Notices and Other Information

As part of the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, USDA NRCS administers both national and state level Conservation Innovation Grant programs, which provide competitive grants to State and Local governments, Tribes, non-governmental organizations and individuals.

Each year, there are two separate opportunities to apply for grants. The NRCS New York administered CIG program and the NRCS nationally-administered CIG grant program. Each grant program may be applied to separately. Grant applications submitted to the national program are evaluated and awarded separately from the New York CIG program and vice versa. A qualified agency, organization or individual may apply simultaneously to each program, however, only one grant will be awarded for the same application.

2008 CIG Funding Announcement

Ron Alvarado, State Conservationist for the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, has announced that up to $250,000 is available for funding of new technology under the Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) Program. Conservation Innovation Grants is a component of the Environmental Quality Incentives Program. It provides farmers with the opportunity, through innovative approaches, to address some of the states most pressing natural resource conservation needs.

“These grants offer an opportunity to promote public-private partnerships and support the agency’s agenda to provide innovative technologies and approaches to environmental enhancement and protection on working agriculture lands,” Alvarado stated.

State, Tribal, and Local governmental entities, non-governmental organizations, and individuals may apply. Project proposals should demonstrate the use of innovative technologies or approaches to address a natural resource concern. Project results are expected to improve and create the transfer of conservation technologies, management systems, and innovative approaches (such as market-based systems) into NRCS technical manuals or guides or to the private sector.

Applications are due in the NRCS New York State Office by May 2, 2008. Project proposals will be evaluated with the assistance of the State Technical Committee based on the criteria identified in the program announcement.

Selected applicants may receive grants up to 50 percent of the total project cost, not to exceed $75,000. Applicants must provide nonfederal matching funds for at least 50 percent of the project cost, of which 50 percent may be from in-kind contributions. Projects may be single or multi year, not to exceed three years.

Additional grant application information can be obtained at the Grants.gov Web site.

Questions can be emailed to Don Pettit, Assistant State Conservationist, or by phone at (315) 477-6503.

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2008 New York State CIG Materials

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Fiscal Year 2008 New York Announcement for Funding (PDF; 91 KB)

The following Standard Forms (SF) are available at the Grants.gov Approved Standard Forms Web site:

• Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424 Core Form)

• Budget Information - Non-Construction Programs (SF-424A)

• Assurances - Non-Construction Programs (SF-424B)

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Obtaining a Data Universal Numbering System number (DUNS)

Information for obtaining a DUNS number can be found at the Grants.gov Request a DUNS Web site, or by calling 1-866-705-5711. Please note that the registration may take up to 14 business days to complete.

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Register with the Central Contractor Registry (CCR)

CIG Applicants must register with the Central Contractor Registry (CCR). Allow a minimum of five days to complete the registration.

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Information for Grantees

Reporting schedules and forms

Forms for fiscal year 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2007 CIG grantees.

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Prior Year Conservation Innovation Grants

• 2007 CIG Information

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Contact Information

Questions related to New York's Conservation Innovation Grant program should be directed to:

Assistant State Conservationist for Programs

Donald Pettit
Syracuse, New York
Phone: 315-477-6503

Resource Conservationist, EQIP Program Manager

Dianna Power
Syracuse, New York
Phone: 315-477-6508

If you encounter any problems with files provided on this page, have questions, suggestions, or find a broken link, please contact Gary Vandawalker at 315-477-6546.

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