Announcement for Program Funding for NRCS’ Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) for Federal fiscal year | USDA NRCS CT CIG 18 01

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is this funding opportunity?

This opportunity is the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) funding for federal fiscal year (FY) 2018 in Connecticut, under opportunity number USDA NRCS CT CIG 18 01. It is a discretionary grant program (CFDA 10.912) intended to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies.

What is the main goal of the Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) program in this announcement?

The goal is to advance practical, new, or improved conservation solutions that can be demonstrated in Connecticut and then more widely adopted. The emphasis is on innovation that leads to real conservation outcomes and accelerates adoption across farms, landscapes, or communities.

Is this a national program or focused on a specific state?

This particular announcement is focused on projects that will be carried out in the state of Connecticut.

How much total funding is available for FY 2018 in Connecticut?

NRCS has made up to $225,000 available in total through this FY 2018 Connecticut funding opportunity.

How many awards does NRCS expect to make?

The announcement indicates an expectation of making about three awards.

What is the maximum award amount per project?

Individual awards are capped at $75,000, so proposals should be designed with a scope of work and budget that fit within that ceiling.

How long can a funded project run?

Funded projects may run between one and three years.

What kinds of activities can the project timeline support?

The one-to-three-year period provides flexibility for work such as piloting, field demonstration, evaluation, outreach, or adoption planning, while keeping the work on a practical timeline.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is broad and includes all non-federal entities and individuals. Eligible applicants include state, county, and local governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments and other tribal organizations; public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; nonprofit organizations (501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3)); for-profit organizations (including those other than small businesses); small businesses; and individuals.

Who is not eligible to apply?

Federal agencies are explicitly excluded from applying under this opportunity.

Are individuals allowed to apply, or only organizations?

Individuals are eligible to apply, in addition to a wide range of organizational applicant types.

Are for-profit businesses eligible?

Yes. For-profit organizations are listed as eligible applicants, including those other than small businesses, and small businesses are also listed as eligible.

Are nonprofit organizations eligible?

Yes. The opportunity allows nonprofit organizations, including both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3) nonprofits.

Are colleges and universities eligible?

Yes. Both public and private institutions of higher education are eligible to apply.

Are tribal governments and tribal organizations eligible?

Yes. Federally recognized Native American tribal governments and other tribal organizations are included as eligible applicants.

Are local governments eligible?

Yes. State, county, and local governments, along with special district governments and independent school districts, are listed as eligible.

What subject areas does this opportunity cover?

The activity areas tied to this opportunity span agriculture, environment, natural resources, science and technology, and other research and development, reflecting the program's emphasis on applied innovation that produces conservation outcomes.

What does "discretionary grant program" mean in this context?

The announcement describes CIG as a discretionary grant program, meaning funding is awarded through a competitive process rather than being automatically provided to all applicants who meet basic eligibility criteria.

What is the CFDA number for this program?

The CFDA number listed for this program is 10.912.

What is the opportunity number for this specific announcement?

The opportunity number is USDA NRCS CT CIG 18 01.

When was the announcement created?

The opportunity was created on April 19, 2018.

What was the application deadline?

The original application closing date shown in the announcement was June 1, 2018.

Is this a time-limited competitive funding round?

Yes. The announcement describes a specific application window, with proposals due by the listed closing date to be considered under the FY 2018 Connecticut funding pool.

What kinds of projects are encouraged under this opportunity?

Projects are intended to support on-the-ground or applied conservation innovation, helping move promising methods or technologies from concept or early testing into demonstrated approaches that can be replicated or scaled in Connecticut.

Why are the individual award amounts described as relatively modest?

The announcement sets a $75,000 cap per award and anticipates about three awards from a total pool of up to $225,000, positioning the program to support pilots, demonstrations, and partnerships designed to prove conservation benefits and accelerate adoption.

Does the opportunity emphasize research, implementation, or both?

The information provided points to applied innovation with practical demonstration and adoption goals. The listed activity areas include science and technology and other research and development, but the announcement also emphasizes field demonstration, evaluation, outreach, and adoption planning.

Is the intent to keep projects theoretical, or to support real-world demonstrations?

The intent is to support practical and demonstrable conservation solutions, with an emphasis on approaches that can be shown to work and then more widely adopted.