Grants promote new conservation strategies and technologies
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in New York State announces up to $200,000 in available funding for qualifying projects under the Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) Program. CIG, a component of the NRCS Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), provides eligible applicants with the opportunity to address some of the state’s most pressing natural resource conservation needs.
State, tribal, and local governmental entities, non-governmental organizations, universities, 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 the transfer of conservation technologies, management systems and innovative approaches into NRCS technical manuals and/or to the private sector. This year, the NY CIG will focus on the topics of Nutrient Management, Soil Health, Economics and Sociology and Environmental Markets.
Pre-proposals are due in the New York NRCS State Office by 4:00 pm EST on May 30, 2014. Pre-proposals will be evaluated and those meeting the program criteria will be invited to submit a full proposal. Full proposals will need to be submitted by 4:00 pm EST on July 31, 2014 and will be evaluated based on the criteria identified in the program announcement.
Selected applicants may receive CIG grants of up to 50 percent of their total project cost. CIG recipients must match the USDA funds awarded on dollar-for-dollar basis from non-Federal sources with cash and in-kind contributions. Of the applicant’s required match (50%), a minimum of 25 percent of the total project cost must come from cash sources; the remaining 25 percent may come from in-kind contributions.
Additional information, the RFP Announcement, and related forms are located on the Web at http://www.ny.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/ and at www.grants.gov. Questions may be directed to Tammy Willis, CIG Program Manager at (315) 477-6503 or tammy.willis@ny.usda.gov.