2022 Conservation Innovation Grants State Program | USDA NRCS CA CIG 22 NOFO0001195

Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NRCS CA CIG 22 NOFO0001195

The 2022 Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) State Program opportunity is a competitive grant offered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) through the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), with funding administered under the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) assistance listing (SAM.gov Assistance Listing 10.912). The purpose of the program is to stimulate the development, testing, and broader adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies. For this specific notice, NRCS is soliciting proposals for projects that will be carried out in California, with the overall intent of moving practical, innovative conservation solutions from concept or pilot stages toward real-world use.

For FY 2022, NRCS set aside up to $400,000 total for the California state CIG competition. Individual awards are capped at $150,000 (this is the federal share per agreement), and projects can run from one to three years. The notice does not define a minimum award amount (the funding floor is listed as not applicable), which typically means applicants can propose budgets below the maximum as long as the scope is appropriate and competitive. NRCS expected to make about five awards based on the funding level and award ceiling, though the exact number can vary depending on the final selection decisions and requested budgets.

Eligibility is broad and is designed to include most non-federal applicants. All non-federal entities and individuals may apply, with federal agencies being the only explicit exclusion. The eligible applicant types listed include state, county, and local governments; special districts; independent school districts; public and private institutions of higher education; federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status; for-profit organizations (including small businesses and other for-profits); and individuals. In practical terms, this means proposals can come from a wide range of organizations as long as the work is performed in California and aligns with CIG goals around conservation innovation.

Applications were required to be submitted electronically through Grants.gov by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on June 1, 2022. NRCS also scheduled an applicant webinar for April 27, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time, with participation details to be posted on the California State CIG website. The agency shared estimated internal milestones as well: anticipated selections by June 30, 2022, and expected award execution by August 19, 2022, while noting these dates were subject to change. For applicants who encountered technical problems with Grants.gov, the notice directed them to Grants.gov Applicant Support (phone and email provided) and clarified that NRCS program staff would not provide support for setting up or troubleshooting Grants.gov accounts.

This funding opportunity is categorized as discretionary federal financial assistance and uses a grant as the funding instrument type, with the activity category tied to natural resources. The notice also pointed applicants to federal financial assistance training resources, specifically the free "Grants 101" training hosted through the CFO Council, which covers key federal grants topics such as governing laws and guidance, assistance mechanisms, Uniform Guidance administrative requirements, cost principles, and risk management and single audit considerations. Finally, the notice included a communications boundary: NRCS would address questions about the content of the notice itself (for example, clarifying dates or locating information in the document), but would not respond to questions asking for feedback on eligibility edge cases or the competitiveness or merits of a particular proposal idea.

• The Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "2022 Conservation Innovation Grants State Program" 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 Apr 12, 2022.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 01, 2022. (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 $150,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 5 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, 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, Individuals, For profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses.

Apply for USDA NRCS CA CIG 22 NOFO0001195

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