NEWS HIGHLIGHT
Conservation Innovation Grants funding available
On January 16, 2009, the USDA Natural Resources
Conservation Service (NRCS) announced the availability of funding for
Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG).
February 4, 2009 – On January 16, 2009, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announced the availability of funding for Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG).
Funds for single- or multi-year projects, not to exceed three years, will be awarded through a nationwide competitive grants process with applications accepted from all eligible non-federal government or non-government organizations or individuals.
CIG enables NRCS to work with other public and private entities to accelerate technology transfer and adoption of promising technologies and approaches to address pressing natural resource concerns. Examples of target areas for this year's funding that are applicable to anaerobic digestion include:
- Improved On-Farm Energy Efficiency (e.g., biobased energy opportunities; methane recovery)
- Water Resources (e.g., innovative animal manure management systems)
Funding for CIG is made available through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). All proposed CIG projects must involve EQIP-eligible producers. CIG is not a research program, but rather a tool to stimulate the adoption of conservation approaches or technologies that have been studied sufficiently to indicate a high likelihood of success.
CIG will fund projects targeting innovative on-the-ground conservation, including pilot projects and field demonstrations. Technologies and approaches that are commonly used in the geographic area covered by the application, and which are eligible for funding through EQIP, are not eligible for funding through CIG.
The federal contribution for a single project cannot exceed $2 million. At least 50 percent of the total cost of the project must come from non-federal matching funds (cash and in-kind contributions) provided by the grantee.
Applications must be received in the NRCS National Headquarters by close of business March 2, 2009. The complete program funding announcement is available at http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/cig.
