Resource Details
Agriculture, Sustainability, Technology
CIG On-Farm Conservation Innovation Trials
Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) are competitive grants that drive public and private sector innovation in resource conservation. CIG projects inspire creative problem-solving—boosting production on farms, ranches, and private forests through improvements in water quality, soil health, and wildlife habitat.
National competition for projects that support more widespread adoption and evaluation of innovative conservation approaches in partnership with agricultural producers. On-Farm Trials Awardees provide technical assistance and incentive payments to producers to help compensate for risks associated with implementation of new conservation practices, systems and approaches. Awardees also evaluate the environmental, financial and social (to the extent possible) impacts of implementing innovative approaches. The Soil Health Demo Trial is a priority within the On-Farm Trials competition which focuses exclusively on implementation of conservation practices and systems that improve soil health.
Eligibility
Eligible applicants may come from state or local governments, federally-recognized American Indian tribes, non-governmental organizations, and individuals in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Caribbean Area (Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands), and the Pacific Islands Area (Guam, American Samoa, Pacific Islands Area).
Eligible projects are innovative and promote on-the-ground conservation. They include pilot projects and field demonstrations. Proposed projects must conform to the description of innovative conservation projects or activities published in the annual funding notice. An applicant’s CIG funding request must be matched at least 1:1 with non-federal funding.
Top Benefits
- The maximum CIG award tends to be either $1 million or $2 million
- Matching funds can be any combination of cash and in-kind contributions
- NRCS will provide technical oversight for each project receiving an award
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Provides leadership on food, agriculture, natural resources, rural development, nutrition, and related issues based on public policy, the best available science, and effective management.
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Transition Incentives Program (TIP)
U.S. Department of Agriculture
The Transition Incentives Program provides land owners or operators with two additional annual rental payments on land enrolled in expiring Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) contracts, on the condition they sell or rent this land to a beginning farmer or rancher or to a socially disadvantaged group.