USDA-NRCS-NHQ-CIG-21-NOFO0001094: USDA-NRCS Conservation Innovation Grants On-Farm Conservation Innovation Trials for Federal fiscal year (FY) 2021
Closed
This grant is closed. Who won this program's grants before is below, and similar open grants are at the end of the page. It is in our archive of Natural Resources Conservation Service notices from 2021.
Natural Resources Conservation Service offered grants of up to $5.0 million (at least $250,000) to nonprofits, colleges and universities, state and local governments, tribes, small businesses and businesses. It expected to make about 25 awards. Applications closed on June 21, 2021.
From the official notice on Grants.gov, last changed April 21, 2021. Checked November 7, 2026.
- Award ceiling$5.0 million
- Award floor$250,000
- Expected awards25
- Cost sharingRequired
- Funding typeGrant
Key dates
| Posted | April 21, 2021 |
|---|---|
| Deadline | June 21, 2021 |
| Archived by Grants.gov | July 21, 2021 |
Who can apply
This opportunity was open to nonprofits, colleges and universities, state and local governments, tribes, small businesses and businesses.
All 11 applicant types the notice lists
- State governments
- County governments
- City or township governments
- Special district governments
- Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
- Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
- 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
- Private institutions of higher education
- For profit organizations other than small businesses
- Small businesses
Is this a realistic fit?
- Past Environmental Quality Incentives Program awards averaged $577,615; this notice allows up to $5.0 million per award.
- Most of the program's money (53% over five years) went to nonprofits.
- The notice requires cost sharing or matching funds, so you must contribute part of the project cost.
What the grant funds
Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), USDA is announcing the availability of Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) On-Farm Conservation Innovation Trials (On-Farm Trials) to stimulate the adoption and evaluation of innovative conservation approaches in partnership with agricultural producers. For 2021, applications are accepted from eligible entities for projects addressing at least one of the following priorities: Irrigation Management Technologies; Climate Smart Agricultural Solutions; Management Technologies and Strategies; and Soil Health Demonstration Trial. Up to $25 million is available for On-Farm Trials in 2021. NRCS anticipates that at least $10 million of On-Farm Trials funding in 2021 will be awarded to entities applying for the Soil Health Demonstration Trial (SHD) component. On-Farm Trials projects may be between three and five years in duration. A webinar for On-Farm Trials applicants is scheduled for May 13, 2021 at 3 p.m. Eastern Time. Information on how to participate in the Microsoft Teams webinar is included in the notice of funding opportunity (NFO) included under the related documents tab.
Who has won Environmental Quality Incentives Program grants before
From fiscal 2021 to 2025, Environmental Quality Incentives Program (10.912) awarded $496 million across 859 grant awards, an average of $577,615 per award.
| Recipient | State | Awards | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Fish and Wildlife Foundation | District of Columbia | 4 | $60.7 million |
| National Experienced Workforce Solutions, Inc | Virginia | 36 | $47.8 million |
| The American Farmland Trust | District of Columbia | 13 | $14.0 million |
| Texas A&m Agrilife Research | Texas | 10 | $12.0 million |
| University of Hawaii | Hawaii | 10 | $8.1 million |
Applying now
This notice no longer takes applications. Agencies often post the same opportunity again under a new number, so check the program's notices on Grants.gov and the similar open grants below.
The notice on Grants.gov keeps its full text and attachments, which is useful for planning a resubmission.
Questions people ask
Is USDA-NRCS-NHQ-CIG-21-NOFO0001094 still open?
No. It closed on June 21, 2021.
Who can apply for USDA-NRCS Conservation Innovation Grants On-Farm Conservation Innovation Trials for Federal fiscal year (FY) 2021?
Natural Resources Conservation Service accepted applications from nonprofits, colleges and universities, state and local governments, tribes, small businesses and businesses.
What is the deadline for USDA-NRCS Conservation Innovation Grants On-Farm Conservation Innovation Trials for Federal fiscal year (FY) 2021?
Closed June 21, 2021. Applications are no longer accepted; the program's newer notices are on this page when there are any.
How much funding is available?
Awards of up to $5.0 million each.
Who has won Environmental Quality Incentives Program grants before?
The largest recipients over five fiscal years were National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, National Experienced Workforce Solutions, Inc, The American Farmland Trust. The program made 859 awards worth $496 million in that time.
Similar open grants
- Ethical, Legal and Social Implications (ELSI) Small Research Grant (R03 Clinical Trial Optional)
- Ethical, Legal and Social Implications (ELSI) Exploratory/Developmental Research Grant (R21 Clinical Trial Optional)
- Ethical, Legal and Social Implications (ELSI) Research (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)
- Easement Restoration and Stewardship
- Native American Affairs: Fiscal Year 2025 Colorado River Basin Tribal Drought Resiliency Program
- F26AS00030 Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund: Recovery Land Acquisition Grant Program