# Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) On-Farm Conservation Innovation Trials for fiscal year (FY) 2023

Source: https://welltoldgrants.com/grants/usda-nrcs-nhq-cigoft-23-nofo0001312-conservation-innovation-grants-cig-on-farm-conservation/  
Official notice: https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/349853

> 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 15 awards worth $50.0 million in total. Applications closed on November 3, 2023.

| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Opportunity number | USDA-NRCS-NHQ-CIGOFT-23-NOFO0001312 |
| Agency | Natural Resources Conservation Service |
| Status | Forecast |
| Deadline | November 3, 2023 |
| Award ceiling | $5.0 million |
| Award floor | $250,000 |
| Expected awards | 15 |
| Total funding | $50.0 million |
| Cost sharing | not required |
| Assistance Listings | 10.912 |

## Who can apply

- 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
- Nonprofits that do not have 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

For-profit entities are eligible for On-Farm Trials if their primary business is related to agriculture. Nonprofit entities are eligible for On-Farm Trials if they have experience working with agricultural producers.

## What the grant funds

Notice of Funding Opportunity Summary NRCS is announcing the availability of 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 2023, applications will be accepted from eligible entities for projects addressing at least one of the following priorities: irrigation management technologies; feed management and enteric methane reduction; grazing lands; nutrient management; and soil health demonstration (SHD) trials. Up to $50 million is available for On-Farm Trials in 2023. On-Farm Trials projects may be between 3 and 5 years in duration. For new users of Grants.gov, see Section IV for information about steps required before submitting your application through Grants.gov. Key Dates Applicants must submit their applications through Grants.gov by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on November 3, 2023. For technical issues with Grants.gov, contact Grants.gov Applicant Support at 1-800-518-4726 or support@grants.gov. Awarding agency staff cannot support applicants regarding Grants.gov accounts. For inquiries specific to the content of the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NFO) requirements, contact the Federal awarding agency (Section VII of this NFO). Please limit questions to specific information contained in this NFO (such as dates, page numbers, clarification of discrepancies, etc.). Questions related to eligibility or the merits of a specific proposal will not be addressed. A webinar for On-Farm Trials applicants is scheduled for September 13, 2023 at 3 p.m. Eastern Time. Information on how to participate in the Microsoft Teams webinar can be obtained through the following link and phone number: Join on your computer or mobile app Click here to join the meeting Or call in (audio only) +1 202-650-0123 Phone Conference ID: 565 622 505# The agency anticipates making selections by January 15, 2024 and expects to execute awards by May 31, 2024. These dates are estimates and are subject to change.

## Questions people ask

### Is USDA-NRCS-NHQ-CIGOFT-23-NOFO0001312 still open?

No. It closed on November 3, 2023.

### Who can apply for Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) On-Farm Conservation Innovation Trials for fiscal year (FY) 2023?

Natural Resources Conservation Service accepted applications from nonprofits, colleges and universities, state and local governments, tribes, small businesses and businesses. The notice adds further conditions, so read its eligibility section.

### What is the deadline for Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) On-Farm Conservation Innovation Trials for fiscal year (FY) 2023?

Closed November 3, 2023. 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. About $50.0 million in total across about 15 awards.

### 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.