The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is announcing the availability of Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) State Program funding to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies.
Donor Name: Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
State: Rhode Island
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 06/24/2023
Size of the Grant: $170,000
Grant Duration: 3 years
Details:
The purpose of CIG is to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies in conjunction with agricultural production. CIG projects are expected to lead to the transfer of conservation technologies, management systems, and innovative approaches (such as market-based systems) to agricultural producers, into government technical manuals and guides, or to the private sector. CIG generally funds pilot projects, field demonstrations, and on-farm conservation research. On-farm conservation research is defined as an investigation conducted to answer a specific applied conservation question using a statistically valid design while employing farm-scale equipment on farms, ranches or private forest lands.
Innovative Conservation Projects or Activities
CIG funds the development and field testing, on-farm research and demonstration, evaluation, or implementation of:
- Approaches to incentivizing conservation adoption, including market-based and conservation finance approaches; and
- Conservation technologies, practices, and systems.
Projects or activities under CIG must comply with all applicable federal, tribal, state, and local laws and regulations throughout the duration of the project; and
- Use a technology or approach that was studied sufficiently to indicate a high probability for success;
- Demonstrate, evaluate, and verify the effectiveness, utility, affordability, and usability of natural resource conservation technologies and approaches in the field;
- Adapt and transfer conservation technologies, management, practices, systems, approaches, and incentive systems to improve performance and encourage adoption;
- Introduce proven conservation technologies and approaches to a geographic area or agricultural sector where that technology or approach is not currently in use.
CIG Priorities for FY 2023:
Aquatic Resources and Wildlife
- Develop innovative practices to mitigate coastal marsh migration and support coastal resiliency while benefiting wildlife species of special needs.
- Implement strategies to restore declining coastal habitats.
- Develop strategies to recycle or re-use shell for restoration of oyster reefs. Urban and Small-Scale Farms
- Develop and/or demonstrate adapted conservation practices forfarming operations located in urban high-density settings.
- Develop an urban conservation farm showcase to provide training to urban farmers on urban conservation strategies.
- Innovations for small-scale composting operations
Water Quality and Quantity
- Develop innovative erosion control practices that help to minimize sediment transport off agricultural areas. – such as hydraulically applied soil stabilization or use of flocculants.
- Develop innovative methods to conserve water on agricultural operations.
Soil Health
- Demonstrate and quantify impacts of soil health promoting practices.
Climate-Smart Agriculture and Forestry (CSAF)
- Develop innovative conservation practice scenarios, guidelines, and recommendations when using mitigating CSAF.
- Develop CSAF showcases on mitigating activities and strategies within farming operations.
Funding Information
- Estimated Total Program Funding: $170,000
- Award Ceiling: $170,000
- Award Floor: $10,000
Performance Periods
Projects may be between 1 and 3 years in duration.
Eligible Applicants
- Independent school districts
- Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments)
- Private institutions of higher education
- Special district governments
- Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
- Small businesses
- Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
- Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities
- County governments
- Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
- For profit organizations other than small businesses
- Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
- State governments
- City or township governments
Additional Information on Eligibility
All U.S. domestic, non-Federal entities and individuals are eligible to apply for projects carried out in Rhode Island.
For more information, visit Grants.gov.