Announcement for Program Funding for NRCS's Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) Classic Program for Federal fiscal year (FY) 2023

Due to Grants.gov system maintenance rescheduled to October 28-31, 2023, during which time Grants.gov will be unavailable, the funding opportunity close date is being extended to November 3, 2023. There will be no further extension of the deadline. -

Notice of Funding Opportunity Summary

NRCS is announcing the availability of up to $15 million in CIG funding 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 through the development of technical manuals, guides and for practical instruction for the private sector.

Applications will be accepted from all non-Federal entities and individuals based in the United States (see Section III(A) Eligible Applicants). Projects may be between 1 and 3 years in duration. The maximum award amount for a single award in FY 2023 is $2 million.

For new users of Grants.gov, see Section IV(A) for information about steps required before submitting an 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 CIG Classic applicants is scheduled for September 12, 2023 at 2pm 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, mobile app or room device

Click here to join the meeting

Or call in (audio only)

+1 202-650-0123

Phone Conference ID: 621 758 351#

Applicants are encouraged to visit the CIG website to learn more about the CIG program. Questions about this announcement can be directed to: nrcscig@usda.gov.

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.