Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) On-Farm Trial (OFT)
Active
- Assistance listing
- 10.941
- Agency
-
National Resources Conservation Service
Department of Agriculture
- Grant awards
- Not on record
Program facts
- Also known as
- On-Farm Conservation Innovation Grants OFT
- Treasury account
-
- 12-1004-0-1-302
- More information
Program details come from SAM.gov Assistance Listings. Updated .
About this program
The National Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is funding on-farm conservation innovation trials that evaluate and promote adoption of new conservation practices by agricultural producers, with up to $50 million available for fiscal year 2026 and applications due July 27, 2026 (CFDA 10.941).
CIG On-Farm Trials provides technical assistance and incentive payments to compensate producers for risks associated with implementing innovative conservation practices, systems, and approaches. Recent solicitation priorities include irrigation management technologies, new and innovative grazing land management solutions, nutrient management, and soil health demonstration trials. Projects run three to five years. The program operates on an annual funding cycle with a single annual solicitation; the FY 2026 opportunity was posted May 26, 2026.
Eligible applicants include for-profit entities whose primary business is agriculture-related, nonprofits with experience working with agricultural producers, state and local governments, tribal governments and organizations, and special district governments. Federal entities, individuals, and foreign entities are not eligible. Agricultural producers whose land is involved in funded projects must comply with highly erodible land and wetland conservation provisions and adjusted gross income payment limitations.
Awards are scored on four technical criteria: project purpose and proposed innovation, project approach and evaluation, project management, and benefits and transferability. The NRCS chief makes final award selections; risk reviews are conducted before agreements are finalized. Recipients must retain all federal award records for three years from final financial report submission.
A webinar for applicants is scheduled June 17, 2026, at 3 p.m. Eastern Time. NRCS anticipates selections by fourth quarter 2026 and award execution by fourth quarter 2026, with these dates subject to change. No recent award history or dollar amounts for specific past awards are provided in the source material.
Objective and description
- Objective
The purpose of CIG is to stimulate the adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies in conjunction with agricultural production. CIG projects present innovations that result in the transfer of conservation technologies, management
- Description
The purpose of On-Farm Trials is to stimulate the evaluation and adoption of innovative conservation approaches in partnership with agricultural producers. On-Farm Trials funding is designed to provide technical assistance and incentive payments to producers to help compensate for risks associated with implementing new conservation practices, systems, and approaches.
Eligibility
- Applicant eligibility
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. Non-federal governmental organizations are eligible. Individuals, federal entities, and foreign entities are not eligible applicants. Foreign entities are not eligible applicants.
- Beneficiary eligibility
Agricultural producers whose land is involved in the project must be in compliance with highly erodible land and wetland conservation provisions and in compliance with the Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) payment limitations.
- Uses of assistance
On-Farm Trials projects should develop and lead to the adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies in conjunction with agricultural production in the United States. All large portion of the funding should be used for incentive payments to agriculture producers.
- Use restrictions
Indirect costs are not allowed.
- Length and time phasing of assistance
The funding opportunity is posted once annually.
How to apply
- Preapplication coordination
NRCS fills out the CPA 52, which is an environmental evaluation to determine if an environmental assessment is needed.
- Criteria for selecting proposals
Each proposal is scored on the following four technical criteria: 1. Project Purpose and Proposed Innovation; 2. Project Approach and Evaluation; 3. Project Management and 4. Benefits and Transferability. Criteria are described in more detail in the funding opportunity announcement.
- Award procedure
The chief of NRCS is the approving official. The approving official will make the final award selections and risk reviews will be conducted before an agreement is finalized.
Grant opportunities
| Opportunity | Status | Posted | Applications due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) On-Farm Conservation Innovation Trials for fiscal year (FY) 2026 | Closed |
Quick answers
What is Assistance Listing 10.941?
Assistance Listing 10.941 is Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) On-Farm Trial (OFT), a federal grant program run by National Resources Conservation Service (Department of Agriculture).
What is the CFDA number for Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) On-Farm Trial (OFT)?
Its CFDA number is 10.941: Assistance Listing numbers were called CFDA numbers before 2018.
Are there open grant opportunities under 10.941?
No opportunity listed under 10.941 is open now. The latest, Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) On-Farm Conservation Innovation Trials for fiscal year (FY) 2026, was posted on May 26, 2026.
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