The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC), invites applications for its Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) program 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.

CIG Priorities

• Projects which increase knowledge and skills in management of native herbaceous vegetation utilizing prescribed burning and prescribed grazing.
• Projects which evaluate Louisiana specific recommendations for biochar use in applicable Louisiana crops.
• Projects which increase knowledge on and demonstrate regenerative techniques and management on grazing lands (native or introduced spp.) - to include Prescribed Grazing and Soil Health principles.

Funding Information

• The total amount of Federal funding the agency expects to award through this opportunity is $300,000.00.

Eligibility Criteria

All U.S.-based non-Federal entities (NFE) and individuals, with the exception of Federal agencies, are eligible to apply for projects carried out in Louisiana. The following entity types are eligible:

• City or township governments
• County governments
• For profit organizations other than small businesses
• Independent school districts
• Individuals
• 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
• Public and State-controlled institutions of higher education
• Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities
• Small businesses
• Special district governments
• State governments

For more information, visit Grants.gov.