Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NRCS CARIBBEAN CIG 16 01
Apply for USDA NRCS CARIBBEAN CIG 16 01
- The USDA-NRCS in the agriculture, environment, natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Caribbean Area Conservation Innovation Grants" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.912.
- This funding opportunity was created on Apr 14, 2016 and posted on Apr 14, 2016.
- Applicants must submit their applications by May 31, 2016. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $75,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 30 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: 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), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, Individuals, Small businesses.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Caribbean Area Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) opportunity is a USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) discretionary grant program focused on getting practical, proven conservation innovations onto working agricultural lands in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The central goal is to speed up the development, demonstration, and broader adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies that improve environmental quality while supporting agricultural production. Rather than funding basic or exploratory research, this program is geared toward real-world application: projects should show how a conservation practice, tool, management system, or market-based approach works on the ground and help move it into wider use, including potential incorporation into NRCS technical manuals and guidance or uptake by the private sector.
A key theme of the program is scaling what already works. CIG is intended to apply or demonstrate previously proven technologies and strategies in ways that increase adoption, especially where there is a clear pathway to expand implementation beyond the pilot site. Typical project types include field demonstrations and pilot projects that test implementation methods, quantify conservation benefits in a practical setting, reduce barriers to adoption, or develop delivery models that make conservation easier for producers and communities to use. The program also emphasizes collaboration and knowledge-sharing among communities, governments, and institutions so that conservation skills, tools, facilities, and lessons learned are accessible to more users across the Caribbean Area.
Research is generally not funded under this announcement, with one notable exception: on-farm conservation research. This is narrowly defined as a farm-based investigation designed to answer a specific conservation question using a statistically valid approach, appropriate replication, and proper analysis, while using farm-scale equipment on actual farm fields. Even then, any research supported through CIG must be clearly tied to stimulating innovative natural resource management approaches alongside agricultural production, and it should still align with the program’s emphasis on adoption and practical conservation outcomes.
Project duration can be single-year or multi-year, but projects may not exceed three years. Proposals are accepted from eligible entities located in the Caribbean Area, specifically Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Eligible applicants are broad and include federally recognized Native American tribal governments, state and local governments (including counties, cities/townships, special districts), public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status (other than universities), public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, individuals, and small businesses. This range is meant to encourage participation from both public and private sectors, as well as community-based and producer-adjacent organizations that can demonstrate conservation solutions in real agricultural contexts.
The competitive review process starts with an administrative screening for completeness and compliance with the notice requirements; proposals that are incomplete or noncompliant are removed from consideration and the applicant is notified. Proposals that pass screening are evaluated by a technical peer review panel using the evaluation criteria referenced in the program instructions (noted as Section V.B. in the announcement). After technical review, proposals and reviews are sent to the Caribbean Area Review Board, which makes project approval recommendations to the NRCS State Conservationist. Final award decisions are made by the NRCS State Conservationist.
For this specific funding round (Funding Opportunity Number USDA NRCS CARIBBEAN CIG 16 01, CFDA 10.912), the maximum award amount is $75,000, and NRCS anticipated making about 30 awards. The opportunity was posted on April 14, 2016, with a closing date of May 31, 2016. Overall, the program is best suited for applicants who already have a conservation technology or approach with evidence behind it and can credibly demonstrate, refine, and promote it at farm or field scale in ways that lead to broader adoption across Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Caribbean Area Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG)
What is the Caribbean Area Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) program?
The Caribbean Area CIG program is a USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) discretionary grant opportunity designed to move practical, proven conservation innovations onto working agricultural lands in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The emphasis is on real-world use: demonstrating how a conservation practice, tool, management system, technology, or market-based approach works on the ground and helping it reach broader adoption.
What is the main goal of this grant opportunity?
The central goal is to speed up the development, demonstration, and wider adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies that improve environmental quality while still supporting agricultural production. The program is focused on getting effective solutions implemented and used more widely, not on early-stage exploration.
Is this program meant to fund basic research?
No. This funding round is generally not intended to support basic or exploratory research. The program is geared toward application and adoption of approaches that already have evidence behind them and can be demonstrated at farm or field scale.
Is any research allowed under this announcement?
Yes, but only in a limited way. The announcement notes one exception: on-farm conservation research. This is narrowly defined and must be conducted on actual farm fields using farm-scale equipment, answer a specific conservation question, and use a statistically valid approach with appropriate replication and proper analysis. Even then, it must align with the program focus on adoption and practical conservation outcomes.
What kinds of projects are a good fit for Caribbean Area CIG?
Projects that demonstrate, refine, and help scale conservation solutions that are already proven. Typical projects include field demonstrations and pilot projects that:
- Test implementation methods in practical, real-world settings
- Quantify conservation benefits in ways that translate to everyday agricultural operations
- Reduce barriers to adoption by producers or communities
- Develop delivery models that make conservation easier to implement
What does it mean that CIG focuses on “scaling what already works”?
It means the program is intended to apply or demonstrate previously proven technologies and strategies in ways that increase adoption. Strong projects typically have a clear path to expand beyond the pilot site and support broader implementation across Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Where must projects take place?
Projects must be based in the Caribbean Area covered by this opportunity: Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Who is eligible to apply for this funding opportunity?
Eligible applicants located in Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands include:
- Federally recognized Native American tribal governments
- State and local governments (including counties, cities/townships, and special districts)
- Public and private institutions of higher education
- Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status (other than universities)
- Public housing authorities / Indian housing authorities
- Individuals
- Small businesses
Does the opportunity encourage partnerships or collaboration?
Yes. The program emphasizes collaboration and knowledge-sharing among communities, governments, and institutions. A stated goal is to make conservation skills, tools, facilities, and lessons learned accessible to more users across the Caribbean Area.
How long can a project last?
Projects can be single-year or multi-year, but they may not exceed three years.
What is the maximum award amount for this funding round?
The maximum award amount listed for this specific funding round is $75,000.
How many awards did NRCS expect to make?
NRCS anticipated making about 30 awards for this funding round.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number and CFDA number for this announcement?
The Funding Opportunity Number is USDA NRCS CARIBBEAN CIG 16 01, and the CFDA number is 10.912.
When was this opportunity posted, and what was the closing date?
The opportunity was posted on April 14, 2016, and the closing date was May 31, 2016.
What is the first step in the proposal review process?
The process begins with an administrative screening for completeness and compliance with the notice requirements. Proposals that are incomplete or noncompliant are removed from consideration, and the applicant is notified.
How are proposals evaluated after they pass administrative screening?
Proposals that pass screening are evaluated by a technical peer review panel using the evaluation criteria referenced in the program instructions (noted as Section V.B. in the announcement).
What happens after the technical peer review?
After technical review, proposals and reviews are sent to the Caribbean Area Review Board, which makes project approval recommendations to the NRCS State Conservationist.
Who makes the final award decisions?
Final award decisions are made by the NRCS State Conservationist.
What kinds of outcomes is CIG trying to produce?
The program aims to improve environmental quality while supporting agricultural production by accelerating the adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies on working lands. It also emphasizes real-world demonstration and knowledge-sharing to help more producers and communities use conservation solutions.
Does the program aim to influence NRCS guidance or private sector adoption?
Yes. The announcement notes that successful projects can help move approaches into wider use, including potential incorporation into NRCS technical manuals and guidance, or uptake by the private sector.
Who is this opportunity best suited for?
This opportunity is best suited for applicants who already have a conservation technology or approach with evidence behind it and can credibly demonstrate it at farm or field scale, refine it for practical use, and promote it in ways that lead to broader adoption across Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
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Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (USDA NRCS CARIBBEAN CIG 16 01) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Connecticut Conservation Innovation Grants Apply for USDA NRCS CT CIG 16 01 Funding Number: USDA NRCS CT CIG 16 01 Agency: USDA-NRCS Category: Agriculture, Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $75,000 |
| Alabama CTA-EQIP Outreach Services Apply for USDA NRCS AL CTA EQIP 16 01 Funding Number: USDA NRCS AL CTA EQIP 16 01 Agency: USDA-NRCS Category: Agriculture, Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $15,000 |
| South Carolina Conservation Innovation Grants Apply for USDA NRCS SC CIG 16 01 Funding Number: USDA NRCS SC CIG 16 01 Agency: USDA-NRCS Category: Agriculture, Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $75,000 |
| Iowa Conservation Innovation Grants Fiscal Year 2016 Apply for USDA NRCS IA CIG 16 01 Funding Number: USDA NRCS IA CIG 16 01 Agency: USDA-NRCS-UTSO Category: Agriculture, Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $75,000 |
| Virginia Conservation Innovation Grants Apply for USDA NRCS VA CIG 16 01 Funding Number: USDA NRCS VA CIG 16 01 Agency: USDA-NRCS Category: Agriculture, Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $75,000 |
| Rhode Island Conservation Innovation Grants Apply for USDA NRCS RI CIG 16 01 Funding Number: USDA NRCS RI CIG 16 01 Agency: USDA-NRCS Category: Agriculture, Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $75,000 |
| South Dakota Conservation Innovation Grants Apply for USDA NRCS SD CIG 16 01 Funding Number: USDA NRCS SD CIG 16 01 Agency: USDA-NRCS Category: Agriculture, Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $75,000 |
| Agriculture and Food Research Initiative: Water for Agriculture Challenge Area Apply for USDA NIFA AFRI 005822 Funding Number: USDA NIFA AFRI 005822 Agency: USDA-NIFA Category: Agriculture, Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Arkansas CIG Announcement for FY2016 Apply for USDA NRCS AR CIG 16 01 Funding Number: USDA NRCS AR CIG 16 01 Agency: USDA-NRCS Category: Agriculture, Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $75,000 |
| Illinois Monarch Butterfly Habitat Improvement Fiscal Year 2016 Apply for USDA NRCS IL ACEP 16 01 Funding Number: USDA NRCS IL ACEP 16 01 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service Category: Agriculture, Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $750,000 |
| 2017 National Conservation Innovation Grants APF Apply for USDA NRCS NHQ CIG 17 01 Funding Number: USDA NRCS NHQ CIG 17 01 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service Category: Agriculture, Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $2,000,000 |
| Maine - Conservation Innovation Grant Apply for USDA NRCS ME 17 01 Funding Number: USDA NRCS ME 17 01 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service Category: Agriculture, Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $75,000 |
| Ohio Conservation Innovation Grant Apply for USDA NRCS OH CIG 17 01 Funding Number: USDA NRCS OH CIG 17 01 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service Category: Agriculture, Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $75,000 |
| Arkansas Conservation Innovation Grant 2017 Apply for USDA NRCS AR CIG 17 01 Funding Number: USDA NRCS AR CIG 17 01 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Utah State Office Category: Agriculture, Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $75,000 |
| Conservation Innovation Grant (FY) 2017 Announcement for Program Funding Apply for USDA NRCS NJ CIG 17 01 Funding Number: USDA NRCS NJ CIG 17 01 Agency: Department of Agriculture, New Jersey State Office Category: Agriculture, Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $75,000 |
| North Dakota Conservation Innovation Grants Fiscal Year 2017 Apply for USDA NRCS ND CIG 17 01 Funding Number: USDA NRCS ND CIG 17 01 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Utah State Office Category: Agriculture, Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $75,000 |
| Regional Conservation Partnership Program Apply for USDA NRCS NHQ RCPP 18 01 Funding Number: USDA NRCS NHQ RCPP 18 01 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service Category: Agriculture, Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $10,000,000 |
| Kansas Conservation Innovation Grants FY 2017 Apply for USDA NRCS KS CIG 17 01 Funding Number: USDA NRCS KS CIG 17 01 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Washington State Office Category: Agriculture, Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| Iowa Conservation Collaboration Grants - Fiscal Year 2017 Apply for USDA NRCS IA CCG 17 01 Funding Number: USDA NRCS IA CCG 17 01 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Utah State Office Category: Agriculture, Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Conservation Innovation Grant Apply for USDA NRCS ID CIG 17 01 Funding Number: USDA NRCS ID CIG 17 01 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service Category: Agriculture, Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $75,000 |
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