Conservation Innovation Grants Caribbean Area Component FY 2008 | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) Caribbean Area Component FY 2008 opportunity?

It is a discretionary grant competition run by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) for the Caribbean Area. The program is designed to support projects that develop, test, and help drive adoption of new or improved conservation approaches and technologies in agricultural and related natural resource settings.

What is the main purpose of this grant competition?

The purpose is to spur innovation in conservation by funding project ideas that go beyond routine conservation work. NRCS is looking for demonstrations of innovative methods that can be replicated or scaled and that deliver measurable environmental and natural resource benefits.

What types of projects is NRCS looking for under this opportunity?

Projects should propose innovative conservation approaches or technologies rather than standard, routine practices. Proposals should be designed so results can be demonstrated, evaluated, and potentially replicated or expanded to produce measurable benefits for environmental and resource concerns.

How much total funding was available for the Caribbean Area competition in FY 2008?

NRCS announced up to $275,000 in total funding for the FY 2008 Caribbean Area Component competition.

How many awards did NRCS expect to make?

NRCS indicated an expectation of making about five awards.

What was the anticipated funding range per award?

Individual awards were anticipated to range from $10,000 (the award floor) to $75,000 (the award ceiling).

What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this grant?

The Funding Opportunity Number is USDA NRCS PR 08 01.

What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?

This opportunity is associated with CFDA 10.912, the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP).

How does the EQIP association affect project themes or priorities?

Because the funding is associated with EQIP (CFDA 10.912), project themes and conservation outcomes are expected to align with EQIP-style priorities. Examples referenced include practices and management approaches that improve soil, water, air, plant, and animal resources while supporting agricultural viability.

Is cost share or matching required?

Yes. A cost-sharing or matching requirement applies. Applicants should be prepared to contribute non-federal resources toward the project budget as required by the full announcement.

Who was eligible to apply?

Eligibility was described as broad and included: individuals; small businesses; other for-profit organizations (excluding small businesses as a separate category); nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education); public and private institutions of higher education; and multiple levels of government, including state, county, city or township governments, independent school districts, and special district governments.

Are institutions of higher education eligible?

Yes. Both public and private institutions of higher education were included as eligible applicants.

Are nonprofit organizations required to have 501(c)(3) status to apply?

No. Nonprofits were listed as eligible with or without 501(c)(3) status (with the note that this nonprofit category was described as "other than institutions of higher education").

Are for-profit organizations eligible?

Yes. Small businesses were eligible, and other for-profit organizations were also included as eligible (with small businesses identified as a separate category).

Are government entities eligible, and which types were named?

Yes. Multiple levels of government were listed as eligible, including state governments, county governments, city or township governments, independent school districts, and special district governments.

When was the opportunity posted and when were applications due?

The opportunity was posted/created on February 19, 2008, and applications were due by April 25, 2008.

When was the listing archived?

The listing was archived on May 25, 2008.

Were awards guaranteed if an application was submitted?

No. NRCS explicitly noted that the Caribbean Area Director retained the right not to fund any or all proposals. This means awards were not guaranteed and depended on factors such as proposal quality, fit with program objectives, and available funding.

Where should applicants look for official objectives, eligibility details, and application instructions?

Applicants were directed to consult the full announcement for the official objectives, project eligibility details, and application instructions.

Was there a reference to broader CIG program information?

Yes. NRCS pointed interested parties to the national CIG program webpage for broader context.

Who was the administrative contact for access issues related to the full announcement?

The administrative contact listed for access issues was Lynn Merrill, Contracting Officer.

How can the administrative contact be reached?

Lynn Merrill, Contracting Officer, was reachable by phone at 352-338-9553.

What does it mean that this is a discretionary grant competition?

In this context, it means the funding was awarded through a competitive process and NRCS had discretion in selecting proposals to fund based on the criteria and priorities described in the announcement and the availability of funding.

What is the geographic focus of this specific CIG opportunity?

This opportunity was specifically the Caribbean Area Component, meaning it was targeted to the Caribbean Area under NRCS administration for this competition.