Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NRCS CIG VT 15 01
Apply for USDA NRCS CIG VT 15 01
- The USDA NRCS MSD Ft Worth Office in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.912 Environmental Quality Incentives Program.
- This funding opportunity was created on Apr 20, 2015 and posted on Apr 15, 2015.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 8, 2015. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $225,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $75,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 6 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility.
- CIG applicants must be a federally recognized Indian Tribe, state or local unit of government, non governmental organization, legal entity, or an individual.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Opportunity Summary:
The Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) opportunity is a USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) funding program designed to encourage the development, testing, and adoption of new and innovative conservation approaches and technologies. This specific announcement is the Vermont (VT) statewide competition for FY 2015, and it focuses on projects that have a clear, direct connection to Vermont. The intent is to move conservation forward by supporting practical innovations that can be demonstrated and then more widely adopted by producers, land managers, or conservation partners across the state.
For FY 2015, NRCS anticipated up to $225,000 total funding available under this Vermont competition, with an expectation of roughly 6 awards. Individual awards were planned to fall between $50,000 (award floor) and $75,000 (award ceiling). The funding instrument types listed include both grants and cooperative agreements, meaning NRCS may either provide funding with standard grant oversight or engage more actively with recipients depending on the specific award structure. Projects are intended to be time-limited and outcome-focused, with allowable project periods ranging from 1 to 3 years.
Eligibility is broad and includes federally recognized Indian Tribes, state or local units of government, non-governmental organizations, other legal entities, and individuals. In other words, the competition is effectively open to many applicant types, as long as they can meet the program requirements and propose a project that fits the Vermont nexus requirement. The opportunity is associated with CFDA 10.912, the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), which is a major USDA conservation cost-share program; CIG commonly serves as an innovation and pilot-testing companion to broader conservation implementation efforts.
A key condition of this opportunity is that cost sharing or matching is required. While the summary information does not specify the exact match percentage in the text provided, applicants should plan for a mandatory non-federal contribution and be prepared to document it clearly in the budget and supporting materials. This match requirement is typical of CIG and is intended to ensure that project partners have meaningful investment in the work and that federal dollars leverage additional resources.
Applications were accepted through a competitive statewide grants process, and proposals were subject to an initial screening for completeness and compliance with the notice requirements. NRCS stated that incomplete or noncompliant proposals would be removed from consideration, and applicants would be notified if their proposal was eliminated at that stage. Practically, that means applicants needed to pay close attention to formatting, required forms, submission instructions, and eligibility documentation, because even a strong technical idea could be disqualified if the submission did not meet the administrative requirements.
The timeline for this posting shows it was publicly posted on April 15, 2015 (with a creation date of April 20, 2015). The original closing date was June 30, 2015, but it was later updated to a current closing date of June 8, 2015, so applicants had to rely on the updated deadline. The opportunity was archived on July 30, 2015, which generally indicates that the application window had closed and the competition moved into review and award processing.
For applicants needing full details, NRCS provided an additional information link to the Vermont NRCS website page for the program. The agency contact listed for assistance was Robert Kort, Vermont State CIG Program Manager, USDA NRCS, located in Colchester, Vermont, with phone, fax, and email provided for questions or help accessing the full announcement.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) program?
The Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) program is a USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) funding program that supports the development, testing, and adoption of new and innovative conservation approaches and technologies. The goal is to move conservation forward by funding practical innovations that can be demonstrated and then adopted more broadly.
Which competition is described in this announcement?
This announcement is the Vermont (VT) statewide competition for FY 2015. It is intended for projects with a clear, direct connection to Vermont.
What does it mean that projects must have a Vermont connection?
Projects must demonstrate a clear, direct nexus to Vermont. In practice, proposals should be designed to benefit Vermont producers, land managers, or conservation partners, and be appropriate for demonstration and wider adoption across the state.
How much funding was expected to be available under this Vermont competition?
For FY 2015, NRCS anticipated up to $225,000 in total funding available under the Vermont statewide competition.
How many awards were expected to be made?
NRCS expected to make roughly 6 awards under this competition.
What was the planned award size (minimum and maximum)?
Individual awards were planned to range from $50,000 (award floor) to $75,000 (award ceiling).
What types of funding instruments could be used for awards?
The opportunity listed both grants and cooperative agreements as possible funding instruments. This means NRCS may provide funding through a standard grant structure or, depending on the award, through a cooperative agreement that can involve more active NRCS engagement.
How long could a project last?
Allowable project periods ranged from 1 to 3 years. Projects were described as time-limited and outcome-focused.
Who was eligible to apply?
Eligibility was broad and included federally recognized Indian Tribes, state or local units of government, non-governmental organizations, other legal entities, and individuals.
Is this opportunity tied to a specific CFDA program?
Yes. The opportunity is associated with CFDA 10.912, the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP).
What is the relationship between CIG and EQIP (CFDA 10.912)?
EQIP is a major USDA conservation cost-share program, and CIG is commonly positioned as an innovation and pilot-testing companion to broader conservation implementation efforts. This competition was listed under CFDA 10.912 in the information provided.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
Yes. A cost share or matching contribution is required. While the provided summary does not state the exact match percentage, applicants were expected to plan for a mandatory non-federal contribution and to document it clearly in the budget and supporting materials.
Does the announcement specify the exact match percentage?
No. The text provided indicates that match is required but does not specify the exact percentage or formula in the summary information.
How were applications reviewed and screened?
Proposals were accepted through a competitive statewide grants process and were subject to an initial screening for completeness and compliance with notice requirements.
What happens if an application is incomplete or noncompliant?
NRCS stated that incomplete or noncompliant proposals would be removed from consideration, and applicants would be notified if their proposal was eliminated during the initial screening stage.
Why is administrative compliance emphasized in this opportunity?
The information provided makes clear that even a strong technical concept could be disqualified if the submission did not meet administrative requirements such as formatting, required forms, submission instructions, and eligibility documentation.
When was the opportunity posted?
The posting timeline shows a public post date of April 15, 2015, with a creation date of April 20, 2015.
What was the application deadline?
The original closing date was June 30, 2015, but it was later updated to a current closing date of June 8, 2015. Applicants were expected to follow the updated deadline.
What does it mean that the opportunity was archived?
The opportunity was archived on July 30, 2015. Archiving generally indicates the application window has closed and the competition has moved into review and award processing.
Where could applicants find full details beyond the summary?
NRCS provided an additional information link to the Vermont NRCS website page for the program.
Who was the contact person for questions about this Vermont CIG opportunity?
The listed agency contact was Robert Kort, Vermont State CIG Program Manager, USDA NRCS, located in Colchester, Vermont.
What contact methods were provided for assistance?
The announcement notes that phone, fax, and email contact information were provided for questions or help accessing the full announcement.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Natural Resources
Next opportunity: Conservation Innovation Grant (CIG)
Previous opportunity: Notice Of Intent to Award to University of Newhampshire for Picture Post Partnership and Responsive Website
USGrants.org Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for USDA NRCS CIG VT 15 01
[Watch] how do funding administrators access proposals?
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (USDA NRCS CIG VT 15 01) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Conservation Innovation Grant (CIG) Apply for USDA NRCS CIG LA 15 01 Funding Number: USDA NRCS CIG LA 15 01 Agency: USDA NRCS MSD Ft Worth Office Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $75,000 |
| BLM OR/WA North Warner Medusahead Control and Sage Grouse Habitat Improvement Apply for L15AS00083 Funding Number: L15AS00083 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $15,000 |
| CESU BLM AZ Recreation Impact Inventory, Monitoring and Assessment, Arizona Strip District, Arizona Apply for L15AS00085 Funding Number: L15AS00085 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $120,000 |
| Create Mobile Accessibility to Enhance Visitor Experience of Natural Communities Apply for P15AS00102 Funding Number: P15AS00102 Agency: National Park Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| BLM Utah Salt Lake Field Office Prospector OHV Trail System Development Apply for L15AS00087 Funding Number: L15AS00087 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $10,000 |
| BLM Colorado Noxious Weed Control, Tres Rio Field Office Apply for L15AS00090 Funding Number: L15AS00090 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| National Park Service Assessment of Grassland Habitat Quality and Management Practices for Pollinators Apply for NPS NOIP15AC00499 Funding Number: NPS NOIP15AC00499 Agency: National Park Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Connecticut Conservation Innovation Grant 2015 Apply for USDA NRCS CT 15 01 Funding Number: USDA NRCS CT 15 01 Agency: NRCS Connecticut State Office Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $75,000 |
| BLM CO NLCS RESEARCH AND INTERNS Apply for L15AS00091 Funding Number: L15AS00091 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $90,000 |
| Yakima River Basin Water Enhancement Project, Sec. 1203 1207 Apply for R15AS00042 Funding Number: R15AS00042 Agency: Bureau of Reclamation Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| BLM CO PALEONTOLOGY EDUCATION AND INTERPRETATION Apply for L15AS00092 Funding Number: L15AS00092 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| Monarch Joint Venture Program Support Apply for F15AS00191 Funding Number: F15AS00191 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD Bravo Conservation Crew Apply for P15AS00106 Funding Number: P15AS00106 Agency: National Park Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| BLM New Mexico Luna County Integrated Weed Management Program Apply for L15AS00088 Funding Number: L15AS00088 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Bridging the Watershed Program Apply for P15AS00108 Funding Number: P15AS00108 Agency: National Park Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| BLM New Mexico Dona Ana County Integrated Weed Management Program Apply for L15AS00089 Funding Number: L15AS00089 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Aquatic Invasive Species Program Apply for F15AS00194 Funding Number: F15AS00194 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $600,000 |
| BLM WO, Tread Lightly Education, Training and Restoration Assistance Apply for L15AS00095 Funding Number: L15AS00095 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $20,000 |
| Sage Grouse Grazing Research in MT Apply for L15AS00097 Funding Number: L15AS00097 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $803,632 |
| Tennessee Valley Natural Resource Planning and Management Apply for P15AS00114 Funding Number: P15AS00114 Agency: National Park Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $320,000 |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Subscribe to Leads
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "USDA NRCS CIG VT 15 01", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.