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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) What is the Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) opportunity in Virginia?

The Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number: USDA NRCS VA 12 01) is a grant program offered through the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Virginia State Office. It is designed to stimulate the development, demonstration, and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies in Virginia, especially those tied to agriculture and working lands.

2) What is the main purpose of this grant program?

The purpose is to encourage new conservation ideas, approaches, or tools that can be tested and refined and then used more broadly by farmers, landowners, and conservation partners across Virginia. The goal is improved natural resource outcomes connected to agriculture and working lands.

3) How does CIG relate to EQIP?

This CIG opportunity is tied to the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), listed under CFDA/Assistance Listing number 10.912. EQIP generally focuses on implementing conservation practices that address resource concerns such as soil health, water quality, wildlife habitat, and energy conservation. In this context, CIG supports innovation connected to those kinds of outcomes.

4) What kinds of conservation topics or outcomes does this opportunity connect to?

Based on the information provided, the opportunity is connected to improving natural resources outcomes associated with agriculture and working lands, including areas commonly addressed through EQIP such as soil health, water quality, wildlife habitat, energy conservation, and related natural resource concerns.

5) What type of funding opportunity is this?

This announcement was categorized as a mandatory funding opportunity.

6) What is the funding instrument for this opportunity?

The funding instrument is a grant.

7) How many awards were expected to be made?

NRCS anticipated making 2 awards under this Virginia competition.

8) What was the estimated total funding amount?

The estimated total funding amount was $150,000 for this Virginia competition.

9) What was the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?

The maximum award amount (award ceiling) was $75,000.

10) Was cost sharing or matching required?

Yes. A cost sharing or matching requirement applied. Applicants were expected to contribute non-federal funds and/or in-kind support as part of the project budget.

11) What does the cost-share requirement generally mean for applicants?

It means the federal grant funds were intended to be combined with partner investment. Applicants needed to plan for non-federal contributions (cash and/or eligible in-kind support) as part of the overall project budget. The specific rules for what counted as match were expected to be described in the full funding announcement.

12) Who was eligible to apply?

Eligibility was listed as unrestricted, meaning the competition was open to a wide range of entity types, subject to any additional eligibility clarifications in the full announcement text.

13) If eligibility is "unrestricted," does that mean anyone can apply without conditions?

Not necessarily. "Unrestricted" indicates broad eligibility, but the definitive eligibility details and any limitations would be in the official full announcement text.

14) What did NRCS emphasize when evaluating proposals for this opportunity?

The emphasis described here is less on who applies and more on whether the proposal meaningfully advances conservation innovation in Virginia, includes a credible plan to produce measurable results, and shares lessons learned so the innovation can be adopted beyond the project itself.

15) When was this opportunity posted and when did it close?

It was posted and created on February 15, 2012, and the application closing date was March 30, 2012.

16) Is this funding opportunity still open?

No. The listing moved to archive status on August 30, 2012, indicating the competition period ended and the opportunity was no longer active.

17) How long was the application window?

From February 15, 2012 (posting/creation date) to March 30, 2012 (closing date), the application window was roughly six weeks.

18) What kinds of materials would applicants likely have needed to submit?

Based on the information provided, applicants would have needed to assemble items such as a project narrative, a budget, match documentation, and any required forms or supporting materials described in the full funding announcement.

19) Where could applicants find the detailed requirements (selection criteria, reporting expectations, match rules, etc.)?

NRCS expected applicants to rely on the full published funding notice for detailed requirements, including application components, selection criteria, reporting expectations, and match rules.

20) Who was the contact person for access issues or questions about the announcement?

The contact person listed was Denise Burruss, Contract Specialist.

21) How could applicants contact the listed NRCS point of contact?

Denise Burruss could be reached by phone at 804-287-1630 or by email at denise.burruss@va.usda.gov.

22) What kinds of questions was the contact specifically intended to help with?

The contact information was specifically provided for people who had difficulty accessing the full announcement electronically.

23) What does the archived status imply for someone trying to apply now?

Archived status indicates the opportunity is no longer active and the competition period has ended, so new applications would not be accepted under this specific 2012 announcement.

24) What is the Assistance Listing (CFDA) number associated with this opportunity?

The Assistance Listing (CFDA) number provided is 10.912, associated with EQIP.