Opportunity Information: Apply for NRCS OH 09 01
Apply for NRCS OH 09 01
- The Ohio State Office in the agriculture education energy environment natural resources science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Conservation Innovative Grants" 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 Jul 24, 2009 and posted on Jul 17, 2009.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 25, 2009 Due to system problems, applications are not able to be done electronically. We, therefore, will accept applications by email or fax until 1159 p.m. on 07/24/09. Email them to moira.sanford@oh.usda.gov or fax them to 614 255 2552.. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $200,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $50,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 20 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Private institutions of higher education Special district governments Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification) Small businesses Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education State governments Individuals Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized) County governments City or township governments.
- Also availablwe to Non Governmental Organizations (NGO)
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Opportunity Summary:
The Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) opportunity, offered through the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Ohio State Office, is designed to speed up the real-world use of innovative conservation practices and technologies that improve environmental outcomes while still supporting agricultural production. The program is meant to leverage federal investment in environmental enhancement and protection by helping move proven or near-proven conservation ideas into practical use. A core expectation is that successful projects will produce results that can be transferred into NRCS technical manuals, guides, and references, or otherwise be adopted by the private sector, so that the innovation becomes something others can replicate and scale.
A key point about this funding is what it does and does not support. CIG is not a research grant program, meaning it is not intended for early-stage experimentation where the outcome is uncertain or primarily aimed at generating new scientific knowledge. Instead, it funds projects that build on approaches or technologies that have already been studied enough to show a strong likelihood of success. The emphasis is on adoption and demonstration: taking conservation solutions that appear ready for broader use and pushing them toward technology transfer, institutionalization, and practical deployment. In other words, the program focuses on implementation-oriented innovation rather than basic or exploratory research.
Projects funded under CIG are expected to be "on-the-ground" conservation efforts, including pilot projects and field demonstrations. The opportunity also recognizes that innovation can include not only physical conservation technologies and management systems, but also creative implementation methods such as market-based systems. That broader definition allows applicants to propose projects that improve conservation outcomes through new incentive structures, delivery mechanisms, or partnerships, as long as the work leads toward real adoption and practical integration into NRCS resources or the broader conservation marketplace.
From a funding standpoint, the opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number NRCS OH 09 01) anticipated about 20 awards with an estimated total funding amount of $200,000. Individual awards were expected to range from a floor of $1,000 up to a ceiling of $50,000. The funding instrument type is a grant, and the opportunity is categorized as discretionary. It is associated with CFDA number 10.912, the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). A cost-sharing or matching requirement applies, meaning applicants should be prepared to contribute non-federal resources or documented match consistent with the program rules.
Eligibility is broad and includes public and private entities and individuals. Eligible applicants listed include private institutions of higher education, small businesses, nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education), state governments, county governments, city or township governments, special district governments, federally recognized Native American tribal governments, and individuals. The announcement also notes eligibility for non-governmental organizations (NGOs), reinforcing that a wide range of conservation partners could apply.
Timing and submission details in the notice reflect a short application window and a workaround for electronic submission problems at the time. The opportunity was posted July 17, 2009, with an original closing date of July 24, 2009, and a current closing date of July 25, 2009. Due to system issues preventing electronic submission, NRCS Ohio stated it would accept applications by email or fax until 11:59 p.m. on July 24, 2009. Applications were directed to be emailed to moira.sanford@oh.usda.gov or faxed to (614) 255-2552. The listed point of contact was Moira Sanford, Contract Specialist, at the NRCS Ohio State Office, phone (614) 255-2495, for applicants who had trouble accessing the full announcement.
Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) - USDA NRCS Ohio (Funding Opportunity No. NRCS OH 09 01) FAQs
What is the Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) opportunity?
The Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) opportunity offered through the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Ohio State Office is intended to speed up real-world use of innovative conservation practices and technologies. The goal is to improve environmental outcomes while still supporting agricultural production, and to help move proven or near-proven conservation ideas into practical use.
What is the main goal of CIG funding in this announcement?
The core goal is adoption and demonstration of conservation innovations that are ready to be deployed more broadly. Projects are expected to generate results that can be transferred into NRCS technical manuals, guides, and references, or otherwise be adopted by the private sector so the innovation can be replicated and scaled.
Is CIG a research grant?
No. This CIG opportunity is specifically described as not being a research grant program. It is not intended for early-stage experimentation where outcomes are uncertain or where the work is primarily aimed at generating new scientific knowledge. It funds projects that build on approaches or technologies already studied enough to show a strong likelihood of success.
What types of projects does CIG support?
Projects funded under this CIG announcement are expected to be on-the-ground conservation efforts, including pilot projects and field demonstrations. The emphasis is on implementation-oriented innovation that helps push conservation solutions toward technology transfer, institutionalization, and practical deployment.
Does innovation have to be a physical conservation technology?
No. The announcement indicates innovation can include not only physical conservation technologies and management systems, but also creative implementation methods such as market-based systems. Applicants may propose work that improves conservation outcomes through new incentives, delivery mechanisms, or partnerships, as long as it leads toward real adoption and practical integration into NRCS resources or the broader conservation marketplace.
What is the expectation for project outcomes?
A core expectation is that successful projects will produce results that can be transferred into NRCS technical manuals, guides, and references, or be adopted by the private sector. The intent is that the innovation becomes something others can replicate and scale.
How many awards were anticipated?
The opportunity anticipated about 20 awards.
What was the estimated total funding amount?
The estimated total funding amount was $200,000.
What is the award size range for individual grants?
Individual awards were expected to range from a minimum (floor) of $1,000 up to a maximum (ceiling) of $50,000.
What is the funding instrument type?
The funding instrument type is a grant.
Is this a discretionary funding opportunity?
Yes. The opportunity is categorized as discretionary.
What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?
This opportunity is associated with CFDA number 10.912, the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP).
Is cost share or matching required?
Yes. The announcement states that a cost-sharing or matching requirement applies. Applicants should be prepared to contribute non-federal resources or a documented match consistent with the program rules.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad. Eligible applicants listed include public and private entities and individuals, including private institutions of higher education, small businesses, nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education), state governments, county governments, city or township governments, special district governments, federally recognized Native American tribal governments, and individuals. The announcement also notes eligibility for non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
Are individuals eligible to apply?
Yes. Individuals are explicitly listed as eligible applicants.
Are nonprofits eligible to apply?
Yes. Nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education) are listed as eligible applicants.
Are small businesses eligible to apply?
Yes. Small businesses are listed as eligible applicants.
Are universities and colleges eligible to apply?
Yes. Private institutions of higher education are listed as eligible applicants.
Are government entities eligible to apply?
Yes. State governments, county governments, city or township governments, and special district governments are listed as eligible applicants.
Are federally recognized tribal governments eligible?
Yes. Federally recognized Native American tribal governments are listed as eligible applicants.
When was this opportunity posted?
The opportunity was posted on July 17, 2009.
What was the application closing date?
The notice reflects an original closing date of July 24, 2009, and a current closing date of July 25, 2009.
Why were email or fax submissions accepted?
Due to system issues preventing electronic submission, NRCS Ohio stated it would accept applications by email or fax.
What was the deadline for submitting by email or fax?
NRCS Ohio stated it would accept applications by email or fax until 11:59 p.m. on July 24, 2009.
Where were applications emailed?
Applications were directed to be emailed to moira.sanford@oh.usda.gov.
Where were applications faxed?
Applications were directed to be faxed to (614) 255-2552.
Who was the point of contact for this opportunity?
The listed point of contact was Moira Sanford, Contract Specialist, at the NRCS Ohio State Office.
How can applicants reach the point of contact by phone?
The phone number listed for Moira Sanford was (614) 255-2495.
What should applicants do if they had trouble accessing the full announcement?
The announcement indicates applicants who had trouble accessing the full announcement could contact the listed point of contact (Moira Sanford at the NRCS Ohio State Office).
Does CIG require projects to be transferable or scalable?
Yes. The opportunity emphasizes that results should be transferable into NRCS technical resources or adopted by the private sector so the innovation can be replicated and scaled.
Does the program focus more on demonstration than experimentation?
Yes. The opportunity highlights demonstration and adoption of innovations with a strong likelihood of success, rather than early-stage experimentation with uncertain outcomes.
Can projects involve market-based systems?
Yes. The opportunity notes that innovation can include market-based systems and other creative implementation methods, provided the work leads toward real adoption and practical integration.
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