Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NRCS IL 11 01
Apply for USDA NRCS IL 11 01
- The NRCS Illinois State Office in the agriculture community development energy environment food and nutrition natural resources science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Illinois Component 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 Jan 14, 2011 and posted on Jan 14, 2011.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jan 28, 2011. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $550,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $75,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
- Illinois NRCS will accept applications for single or multiple year projects not to exceed three years. Eligible entities include individuals, State and local units of government, non governmental organizations, and federally recognized American Indian Tribes from all US States and territories. Although applications will be accepted from all of the aforementioned states and territories, the projects must be on lands located completely within the State of Illinois and must specifically benefit Illinois agriculture and the natural resources of Illinois.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Opportunity Summary:
The Illinois Component Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) opportunity, offered through the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Illinois State Office, is designed to speed up the real-world use of innovative conservation practices and technologies that improve natural resources while still supporting agricultural production. The main idea is to leverage federal conservation dollars to move workable, field-ready approaches into broader use across Illinois. CIG emphasizes practical implementation, on-the-ground testing, and demonstrations that can be replicated, scaled, and ultimately incorporated into NRCS technical guidance (such as policy, manuals, field guides, and references) or adopted by the private sector. In other words, the program is meant to bridge the gap between "this works" and "this is widely used."
A key requirement is that CIG is not a research grant in the traditional sense. It does not support projects whose primary purpose is to formulate hypotheses or conduct early-stage experimentation to determine whether something might work. Instead, applicants are expected to apply a conservation technology, management system, or innovative approach that has already been studied or demonstrated enough to show a strong likelihood of success. The purpose is to accelerate adoption, refine delivery, and demonstrate effectiveness in real production settings, including pilot projects and field demonstrations that show measurable conservation outcomes.
This opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number USDA NRCS IL 11 01) was posted on January 14, 2011, with an application deadline of January 28, 2011, and an archive date of February 28, 2011. The program is structured as a grant (Funding Instrument Type: Grant) and is listed under CFDA 10.912, which is tied to the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). The total estimated funding available for this Illinois competition was $550,000, with individual awards ranging from a $10,000 floor up to a $75,000 ceiling. A cost-share or matching requirement applies, meaning applicants should expect to contribute non-federal resources (cash or eligible in-kind contributions, depending on the program rules) to support the overall project budget.
Projects may be proposed as single-year or multi-year efforts, with a maximum project length of three years. Eligibility is broad: individuals, state and local government units, non-governmental organizations, and federally recognized American Indian Tribes from any U.S. state or territory can apply. However, the project itself must be implemented entirely on lands within the State of Illinois, and it must directly benefit Illinois agriculture and Illinois natural resources. This Illinois-only project location requirement is central; even if the applicant is based elsewhere, the conservation work supported by the grant must occur within Illinois borders.
CIG also places a strong emphasis on collaboration and knowledge transfer. The program encourages applicants to share skills, technologies, facilities, and lessons learned across communities, governments, and institutions so that conservation advancements are accessible to a broad set of users. Successful projects are generally those that can demonstrate clear conservation benefits, practical feasibility for producers and land managers, and a pathway for the approach to be institutionalized by NRCS or adopted widely by partners in the conservation and agricultural sectors.
For applicants who could not access the full announcement electronically at the time, the listed point of contact was Heath Isome, Contract Specialist, at 217-353-6617 (work).
Illinois Component Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) - FAQs
What is the Illinois Component Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) opportunity?
The Illinois Component Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) opportunity is a grant program offered through the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Illinois State Office to speed up the real-world use of innovative conservation practices and technologies. The goal is to improve natural resources while still supporting agricultural production across Illinois.
What is the main purpose of CIG in Illinois?
The main purpose is to leverage federal conservation dollars to move workable, field-ready conservation approaches into broader use across Illinois. CIG is intended to bridge the gap between an approach that has been shown to work and an approach that is widely used in real production settings.
Is this program meant to fund research?
No. CIG is not a research grant in the traditional sense. It does not support projects whose primary purpose is to formulate hypotheses or conduct early-stage experimentation to determine whether an idea might work.
What kinds of projects does CIG support?
CIG supports practical implementation, on-the-ground testing, pilot projects, and field demonstrations of conservation technologies, management systems, or innovative approaches that already show a strong likelihood of success. Projects should demonstrate measurable conservation outcomes in real production settings and help accelerate adoption or refine delivery.
What does CIG mean by "innovative" if it is not early-stage research?
In this context, "innovative" refers to conservation practices or technologies that are workable and field-ready, and that have already been studied or demonstrated enough to indicate they are likely to succeed. The focus is on deploying and demonstrating them in real-world settings so they can be replicated and scaled.
How does NRCS expect successful projects to be used after the grant ends?
CIG emphasizes approaches that can be replicated, scaled, and ultimately incorporated into NRCS technical guidance (such as policy, manuals, field guides, and references) or adopted by the private sector.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this Illinois CIG competition?
The Funding Opportunity Number is USDA NRCS IL 11 01.
When was this opportunity posted, and what were the key dates?
The opportunity was posted on January 14, 2011. The application deadline was January 28, 2011. The archive date was February 28, 2011.
What type of funding instrument is used?
The funding instrument type is a grant.
What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?
This opportunity is listed under CFDA 10.912, which is tied to the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP).
How much total funding was estimated to be available for the Illinois competition?
The total estimated funding available was $550,000.
What is the minimum and maximum award size?
Individual awards ranged from a minimum (floor) of $10,000 to a maximum (ceiling) of $75,000.
Is there a matching or cost-share requirement?
Yes. A cost-share or matching requirement applies. Applicants should expect to contribute non-federal resources to support the overall project budget, which may include cash or eligible in-kind contributions depending on program rules.
How long can a project run?
Projects may be proposed as single-year or multi-year efforts, with a maximum project length of three years.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes individuals, state and local government units, non-governmental organizations, and federally recognized American Indian Tribes. Eligible applicants may be located in any U.S. state or territory.
Does the applicant need to be based in Illinois?
No. Applicants may be based in any U.S. state or territory. However, the project itself must be implemented entirely on lands within the State of Illinois and must directly benefit Illinois agriculture and Illinois natural resources.
Where must the project activities take place?
The conservation work supported by the grant must occur entirely on lands within Illinois. This Illinois-only project location requirement is central to the opportunity.
What must the project benefit?
The project must directly benefit Illinois agriculture and Illinois natural resources.
What does CIG emphasize about implementation and outcomes?
CIG emphasizes practical implementation and demonstrations in real production settings, along with measurable conservation outcomes. The program is focused on moving proven or strongly supported approaches into wider use.
Is collaboration encouraged?
Yes. CIG places a strong emphasis on collaboration and knowledge transfer. Applicants are encouraged to share skills, technologies, facilities, and lessons learned across communities, governments, and institutions.
What kinds of projects tend to be successful under CIG based on the program description?
Successful projects are generally those that demonstrate clear conservation benefits, practical feasibility for producers and land managers, and a pathway for the approach to be institutionalized by NRCS or adopted widely by partners in the conservation and agricultural sectors.
Who was the listed point of contact for this opportunity?
The listed point of contact was Heath Isome, Contract Specialist, reachable at 217-353-6617 (work), for applicants who could not access the full announcement electronically at the time.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Agriculture Community Development Energy Environment Food and Nutrition Natural Resources Science and Technology and other Research and Development
Next opportunity: Recruiting, Training and Research Program (RTRP)
Previous opportunity: 2011 Pacific Islands Regional Office Hawaiian Monk Seal Recovery and Marine Mammal
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 IL 11 01
[Watch] how do funding administrators access proposals?
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 IL 11 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.