Opportunity Information: Apply for USDANRCSME1002
Apply for USDANRCSME1002
- The Vermont State Office in the agriculture natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "MAINE 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 Jun 4, 2010 and posted on Jun 3, 2010.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 30, 2010 Pre proposals are due by June 30, 2010. Full proposal applications are due by July 30, 2010.. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $100,000.00 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 4 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Private institutions of higher education State governments Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Individuals For profit organizations other than small businesses Small businesses Public and State controlled institutions of higher education County governments Independent school districts City or township governments Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized) Special district governments.
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Opportunity Summary:
The MAINE CONSERVATION INNOVATION GRANTS (CIG) opportunity is a competitive grant program run by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) that is meant to push new, practical conservation ideas into real-world use. The main goal is to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies, generally tied to agriculture and natural resources conservation objectives. While the program is labeled as a Maine CIG opportunity, the announcement states that applications are accepted from all 50 states as well as U.S. territories in the Caribbean (Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands) and the Pacific (Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands). The funding is associated with CFDA 10.912, the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), and the overall program type is discretionary assistance provided through grants.
For FY 2010, Maine NRCS anticipated roughly $100,000 total available to support the program, with an expected number of about four awards. The award ceiling is listed as $75,000, and the award floor is $0, which typically means proposals can request various amounts up to the maximum as long as they are justified and competitive. Projects are expected to run between 1 and 3 years, which signals that NRCS is looking for efforts that can move beyond concept-only work and instead test, demonstrate, and help transition promising innovations into broader practice within a reasonable timeframe. A cost-sharing or matching requirement applies, so applicants should plan for some level of non-federal contribution (cash and/or eligible in-kind support, depending on the full program rules).
Eligibility is broad and includes many different applicant types: individuals; private institutions of higher education; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (other than universities); state, county, city or township governments; independent school districts; special district governments; federally recognized tribal governments; and for-profit organizations, including small businesses (and for-profit entities other than small businesses). In practical terms, this means proposals can come from universities, nonprofits, conservation districts, tribal entities, local governments, and private-sector innovators, as long as they meet the program requirements and can carry out the work.
The application process is structured as a two-phase competition. In phase one, everyone submits a pre-proposal. NRCS then screens each pre-proposal for completeness and compliance with the announcement requirements; incomplete submissions are removed from consideration, and applicants are notified by mail if their submission is eliminated. Only those applicants whose pre-proposals are competitively selected are invited to move to phase two, where NRCS requests a full application package. Even though the announcement describes both phases, the intent at the time of posting was that only pre-proposals were being solicited initially, with full applications requested later only from selected applicants.
Key deadlines are clearly spelled out. Pre-proposals had to be received by 4:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on June 30, 2010 at the NRCS Vermont Headquarters (the office administering the process for this Maine program round). Applicants selected from the pre-proposal stage were to be notified by July 9, 2010, and then, if invited, full applications were due by 4:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on July 30, 2010. The posting date for the opportunity was June 3, 2010, with an original and current closing date of July 30, 2010, and an archive date of August 29, 2010.
Submissions could be delivered in multiple ways. Hand delivery, express mail, or overnight courier submissions were directed to: Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Maine Conservation Innovation Grants Program, 356 Mountain View Drive, Colchester, VT 05446. The same address was provided for submissions sent through the United States Postal Service. The announcement also allows electronic submission through Grants.gov by using the standard "Apply for Grants" process and following the site instructions.
For program questions, the main point of contact listed is Christopher Jones, Maine CIG Program Manager, USDA NRCS, located at 967 Illinois Avenue, Suite #3, Bangor, ME 04401, with phone (207) 990-9563, fax (207) 990-9599, and email chris.jones@me.usda.gov. For applicants who had trouble accessing the full announcement electronically, the notice also references Patricia Pickett, Contract Specialist, at phone 802-951-6795 (office email not fully shown in the provided text). The opportunity is identified by Funding Opportunity Number USDANRCSME1002 and is categorized under Agriculture and Natural Resources activities.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - Maine Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG)
What is the Maine Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) opportunity?
The Maine Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) opportunity is a competitive grant program run by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). It is designed to move new, practical conservation ideas into real-world use by stimulating the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies tied to agriculture and natural resources conservation objectives.
Is this grant only for applicants located in Maine?
No. Although it is labeled a Maine CIG opportunity, the announcement states that applications are accepted from all 50 states as well as U.S. territories in the Caribbean (Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands) and the Pacific (Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands).
What federal program is this funding associated with?
The funding is associated with CFDA 10.912, the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). The assistance type is discretionary assistance provided through grants.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this program?
The Funding Opportunity Number is USDANRCSME1002.
What category of activities does this opportunity fall under?
The opportunity is categorized under Agriculture and Natural Resources activities.
How much total funding was expected to be available for FY 2010?
For FY 2010, Maine NRCS anticipated roughly $100,000 total available to support the program.
How many awards were expected for FY 2010?
The announcement expected about four awards.
What is the maximum (ceiling) award amount?
The award ceiling is listed as $75,000.
What is the minimum (floor) award amount?
The award floor is listed as $0, which typically means proposals can request various amounts up to the maximum as long as the request is justified and competitive.
How long can a project last?
Projects are expected to run between 1 and 3 years.
Is there a cost-share or matching requirement?
Yes. A cost-sharing or matching requirement applies, so applicants should plan for some level of non-federal contribution. The announcement notes that this may include cash and/or eligible in-kind support depending on the full program rules.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes: individuals; private institutions of higher education; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (other than universities); state, county, city or township governments; independent school districts; special district governments; federally recognized tribal governments; and for-profit organizations (including small businesses and other for-profit entities).
Can universities apply?
Yes. Both private institutions of higher education and public/state-controlled institutions of higher education are listed as eligible applicants.
Can nonprofit organizations apply?
Yes. Nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (other than universities) are listed as eligible.
Can for-profit companies apply, including small businesses?
Yes. For-profit organizations are eligible, including small businesses and for-profit entities other than small businesses.
Can local governments apply?
Yes. State, county, city or township governments, independent school districts, and special district governments are listed as eligible.
Can tribal governments apply?
Yes. Federally recognized tribal governments are listed as eligible.
Is the application process competitive?
Yes. This is described as a competitive grant program.
Is the application process single-step or multi-step?
The application process is a two-phase competition. Phase one requires a pre-proposal. Only applicants whose pre-proposals are competitively selected are invited to submit a full application in phase two.
What happens if a pre-proposal is incomplete?
NRCS screens pre-proposals for completeness and compliance with the announcement requirements. Incomplete submissions are removed from consideration, and applicants are notified by mail if their submission is eliminated.
At the time of the announcement, what was NRCS soliciting first?
The announcement indicates that only pre-proposals were being solicited initially, and full applications would be requested later only from applicants selected from the pre-proposal stage.
What was the deadline for submitting a pre-proposal?
Pre-proposals had to be received by 4:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST) on June 30, 2010 at the NRCS Vermont Headquarters (the office administering the process for this Maine program round).
When were applicants selected from the pre-proposal stage expected to be notified?
Applicants selected from the pre-proposal stage were to be notified by July 9, 2010.
What was the deadline for submitting a full application (if invited)?
If invited to phase two, full applications were due by 4:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST) on July 30, 2010.
When was the opportunity posted?
The posting date was June 3, 2010.
What were the closing and archive dates shown in the announcement?
The original and current closing date was July 30, 2010, and the archive date was August 29, 2010.
Where could applicants send submissions by hand delivery, express mail, or overnight courier?
Hand delivery, express mail, or overnight courier submissions were directed to: Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Maine Conservation Innovation Grants Program, 356 Mountain View Drive, Colchester, VT 05446.
Where could applicants send submissions through the United States Postal Service (USPS)?
The same address was provided for USPS submissions: Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Maine Conservation Innovation Grants Program, 356 Mountain View Drive, Colchester, VT 05446.
Was electronic submission allowed?
Yes. The announcement allows electronic submission through Grants.gov using the standard "Apply for Grants" process and following the instructions on the site.
Who is the main program contact for questions?
The main point of contact listed is Christopher Jones, Maine CIG Program Manager, USDA NRCS, located at 967 Illinois Avenue, Suite #3, Bangor, ME 04401. Phone: (207) 990-9563. Fax: (207) 990-9599. Email: chris.jones@me.usda.gov.
Who is referenced for help if someone could not access the full announcement electronically?
The notice references Patricia Pickett, Contract Specialist, as a contact for applicants who had trouble accessing the full announcement electronically. The phone number provided is 802-951-6795 (the office email was not fully shown in the provided text).
Which NRCS office administered the submission process for this Maine round?
The pre-proposals were to be received at the NRCS Vermont Headquarters, which is the office identified as administering the process for this Maine program round.
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Applicants also applied for:
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| FY 2011 New Mexico CIG Program Funding Announcement Apply for USDA NRCS NM 11 01 Funding Number: USDA NRCS NM 11 01 Agency: New Mexico State Office Category: Agriculture Natural Resources Funding Amount: $75,000 |
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