Opportunity Information: Apply for USDANRCSPA1401

  • The Pennsylvania State Office in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "PA 2014 Conservation Innovation Grant" 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 May 16, 2014 and posted on May 16, 2014.
  • Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 24, 2014. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
  • The funding agency has allocated a total of $150,000.00 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 3 candidate(s).
  • Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
  • CIG Applicants must be federally recognized Indian tribe, state or local unit of government, non governmental organization, or individuals.
Apply for USDANRCSPA1401

[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:

Opportunity Summary:

The PA 2014 Conservation Innovation Grant (CIG) opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number USDANRCSPA1401) was a discretionary grant program offered through the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Pennsylvania State Office to encourage practical, real-world innovation in conservation tied to agricultural production. Its central goal was to speed up the development and adoption of new or improved conservation approaches and technologies, while making sure federal conservation dollars are leveraged effectively to deliver measurable environmental enhancement and protection alongside working farms and agricultural operations.

A key feature of this program is that it was designed for demonstration and implementation rather than research. CIG funding was not meant to support basic research or experimental projects aimed at testing hypotheses. In other words, proposals framed as research studies, trials intended primarily to prove whether something works, or hypothesis-driven experiments were not eligible. Instead, CIG was intended to apply, adapt, and demonstrate technologies or approaches that have already been proven, with the emphasis on moving them into broader use. Successful projects were expected to produce outcomes that can be transferred into NRCS policy and practice, such as incorporation into technical manuals, guides, references, or other NRCS planning and implementation tools, or to drive adoption in the private sector by making the approach easier to use, replicate, and scale.

The funding details reflect a small, competitive state-level competition. NRCS anticipated making about three awards, with an estimated total funding amount of $150,000 and a maximum award size (award ceiling) of $50,000 per grant. The opportunity fell under CFDA number 10.912, the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), and it required cost sharing or matching, meaning applicants had to contribute non-federal resources (cash or eligible in-kind contributions, depending on the program rules) to help support the proposed work and demonstrate commitment and leverage.

Eligibility was broad, but specifically defined. Applicants had to be a federally recognized Indian tribe, a state or local unit of government, a non-governmental organization, or an individual. The listing also notes "Others" with a reference to additional eligibility information in the full announcement, signaling that applicants needed to confirm details and any conditions in the complete solicitation package.

The timeline for this opportunity was fixed and short. It was posted and created on May 16, 2014, with an original and current closing date of June 24, 2014. The announcement was archived on July 24, 2014, indicating the competition was concluded and no longer accepting submissions after that period.

For applicants needing assistance accessing the full announcement or navigating the opportunity, the program contact listed was Noel Soto at the Pennsylvania CIG Program, reachable by phone at 717-237-2173.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - PA 2014 Conservation Innovation Grant (CIG)

What is the PA 2014 Conservation Innovation Grant (CIG) opportunity?

The PA 2014 Conservation Innovation Grant (CIG) opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number USDANRCSPA1401) was a discretionary grant program offered through the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Pennsylvania State Office. It was intended to encourage practical, real-world conservation innovation tied to agricultural production in Pennsylvania.

What was the main purpose of this CIG funding opportunity?

The central goal was to speed up the development and adoption of new or improved conservation approaches and technologies, while leveraging federal conservation dollars effectively. Projects were expected to deliver measurable environmental enhancement and protection alongside working farms and agricultural operations.

Was this grant intended to fund research projects?

No. This CIG competition was designed for demonstration and implementation rather than research. Funding was not meant to support basic research or experimental projects aimed at testing hypotheses.

What kinds of projects were considered ineligible under this opportunity?

Proposals framed as research studies, trials intended primarily to prove whether something works, or hypothesis-driven experiments were not eligible. The opportunity emphasized applying, adapting, and demonstrating approaches or technologies that have already been proven.

If research was not eligible, what type of work was this grant meant to support?

The program was intended to support projects that apply, adapt, and demonstrate proven conservation technologies or approaches in real-world agricultural settings, with the goal of moving those solutions into broader use.

What outcomes were successful projects expected to produce?

Successful projects were expected to produce outcomes that can be transferred into NRCS policy and practice, such as incorporation into technical manuals, guides, references, or other NRCS planning and implementation tools. Projects could also support adoption in the private sector by making an approach easier to use, replicate, and scale.

How many awards did NRCS anticipate making under this competition?

NRCS anticipated making about three awards under this Pennsylvania state-level competition.

What was the estimated total funding amount for this opportunity?

The estimated total funding amount was $150,000.

What was the maximum award amount (award ceiling) per grant?

The maximum award size (award ceiling) was $50,000 per grant.

Was this a competitive grant opportunity?

Yes. The funding details reflect a small, competitive state-level competition.

Which CFDA number was associated with this opportunity?

This opportunity fell under CFDA number 10.912, the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP).

Was cost sharing or matching required?

Yes. The opportunity required cost sharing or matching, meaning applicants had to contribute non-federal resources to help support the proposed work and demonstrate commitment and leverage.

What kinds of match contributions were contemplated in the description?

The description indicates non-federal resources could include cash or eligible in-kind contributions, depending on the program rules. Applicants were expected to confirm details and any conditions in the full announcement.

Who was eligible to apply?

Eligibility was broad but specifically defined. Applicants had to be a federally recognized Indian tribe, a state or local unit of government, a non-governmental organization, or an individual.

What does the eligibility category "Others" mean in the listing?

The listing also notes "Others" with a reference to additional eligibility information in the full announcement. This signaled that applicants needed to confirm any additional eligibility details or conditions in the complete solicitation package.

When was this funding opportunity posted?

It was posted (and created) on May 16, 2014.

What was the application deadline?

The original and current closing date was June 24, 2014.

Is this opportunity still open?

No. The announcement was archived on July 24, 2014, indicating the competition was concluded and no longer accepting submissions after the stated period.

Which NRCS office administered this opportunity?

This opportunity was offered through the USDA NRCS Pennsylvania State Office.

Who was the contact person for applicant support and questions?

The program contact listed was Noel Soto at the Pennsylvania CIG Program.

How could applicants reach the program contact?

Noel Soto could be reached by phone at 717-237-2173.

What was the emphasis on leveraging federal conservation dollars?

The opportunity emphasized using federal conservation dollars in a way that is leveraged effectively, meaning project designs were expected to combine federal support with non-federal contributions and produce measurable environmental outcomes while supporting working agricultural operations.

What was the key distinguishing feature of CIG compared to a research grant?

The distinguishing feature described was the focus on demonstration and implementation of proven approaches, rather than generating new scientific knowledge through hypothesis-driven experimentation.

Browse more opportunities from the same agency: Pennsylvania State Office

Browse more opportunities from the same category: Natural Resources

Next opportunity: FY 2015 Survey of International Educational Exchange Activity

Previous opportunity: Youth Education and Involvement in Vegetation Management and Restoration in Heartland Network National Parks NOI not a request for proposals

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 USDANRCSPA1401

 

[Watch] how do funding administrators access proposals?

Applicants also applied for:

Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (USDANRCSPA1401) also looked into and applied for these:

Funding Opportunity
Stream Flow Monitoring Apply for R14AS00049

Funding Number: R14AS00049
Agency: Bureau of Reclamation
Category: Natural Resources
Funding Amount: $106,291
National Park Service Southwest Border Protect, Record Rock Art, Share Data at US and Mexican Sister Parks Apply for NPS NOIP14AC00652

Funding Number: NPS NOIP14AC00652
Agency: National Park Service
Category: Natural Resources
Funding Amount: Case Dependent
National Park Service Teacher Ranger Teacher Program Apply for NPS NOIP14AC00662

Funding Number: NPS NOIP14AC00662
Agency: National Park Service
Category: Natural Resources
Funding Amount: Case Dependent
National Park Service Cultural Cyclic Maintenance on Carys Castle Apply for NPS NOIP14AC00672

Funding Number: NPS NOIP14AC00672
Agency: National Park Service
Category: Natural Resources
Funding Amount: Case Dependent
National Park Service Continued Development of National Trails IMR Geographic Information System Apply for NPS NOIP14AC00676

Funding Number: NPS NOIP14AC00676
Agency: National Park Service
Category: Natural Resources
Funding Amount: Case Dependent
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Sustain Our Great Lakes Program Apply for F14AS00198

Funding Number: F14AS00198
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service
Category: Natural Resources
Funding Amount: $3,000,000
Inventory of Unique Plant Communities in SCPN Parks in Advance of Climate Change Phase 2 Apply for P14AS00111

Funding Number: P14AS00111
Agency: National Park Service
Category: Natural Resources
Funding Amount: $25,000
Youth Initiative Projects Canyon Ferry, Tiber, Fresno, Nelson, Clark Canyon, Keyhole, and Belle Fourche Apply for R14AS00047

Funding Number: R14AS00047
Agency: Bureau of Reclamation
Category: Natural Resources
Funding Amount: $14,000
Remove Exotic Plants and Restore Coastal Sage Scrub Habitat Apply for P14AS00110

Funding Number: P14AS00110
Agency: National Park Service
Category: Natural Resources
Funding Amount: Case Dependent
National Park Service Make Archeological Dendrochronology Specimens Web accessible and Research Museum Documentation (Yr 2) Apply for NPS NOIP14AC00726

Funding Number: NPS NOIP14AC00726
Agency: National Park Service
Category: Natural Resources
Funding Amount: Case Dependent
Proposed Fish Screen Feasibility Study Apply for R14AN20001

Funding Number: R14AN20001
Agency: Bureau of Reclamation
Category: Natural Resources
Funding Amount: Case Dependent
National Park Service Research and Preserve Ethnographic and Prehistoric Museum Collections Apply for NPS NOIP14AC00729

Funding Number: NPS NOIP14AC00729
Agency: National Park Service
Category: Natural Resources
Funding Amount: Case Dependent
Forest Understory Community Composition in Response to Canopy Disturbance Apply for P14AS00113

Funding Number: P14AS00113
Agency: National Park Service
Category: Natural Resources
Funding Amount: Case Dependent
National Park Service Vegetation Mapping Project Apply for NPS NOIP14AC00740

Funding Number: NPS NOIP14AC00740
Agency: National Park Service
Category: Natural Resources
Funding Amount: Case Dependent
Sustainable Fisheries Management Project Apply for RFA 641 14 000005

Funding Number: RFA 641 14 000005
Agency: Ghana USAID Accra
Category: Natural Resources
Funding Amount: $23,800,000
National Park Service Emergency Preservation and Documentation of a Stratified, Multicomponent Habitation Site, Phase 2 Apply for NPS NOIP14AC00745

Funding Number: NPS NOIP14AC00745
Agency: National Park Service
Category: Natural Resources
Funding Amount: Case Dependent
Survey Bat Community Composition at Hopewell Culture NHP Post White Nose Syndrome Apply for P14AS00114

Funding Number: P14AS00114
Agency: National Park Service
Category: Natural Resources
Funding Amount: Case Dependent
RESPONSIBLE RECREATION CAMPAIGN Apply for L14AS00120

Funding Number: L14AS00120
Agency: Bureau of Land Management
Category: Natural Resources
Funding Amount: $30,000
BLM OR WA Interactions and tradeoffs between two species of concern, Point Reyes Birds Beak and Western Marsh Rosemary, Coos Bay Apply for L14AS00122

Funding Number: L14AS00122
Agency: Bureau of Land Management
Category: Natural Resources
Funding Amount: $18,000
Water Conservation Field Services Program Phoenix Area Office Apply for R14AS00051

Funding Number: R14AS00051
Agency: Bureau of Reclamation
Category: Natural Resources
Funding Amount: $25,000

 

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

 

USGrants.org applicant portal membership

 

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 "USDANRCSPA1401", 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.