Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NRCS VA CIG 16 01
Apply for USDA NRCS VA CIG 16 01
- The USDA-NRCS in the agriculture, environment, natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Virginia Conservation Innovation Grants" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.912,.
- This funding opportunity was created on May 03, 2016 and posted on May 03, 2016.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 24, 2016. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $75,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 10 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, Individuals, Small businesses.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Virginia Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) program, administered by USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), is a discretionary grant opportunity designed to speed up the real-world adoption of innovative conservation practices and technologies in Virginia. The central goal is to strengthen environmental enhancement and protection while supporting agricultural production, using federal funds as a catalyst to help proven conservation solutions reach wider use. Rather than funding basic or exploratory research, CIG is meant to help move already demonstrated approaches into practical, scalable use through on-the-ground application, pilot projects, and field demonstrations. A key expectation is that successful projects will result in conservation technologies, management systems, or innovative approaches (including market-based tools) being transferred into NRCS technical references such as manuals and guides, or otherwise reaching the private sector where they can be broadly implemented.
The program emphasizes demonstration and adoption over invention. CIG supports projects that apply or showcase previously proven technologies in ways that increase uptake, especially where there is a clear path to scaling emerging but validated conservation strategies. The opportunity also highlights collaboration and knowledge sharing across communities, governments, and institutions, with the idea that access to scientific and technical progress should not be limited to a narrow set of users. Projects should be grounded in practical conservation outcomes on working lands and should clearly show how the proposed work will make conservation more accessible, usable, and repeatable for producers and land managers in Virginia.
Research is generally not funded under this opportunity, with one notable exception: on-farm conservation research. In this context, "on-farm conservation research" means a farm-based investigation aimed at answering a specific conservation question using a statistically valid study design. That includes using farm-scale equipment on actual fields, incorporating an appropriate number of replications, and applying statistical analysis to the results. Even when research is included, NRCS limits support to studies that directly stimulate innovative natural resource management approaches tied to agricultural production, rather than academic research that is not positioned for near-term adoption.
Projects may be single-year or multi-year, but they cannot exceed three years in total duration. Applicants must be eligible entities based in Virginia, and the eligibility list is broad. It includes federally recognized tribal governments, state and local governments (including counties, cities/townships, and special districts), soil and water conservation districts, universities and colleges (public or private), nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status, individuals, and small businesses, among others listed in the opportunity details. This wide eligibility is intended to encourage partnerships across public agencies, academia, nonprofits, and practitioners who can carry out field-based demonstrations and drive adoption.
From a funding standpoint, the opportunity (USDA NRCS VA CIG 16 01; CFDA 10.912) set an award ceiling of $75,000 per project and anticipated making about 10 awards. The posting date was May 3, 2016, and the application deadline was June 24, 2016. Proposals are first screened for completeness and compliance with the notice requirements, and applications that are incomplete or noncompliant are removed from consideration and the applicant is notified. Eligible, complete proposals are then reviewed by a Virginia CIG Review Group composed of NRCS staff, who score applications using the evaluation criteria referenced in the notice instructions. NRCS indicated a preference for proposals that clearly demonstrate innovative technologies and/or approaches that address at least one of the specified priority topics identified in the notice. The review group provides funding recommendations to the NRCS State Conservationist, who makes the final selection decisions.
Overall, this grant opportunity is best understood as a "prove it at scale" type of program for conservation: it seeks field-ready, practical projects that can persuade producers and partners to adopt effective conservation solutions, generate usable guidance for NRCS and the broader conservation community, and create measurable resource benefits without drifting into purely academic research.
Virginia Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) - FAQs
1) What is the Virginia Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) program?
The Virginia CIG program is a discretionary grant opportunity administered by USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). It is designed to speed up real-world adoption of innovative conservation practices and technologies in Virginia by using federal funds to help proven conservation solutions reach wider use.
2) What is the main goal of this grant opportunity?
The central goal is to strengthen environmental enhancement and protection while supporting agricultural production. The program focuses on moving already demonstrated conservation approaches into practical, scalable use on working lands in Virginia.
3) Is this grant meant to fund new inventions or basic research?
No. The program emphasizes demonstration and adoption over invention. It is not intended to fund basic or exploratory research, and it is positioned as a "prove it at scale" program focused on on-the-ground application, pilot projects, and field demonstrations.
4) Are any types of research allowed under this opportunity?
Research is generally not funded, with one notable exception: on-farm conservation research. This is allowed when it is farm-based, answers a specific conservation question, and uses a statistically valid study design (including replications and statistical analysis) on actual fields using farm-scale equipment.
5) What does NRCS mean by "on-farm conservation research" in this context?
On-farm conservation research means a farm-based investigation that uses a statistically valid design to answer a specific conservation question. It includes conducting the work on actual fields, using farm-scale equipment, including an appropriate number of replications, and applying statistical analysis to results.
6) What kinds of projects are a good fit for CIG?
Good-fit projects apply or showcase previously proven technologies, management systems, or innovative approaches (including market-based tools) in ways that increase adoption. Strong projects are field-ready, practical, and have a clear path to scaling in Virginia through demonstration, pilot work, and repeatable implementation by producers and land managers.
7) What kinds of outcomes does NRCS expect from successful projects?
A key expectation is that successful projects will result in conservation technologies, management systems, or innovative approaches being transferred into NRCS technical references (such as manuals and guides) or otherwise reaching the private sector so they can be broadly implemented.
8) Who is eligible to apply?
Applicants must be eligible entities based in Virginia. The eligibility list is broad and includes federally recognized tribal governments, state and local governments (including counties, cities/townships, and special districts), soil and water conservation districts, universities and colleges (public or private), nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status, individuals, small businesses, and other eligible entity types described in the opportunity details.
9) Does the program encourage partnerships?
Yes. The opportunity highlights collaboration and knowledge sharing across communities, governments, and institutions. The intent is to broaden access to scientific and technical progress and to support projects that make conservation more accessible, usable, and repeatable for Virginia producers and land managers.
10) How long can a project last?
Projects may be single-year or multi-year, but they cannot exceed three years in total duration.
11) What is the maximum award amount per project?
The award ceiling listed for this opportunity is $75,000 per project.
12) How many awards were anticipated?
NRCS anticipated making about 10 awards under this notice.
13) What is the CFDA number and opportunity identifier for this grant?
The opportunity references CFDA 10.912 and is identified as USDA NRCS VA CIG 16 01.
14) When was this opportunity posted and when were applications due?
The posting date was May 3, 2016, and the application deadline was June 24, 2016.
15) How does the application review process work?
Proposals are first screened for completeness and compliance with the notice requirements. Applications that are incomplete or noncompliant are removed from consideration and the applicant is notified. Eligible and complete proposals are reviewed by a Virginia CIG Review Group composed of NRCS staff, who score applications using the evaluation criteria referenced in the notice instructions.
16) Who makes the final funding decision?
The Virginia CIG Review Group provides funding recommendations to the NRCS State Conservationist, who makes the final selection decisions.
17) Does NRCS state any preference for certain types of proposals?
Yes. NRCS indicated a preference for proposals that clearly demonstrate innovative technologies and/or approaches that address at least one of the specified priority topics identified in the notice.
18) What is the overall purpose of using federal funds in this program?
Federal funds are used as a catalyst to help proven conservation solutions reach wider use. The focus is on accelerating adoption, generating usable guidance, and producing measurable resource benefits through practical implementation rather than academic exploration.
19) What does "demonstration and adoption over invention" mean in practical terms?
It means the program prioritizes projects that take conservation approaches that have already been demonstrated to work and then apply them in real-world conditions, pilot them with producers, demonstrate performance in the field, and build a clear pathway for others to adopt them at scale in Virginia.
20) What happens if an application is incomplete or does not follow the notice requirements?
Incomplete or noncompliant applications are removed from consideration during the initial screening step, and the applicant is notified.
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| Rhode Island Conservation Innovation Grants Apply for USDA NRCS RI CIG 16 01 Funding Number: USDA NRCS RI CIG 16 01 Agency: USDA-NRCS Category: Agriculture, Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $75,000 |
| South Dakota Conservation Innovation Grants Apply for USDA NRCS SD CIG 16 01 Funding Number: USDA NRCS SD CIG 16 01 Agency: USDA-NRCS Category: Agriculture, Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $75,000 |
| Agriculture and Food Research Initiative: Water for Agriculture Challenge Area Apply for USDA NIFA AFRI 005822 Funding Number: USDA NIFA AFRI 005822 Agency: USDA-NIFA Category: Agriculture, Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Arkansas CIG Announcement for FY2016 Apply for USDA NRCS AR CIG 16 01 Funding Number: USDA NRCS AR CIG 16 01 Agency: USDA-NRCS Category: Agriculture, Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $75,000 |
| Illinois Monarch Butterfly Habitat Improvement Fiscal Year 2016 Apply for USDA NRCS IL ACEP 16 01 Funding Number: USDA NRCS IL ACEP 16 01 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service Category: Agriculture, Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $750,000 |
| 2017 National Conservation Innovation Grants APF Apply for USDA NRCS NHQ CIG 17 01 Funding Number: USDA NRCS NHQ CIG 17 01 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service Category: Agriculture, Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $2,000,000 |
| Maine - Conservation Innovation Grant Apply for USDA NRCS ME 17 01 Funding Number: USDA NRCS ME 17 01 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service Category: Agriculture, Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $75,000 |
| Ohio Conservation Innovation Grant Apply for USDA NRCS OH CIG 17 01 Funding Number: USDA NRCS OH CIG 17 01 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service Category: Agriculture, Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $75,000 |
| Arkansas Conservation Innovation Grant 2017 Apply for USDA NRCS AR CIG 17 01 Funding Number: USDA NRCS AR CIG 17 01 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Utah State Office Category: Agriculture, Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $75,000 |
| Conservation Innovation Grant (FY) 2017 Announcement for Program Funding Apply for USDA NRCS NJ CIG 17 01 Funding Number: USDA NRCS NJ CIG 17 01 Agency: Department of Agriculture, New Jersey State Office Category: Agriculture, Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $75,000 |
| North Dakota Conservation Innovation Grants Fiscal Year 2017 Apply for USDA NRCS ND CIG 17 01 Funding Number: USDA NRCS ND CIG 17 01 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Utah State Office Category: Agriculture, Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $75,000 |
| Regional Conservation Partnership Program Apply for USDA NRCS NHQ RCPP 18 01 Funding Number: USDA NRCS NHQ RCPP 18 01 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service Category: Agriculture, Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $10,000,000 |
| Kansas Conservation Innovation Grants FY 2017 Apply for USDA NRCS KS CIG 17 01 Funding Number: USDA NRCS KS CIG 17 01 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Washington State Office Category: Agriculture, Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| Iowa Conservation Collaboration Grants - Fiscal Year 2017 Apply for USDA NRCS IA CCG 17 01 Funding Number: USDA NRCS IA CCG 17 01 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Utah State Office Category: Agriculture, Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Conservation Innovation Grant Apply for USDA NRCS ID CIG 17 01 Funding Number: USDA NRCS ID CIG 17 01 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service Category: Agriculture, Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $75,000 |
| Conservation Innovation Grant Apply for USDA NRCS PR CIG 17 01 Funding Number: USDA NRCS PR CIG 17 01 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service Category: Agriculture, Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $75,000 |
| Conservation Innovation Grant Apply for USDA NRCS NM CIG 17 01 Funding Number: USDA NRCS NM CIG 17 01 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service Category: Agriculture, Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $75,000 |
| New Hampshire Conservation Innovation Grants - Fiscal Year 2017 Apply for USDA NRCS NH CIG 17 01 Funding Number: USDA NRCS NH CIG 17 01 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Utah State Office Category: Agriculture, Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $75,000 |
| Conservation Innovation Grant Apply for USDA NRCS RI CIG 17 01 Funding Number: USDA NRCS RI CIG 17 01 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service Category: Agriculture, Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $75,000 |
| Virginia Conservation Innovation Grant Apply for USDA NRCS VA CIG 17 01 Funding Number: USDA NRCS VA CIG 17 01 Agency: Department of Agriculture, USDA-NRCS-NHQ Category: Agriculture, Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $75,000 |
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