Conservation Innovation Grants Pennsylvania State Program

Background
The Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) program is authorized as part of the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) under the U.S. Department of Agriculture – Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC). The purpose of CIG is to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies in conjunction with agricultural production. CIG projects are expected to lead to the transfer of conservation technologies, management systems, and innovative approaches to agricultural producers, government technical manuals and guides, or the private sector.

Grant Details
CIG funds the development and field testing, on-farm research and demonstration, evaluation, or implementation of approaches to incentivizing conservation adoption, including market-based and conservation finance approaches; conservation technologies, practices, and systems. Projects or activities under CIG must comply with all applicable federal, Tribal, state, and local laws and regulations throughout the duration of the project. For FY 2022, NRCS accepts applications that address State priorities such as carbon sequestration, legacy sediment, soil health, water quality, urban farming, non-industrial private forestland.

Eligibility Requirements
All U.S.-based non-Federal entities (NFE) and individuals are eligible to apply for projects carried out in Pennsylvania. At least 10 percent of the total funds available for CIG in FY 2022 is set aside for applications from Historically Underserved producers, veteran farmers or ranchers, or community-based organizations comprised of or representing these entities. Applicants must share at least 50 percent of total project costs. Special considerations exist for some historically underserved applications.

Period of Performance
Projects may be between 1 and 3 years in duration with an estimated project start date of August 29, 2022.

Grant Value
NRCS Pennsylvania expects to award approximately $225,000 through this opportunity. However, the agency retains the discretion to award a larger or lesser amount.

Place of Performance
Projects must be carried out in the state of Pennsylvania.