Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NRCS IA 23 CIG NOFO0001243
The Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) Iowa State Program is a competitive grant opportunity from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) designed to spark the development and real-world adoption of new and innovative conservation practices, approaches, and technologies. The program focuses on projects that will be carried out within the state of Iowa and is intended to move conservation ideas from concept to on-the-ground use, especially where new methods can improve agricultural and natural resource outcomes.
For FY 2023, NRCS is making up to $400,000 total available through the Iowa CIG state competition (Funding Opportunity Number: USDA NRCS IA 23 CIG NOFO0001243; CFDA: 10.912). Individual awards may be as large as $200,000, and NRCS expects to make about 10 awards. Projects can run from one to three years, allowing applicants to propose short pilot efforts or multi-year demonstrations and adoption strategies, as long as the work remains Iowa-based.
Eligibility is broadly open to non-federal entities and individuals, with federal agencies being the only category explicitly excluded. The eligible applicant types listed include state, county, and local governments (city or township), public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, federally recognized tribal governments, tribal organizations, and nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education). In practical terms, this means a wide range of organizations involved in agriculture, conservation, research, education, and community-based implementation in Iowa can apply, provided they are not a federal agency.
Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov, and the deadline is May 7, 2023 at 11:59 pm Eastern Time. Applicants who are new to Grants.gov are advised to start early because account setup and required registration steps can take significant time. If technical problems arise with Grants.gov itself, applicants are directed to Grants.gov Applicant Support at 1-800-518-4726 or support@grants.gov, since NRCS staff cannot help troubleshoot Grants.gov accounts or platform issues.
NRCS also sets clear expectations around questions during the application period. Inquiries to the awarding agency should be limited to clarifying specific items in the Notice of Funding Opportunity (for example, confirming dates, page references, or resolving discrepancies). Questions asking NRCS to weigh in on whether an applicant is eligible or whether a proposed project is a good idea or likely to be selected will not be answered, reinforcing that applicants are responsible for ensuring eligibility and competitiveness based on the published requirements.
Finally, NRCS provided an estimated timeline for award decisions and contracting. Selections were anticipated by May 15, 2023, with awards expected to be executed by September 16, 2023, although NRCS notes that these dates are estimates and could change. Overall, this opportunity is positioned as a relatively modest-sized, Iowa-focused innovation fund that supports practical conservation breakthroughs and adoption efforts, with awards sized to help projects demonstrate results within a one-to-three-year window.Apply for USDA NRCS IA 23 CIG NOFO0001243
- The Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service in the agriculture sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Conservation Innovation Grants Iowa State Program" 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 Mar 08, 2023.
- Applicants must submit their applications by May 07, 2023. (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 $200,000.00 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, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education.
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Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) Iowa State Program (FY 2023) - FAQs
What is the Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) Iowa State Program?
The Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) Iowa State Program is a competitive grant opportunity from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) intended to stimulate the development and real-world adoption of new and innovative conservation practices, approaches, and technologies in Iowa.
What is the main purpose of this funding opportunity?
The purpose is to help move conservation ideas from concept to on-the-ground use, especially where new methods can improve agricultural outcomes and natural resource results. The emphasis is on practical innovation and adoption within Iowa.
Is this a competitive grant program?
Yes. The Iowa CIG state program is described as a competitive grant opportunity, meaning proposals are reviewed and selected competitively rather than funded on a first-come, first-served basis.
Is this opportunity limited to projects in Iowa?
Yes. The program focuses on projects that will be carried out within the state of Iowa, and applicants should ensure the proposed work remains Iowa-based.
How much funding is available through the Iowa state competition for FY 2023?
NRCS is making up to $400,000 total available through the FY 2023 Iowa CIG state competition.
What is the maximum award amount for an individual project?
Individual awards may be as large as $200,000.
How many awards does NRCS expect to make?
NRCS expects to make about 10 awards.
How long can projects last?
Projects can run from one to three years. This allows applicants to propose either shorter pilot efforts or multi-year demonstrations and adoption strategies, as long as the work remains based in Iowa.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broadly open to non-federal entities and individuals. Federal agencies are the only category explicitly excluded.
Are individuals allowed to apply?
Yes. The opportunity states that eligibility is open to non-federal entities and individuals (with federal agencies explicitly excluded).
Are federal agencies eligible to apply?
No. Federal agencies are explicitly excluded.
What types of organizations are listed as eligible applicants?
The eligible applicant types listed include: state, county, and local governments (city or township); public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized tribal governments; tribal organizations; and nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education).
Can state, county, or local governments apply?
Yes. State, county, and local governments (including city or township governments) are listed as eligible applicant types.
Can colleges and universities apply?
Yes. Both public/state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education are listed as eligible.
Can tribal governments or tribal organizations apply?
Yes. Federally recognized tribal governments and tribal organizations are listed as eligible applicant types.
Can 501(c)(3) nonprofits apply?
Yes. Nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education) are listed as eligible.
Where do applications need to be submitted?
Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov.
What is the application deadline?
The deadline is May 7, 2023 at 11:59 pm Eastern Time.
Why should new applicants start early on Grants.gov?
Applicants who are new to Grants.gov are advised to start early because account setup and required registration steps can take significant time.
Who should applicants contact for Grants.gov technical issues?
If technical problems arise with Grants.gov, applicants are directed to Grants.gov Applicant Support at 1-800-518-4726 or support@grants.gov. NRCS staff cannot help troubleshoot Grants.gov accounts or platform issues.
Can NRCS help troubleshoot my Grants.gov account or submission?
No. The guidance states that NRCS staff cannot help troubleshoot Grants.gov accounts or platform issues, and applicants should use Grants.gov Applicant Support for those problems.
What kinds of questions will NRCS answer during the application period?
Inquiries to the awarding agency should be limited to clarifying specific items in the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), such as confirming dates, page references, or resolving discrepancies.
Will NRCS tell me if I am eligible or if my project idea is likely to be selected?
No. NRCS indicates it will not answer questions asking whether an applicant is eligible or whether a proposed project is a good idea or likely to be selected. Applicants are responsible for determining eligibility and competitiveness based on published requirements.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this program?
The Funding Opportunity Number is USDA NRCS IA 23 CIG NOFO0001243.
What is the CFDA number listed for this opportunity?
The CFDA number listed is 10.912.
When were selections anticipated to be made?
Selections were anticipated by May 15, 2023. NRCS notes this date is an estimate and could change.
When were awards expected to be executed?
Awards were expected to be executed by September 16, 2023. NRCS notes this date is an estimate and could change.
Are the posted selection and award execution dates guaranteed?
No. NRCS notes that these dates are estimates and could change.
What kinds of projects is this program trying to support?
The program is positioned to support the development and adoption of innovative conservation practices, approaches, and technologies, with an emphasis on moving ideas into real-world, on-the-ground use in Iowa.
How big is this funding opportunity in general terms?
NRCS describes it as a relatively modest-sized, Iowa-focused innovation fund, with awards sized to help projects demonstrate results within a one-to-three-year window.
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