Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NRCS VT CIG 24 NOFO0001406
The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is offering Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) through its Vermont State Program to encourage new and improved conservation ideas, tools, and technologies that can be tested and adopted in real-world settings. This funding opportunity is focused specifically on projects that will be carried out in Vermont and is meant to move conservation beyond standard practices by supporting innovative approaches in agriculture, environmental stewardship, and natural resource protection. The notice also makes clear that it is being released ahead of final federal budget decisions for fiscal year 2025, meaning the final availability or amount of funding could change depending on continuing resolutions or an appropriations act.
For the Vermont competition, NRCS expects to make up to $1,000,000 total available in FY 2025, with an anticipated five awards. Individual grants can range in size, but the maximum award for a single project is capped at $200,000. Projects may last anywhere from one to five years, giving applicants flexibility to propose shorter pilot efforts or longer demonstrations and scaling plans, as long as the work remains within Vermont and aligns with the goal of developing and advancing innovative conservation methods.
Eligibility is broad. The competition is open to all non-foreign, non-federal entities and individuals, with the main exclusion being federal agencies. In other words, nonprofits, local and state entities, Tribes, academic institutions, private organizations, and individuals may apply, as long as they meet the requirements laid out in the Notice of Funding Opportunity (the NFO references Section C for eligibility specifics). The opportunity is listed as a discretionary grant under CFDA 10.912, and it falls under the agriculture, environment, and natural resources activity categories.
Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on September 30, 2024. NRCS emphasizes that Grants.gov setup can take time, especially for new users, so applicants should start early and review Section D of the full NFO to complete all required registrations and pre-submission steps. If a technical problem comes up with Grants.gov itself, applicants are directed to Grants.gov Applicant Support at 1-800-518-4726 or support@grants.gov, and NRCS staff will not troubleshoot Grants.gov account or platform issues.
For questions about the funding notice, NRCS directs applicants to the federal awarding agency contact listed in Section G of the NFO, but notes that questions should be limited to clarifying information contained in the notice (for example, dates, page references, or resolving inconsistencies). They also state that they will not respond to questions about whether an applicant is eligible or provide feedback on the quality or competitiveness of a specific proposal. NRCS expects to make selection decisions by December 31, 2024, and to have awards executed by April 30, 2025, though both dates are estimates and may shift.Apply for USDA NRCS VT CIG 24 NOFO0001406
- The Natural Resources Conservation Service in the agriculture, environment, natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Announcement for Program Funding for NRCS’ Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) for Federal fiscal year (FY) 2024 – Vermont" 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 2024-06-10.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-09-30. (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 5 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Vermont Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) opportunity?
The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is offering Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) through its Vermont State Program to support new and improved conservation ideas, tools, and technologies. The focus is on innovations that can be tested and adopted in real-world settings in Vermont, with the goal of moving conservation beyond standard practices in agriculture, environmental stewardship, and natural resource protection.
Is this funding opportunity limited to projects in Vermont?
Yes. This Vermont State Program competition is focused specifically on projects that will be carried out in Vermont. Proposals should be designed so the work remains within Vermont and aligns with the program goal of developing and advancing innovative conservation methods.
How much total funding does NRCS expect to make available?
For the Vermont competition, NRCS expects to make up to $1,000,000 total available in fiscal year (FY) 2025.
How many awards does NRCS expect to make?
NRCS anticipates making five awards under this Vermont competition.
What is the maximum award amount for a single project?
The maximum award for a single project is capped at $200,000.
How long can a project period last?
Projects may last from one to five years. This allows applicants to propose shorter pilots or longer demonstrations and scaling plans, as long as the project stays in Vermont and supports innovative conservation approaches.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad. The competition is open to all non-foreign, non-federal entities and individuals. Federal agencies are excluded. Examples of potential applicants mentioned include nonprofits, local and state entities, Tribes, academic institutions, private organizations, and individuals, as long as they meet the requirements in the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NFO). The NFO references Section C for eligibility specifics.
Are federal agencies allowed to apply?
No. Federal agencies are the main excluded category. The opportunity is open to non-federal entities and individuals (non-foreign), subject to the eligibility requirements in the NFO.
What type of grant is this, and what is the CFDA number?
This opportunity is listed as a discretionary grant under CFDA 10.912. It falls under agriculture, environment, and natural resources activity categories.
When is the application deadline?
Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on September 30, 2024.
How must applications be submitted?
Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov. The notice emphasizes starting early because Grants.gov setup and required registrations can take time, especially for new users. Applicants are directed to review Section D of the full NFO for registration and pre-submission steps.
What should applicants do if they experience technical issues with Grants.gov?
If the issue is with Grants.gov itself, applicants should contact Grants.gov Applicant Support at 1-800-518-4726 or support@grants.gov. NRCS staff will not troubleshoot Grants.gov account or platform issues.
Can NRCS help troubleshoot my Grants.gov account or submission problems?
No. The notice states that NRCS staff will not troubleshoot Grants.gov account or platform issues. Those issues should be directed to Grants.gov Applicant Support.
Who should I contact with questions about the funding notice?
NRCS directs applicants to the federal awarding agency contact listed in Section G of the NFO.
What kinds of questions will NRCS answer about the notice?
Questions should be limited to clarifying information contained in the notice, such as dates, page references, or resolving inconsistencies.
Will NRCS tell me whether I am eligible to apply?
No. The notice states NRCS will not respond to questions about whether an applicant is eligible. Applicants are expected to use the eligibility requirements in the NFO (including Section C) to determine eligibility.
Will NRCS provide feedback on whether my proposal is strong or competitive?
No. The notice states NRCS will not provide feedback on the quality or competitiveness of a specific proposal.
When does NRCS expect to make selection decisions?
NRCS expects to make selection decisions by December 31, 2024. This date is an estimate and may shift.
When does NRCS expect awards to be executed?
NRCS expects awards to be executed by April 30, 2025. This date is an estimate and may shift.
Is the FY 2025 funding amount guaranteed?
No. The notice explains it is being released ahead of final federal budget decisions for FY 2025. The final availability or amount of funding could change depending on continuing resolutions or an appropriations act.
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