Deadline: 24 February 2015
The United State Department of Agriculture (USDA), through the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is inviting NGOs to submit pre-proposals for its Conservation Innovation Grant (CIG) program. The program is designed to facilitate the creation of new, innovative markets for carbon credits, providing additional revenue sources for producers to use to address natural resource conservation challenges. The program emphasizes expected benefits to historically underserved producers, veterans, and organic producers. The funding will be available for single- or multiyear projects.
The USDA has been supporting market-based solutions to improve water quality and reduce carbon pollution. With this opportunity, USDA supports the next generation of projects that will help mature these markets and bring them to scale to benefit both producers and the environment.
The program activities involve improved quantification tools, multi-resource crediting, and projects that substantively engage corporate or financial partners.
Areas of Interest
Natural resource improvements, including, but not limited to, improvements in water quantity, soil health, and wildlife habitat.
Funds Availability
For 2015, approximately half of the $20 million is available for environmental markets and conservation finance projects that engage agricultural producers.
Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants can be nationwide non-Federal governmental or nongovernmental organizations, federally recognized Indian tribes, and individuals.
- Applicants are required to provide 25% of the matching funds. The applicant’s match must
consist of non-Federal funds. - Applicants are required to keep 10 percent set-aside provision for historically underserved producers.
- Applications in the fields of economics and sociology as they relate to natural resources are also being welcomed.
- Applications should describe the use of innovative technologies or approaches, or both, to address a natural resource conservation concern or concerns.
- Projects that have a goal of providing benefits over a large geographic area will be preferred.
How to Apply?
- Applicants can submit the pre proposals online via email.
- USDA will invite selected entities to submit full proposals after reviewing the pre-proposals.
For more information about this opportunity, visit USDA-NRCS.
