The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service has announced the availability of Conservation Innovation Grants utilizing Environmental Quality Incentives Program funds to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies for environmental enhancement and protection in conjunction with agricultural production.
"CIG promotes the sharing of skills, knowledge, technologies, and facilities among communities, governments, and other institutions to ensure than scientific and technological developments are accessible to a wide range of users," says Salvador Salinas, Texas state conservationist for NRCS, in Temple. "CIG funds projects targeting innovative on-the-ground conservation, including pilot projects and field demonstrations."
MAKE GRANTS. The NRCS in Texas has announced the availability of Conservation Innovation Grants.
For FY 2012, the USDA's NRCS in Texas will consider CIG applications in the following areas:
--Nutrient management
--Water conservation
--Soil health
--Wildlife conservation
Applications for CIG are requested from eligible governmental or nongovernmental organizations or individuals for competitive consideration of grant awards for projects between one and three years in duration. Texas NRCS anticipates that the amount available for support of this program in FY2012 will be approximately $225,000. Funds will be awarded through a competitive grants process. The maximum award amount of any project will not exceed $75,000 in FY 2012. Funds of accepted projects will be obligated by Aug. 31, 2012.
The closing date for receipt of grant proposals is 4 p.m. CST on Aug. 3. Applicants must submit their applications electronically through www.Grants.gov. Applications submitted through that address must contain all of the elements of a complete package and also meet the described requirements. Instructions for electronically submitting the required standard forms, and instructions for adding attachments are posted on www.Grants.gov. Applications submitted electronically are date and time stamped by www.Grants.gov.
For more information on the Conservation Innovation Grants, you can contact Troy Daniell, NRCS in Texas CIG program at 254-742-9825 or by Email to troy.daniell@tx.usda.gov.