Conservation Innovation Grants

NEW MEXICO COMPETITION:  On February 14, 2008 the New Mexico state component of the Conservation Innovation Grant was released.  Qualifiying grants with federal matching components of $5,000 to $75,000 will be considered, if they meet the eligibility requirements described in the announcement.  Grants require non-federal match to federal funds, which can include both cash and in-kind contributions as described below and in the announcement. The The deadline for submitting applications to the NRCS New Mexico State Office is April 15, 2008.

NATIONAL COMPETITION:  On December 4, 2007, the national 2008 Conservation Innovation Grants announcement for program fund was released. A link to more information on this opportunity can be found near the bottom of this page. The deadline for submitting applications to the NRCS National Office is February 20, 2008.

The Conservation Innovation Grant program (CIG) is a voluntary program intended to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies while leveraging Federal investment in environmental enhancement and protection, in conjunction with agricultural production. Under CIG, Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) funds are used to award competitive grants to non-Federal governmental or non-governmental organizations, Tribes, or individuals. CIG enables NRCS to work with other public and private entities to accelerate technology transfer and adoption of promising technologies and approaches to address some of the Nation's most pressing natural resource concerns. New Mexico has further targeted the State's highest resource concern priorities.  High priorities include:  irrigation management, riparian area management, invasive species management, and grazing lands management.  CIG will benefit agricultural producers by providing more options for environmental enhancement and compliance with Federal, State, and local regulations. The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) administers CIG. The CIG requires a 50-50 match between the agency and the applicant. The CIG has two funding components - national and state.

• The CIG State Component (click link to view more information, including the announcement of fund availability) offers eligible entities the opportunity to apply for grants up to $75,000. This competition is limited to applications for projects within New Mexico. 
• The CIG National Component offers eligible entities the opportunity to apply for grants of up to $1 million. NRCS is making available up to $15 million in this nationwide competition.

Contacts

Seth Fiedler, Resource Conservationist
Phone:  505-761-4416
Email:  seth.fiedler@nm.usda.gov

Last Modified: 02/19/2008