Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NRCS VA CIG 23 NOFO0001280
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), working through the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC), opened a Virginia-only competition under its Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) State Program for federal fiscal year 2023. This funding opportunity is intended to push new, practical conservation ideas forward by supporting projects that develop, test, demonstrate, and encourage the adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies. The opportunity is tied to Assistance Listing (formerly CFDA) 10.912, the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), and the announcement is published as a discretionary grant competition.
For Virginia in FY 2023, NRCS set aside up to $400,000 total for awards under this notice. Individual awards can be as large as $200,000, which implies NRCS expected to make roughly two awards (the source data lists an expected two awards). Projects can run for one to three years, giving applicants flexibility to propose shorter pilot efforts or multi-year demonstrations that generate clearer results and a stronger case for broader adoption.
Eligibility is broad: all non-federal entities and individuals may apply, with federal agencies specifically excluded. In other words, applicants can come from a wide range of organizations or backgrounds as long as they are not a federal agency, and as long as the proposed work is carried out in Virginia, since this is a state-targeted competition. The notice points applicants to the eligibility section of the full NFO (referred to as Section C) for the exact definitions and requirements.
Applications had to be submitted electronically through Grants.gov. The deadline was 11:59 pm Eastern Time on May 28, 2023 (with the listing also reflecting a May 29 close date while emphasizing the 11:59 pm Eastern cutoff). NRCS emphasized that new Grants.gov users should plan ahead because registration and submission setup steps can take significant time, and agency staff do not provide support for Grants.gov account or technical issues. Instead, applicants were directed to Grants.gov Applicant Support (1-800-518-4726 or support@grants.gov) for troubleshooting.
NRCS also laid out a basic review timeline, noting that selections were anticipated by June 15, 2023, with awards expected to be executed by July 15, 2023, while clearly stating these dates were estimates and could change. For questions, applicants were instructed to contact the federal awarding agency point of contact listed in the NFO (Section G), but only for clarifications about the notice itself (for example, dates, page references, or resolving discrepancies). Questions asking whether an applicant is eligible or whether a particular project idea is strong were explicitly not something the agency would address through Q and A.
In practical terms, this opportunity was a targeted pot of CIG funding for Virginia projects that can show conservation innovation with real-world application and a credible path to adoption, with a moderate award size (up to $200,000), a total state allocation capped at $400,000, and a relatively fast turnaround between the application deadline and anticipated award execution.Apply for USDA NRCS VA CIG 23 NOFO0001280
- The Department of Agriculture, 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) 2023" 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 Apr 14, 2023.
- Applicants must submit their applications by May 29, 2023 Applications must be received by 1159 pm Eastern Time.. (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 2 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is this funding opportunity?
This is a Virginia-only competition under the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) State Program for federal fiscal year (FY) 2023. It is offered through the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) and published as a discretionary grant competition.
What is the purpose of this grant?
The purpose is to move new, practical conservation ideas forward by funding projects that develop, test, demonstrate, and encourage adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies.
Is this opportunity connected to a specific federal program or Assistance Listing number?
Yes. The opportunity is tied to Assistance Listing 10.912 (formerly CFDA 10.912), the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP).
Who is offering the grant?
The grant is offered by USDA NRCS, working through the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC).
Is this competition limited to Virginia?
Yes. This is a Virginia-only (state-targeted) competition, and the proposed work must be carried out in Virginia.
How much total funding is available for Virginia under this notice?
NRCS set aside up to $400,000 total for awards under this FY 2023 Virginia notice.
What is the maximum award amount per project?
Individual awards can be as large as $200,000.
How many awards does NRCS expect to make?
The source information indicates NRCS expected to make about two awards (consistent with the $400,000 total and $200,000 maximum per award).
How long can a funded project last?
Projects can run for one to three years.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad: all non-federal entities and individuals may apply. Federal agencies are specifically excluded.
Where can applicants find the exact eligibility definitions and requirements?
The notice directs applicants to the eligibility section of the full Notice of Funding Opportunity (NFO), referenced as Section C, for the specific definitions and requirements.
How were applications required to be submitted?
Applications had to be submitted electronically through Grants.gov.
What was the application deadline?
The deadline was 11:59 pm Eastern Time on May 28, 2023. The listing also reflects a May 29 close date while emphasizing the 11:59 pm Eastern cutoff.
What should applicants know about Grants.gov registration and technical support?
NRCS emphasized that new Grants.gov users should plan ahead because registration and setup steps can take significant time. NRCS staff do not provide support for Grants.gov account or technical issues.
Who provides help if an applicant has Grants.gov technical issues?
Applicants were directed to Grants.gov Applicant Support at 1-800-518-4726 or support@grants.gov for troubleshooting.
What review/award timeline did NRCS provide?
NRCS noted an estimated timeline with selections anticipated by June 15, 2023, and awards expected to be executed by July 15, 2023.
Are the selection and award execution dates guaranteed?
No. NRCS stated these dates were estimates and could change.
Who should applicants contact with questions about the opportunity?
Applicants were instructed to contact the federal awarding agency point of contact listed in the NFO (Section G), but only for clarifications about the notice itself (such as dates, page references, or resolving discrepancies).
What types of questions will NRCS not answer through the Q&A process?
NRCS stated it would not address questions asking whether an applicant is eligible or whether a particular project idea is strong.
What kinds of projects is this funding intended to support?
This funding is intended for projects that can demonstrate conservation innovation with real-world application and a credible path to broader adoption, including efforts to develop, test, or demonstrate innovative conservation approaches and technologies.
How competitive is this opportunity based on the funding levels described?
Based on the total set-aside of up to $400,000 and a maximum of $200,000 per award (with an expected two awards), the available funding suggests a small number of awards in Virginia for FY 2023.
What is the overall scale and pace of this opportunity?
It is described as a targeted pot of CIG funding for Virginia with a moderate maximum award size (up to $200,000) and a relatively fast estimated turnaround between the application deadline and anticipated award execution.
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