Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NRCS PABAY CIG 17 01
The Pennsylvania Chesapeake Bay Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) opportunity is a competitive grant program run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Its core goal is to speed up the development and real-world adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies that improve environmental protection while supporting agricultural production. Rather than funding basic, early-stage invention, CIG is aimed at applying, demonstrating, and scaling conservation tools and strategies that are already proven or promising, so they can be used more widely by producers and partners.
A central expectation of funded projects is that they will produce results that can be transferred and adopted beyond the project itself. That transfer might look like getting effective practices into the hands of producers who are eligible for EQIP (the Environmental Quality Incentives Program), integrating new approaches into NRCS technical manuals and guidance, or helping move successful ideas into the private sector. The program also highlights innovative approaches that are not only technical, but also operational or economic, including market-based systems that can incentivize conservation outcomes. Another major emphasis is collaboration and knowledge-sharing, with CIG intended to help communities, governments, universities, nonprofits, and other institutions share skills, technologies, and facilities so that working conservation solutions become accessible to more users.
The types of projects encouraged under this opportunity include on-the-ground conservation innovation such as pilot projects, field demonstrations, and on-farm conservation research. On-farm conservation research has a specific meaning here: it must be designed to answer a defined conservation question using a statistically valid approach, carried out on real farm fields with farm-scale equipment. In practical terms, proposals for on-farm research need an appropriate number of replications and a plan for statistical analysis, not just observational reporting. NRCS indicates it will only fund research through CIG when that research clearly stimulates innovative natural resource management approaches that fit alongside agricultural production.
The notice allows proposals for single-year or multi-year projects, with an overall limit on project length (the summary text notes a cap but does not state the exact number of years). Eligible applicants are broad and include public and private institutions of higher education, federally recognized Native American tribal governments, state and local governments (including counties, cities/townships, and special districts), nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status, individuals, and for-profit entities including small businesses. While the opportunity title references Pennsylvania and the Chesapeake Bay, the notice also states proposals may be submitted by eligible entities from any U.S. state, Washington, DC, and certain U.S. territories and island areas (including Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands).
Applications go through a two-step competitive review process. First, proposals are scored by a technical peer review panel using published proposal evaluation criteria. Second, the full proposals and the first-tier evaluations (along with input from the State Conservationist) move to a Grants Review Board, which makes recommendations to the NRCS Chief. Final funding selections are made by the NRCS Chief.
Administrative details from the posting include that this is a discretionary grant under CFDA 10.912, categorized under agriculture, environment, and natural resources. The funding opportunity number is USDA NRCS PABAY CIG 17 01. The posting lists an award ceiling of $500,000 and an estimated 60 expected awards. The opportunity was created April 4, 2017, with an original application closing date of June 5, 2017.Apply for USDA NRCS PABAY CIG 17 01
- The Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service in the agriculture, environment, natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Pennsylvania Cheseapeake Bay Conservation Innovation Grants" 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 04, 2017.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 05, 2017. (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 $500,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 60 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, Individuals, For profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - Pennsylvania Chesapeake Bay Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG)
1) What is the Pennsylvania Chesapeake Bay Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) opportunity?
The Pennsylvania Chesapeake Bay Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) opportunity is a competitive grant program administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). It supports projects that speed up the development and real-world adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies that protect the environment while supporting agricultural production.
2) What is the main goal of this grant program?
The core goal is to accelerate the development, demonstration, and broader adoption of conservation innovations that can improve environmental protection and still work alongside agricultural production. A strong emphasis is placed on practical outcomes that can be transferred and adopted beyond the individual project.
3) Is this grant meant to fund brand-new inventions or early-stage research?
No. The program is not aimed at basic, early-stage invention. Instead, it focuses on applying, demonstrating, and scaling conservation tools and strategies that are already proven or promising so they can be used more widely.
4) What kinds of results are expected from funded projects?
Funded projects are expected to generate results that can be transferred and adopted beyond the project itself. Examples mentioned include getting effective practices into the hands of producers eligible for EQIP, integrating new approaches into NRCS technical manuals and guidance, or helping move successful ideas into the private sector.
5) How does EQIP relate to this opportunity?
The notice references EQIP (the Environmental Quality Incentives Program) as one pathway for transferring project results, such as by making effective practices more accessible to producers who are eligible for EQIP.
6) What types of innovation does the program support?
The program highlights innovative approaches that can be technical, operational, or economic. It also explicitly includes market-based systems that can incentivize conservation outcomes.
7) Does the program encourage partnerships and collaboration?
Yes. Collaboration and knowledge-sharing are emphasized. The program is intended to help communities, governments, universities, nonprofits, and other institutions share skills, technologies, and facilities so working conservation solutions become accessible to more users.
8) What types of projects are encouraged under this opportunity?
Encouraged projects include on-the-ground conservation innovation efforts such as pilot projects, field demonstrations, and on-farm conservation research.
9) What does NRCS mean by "on-farm conservation research" under this grant?
On-farm conservation research has a specific meaning in this notice. It must be designed to answer a defined conservation question using a statistically valid approach, be carried out on real farm fields, and use farm-scale equipment.
10) What makes on-farm research "statistically valid" for CIG purposes?
The notice indicates proposals should include an appropriate number of replications and a plan for statistical analysis. It should not be limited to observational reporting.
11) Will NRCS fund research projects through CIG?
NRCS indicates it will fund research through CIG only when that research clearly stimulates innovative natural resource management approaches that fit alongside agricultural production.
12) Are projects required to be transferable beyond the grant period or project site?
A central expectation is that projects produce results that can be transferred and adopted beyond the project itself, such as broader producer adoption, integration into NRCS guidance, or movement into the private sector.
13) Can proposals be for single-year or multi-year projects?
Yes. The notice allows proposals for single-year or multi-year projects.
14) Is there a maximum project length?
Yes, the summary text notes there is a cap on project length, but it does not state the exact number of years in the information provided.
15) Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants include public and private institutions of higher education, federally recognized Native American tribal governments, state and local governments (including counties, cities/townships, and special districts), nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status, individuals, and for-profit entities including small businesses.
16) Can for-profit businesses apply?
Yes. For-profit entities, including small businesses, are listed as eligible applicants.
17) Can individuals apply?
Yes. Individuals are listed among the eligible applicants.
18) Is eligibility limited to organizations located in Pennsylvania?
No. Although the opportunity title references Pennsylvania and the Chesapeake Bay, the notice states proposals may be submitted by eligible entities from any U.S. state, Washington, DC, and certain U.S. territories and island areas.
19) Which territories and island areas are included?
The notice includes Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
20) How are applications reviewed and selected?
Applications go through a two-step competitive review process. First, proposals are scored by a technical peer review panel using published proposal evaluation criteria. Second, full proposals and the first-tier evaluations (along with input from the State Conservationist) go to a Grants Review Board, which makes recommendations to the NRCS Chief. Final selections are made by the NRCS Chief.
21) Who makes the final funding decision?
The final funding selections are made by the NRCS Chief.
22) What is the program type and assistance listing for this opportunity?
This is a discretionary grant. The posting references CFDA 10.912 and categorizes the opportunity under agriculture, environment, and natural resources.
23) What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number listed is USDA NRCS PABAY CIG 17 01.
24) What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The posting lists an award ceiling of $500,000.
25) How many awards are expected?
The posting estimates approximately 60 expected awards.
26) When was this opportunity created and when did it close?
The opportunity was created on April 4, 2017, and the original application closing date was June 5, 2017.
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| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| California Conservation Innovation Grants Apply for USDA NRCS CA CIG 17 01 Funding Number: USDA NRCS CA CIG 17 01 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service Category: Agriculture, Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $75,000 |
| Mississippi Conservation Technical Assistance (CTA) Apply for USDA NRCS MS CTA 17 01 Funding Number: USDA NRCS MS CTA 17 01 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service Category: Agriculture, Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Vermont Conservation Innovation Grant Apply for USDA NRCS VT CIG 17 01 Funding Number: USDA NRCS VT CIG 17 01 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service Category: Agriculture, Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $75,000 |
| Mississippi ACEP-WRP-EWP Apply for USDA NRCS MS ACEP 17 01 Funding Number: USDA NRCS MS ACEP 17 01 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service Category: Agriculture, Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Oregon Conservation Innovation Grants - Forest Stand Resiliency Apply for USDA NRCS OR CIG 17 02 Funding Number: USDA NRCS OR CIG 17 02 Agency: Department of Agriculture, NRCS Oregon Category: Agriculture, Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $75,000 |
| Inventory and Monitoring Changes In Vegetative Communities on Flood Irrigated Wet Meadows Apply for F17AS00244 Funding Number: F17AS00244 Agency: Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Agriculture, Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $65,000 |
| Assistance with the organization and function of the Pike River - Lake Carmi and Rock River Watersheds Planning Groups (VT) Apply for USDA NRCS VT CTA EQIP 03 Funding Number: USDA NRCS VT CTA EQIP 03 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service Category: Agriculture, Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $75,000 |
| Assistance with the organization and function of the Hungerford Brook and St Albans Bay Watersheds (VT) Apply for USDA NRCS VT CTA EQIP 17 02 Funding Number: USDA NRCS VT CTA EQIP 17 02 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service Category: Agriculture, Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $87,500 |
| 2017 NRCS Conservation Technical Assistance in Vermont Apply for USDA NRCS VT CTA EQIP ACEP FRPP WRP 01 Funding Number: USDA NRCS VT CTA EQIP ACEP FRPP WRP 01 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service Category: Agriculture, Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $400,000 |
| Assistance with the organization and function of the East Creek and McKenzie Brook Watersheds (VT) Apply for USDA NRCS VT CTA EQIP 17 01 Funding Number: USDA NRCS VT CTA EQIP 17 01 Agency: Department of Agriculture, USDA-NRCS-NHQ Category: Agriculture, Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $87,500 |
| Conservation Collaboration Grants or Agreements Fiscal Year (FY) 2018 Apply for USDA NRCS MULTI STATE CENTRAL CCG 001 Funding Number: USDA NRCS MULTI STATE CENTRAL CCG 001 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service Category: Agriculture, Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $2,500,000 |
| NRCS Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) Apply for USDA NRCS GA CIG 001 Funding Number: USDA NRCS GA CIG 001 Agency: Department of Agriculture, USDA-NRCS-MSD-Ft Worth Office Category: Agriculture, Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $75,000 |
| Announcement for Program Funding for NRCS’ Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) for Federal fiscal year (FY) 2018 – Pennsylvania Apply for USDA NRCS PA CIG 18 001 Funding Number: USDA NRCS PA CIG 18 001 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service Category: Agriculture, Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $75,000 |
| Announcement for Program Funding for NRCS’ Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) for Federal fiscal year (FY) 2018 – Rhode Island Apply for USDA NRCS RI CIG 18 001 Funding Number: USDA NRCS RI CIG 18 001 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service Category: Agriculture, Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $75,000 |
| Announcement for Program Funding for NRCS' Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) for Federal fiscal year (FY) 2018- New York Apply for USDA NRCS NY CIG 18 01 Funding Number: USDA NRCS NY CIG 18 01 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service Category: Agriculture, Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $75,000 |
| Announcement for Program Funding for NRCS' Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) for Federal fiscal year (FY) 2018 -Maryland Apply for USDA NRCS MD CIG 18 01 Funding Number: USDA NRCS MD CIG 18 01 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service Category: Agriculture, Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $75,000 |
| Accelerate conservation adoption in the Western Lake Erie Basin Apply for USDA NRCS IN WLEB 18 01 Funding Number: USDA NRCS IN WLEB 18 01 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Kentucky State Office Category: Agriculture, Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| USDA-NRCS-IN-WLEB-18-01 Apply for USDA NRCS 10902 52KYXXXX 18 0001 Funding Number: USDA NRCS 10902 52KYXXXX 18 0001 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service Category: Agriculture, Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Resource Conservation & Development (RC&D) Office Assistance to NRCS State Office Apply for USDA NRCS CTA KY 18 02 Funding Number: USDA NRCS CTA KY 18 02 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service Category: Agriculture, Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $33,000 |
| Easement Monitoring Services Apply for USDA NRCS ACEP SC 18 05 Funding Number: USDA NRCS ACEP SC 18 05 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service Category: Agriculture, Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $175,000 |
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