Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NRCS MD CIG 19 GEN0010121
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announced a Maryland-specific Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) funding opportunity for federal fiscal year 2019. This competitive grant program is meant to spark new ideas and speed up the development, testing, and real-world adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies. The focus is on projects that will be carried out in the state of Maryland and that can demonstrate practical conservation value, especially where new methods, tools, or systems can improve how natural resources are protected and managed.
For FY 2019 in Maryland, NRCS set aside a total of up to $150,000 under this announcement, with an expected four awards. Individual awards are capped at $75,000, meaning applicants should design projects with budgets that fit under that ceiling while still showing measurable conservation outcomes. Proposed projects can run from one to three years, giving applicants flexibility to scope work as a short pilot, a multi-season field demonstration, or a phased effort that includes testing, refinement, and outreach.
Eligibility is broad. The opportunity is open to all non-federal entities and individuals, with federal agencies being the only group specifically excluded. In practice, this type of eligibility typically allows participation from organizations such as local and state-level entities that are not federal agencies, nonprofits, universities, private businesses, and individual applicants, as long as the project itself is conducted within Maryland and aligns with the goals of CIG to advance innovative conservation solutions. The funding instrument is a discretionary grant, and the program is listed under CFDA 10.912. The activity categories tied to this opportunity span agriculture, energy, natural resources, and science and technology or other research and development, reflecting that proposals may involve applied research, field validation, technology transfer, or demonstration efforts with a conservation purpose.
Key administrative details include the funding opportunity number USDA NRCS MD CIG 19 GEN0010121 and an announcement creation date of April 19, 2019. Applications had to be received by NRCS no later than 4:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on June 21, 2019. Applicants needed to ensure submission by that deadline because the notice specifies receipt by NRCS, not simply being postmarked or started in an online system.Apply for USDA NRCS MD CIG 19 GEN0010121
- The Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service in the agriculture, energy, natural resources, science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Announcement for Program Funding for NRCS' Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) for Federal fiscal year (FY) 2019-Maryland" 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 19, 2019.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 21, 2019. (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 $75,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 4 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is this funding opportunity?
This is a Maryland-specific Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) funding opportunity announced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) for federal fiscal year (FY) 2019. It is a competitive grant program intended to encourage new ideas and speed up the development, testing, and real-world adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies.
Who is the sponsoring agency?
The sponsoring agency is the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).
What is the main purpose of the Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) program?
The purpose of CIG is to support innovative conservation solutions by helping applicants develop, test, demonstrate, and move practical approaches and technologies into real-world use. The emphasis is on projects that can show practical conservation value and improve how natural resources are protected and managed.
Is this opportunity specific to Maryland?
Yes. This announcement is Maryland-specific, and the focus is on projects that will be carried out in the state of Maryland.
How much total funding is available under this announcement?
NRCS set aside a total of up to $150,000 for FY 2019 in Maryland under this funding opportunity.
How many awards does NRCS expect to make?
NRCS expected to make four awards under this announcement.
What is the maximum award amount for an individual grant?
Individual awards are capped at $75,000.
Do applicants need to design their budgets around a specific ceiling?
Yes. Because individual awards are capped at $75,000, applicants should design project budgets to fit under that ceiling while still showing measurable conservation outcomes.
How long can proposed projects last?
Proposed projects can run from one to three years.
What kinds of project timelines does NRCS indicate are acceptable?
The notice indicates flexibility in project scope and duration, such as a short pilot, a multi-season field demonstration, or a phased effort that includes testing, refinement, and outreach, as long as the project remains within the one- to three-year range.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad: the opportunity is open to all non-federal entities and individuals.
Who is not eligible to apply?
Federal agencies are specifically excluded from eligibility under this opportunity.
Does the announcement indicate examples of eligible applicant types?
Yes, by describing eligibility as open to non-federal entities and individuals, it implies applicants may include organizations such as local and state-level entities that are not federal agencies, nonprofits, universities, private businesses, and individual applicants, as long as they meet the other requirements stated in the announcement.
Where must the project be carried out?
The project is intended to be carried out in the state of Maryland.
What types of activities or sectors does this opportunity relate to?
The activity categories tied to this opportunity span agriculture, energy, natural resources, and science and technology or other research and development. This reflects that proposals may involve applied research, field validation, technology transfer, or demonstration efforts with a conservation purpose.
What type of funding instrument is used?
The funding instrument is a discretionary grant.
What is the CFDA number for this program?
The program is listed under CFDA 10.912.
What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number is USDA NRCS MD CIG 19 GEN0010121.
When was this funding opportunity created/announced?
The announcement creation date is April 19, 2019.
What was the application deadline?
Applications had to be received by NRCS no later than 4:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST) on June 21, 2019.
Does the deadline depend on when an application is started or postmarked?
No. The notice specifies receipt by NRCS by the stated deadline, not simply being postmarked or started in an online system.
What does "competitive grant program" mean in this context?
The announcement describes this as a competitive grant program, meaning applicants are competing for a limited pool of funding (up to $150,000 total) and an expected number of awards (four). Awards are not automatic and are made based on competition under the program.
What is the overall emphasis for project selection based on the description provided?
Based on the description, the emphasis is on innovation and practical conservation value, particularly where new methods, tools, or systems can improve protection and management of natural resources, with work carried out in Maryland.
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