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Press Release: USDA to Invest $15 Million in the Future of Conservation Through Innovation Grants Program

Contact:  Erika Cross, fpac.bc.press@usda.gov

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Find this story on the Texas NRCS News Releases webpage.

USDA to Invest $15 Million in the Future of Conservation Through Innovation Grants Program

Temple, Texas, May 19, 2021 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is investing up to $15 million to support the development of new tools, approaches, practices and technologies to further natural resource conservation on private lands through the Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) program.

CIG partners use creative problem solving and innovation to address our nation’s water quality, air quality, soil health and wildlife habitat challenges, all while improving agricultural operations. This year, funded CIGs will focus on climate-smart strategies for water resources, soil health (focused on carbon sequestration and climate resilience), nutrient management, grazing lands conservation and strategies to increase conservation adoption.

All U.S.-based non-Federal entities and individuals are eligible to apply. Proposals must be submitted through Grants.gov by 11:59 p.m. ET on July 19, 2021.

Complete funding announcement information can be accessed through the Conservation Innovation Grants webpage.

About the CIG Program

The CIG program has three components, CIG Classic, CIG On-Farm Conservation Innovation Trials and state-level CIG. Today’s funding opportunity announcement is for CIG Classic, which supports early pilot projects or demonstrations of promising new conservation approaches, tools and technologies.

CIG Classic grantees must match each federal dollar invested at least one to one.

NRCS intends to expend at least 10 percent of the total funding for CIG Classic on projects that are focused on providing conservation benefits to historically undeserved producers.

For more information on CIG, please visit the CIG website.

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USDA is an equal opportunity employer, provider, and lender.

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