U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announces up to $750,000 of funding available in Kansas for eligible individuals, local, and State governments, non-governmental organizations, and Tribes through Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG).

The deadline to submit an application for CIG is Friday, June 26, 2020.

Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) are critical for developing science, technology, and innovative tools to address natural resource concerns on private working lands in Kansas," said Troy J. Munsch, Acting State Conservationist.  "Our CIG Partners deliver new approaches and technologies to help farmers, ranchers, and private forest landowners implement innovative conservation on their lands."

About the Program

CIG awards are intended to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies (in conjunction with agricultural production) while leveraging federal investment in environmental enhancement and protection.  Projects must be entirely located within Kansas and may be Statewide in scope or focus on a smaller region or watershed.

Applicants submitting proposals may request up to $75,000 of matching Federal funds and must match the Federal award at least 1:1.  Matching funds can be cash, in-kind, or a combination of both.  CIG projects must involve Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) eligible producers.

The CIG priorities for Kansas in Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 are:

• Data Analytics for Natural Resources Conservation
• Precision Conservation Approaches
• Grazing Lands (Invasive Species Control) 
• Soil Quality and Soil Health
• Water Quality and Quantity 
• Wildlife Pollinator Conservation

More Information

The 2020 Kansas NRCS Notice of Funding Opportunity (NFO), Opportunity Number USDA­-NRCS-KS-CIG-20-NOFO0001006, has been posted to Grants.gov and is open for applications through Friday, June 26, 2020.  The opportunity can be easily found on Grants.gov (through the basic search criteria) and by using the opportunity number, or by searching the Catalogue of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) of 10.912.

Applications must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. CST on Friday, June 26, 2020 on Grants.gov.  More information about CIG can be found here.

USDA Service Centers are open for business by phone appointment only.  Field work will continue with appropriate social distancing.  Program delivery staff will continue to communicate with producers by phone and online.  All Service