California Conservation Innovation Grant Program (CIG)

The Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) is a voluntary program intended to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies while leveraging Federal investment in environmental enhancement and protection, in conjunction with agricultural production.

The Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC), represented by the California NRCS State Conservationist, announces the availability of up to $450,000 for CIG grants in the California state-administered CIG program during the 2005 fiscal year. The CCC, acting through NRCS, must receive applications for participation by 3:00 p.m., Pacific Standard Time (PST), on Tuesday, May 3, 2005. Funds will be awarded through a statewide competitive grants process. CIG will emphasize projects that have a goal of providing benefits over a large geographic area and meet program objectives.

These projects may be watershed-based, regional, or statewide in scope. State, tribal, and local governmental entities, non-governmental organizations, and individuals may apply. Selection will be based on the criteria established in this notice, and selected applicants may receive grants of up to 50 percent of the total project cost. Applicants must provide non-Federal funding for at least 50 percent of the project cost. Up to 50 percent (25 percent of the total project cost) of the applicant’s match may be from in-kind contributions. The remainder must be cash.

The CIG final rule describes the state component of CIG. The Request for Proposals (RFP), available below, describes California state CIG program requirements and application process. The intent of the state component is to provide flexibility to NRCS State Conservationists to target CIG funds to individual producers and smaller organizations that may possess promising innovations, but may not compete well on the larger scale of the national grants competition. The California state component of CIG is announced on this website and through public notices, separately from the national notice. The California State Conservationist has determined the funding level for state competitions at a maximum of $450,000, with individual grants not to exceed $75,000. Consult the RFP (available below) for additional details and instructions for application.

CIG Grant Program Applications are due by COB 3:00 p.m. PST on May 3, 2005 to:

By mail or delivery:

Mr. Ray Miller
Contract Specialist
USDA NRCS
430 G Street #4164
Davis, CA 95616-4164

By electronic delivery: www.grants.gov

California CIG Program Implementation Timeline (subject to change):

2005 Grant Application Materials and Support Information

The following documents require Adobe Acrobat.

California FY 2005 Request for Proposals (RFP) (90 KB)
California FY 2005 Application Package Check List (25 KB)
Standard Form 424 - Application Cover Sheet (114 KB)
Standard Form 424A - Budget Information (160 KB)
Standard Form 424B - Certifications (21 KB)
DUNS Number Application Information (23 KB)

Contact

Alan Forkey, Program Manager
Phone: 530-792-5602
Email: Alan.Forkey@ca.usda.gov

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