Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NRCS SC CIG 17 01
The South Carolina Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) opportunity is a discretionary grant program run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), aimed at speeding up the real-world use of innovative conservation practices and technologies that also support agricultural production. The central goal is not to fund basic research, but to help proven or emerging conservation solutions get adopted more widely through on-the-ground work. Projects are expected to show how practical conservation approaches can be implemented, expanded, and ultimately transferred into NRCS technical manuals and guidance, or adopted by the private sector. This includes not only new tools and management systems, but also innovative approaches such as market-based strategies that encourage conservation.
CIG is designed around demonstration and application. The program emphasizes pilot projects and field demonstrations that take something already shown to work and prove it at a scale and in conditions that make it easier for farmers, land managers, and partners to adopt. While research is generally not supported, the program makes a narrow exception for on-farm conservation research. That type of research must be conducted on working farms using farm-scale equipment and a statistically valid study design, meaning it needs adequate replication and appropriate statistical analysis to answer a clearly defined conservation question. Even then, any research supported through CIG must directly stimulate innovative natural resource management in an agricultural setting, rather than serve as a general scientific study.
Projects may be single-year or multi-year, but they cannot exceed three years in length. The competition is limited to proposals submitted by eligible entities from South Carolina. Eligible applicants are broad and include federally recognized Tribal governments, state and local governments (including counties, cities/townships, and special districts), public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status (other than universities), individuals, for-profit organizations (including small businesses and other than small businesses), and certain public/state-controlled colleges and universities. The funding activity areas are agriculture, environment, and natural resources, and the assistance listing (CFDA) number is 10.912.
For this specific funding notice (Funding Opportunity Number USDA NRCS SC CIG 17 01), the maximum award amount is $75,000, and NRCS anticipated making about 10 awards. The opportunity originally opened around mid-March 2017 (creation date March 14, 2017) with an original closing date of April 28, 2017.
The selection process is structured and competitive. NRCS first screens applications for completeness and compliance with the notice requirements; proposals that are incomplete or do not follow the rules are removed from consideration, and applicants are notified of the elimination. Proposals that pass this initial screening are reviewed by a technical peer review panel using the evaluation criteria described in the program instructions (referenced as Section V.B in the notice). After technical review, proposals and the associated panel feedback are sent to the South Carolina Review Board, which makes recommendations to the NRCS State Conservationist in South Carolina. The State Conservationist makes the final funding selections.
In practical terms, strong applications for this program are those that clearly focus on measurable, on-the-ground conservation outcomes, demonstrate how the project will increase adoption or scaling of a proven approach, and show a credible path for the results to be shared and used by others (including integration into NRCS guidance or broader private-sector uptake).Apply for USDA NRCS SC 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 "South Carolina 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 Mar 14, 2017.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Apr 28, 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 $75,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 10 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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South Carolina Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) - FAQs
What is the South Carolina Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) program?
The South Carolina Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) program is a discretionary grant opportunity run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). It is designed to speed up real-world use of innovative conservation practices and technologies that also support agricultural production.
What is the main purpose of this grant opportunity?
The central goal is to help proven or emerging conservation solutions get adopted more widely through on-the-ground work. The program emphasizes demonstration, application, and transferability of conservation approaches, rather than funding basic research.
Does CIG fund basic research?
No. CIG is not intended to fund basic research. The program is focused on demonstration and application of conservation innovations in real agricultural settings.
Is any research allowed under CIG?
Yes, but only in a narrow case: on-farm conservation research. To qualify, the research must be conducted on working farms, use farm-scale equipment, and follow a statistically valid study design with adequate replication and appropriate statistical analysis. Even then, it must directly stimulate innovative natural resource management in an agricultural setting, not serve as a general scientific study.
What kinds of projects does the program prioritize?
The program prioritizes pilot projects and field demonstrations that take something already shown to work and validate it at a scale and under conditions that make adoption easier for farmers, land managers, and partners. Projects should show practical implementation, scaling potential, and a clear pathway for results to be used by others.
What types of innovations are considered eligible or relevant under this program?
Relevant innovations can include new conservation tools, management systems, and practical conservation approaches. The notice also explicitly includes innovative strategies such as market-based approaches that encourage conservation outcomes.
What outcomes should a strong proposal aim to deliver?
Strong proposals are those that clearly focus on measurable, on-the-ground conservation outcomes, demonstrate how the project will increase adoption or scaling of a proven approach, and show a credible plan for sharing results so they can be used broadly, including integration into NRCS technical manuals and guidance or uptake by the private sector.
How long can a CIG project last?
Projects may be single-year or multi-year, but they cannot exceed three years in length.
Who is eligible to apply for the South Carolina CIG competition?
Eligible applicants include federally recognized Tribal governments, state and local governments (including counties, cities/townships, and special districts), public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status (other than universities), individuals, for-profit organizations (including small businesses and other than small businesses), and certain public/state-controlled colleges and universities.
Is this opportunity limited to applicants in South Carolina?
Yes. The competition is limited to proposals submitted by eligible entities from South Carolina.
What are the funding activity areas for this opportunity?
The funding activity areas are agriculture, environment, and natural resources.
What is the Assistance Listing (CFDA) number for this program?
The Assistance Listing (CFDA) number is 10.912.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this notice?
The Funding Opportunity Number listed is USDA NRCS SC CIG 17 01.
What is the maximum award amount for this funding notice?
The maximum award amount is $75,000.
How many awards did NRCS anticipate making?
NRCS anticipated making about 10 awards under this notice.
When did this opportunity open and close (based on the notice details provided)?
The notice creation date is March 14, 2017, and the original closing date is April 28, 2017. The opportunity opened around mid-March 2017 based on the information provided.
How does NRCS review and select proposals?
The selection process is competitive and involves multiple steps. First, NRCS screens applications for completeness and compliance with the notice requirements; incomplete or noncompliant proposals are eliminated and applicants are notified. Proposals that pass screening are reviewed by a technical peer review panel using evaluation criteria referenced in the program instructions (Section V.B). The proposals and panel feedback then go to the South Carolina Review Board, which makes recommendations to the NRCS State Conservationist in South Carolina. The State Conservationist makes the final funding selections.
What happens if an application is incomplete or does not follow the notice rules?
NRCS removes incomplete or noncompliant proposals from consideration during the initial screening step and notifies the applicant that the application has been eliminated.
What is the role of the technical peer review panel?
The technical peer review panel evaluates proposals that pass the initial screening using the evaluation criteria described in the program instructions (referenced as Section V.B in the notice). Their feedback becomes part of what is forwarded for subsequent review.
What is the role of the South Carolina Review Board?
After technical review, the South Carolina Review Board reviews proposals along with the panel feedback and makes recommendations to the NRCS State Conservationist in South Carolina.
Who makes the final award decisions?
The NRCS State Conservationist in South Carolina makes the final funding selections.
What does it mean that CIG is focused on "demonstration and application"?
It means the program is intended to test and showcase conservation innovations in real conditions, at practical scales, so that farmers, land managers, and partners can more readily adopt them. The aim is to move solutions into wider use, not to conduct early-stage lab or purely academic work.
How should applicants think about "transferability" of results?
Projects are expected to generate results that can be shared and applied by others. The notice highlights transfer into NRCS technical manuals and guidance or adoption by the private sector, so proposals benefit from a clear plan to communicate outcomes and support broader uptake.
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| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Colorado Conservation Innovation Grants - Fiscal Year 2017 Apply for USDA NRCS CO CIG 17 01 Funding Number: USDA NRCS CO CIG 17 01 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Utah State Office Category: Agriculture, Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $75,000 |
| Pennsylvania Cheseapeake Bay Conservation Innovation Grants Apply for USDA NRCS PABAY CIG 17 01 Funding Number: USDA NRCS PABAY CIG 17 01 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service Category: Agriculture, Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| 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 |
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