2021 STATE CIG | USDA NRCS LA CIG 001 NOFO0001064

Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NRCS LA CIG 001 NOFO0001064

The 2021 STATE CIG opportunity is a Louisiana-focused Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) competition run by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). The purpose is to spur the development, testing, and broader adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies that improve natural resource stewardship in agriculture and working lands. Projects funded under this notice must be carried out in the state of Louisiana and should be aimed at practical, on-the-ground conservation innovation, such as new methods, tools, systems, or demonstrations that help producers and partners address resource concerns in ways that can be replicated or scaled.

For FY 2021, NRCS Louisiana is offering up to $300,000 total through this state competition, with an anticipated five awards. Individual awards can be as large as $150,000, and project periods can range from one to three years. The funding instrument is a grant, and the program is listed under CFDA 10.912, aligning it with federal agriculture, environment, and natural resources priorities. While the program is open broadly, the key restriction is that federal agencies are not eligible to apply; the competition is intended for non-federal entities and individuals that can partner with producers and communities to move conservation innovation forward.

Eligibility is intentionally expansive and includes state, county, and local governments; special districts; independent school districts; public and private institutions of higher education; federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations; public housing/Indian housing authorities; nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status; for-profit organizations (including small businesses); and individuals. In other words, most non-federal applicant types are welcomed, provided they can propose a Louisiana-based project that fits the intent of CIG and meets any additional eligibility clarifications included in the full notice.

Applications had to be submitted electronically through Grants.gov by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on April 30, 2021. Applicants new to Grants.gov were directed to follow the registration and submission steps referenced in the notice (Section D.1), which typically involves setting up required federal submission credentials ahead of time. If applicants encountered technical issues within the Grants.gov system, they were instructed to contact Grants.gov Applicant Support directly at 1-800-518-4726 or support@grants.gov, since NRCS program staff cannot troubleshoot account or platform problems.

NRCS also established a question-and-answer window to help applicants interpret the funding notice. Questions about the NFO could be submitted until March 26, 2021, and NRCS planned to post responses on Grants.gov about two weeks before the application deadline so all applicants could access the same clarifications. Additional background on Louisiana CIG was referenced through the Louisiana NRCS website at https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/la/programs/financial/cig/.

For programmatic questions tied to specific land uses, NRCS provided two subject-matter contacts. Cropland-related proposals could be discussed with Dr. Craig Smith, NRCS Louisiana State Conservation Agronomist, at (318) 473-7805 or craig.smith2@usda.gov. Grazing land-related proposals could be discussed with Chris Ebel, NRCS Louisiana State Rangeland Management Specialist, at (318) 473-7686 or chris.ebel@usda.gov. As for the expected timeline after submission, NRCS anticipated making selections by June 25, 2021, with award execution expected by September 3, 2021.

• The Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service in the agriculture, environment, natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "2021 STATE CIG" 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 01, 2021.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Apr 30, 2021 Applications must be received by 1159 pm Eastern Time.. (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 $150,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 5 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have 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, Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility.

Apply for USDA NRCS LA CIG 001 NOFO0001064

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