Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NRCS ME CIG 22 NOFO0001177
The Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) Maine State Program is a competitive federal grant opportunity run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), with funding provided through the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC). The purpose of the program is to stimulate the development and on-the-ground adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies. In practical terms, NRCS is looking for projects that test, demonstrate, and help expand newer or more effective ways to address natural resource and environmental challenges connected to agriculture and working lands in Maine. The opportunity is tied to the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and is listed on SAM.gov under Assistance Listing (CFDA) 10.912.
For fiscal year 2022 in Maine, NRCS announced up to $250,000 total available for awards under this state competition, with an expectation of about five awards. Individual projects can be funded at levels ranging from an estimated federal share of $25,000 (the funding floor) up to $75,000 (the funding ceiling), and $75,000 is also the stated maximum award amount for a single project in this funding cycle. Proposed projects may last between one and three years, allowing applicants to design either shorter pilot demonstrations or multi-year efforts that produce measurable results and support broader adoption.
Eligibility is broad, and the program invites applications from essentially all non-federal entities and individuals, with federal agencies being the only clear exclusion. Eligible applicant types include state, county, and local governments; special districts; public and private institutions of higher education; independent school districts; federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofit organizations (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3)); for-profit organizations (including small businesses); and individuals. Projects must be carried out in Maine, since this is a state-specific competition.
Applications had to be submitted electronically through Grants.gov, with a deadline of 11:59 pm Eastern Time on May 27, 2022. The notice highlights that Grants.gov account setup can take time for new users and points applicants to the relevant instructions, while also drawing a firm line on support: technical problems with Grants.gov are handled by Grants.gov Applicant Support (phone and email provided), and NRCS staff do not provide troubleshooting for Grants.gov accounts. NRCS also notes that questions should be limited to clarifying information contained in the notice itself (such as dates or discrepancies), and they will not advise on applicant eligibility interpretations beyond what is written or provide feedback on the merits of a specific proposal.
NRCS provided an estimated timeline for award decisions, with selections anticipated by June 24, 2022 and awards expected to be executed by August 31, 2022, while emphasizing these dates were estimates subject to change. The opportunity is categorized as a discretionary grant within the agriculture, environment, and natural resources space. Applicants were also encouraged to review the NRCS-Maine State CIG website for additional program context and to take the free Grants 101 training offered through CFO.gov, which covers the basics of federal financial assistance rules, administrative requirements, cost principles, and audit/risk topics that commonly affect grant management and compliance.Apply for USDA NRCS ME CIG 22 NOFO0001177
- The Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service in the agriculture, environment, natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Conservation Innovation Grants Maine State Program" 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 29, 2022.
- Applicants must submit their applications by May 27, 2022 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 $75,000.00 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) Maine State Program (FY 2022)
What is the Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) Maine State Program?
The Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) Maine State Program is a competitive federal grant opportunity run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Funding is provided through the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC). The program supports projects in Maine that develop and promote the on-the-ground adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies.
What is the purpose of this grant program?
The purpose is to stimulate the development and on-the-ground adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies. NRCS is looking for projects that test, demonstrate, and help expand newer or more effective ways to address natural resource and environmental challenges connected to agriculture and working lands in Maine.
How is this opportunity connected to EQIP?
This opportunity is tied to the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). The notice describes the CIG Maine State Program as connected to EQIP while focusing on innovation, testing, and broader adoption of conservation solutions.
Where is this opportunity listed, and what is the Assistance Listing (CFDA) number?
The opportunity is listed on SAM.gov under Assistance Listing (CFDA) 10.912.
How much total funding is available for FY 2022 in Maine?
For fiscal year 2022 in Maine, NRCS announced up to $250,000 total available for awards under this state competition.
How many awards does NRCS expect to make?
NRCS indicated an expectation of about five awards.
What is the minimum and maximum award size per project?
The estimated federal share per project ranges from $25,000 (funding floor) to $75,000 (funding ceiling). The maximum award amount for a single project in this funding cycle is $75,000.
How long can a proposed project last?
Proposed projects may last between one and three years.
Does the program support short pilots as well as multi-year projects?
Yes. The one-to-three-year project period allows applicants to propose either shorter pilot demonstrations or multi-year efforts that produce measurable results and support broader adoption.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and invites applications from essentially all non-federal entities and individuals. The only clear exclusion stated is federal agencies.
Are state, county, or local governments eligible?
Yes. State, county, and local governments are included as eligible applicants.
Are special districts eligible to apply?
Yes. Special districts are listed as eligible applicants.
Are colleges and universities eligible?
Yes. Public and private institutions of higher education are eligible applicant types.
Are independent school districts eligible?
Yes. Independent school districts are included in the list of eligible applicants.
Are tribal governments and tribal organizations eligible?
Yes. Federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations are eligible to apply.
Are public housing authorities eligible?
Yes. Public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities are listed as eligible applicants.
Are nonprofit organizations eligible (including those that are not 501(c)(3))?
Yes. Nonprofit organizations are eligible, including both 501(c)(3) nonprofits and non-501(c)(3) nonprofits.
Are for-profit organizations and small businesses eligible?
Yes. For-profit organizations, including small businesses, are eligible applicant types.
Can an individual apply?
Yes. Individuals are explicitly listed as eligible applicants.
Are federal agencies allowed to apply?
No. Federal agencies are the only clear exclusion noted in the eligibility description provided.
Does the project have to be located in Maine?
Yes. Projects must be carried out in Maine because this is a state-specific competition.
How do applicants submit an application?
Applications had to be submitted electronically through Grants.gov.
What was the application deadline for this funding cycle?
The deadline stated was 11:59 pm Eastern Time on May 27, 2022.
Why does the notice emphasize Grants.gov account setup time?
The notice highlights that setting up a Grants.gov account can take time for new users and points applicants to relevant instructions. The practical message is to start the registration/setup process early if you are new to Grants.gov.
Who provides support if there are technical issues with Grants.gov?
Technical problems with Grants.gov are handled by Grants.gov Applicant Support (phone and email were provided in the notice). NRCS staff do not provide troubleshooting for Grants.gov accounts.
Will NRCS troubleshoot Grants.gov logins, registrations, or submission errors?
No. The notice draws a firm line that NRCS staff do not provide troubleshooting for Grants.gov accounts, and applicants must use Grants.gov Applicant Support for technical issues.
What kind of questions will NRCS answer about the notice?
NRCS notes that questions should be limited to clarifying information contained in the notice itself (for example, dates or discrepancies).
Will NRCS tell me if I am eligible if my situation is unclear?
No. NRCS states they will not advise on applicant eligibility interpretations beyond what is written in the notice.
Will NRCS review my draft proposal or provide feedback on my project idea?
No. NRCS states they will not provide feedback on the merits of a specific proposal.
When were selections anticipated to be made?
NRCS provided an estimated timeline with selections anticipated by June 24, 2022 (noting these were estimates subject to change).
When were awards expected to be executed?
Awards were expected to be executed by August 31, 2022, with the notice emphasizing these dates were estimates and subject to change.
What type of grant is this (competitive, formula, discretionary, etc.)?
This opportunity is described as a competitive federal grant and categorized as a discretionary grant.
What is the general subject area of this grant?
The opportunity sits in the agriculture, environment, and natural resources space, with a focus on conservation innovation for agriculture and working lands in Maine.
Are there recommended resources for applicants who are new to federal grants?
Yes. Applicants were encouraged to review the NRCS-Maine State CIG website for additional program context. The notice also encouraged applicants to take the free Grants 101 training offered through CFO.gov, which covers federal financial assistance rules, administrative requirements, cost principles, and audit/risk topics that commonly affect grant management and compliance.
What topics does the CFO.gov Grants 101 training cover?
According to the notice, Grants 101 covers the basics of federal financial assistance rules, administrative requirements, cost principles, and audit/risk topics that commonly affect grant management and compliance.
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