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Caribbean Area Conservation Innovation Grant Program (CIG) - FY 2013

Updated May 17, 2013

USDA-NRCS Caribbean Area Director, Edwin Almodóvar, re-announces the availability of the 2013 Caribbean Area Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies and extension of the grant application period. Applications will be accepted from Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands and will be awarded on a competitive basis. Download the complete request for proposals HERE (PDF, 167 KB).

Nutrient Management
Energy Conservation
Soil Health
Plant Health
Wildlife
Coral Reef Ecosystem Protection/Enhancement
Natural Resources Conservation
Outreach

"These grants are critical for developing and demonstrating out-of-the-box ideas for conservation on America’s private lands and strengthening rural communities,” NRCS Acting Chief Jason Weller said. “They inspire creative problem-solving that boosts the production of our farmers and ranchers and ultimately improves our water, air and soil."

The Caribbean Area NRCS will have approximately $120,000 available in FY 2013 to be distributed among selected projects, and the maximum award amount for any project will not exceed $30,000. Applications will be accepted from eligible government agencies, non-governmental organizations or individuals for projects between 1 and 3 years in duration. Applications must be received by NRCS-CB before COB 4:30 p.m. on May 31, 2013. Applicants that submitted a proposal during the initial period ending on April 22, 2013 need not apply again. NRCS will announce selected proposal applications by June 28, 2013. Late applications will not be considered. Hard copy applications must be sent via express mail, overnight courier service or postal service to: USDA-NRCS, CIG Program, 654 Muñoz Rivera Ave. Suite 604, Hato Rey, PR 00918. Electronic applications must be sent through www.grants.gov.

National CIG

Last month, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service will provide up to $25 million nationally in grants to help develop and demonstrate cutting-edge ideas to improve conservation on private lands. Conservation Innovation Grants are available for state and local governments, federally recognized Indian Tribes, non-governmental and educational organizations, private businesses and individuals with applications due Friday, March 22, 2013.

NRCS has offered this grant program since 2004, investing in ways to demonstrate and transfer efficient and environmentally friendly farming and ranching. In the past eight years, the grants have helped develop trading markets for water quality and have shown precise ways to farm that use fertilizer, water and energy more efficiently. The grants are funded through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program and are awarded through a competitive process. At least 50 percent of the total cost of CIG projects must come from non-federal matching funds, including cash and in-kind contributions provided by the grant recipient.

CIG Program Information

CIG projects are expected to lead to the transfer of conservation technologies, management systems, and innovative approaches into NRCS policy, technical manuals, guides, and references, or to the private sector. CIG does not fund research projects. CIG is used to apply or demonstrate previously proven technology. It is a vehicle to stimulate development and adoption of conservation approaches or technologies that have been studied sufficiently to indicate a high likelihood of success, and that are a candidate for eventual technology transfer or institutionalization. CIG promotes sharing of skills, knowledge, technologies, and facilities among communities, governments, and other institutions to ensure that scientific and technological developments are accessible to a wider range of users. CIG funds projects targeting innovative on-the-ground conservation, including pilot projects and field demonstrations.

Applications are accepted from all 50 States, Caribbean Area (Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands), and the Pacific Islands Area. NRCS anticipates that the amount available for support of this program in FY 2013 will be approximately $25 million. Applications are requested from eligible governmental or non-governmental organizations or individuals for competitive consideration of grant awards for projects between 1 and 3 years in duration. NRCS encourages landowners and organizations to explore the availability of these federal grants. Funds will be assigned for single- or multi-year projects, not to exceed three years. Participants must comply with eligibility requirements and must provide non-Federal matching funds for at least 50 percent of the total project cost. Up to 25 percent of the applicant's total match may be from in-kind contributions.

How To Apply for CIG

NRCS Headquarters has put together sample documents to assist applicants in developing the project description and budget presentation for the CIG application. These samples are provided as guides, they are not required formats; they simply show how budget information can be presented. Please carefully read the first page of each document for further details about budget format.

Documents and Information

Some of these documents require Adobe Acrobat Reader.

• Caribbean Area CIG 2013 Request for Proposals package (PDF, 167 KB) - NEW!
• 2013 Caribbean Area Conservation Innovation Grants Now Available (English: PDF, 113 KB; Spanish: PDF, 134 KB)
• National CIG Program Website
• National CIG FY 2013 Announcement for Program Funding (PDF, 273 KB)
• National CIG FY 2013 News Release Requesting Applications
• Applicant Assistance - example project description & budget documents

Contacts

National CIG Program Contact: Gregorio Cruz, 202-720-8071
Edwin Más, Caribbean Area CIG Coordinator, Phone: 787-831-3101/3102 x. 106
Jaime Valentín, Caribbean Area State Resource Conservationist, Phone: 787-766-5206 x. 121

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