Caribbean Area Conservation Innovation Grant Program (CIG) - 2008

Updated February 28, 2008

The FY 2008 Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG), National and State Components were announced in December 2007. CIG is a discretionary provision authorized under the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) in the 2002 Farm Bill. CIG provides for competitive proposals with the objective to accelerate the development, transfer and/or adoption of new conservation technologies or approaches for natural resources management.

The 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 National component of the CIG program is administered by NRCS Headquarters (NHQ), with up to $20 million available. Applications for national component funds are due at NHQ by February 20, 2008. Visit the USDA-NRCS CIG Program website for additional information and application materials.

The Caribbean Area component of the CIG program is administered through the NRCS Caribbean Area State Office (see Directory for contact information). The Caribbean Area has $217,000 available for projects in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Applications for Caribbean Area funds are due at the Caribbean Area State Office by April 25, 2008. The grant notice is also available on the Grants.gov website.

CIG program objectives in the Caribbean Area are:

• To establish innovative processes or technologies that have been effectively applied in the conservation of natural resources.
• Innovations could be either developed locally, or developed outside the Caribbean Area for new application locally.

Project Eligibility

CIG does NOT provide funding for research, however, projects to validate or demonstrate innovative practices are welcome. These projects may be watershed-based, regional, or statewide in scope. EQIP practices already established in the Caribbean Area are generally ineligible. Funds will not be awarded for installation or demonstration of practices currently receiving funds under EQIP, unless there is a new way to apply the practice to a specific concern. ALL CIG projects must involve EQIP-eligible producers.

State or local government agencies, non-governmental organizations, individuals, non-profit organizations and for-profit companies 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. However, Limited Resource Farmers and New Farmers and Ranchers may derive up to 75% of their non-federal match from in-kind services.

Example projects may include:

• To market a new process in a watershed or ecosystem to stimulate the reduction of potential contaminants (e.g., plantings for carbon sequestration, processes to reduce phosphorus build-up in soils, new alternatives from grass-roots groups to overcome an environmental concern);
• Pilot projects with high potential for success;
• Demonstration of a conservation practice with a low adoption rate in or out of the Caribbean Area;
• Demonstration of a new way to approach a conservation concern; or
• Use of a known conservation practice to address a new environmental focus.

2008 CIG Focus Areas

Natural Resource Concerns

1. Water Resources: implement new technology or approaches to maintain, restore or enhance water quality and/or quantity with predominantly agricultural land uses while sustaining productivity (water reuse; reduce sediment, nutrient, pesticide and/or pathogen transport to surface and ground water; manage irrigation for water conservation; aquifer recharge).
2. Soil Resources: implement new technologies or approaches to maintain, restore or enhance soils associated with agricultural and forest land uses (reduce erosion; improve soil quality & productivity; reduce accumulation of harmful levels of substances in soils).
3. Atmospheric Resources: implement new technologies to maintain, restore or enhance air quality and atmospheric resources (controlling agricultural emissions of particles, odors, gases, etc.; carbon sequestration; bio-energy).
4. Grazing Land & Forest Health: implement new technologies or approaches to maintain, restore or enhance grazing lands and forest lands while maintaining productivity (manage invasive species; manage grazing pressure; reduce effects of pests, diseases and fragmentation on lands).

Technology

1. Improve farm energy supply / use
2. Market-based approaches
3. Improve forage production
4. Drainage water management

Wildlife Habitat

1. Availability of native plant materials
2. Invasive animal / plant control methods
3. Availability of native animals

Evaluation Criteria

1. Purpose & goals: are clearly stated and relate to NRCS mission and vision.
2. Soundness of approach: innovative, science-based, environmental protection, and likelihood for success.
3. Management: Clear timelines, staff, collaboration, expertise, adequate budget.
4. Transferability: diffusion potential, enhance NRCS FOTGs and manuals.

2008 Grant Application Materials and Support Information

Some of the following documents require Adobe Acrobat p
Caribbean Area CIG Solicitation Notice
Caribbean Area CIG Application Instructions & Application Package Downloads
National Conservation Innovation Grant Program
SF 424 Grant Application Cover Sheet formm
Grant Budget Forms (271 KB)
Other Required Certifications ( KB)

Contacts

Edwin Más, CIG Coordinator, Phone: 787-831-3416
José Castro, Program Manager, Phone: 787-766-5206 x. 226

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