NRCS Texas Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) | USDA NRCS TX CIG 24 NOFO0001397

NRCS Texas Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) - FAQs (FY 2024)

1) What is the NRCS Texas Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) program?

The NRCS Texas CIG program is a competitive, discretionary grant opportunity run by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. It is designed to move new, practical conservation ideas from concept to real-world use by supporting innovation, demonstration, and adoption of conservation approaches and technologies that benefit agriculture and natural resources.

2) Is this a national CIG opportunity or a Texas-specific competition?

This is the Texas State CIG competition. Proposed work must be carried out in Texas and should be clearly tied to on-the-ground conservation outcomes that NRCS and partners can test, demonstrate, refine, and ultimately scale.

3) What is the main goal of this funding opportunity?

The goal is to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies. Projects should be practical and aimed at real-world use, with outcomes that can be demonstrated and improved in the field.

4) How much total funding is available for FY 2024?

NRCS has up to $1,000,000 total available for the FY 2024 Texas CIG competition.

5) What is the maximum award amount per project?

The award ceiling is $300,000 per award.

6) How long can a funded project last?

Projects may be funded for a period of performance between one and three years.

7) About how many awards does NRCS expect to make?

The notice indicates an expectation of about 6 awards. This suggests a competitive process and the need for proposals that are well-scoped, feasible within the project period, and strong in conservation impact and innovation.

8) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is broad: all non-Foreign, non-federal entities and individuals are invited to apply.

9) Who is not eligible to apply?

Federal agencies are not eligible to apply.

10) Where must the project work be carried out?

The proposed work must be carried out in Texas.

11) What kinds of projects are a fit for this opportunity?

Projects should advance conservation practice through innovation and have clear, on-the-ground conservation outcomes. The opportunity emphasizes practical ideas that can be tested, demonstrated, refined, and scaled by NRCS and partners.

12) Is this grant competitive?

Yes. This is a competitive grant program. The combination of an estimated 6 awards and a $1,000,000 total funding pool indicates applicants should expect meaningful competition.

13) What is the Assistance Listing (CFDA) number for this opportunity?

The funding opportunity is listed under CFDA (Assistance Listing) 10.912.

14) What activity areas does this opportunity align with?

This opportunity aligns with the Agriculture, Environment, and Natural Resources activity category.

15) What are the formal opportunity identifiers and title?

The formal opportunity identifiers include "USDA NRCS TX CIG 24 NOFO0001397" and the title "NRCS Texas Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG)."

16) How do applicants submit an application?

Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov.

17) What is the application deadline?

The deadline is July 1, 2024 at 11:59 pm Eastern Time.

18) Why should applicants plan ahead before submitting on Grants.gov?

The notice emphasizes planning ahead because Grants.gov registration and setup can take time, especially for new users. Waiting until the last minute may create avoidable submission barriers due to account setup and registration steps.

19) Who do we contact if we have technical issues with Grants.gov?

If you have technical problems with Grants.gov itself, you must contact Grants.gov Applicant Support at 1-800-518-4726 or support@grants.gov. NRCS awarding agency staff cannot troubleshoot Grants.gov accounts or system issues.

20) Can NRCS staff help troubleshoot Grants.gov login, registration, or submission problems?

No. The notice specifically states that NRCS awarding agency staff cannot help troubleshoot Grants.gov accounts or system issues.

21) Who can applicants contact with questions about the opportunity?

Applicants may contact the federal awarding agency representative listed in section G of the full Notice of Funding Opportunity.

22) What types of questions will NRCS answer?

Questions should be limited to clarifying information already contained in the notice, such as confirming dates, pointing to page references, or resolving inconsistencies within the NOFO.

23) What types of questions will NRCS not answer?

The agency will not respond to requests for eligibility determinations for a specific applicant and will not provide feedback on the merits of a proposed project concept.

24) When does NRCS expect to announce selections?

NRCS expects to make selections by July 25, 2024. This timing is noted as an estimate and may change.

25) When does NRCS expect to execute awards?

NRCS expects to execute awards by September 14, 2024. This timing is also an estimate and may change.

26) What does it mean that the selections and award dates are estimates?

It means the dates provided (selection by July 25, 2024 and award execution by September 14, 2024) are planning targets and could shift based on agency timelines and administrative needs.

27) What should applicants keep in mind when designing a project for this competition?

The notice emphasizes proposals that are feasible within a one-to-three-year period, stay within the $300,000 cap, and are clearly tied to Texas-based, on-the-ground conservation outcomes that can be tested and demonstrated for broader adoption.