Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NRCS AR CIG 21 NOFO0001059
The Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) opportunity for FY 2021 in Arkansas is a competitive grant program run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Its purpose is to spur the development, testing, and wider adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies. In practical terms, NRCS is looking to fund projects that move beyond standard practices by piloting new methods, tools, or systems that can improve conservation outcomes tied to environment and natural resources, with work specifically carried out within the state of Arkansas.
For this Arkansas-focused competition, NRCS set aside up to $300,000 total for FY 2021. Individual awards can be as large as $150,000, and projects can last anywhere from one to three years. NRCS anticipated making about 10 awards, which suggests relatively small, targeted projects rather than a few large ones. The funding instrument is a grant, and the opportunity is categorized as discretionary funding under CFDA 10.912.
Eligibility is broad and intentionally inclusive. Any non-federal entity and individuals may apply, with federal agencies being the only group explicitly excluded. Eligible applicants include state, county, and local governments; special districts; independent school districts; public and private colleges and universities; federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations; public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; nonprofit organizations (both with and without 501(c)(3) status); for-profit organizations (including entities other than small businesses as well as small businesses); and individuals. This wide eligibility is designed to encourage participation from researchers, producers, conservation organizations, local governments, and private-sector innovators who can bring new ideas into practice.
Applications had to be submitted electronically through Grants.gov, with the deadline set for 11:59 pm Eastern Time on May 10, 2021. Because the submission portal is Grants.gov, technical help for account access or system issues was handled by Grants.gov Applicant Support (1-800-518-4726 or support@grants.gov), and NRCS staff were not able to troubleshoot applicants Grant.gov account problems. NRCS also established a formal question period for the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NFO): questions could be submitted until April 15, 2021, and responses were to be posted on Grants.gov roughly two weeks before the application deadline so applicants could incorporate clarifications into their proposals.
NRCS also scheduled an applicant webinar for March 30, 2021 at 10:00 am Central Time to help prospective applicants understand the program and the Arkansas competition specifics. Participation details were to be posted on the Arkansas CIG website, and applicants were encouraged to check that site for program updates and additional guidance. For programmatic questions about the announcement itself, the NRCS point of contact was Lori Barker (lori.barker@usda.gov, 870-523-8986 ext. 3016).
Key identifiers for the opportunity include the funding opportunity number USDA NRCS AR CIG 21 NOFO0001059, with a creation date of March 10, 2021, and an original closing date of May 10, 2021. Overall, the Arkansas FY 2021 CIG competition was structured to support short-to-mid-term projects that demonstrate practical, innovative conservation solutions and help accelerate their adoption across Arkansas.Apply for USDA NRCS AR CIG 21 NOFO0001059
- The Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service in the environment, natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) for Federal fiscal year (FY) 2021 – ARKANSAS" 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 10, 2021.
- Applicants must submit their applications by May 10, 2021 Applications must be received by 1159pm 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 10 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) FY 2021 - Arkansas
What is the Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) opportunity for FY 2021 in Arkansas?
The FY 2021 Arkansas Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) opportunity is a competitive grant program administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). It is designed to spur the development, testing, and broader adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies through projects carried out within Arkansas.
What is the purpose of this grant program?
The program exists to move conservation work beyond standard practices by funding projects that pilot new methods, tools, or systems. NRCS is specifically looking for innovations that can improve conservation outcomes tied to the environment and natural resources, with work performed within the state of Arkansas.
Is this a competitive or non-competitive funding opportunity?
This is a competitive grant program, meaning applications are evaluated against others submitted under the same Arkansas-focused competition.
Which agency runs this opportunity?
The opportunity is run by USDA NRCS (U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service).
How much total funding was available for the Arkansas FY 2021 competition?
NRCS set aside up to $300,000 total for FY 2021 for the Arkansas-focused competition.
What is the maximum award amount per project?
Individual awards could be as large as $150,000.
How many awards did NRCS expect to make?
NRCS anticipated making about 10 awards, indicating a plan to fund relatively small, targeted projects rather than a few large projects.
How long can a funded project last?
Projects could last from one to three years.
What type of funding instrument is used?
The funding instrument for this opportunity is a grant.
How is this opportunity categorized in federal assistance listings?
This opportunity is categorized as discretionary funding under CFDA 10.912.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad. Any non-federal entity and individuals may apply. Federal agencies are the only group explicitly excluded.
Are state, county, or local governments eligible?
Yes. State, county, and local governments are listed as eligible applicants.
Are special districts eligible to apply?
Yes. Special districts are included as eligible applicants.
Are independent school districts eligible?
Yes. Independent school districts are included as eligible applicants.
Are colleges and universities eligible to apply?
Yes. Both public and private colleges and universities are listed as eligible applicants.
Are tribal governments and tribal organizations eligible?
Yes. Federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations are eligible.
Are public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities eligible?
Yes. Public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities are listed as eligible applicants.
Are nonprofit organizations eligible?
Yes. Nonprofit organizations are eligible, including those with 501(c)(3) status and those without 501(c)(3) status.
Are for-profit organizations eligible?
Yes. For-profit organizations are eligible, including small businesses and entities other than small businesses.
Can individuals apply?
Yes. Individuals are listed as eligible applicants.
Are federal agencies allowed to apply?
No. Federal agencies are explicitly excluded from eligibility.
Where must the project work be carried out?
The work supported under this competition is intended to be carried out within the state of Arkansas.
How were applications submitted?
Applications had to be submitted electronically through Grants.gov.
What was the application deadline?
The deadline was 11:59 pm Eastern Time on May 10, 2021.
Was there a formal question period for the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NFO)?
Yes. NRCS established a formal question period for the NFO, allowing questions to be submitted until April 15, 2021.
When were answers to applicant questions expected to be posted?
Responses to questions were to be posted on Grants.gov roughly two weeks before the application deadline so applicants could incorporate clarifications into their proposals.
Was there an applicant webinar?
Yes. NRCS scheduled an applicant webinar for March 30, 2021 at 10:00 am Central Time to help prospective applicants understand the program and Arkansas competition specifics.
Where were webinar participation details posted?
Participation details were to be posted on the Arkansas CIG website, and applicants were encouraged to check that site for updates and guidance.
Where should applicants look for program updates and additional guidance?
Applicants were encouraged to check the Arkansas CIG website for program updates and additional guidance.
Who provided technical help for Grants.gov access or submission issues?
Technical help for account access or system issues was handled by Grants.gov Applicant Support at 1-800-518-4726 or support@grants.gov.
Could NRCS staff troubleshoot Grants.gov account problems?
No. NRCS staff were not able to troubleshoot applicant Grants.gov account problems.
Who was the NRCS point of contact for programmatic questions?
The NRCS point of contact for programmatic questions about the announcement was Lori Barker (lori.barker@usda.gov, 870-523-8986 ext. 3016).
What is the funding opportunity number for this announcement?
The funding opportunity number is USDA NRCS AR CIG 21 NOFO0001059.
What was the creation date of the opportunity?
The creation date was March 10, 2021.
What was the original closing date of the opportunity?
The original closing date was May 10, 2021.
What kinds of projects was this Arkansas competition intended to support?
The Arkansas FY 2021 CIG competition was structured to support short-to-mid-term projects that demonstrate practical, innovative conservation solutions and help accelerate their adoption across Arkansas.
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