Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG)

This program may have additional incentives or benefits for those who are underserved. Learn more about our terminology.

What is this program?

CIG supports the development and implementation of innovative new tools, approaches, practices, and technologies to further natural resource conservation on private lands. The CIG program has three components, operated as separate competitions:

CIG Classic - National: Funds early-stage pilots and demonstrations of promising approaches or technologies.
CIG Classic - State: Same as National competition, but administered by NRCS state offices, targeting state-level priorities, and offering smaller awards.
On-Farm Trials: Focused on adoption of already-proven conservation innovations.

Managing USDA Agency	Type of Assistance	Who Should Apply	Learn More
NRCS	Grant: 1-to-1 matching funds required for CIG Classic; 25 percent matching funds required for CIG On-Farm Trials	State or local governments, federally recognized American Indian tribes, non-profit organizations, private businesses, universities, and individuals, and individuals in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Caribbean Area and the Pacific Islands Area	Visit

How can I use this program?

In the past, the following types of projects have been funded:

Adoption and implementation of regenerative grazing practices with Tribal Nations
Satellite imagery analysis to identify and clear invasive red cedar trees
Assessment of the performance and economic feasibility of on-farm water capture and use for increasing crop production resilience

See more examples of past and current CIG projects.

Who or what is eligible and what are the eligibility requirements?

Eligible applicants:

For CIG Classic: State or local governments, federally recognized American Indian tribes, non-profit organizations, private businesses, universities, and individuals in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Caribbean Area and the Pacific Islands Area.
For CIG On-Farm Trials: State or local governments, federally recognized American Indian tribes, non-profit organizations, private businesses, universities in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Caribbean Area and the Pacific Islands Area.

Eligible projects:

Proposed projects must conform to the description of innovative conservation projects or activities published in the annual funding notice.

Ineligible projects are projects supporting technologies and approaches commonly used in the geographic area covered by the application, including those already eligible for EQIP funds.

Are there any deadlines?

Once funds for CIG become available, application requirements and deadlines are posted on grants.gov and nrcs.usda.gov.

Is there anything else I should know?

Funding requests must be matched at least 1:1 with non-federal funding.
The applicant is responsible for providing the technical assistance required to successfully complete the project.
Each year, up to 10 percent of national CIG funds are set aside for applicants who are historically underserved or community-based organizations that include or represent these groups. These applicants receive special consideration and benefits, including a reduced cost-share amount and competing for set-side funds specifically for Historically Underserved (HU) producers.
All applications are evaluated on technical criteria, including quality of the proposal’s purpose and goals; the degree of innovation in the proposal’s technology or approach; and how beneficial and transferable the proposed project’s goals are.

Projects that are applying as HU projects will be evaluated under additional criteria that focus on the degree that the project will benefit HU producers and communities and be successful in assisting these producers.