The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Georgia recently announced the availability of the Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) funding to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches in technologies in Georgia.
Applications are accepted from eligible entities and shown in section C of Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 Conservation Innovation Grants State Program Notice of Funding Opportunity (NFO) announcement of funding for projects carried out in the state of Georgia.
A total of up to $150,000 is available for the Georgia CIG competition in FY 2023. All non-federal entities (NFE) and individuals are invited to apply, with the sole exception of federal agencies. Projects may be between one and three years in duration. The maximum award for a single award in FY 2023 is $75,000.
CIG Priorities for FY 2023:
- Soil Health: NRCS is advertising funding opportunities for Soil Health Management Systems (SHMS), which are a collection of NRCS conservation practices that focus on enhancing soil health.
- Pollinator Habitat Enhancement: Provide demonstration sites and training for the establishment of native grasses and pollinators in the different ecoregions of Georgia. Emphasis is on evaluating successes of different planting dates and techniques for dormant season planting and spring planting, temperature requirements, and stratification requirements.
- Wildlife Habitat Enhancement: Provide training, demonstration sites, and technical assistance to restore, enhance, and create habitat for at-risk or declining wildlife species and associated habitats, with an emphasis on Northern Bobwhite Quail, Gopher Tortoise, and early successional habitats on working lands. This technical assistance would be a 2–3-year project. Proposed projects must be performed in Georgia.
Applicants must submit their applications via grants.gov by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on May 22, 2023.
For CIG specific questions in Georgia, please contact Tansel Hudson at 706-546-2272.