The purpose of CIG is to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies in conjunction with agricultural production. CIG projects present innovations that are expected to result in the transfer of conservation technologies, management systems, and inventive approaches (such as market-based systems) to agricultural producers, into technical manuals and guides, and for practical use in the private sector. CIG generally funds pilot projects, field demonstrations, and on-farm conservation research. On-farm conservation research is defined as an investigation conducted to answer a specific applied conservation question using a statistically valid design while employing farm-scale equipment on farms, ranches, or private forest lands.

Innovative Conservation Projects or Activities:

1. CIG funds the development and field testing, on-farm research and demonstration, evaluation, or implementation of:
1. Approaches to incentivizing conservation adoption, including market-based and conservation finance approaches, and
2. Conservation technologies, practices, and systems.
2. Projects or activities under CIG must:
1. Comply with all applicable Federal, Tribal, State, and local laws and regulations throughout the duration of the project,
2. Use a technology or approach that was studied sufficiently to indicate a high probability for success,
3. Demonstrate, evaluate, and verify the effectiveness, utility, affordability, and usability of natural resource conservation technologies and approaches in the field,
4. Adapt and transfer conservation technologies, management practices, systems, approaches, and incentive systems to improve performance and encourage adoption, and
5. Introduce proven conservation technologies and approaches to a geographic area or agricultural sector where that technology or approach is not currently in use.

Technologies and approaches that are eligible for funding in a project’s geographic area using an EQIP contract for an established conservation practice standard are ineligible for CIG funding, except where the use of those technologies and approaches demonstrates clear innovation.

For FY 2022, NRCS is only accepting proposals that address one or more of the priorities listed below. Each proposal must clearly identify a primary priority. The primary priority selected by an applicant will determine which expert peer panel will review the application.

• Priority 1: Climate-Smart Agriculture
• 1a: Producer adaptation to extreme weather events
• 1b: Building resilience through emerging production systems for climate smart agriculture
• Priority 2: Combating Invasive Species
• Priority 3: Conservation in Urban Agricultural Systems

NRCS is committed to the success of the nation’s Historically Underserved (HU) producers, businesses, and partners. HU producers play a vital role in securing a healthy agricultural economy for our country and are momentous leaders in protecting, enhancing, and sustaining our valuable natural resources. NRCS encourages proposal submissions from entities that represent or are composed entirely of HU producers.

• Others (see text field entitled "Additional Eligibility Criteria" for clarification)

Estimated Total Program Funding: