Conservation Innovation Grants New Jersey State Program | USDA NRCS NJ CIG 22 NOFO0001165

Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NRCS NJ CIG 22 NOFO0001165

The Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) New Jersey State Program is a competitive grant opportunity run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), with funding provided through the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC). The program is designed to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies, with projects required to be carried out within the state of New Jersey. This funding opportunity is associated with Assistance Listing 10.912, Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), and is posted under Notice of Funding Opportunity number USDA-NRCS-NJ-CIG-22-NOFO0001165.

For federal fiscal year 2022, NRCS set aside up to $275,000 total for the New Jersey state competition, with an expectation of making about two awards. Individual awards are expected to fall between a federal share minimum (floor) of $75,000 and a maximum (ceiling) of $275,000. The ceiling also functions as the maximum possible award amount for a single project in this competition. Funded projects may run from one to three years in duration, giving applicants flexibility to propose either shorter pilot efforts or multi-year demonstrations intended to support wider adoption.

Eligibility is broad and intentionally inclusive. All non-federal entities and individuals may apply, and the only entities explicitly excluded are federal agencies. Examples of eligible applicant types listed in the opportunity include state, county, and local governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and private institutions of higher education; federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofit organizations (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3)); for-profit organizations (including those other than small businesses); small businesses; and individuals. In practice, this means a wide range of organizations involved in agriculture, conservation, natural resources, research, extension, and technology development can compete, as long as the proposed work is conducted in New Jersey and aligns with the program goal of conservation innovation.

Applications had to be submitted electronically through Grants.gov, with a deadline of 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on May 23, 2022. The notice emphasizes that applicants are responsible for resolving Grants.gov registration and submission issues in advance, and directs technical problems to Grants.gov Applicant Support (phone and email provided). NRCS staff indicated they would only respond to questions tied to the content of the notice itself (such as dates or clarifications of text) and would not provide feedback on eligibility edge cases or the strength of individual proposals. To help applicants understand expectations, NRCS scheduled a CIG applicant webinar for March 31, 2022 at 1:00 p.m. Eastern, with participation details to be posted on the New Jersey CIG website, which applicants were encouraged to monitor for updates and additional program context.

The timeline provided in the notice was presented as an estimate: NRCS anticipated making selection decisions by July 15, 2022, and executing awards by September 30, 2022, with the caveat that these dates could change. The notice also flags that this opportunity is federal financial assistance, and it points prospective applicants to a free public "Grants 101" training hosted at cfo.gov. That training covers the core federal grants framework, including the main laws and guidance, award mechanisms, Uniform Guidance administrative requirements, cost principles, and risk management and single audit considerations, which can be especially useful for first-time applicants or organizations that do not routinely manage federal awards.

• The Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service in the agriculture, environment, natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Conservation Innovation Grants New Jersey State Program" 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 11, 2022.
• Applicants must submit their applications by May 23, 2022 Applications must be received by 1159 pm 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 $275,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 2 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.

Apply for USDA NRCS NJ CIG 22 NOFO0001165

[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal: