Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) On-Farm Conservation Innovation Trials for fiscal year (FY) 2023

Notice of Funding Opportunity Summary

NRCS is announcing the availability of CIG On-Farm Conservation Innovation Trials (On-Farm Trials) to stimulate the adoption and evaluation of innovative conservation approaches in partnership with agricultural producers. For 2023, applications will be accepted from eligible entities for projects addressing at least one of the following priorities: irrigation management technologies; feed management and enteric methane reduction; grazing lands; nutrient management; and soil health demonstration (SHD) trials. Up to $50 million is available for On-Farm Trials in 2023. On-Farm Trials projects may be between 3 and 5 years in duration.

For new users of Grants.gov, see Section IV for information about steps required before submitting your application through Grants.gov.

Key Dates

Applicants must submit their applications through Grants.gov by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on November 3, 2023 . For technical issues with Grants.gov, contact Grants.gov Applicant Support at 1-800-518-4726 or support@grants.gov. Awarding agency staff cannot support applicants regarding Grants.gov accounts.

For inquiries specific to the content of the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NFO) requirements, contact the Federal awarding agency (Section VII of this NFO). Please limit questions to specific information contained in this NFO (such as dates, page numbers, clarification of discrepancies, etc.). Questions related to eligibility or the merits of a specific proposal will not be addressed.

A webinar for On-Farm Trials applicants is scheduled for September 13, 2023 at 3 p.m. Eastern Time. Information on how to participate in the Microsoft Teams webinar can be obtained through the following link and phone number:

Join on your computer or mobile app

Click here to join the meeting

Or call in (audio only)

+1 202-650-0123

Phone Conference ID: 565 622 505#

The agency anticipates making selections by January 15, 2024 and expects to execute awards by May 31, 2024 . These dates are estimates and are subject to change.

For-profit entities are eligible for On-Farm Trials if their primary business is related to agriculture. Nonprofit entities are eligible for On-Farm Trials if they have experience working with agricultural producers.