Announcement for Program Funding for NRCS’ Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) for Federal fiscal year (FY) 2022 – New Mexico | USDA NRCS NM CIG 22 NOFO0001159

Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NRCS NM CIG 22 NOFO0001159

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is offering Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) funding for federal fiscal year 2022 through a New Mexico state competition. The purpose of this opportunity is to encourage the development, testing, and broader adoption of new or improved conservation approaches and technologies. In practical terms, the program is meant to help move promising conservation ideas from concept to real-world use, particularly ideas that can improve outcomes related to agriculture, the environment, and natural resources within New Mexico.

This is a discretionary grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number: USDA NRCS NM CIG 22 NOFO0001159; CFDA/Assistance Listing: 10.912). The total funding available for the New Mexico competition is up to $50,000 for FY 2022, and NRCS expects to make about two awards. Individual awards must fall within the stated federal share range: the minimum (funding floor) is $5,000 and the maximum (funding ceiling) is $50,000. These amounts refer to the total federal share for the full agreement rather than being tied to a specific year within the project period.

Eligibility is broad: all non-federal entities and individuals may apply, with federal agencies being the only category explicitly excluded. Projects must be carried out in the state of New Mexico, and project periods can last from one to three years. Applicants should also note that this announcement highlights that questions to the agency should be limited to clarifications about the Notice of Funding Opportunity (for example, confirming dates, locating sections, or resolving inconsistencies). The agency indicates it will not respond to questions about whether a specific applicant is eligible or whether a particular project idea is likely to be competitive.

Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov no later than 11:59 pm Eastern Time on April 18, 2022. Because the submission is handled through Grants.gov, technical problems with accounts or the submission system are directed to Grants.gov Applicant Support (1-800-518-4726 or support@grants.gov), and NRCS staff are not positioned to troubleshoot Grants.gov account issues. The timeline provided in the notice is that NRCS anticipates making selections by about June 1, 2022 and expects to execute awards by about September 10, 2022, with the caveat that these dates are estimates and may change.

Finally, NRCS emphasizes that this funding is federal financial assistance and encourages prospective applicants, especially those new to federal grants, to complete the free Grants 101 training available through the CFO.gov grants training site. The training is organized into five modules that cover core topics applicants commonly need to understand: the main laws and regulations, types of financial assistance mechanisms, Uniform Guidance administrative requirements, federal cost principles, and risk management and single audit requirements. Applicants are also encouraged to review the NM State CIG website for additional program background and state-specific context.

• The Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service in the agriculture, environment, natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Announcement for Program Funding for NRCS’ Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) for Federal fiscal year (FY) 2022 – New Mexico" 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 Feb 15, 2022.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Apr 18, 2022 Applicants must submit their applications via Grants.gov by 1159 pm Eastern Time on April 18, 2022.. (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 $50,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 2 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for USDA NRCS NM CIG 22 NOFO0001159

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