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2010 Conservation Innovation Grants

The deadline for 2010 CIG applications (State competition) is May 21, 2010.

Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies while leveraging Federal investment in environmental enhancement and protection in conjunction with agricultural production. Under this competitive grant program, Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) funds are awarded to non-Federal or Tribal governments, non-governmental organizations, or individuals.

Through CIG, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) works with other public and private entities to accelerate technology transfer and the adoption of promising approaches to address some of the Nation's most pressing natural resource concerns. CIG benefits agricultural producers by providing more options for environmental enhancement and compliance with Federal, State, and local regulations.

Selected applicants may receive grants of up to 50 percent of the total project cost and must provide matching non-Federal fund for at least 50 percent of the project cost, of which no more than one-half (25 percent of the total project cost) may come from in-kind contributions.

In fiscal year 2010, CIG has two competitions available: National and State. The national competition closed April 26, 2010. The state competition in Montana closed May 21, 2010.

2010 State Application Process and Materials

Information about the CIG Announcement of Program Funding is located below, or can be found at www.grants.gov where applicants can apply electronically. If you use grants.gov to search for our announcement, please note that the announcements are listed by their CLOSE date. The CLOSE date for CIG State competition in Montana is May 21, 2010.

If you encounter any problems with the files provided on this page, please contact Carrie Mosley at 406-587-6967.

The following documents require Adobe Reader.

CIG FY2010 Montana Announcement for Program Funding (PDF; 146 KB)
Amendment 1 to CIG FY2010 Montana Announcement for Program Funding (PDF; 21 KB)

Required for Pre-Proposal:
Montana Pre-proposal Project Summary Sheet (PDF; 29 KB)
Montana Pre-proposal Package Checklist (PDF; 27 KB)
SF-424 - Application for Federal Assistance (PDF; 31 KB)
SF-424 Instructions (PDF; 33 KB)

Required for Full Application:
Montana Full Application Package Checklist (PDF; 25 KB)
Montana Budget Category Spreadsheet (PDF; 61 KB) Also available as Excel document.
SF-424A - Budget Information - Non-Construction Programs (PDF; 29 KB)
SF-424A Instructions (PDF; 40 KB)
SF-424B - Assurances - Non-Construction Programs (PDF; 30 KB)

Required Quarterly from Grant Awardees:
Progress Report (PDF; 283 KB)

The following document requires Microsoft Excel.

Montana Budget Category Spreadsheet (XLS; 14 KB) Also available as PDF document.

NRCS will accept pre-proposals for single or multi-year projects, not to exceed 3 years, submitted to NRCS from eligible entities including federally recognized Indian tribes, State and local units of government, and non-governmental organizations and individuals. Pre-proposals will only be accepted for projects within Montana.

If approved, full applications will be requested and reviewed by a peer review group. Scored applications will be forwarded to the Grants Review Board. The Grants Review Board will make recommendations for project approval to the State Conservationist who will make the final selections.

Only complete pre-proposals addressing one of the sub-categories for the following priorities will be considered:

  • Productivity and Environmental Health of Grazing Land and Forest Land
  • Water Resources
  • Air Quality and Atmospheric Resource
  • Soil Quality

Sub-categories, can be viewed under the CIG FY2010 Montana Announcement for Program Funding.

Prior-Year CIG (Archives)

For More Information

For more information and updates about CIG, please refer to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Web site, the national NRCS Web site, or contact one of the Montana NRCS personnel listed below.

Contacts

Kris Berg, Program Specialist
Phone: 406-587-6849
Email: Kris.Berg

Debbie Kaiser, Resource Conservationist
Phone: 406-587-6855
Email: Debbie.Kaiser

Carrie Mosley, Assistant State Conservationist for Programs
Phone: 406-587-6967
Email: Carrie.Mosley

Last Modified: 01/23/2013