Kansas NRCS Announces Funding for Innovation Grants

Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) State Conservationist Harold L. Klaege, announced $150,000 available funding for new technology under the Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG). CIG, a component of the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), provides farmers and ranchers with the opportunity, through innovation, to address some of the states most pressing natural resource conservation needs.

"These grants offer an opportunity to promote public-private partnerships and support the agency's agenda to provide innovative technologies and approaches to environmental enhancement and protection on working agriculture lands," Klaege stated.

State, Tribal, and local governmental entities, non-governmental organizations, and individuals may apply. Project proposals should demonstrate the use of innovative technologies or approaches to address a natural resource concern. Project results are expected to improve and create the transfer of conservation technologies, management systems, and innovative approaches (such as market-based systems) into NRCS technical manuals or guides or to the private sector.

Applications are due in the Kansas NRCS state office by April 28, 2006. Project proposals will be evaluated with the assistance of the Kansas Technical Committee based on the criteria identified in the request for proposal.

Selected applicants may receive grants up to 50 percent of the total project cost, not to exceed $50,000. Applicants must provide non-federal matching funds for at least 50 percent of the project cost, of which 50 percent may be from in-kind contributions. Projects may be single or multi-year, not to exceed three years.

Additional information, the request for proposals, and related forms are located on the Kansas NRCS CIG web page and at Grants.gov.

Last Modified: 02/07/2006