agriculture · environment · natural_resources · USDA-NRCS

CONSERVATION INNOVATION GRANTS (CIG) CLASSIC PROGRAM

Natural Resources Conservation Service · USDA-NRCS-NHQ-CIGCLASSIC-26-NOFO0001449

Closed

Award Range

$250K – $2.0M

Total Program Funding

$15.0M

Expected Awards

Deadline

July 27, 2026

GRANTQUICK SUMMARYPlain-English Overview

USDA/NRCS Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) Classic funds 22 awards (up to $2M each) for developing and demonstrating innovative conservation approaches. Requires cost-sharing. Less farmer-focused than On-Farm — these develop NEW tools, technologies, or practices.

Who Should Apply

Research institutions, nonprofits, and companies developing new conservation technologies or approaches.

Who Should NOT Apply

Organizations only implementing known practices (use EQIP), individual farmers.

Key Requirements (Plain English)

•Must develop innovative conservation approaches
•22 awards up to $2M
•Cost-sharing required

💡 GrantQuick Tip

CIG Classic is for INNOVATION — new precision agriculture technologies, novel cover crop systems, or emerging conservation approaches. Show what's new that doesn't exist yet.

Competitiveness: Moderate-high — 22 awards requiring genuine innovation and cost-sharing.

What This Grant Funds

The CIG program stimulates the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies in conjunction with agricultural production. CIG projects are expected to lead to the transfer of conservation technologies, management systems, and innovative approaches (such as market-based systems) to agricultural producers through the development of technical manuals, guides, and for practical instruction for the private sector.

Applications will be accepted from all non-Federal entities and individuals based in the United States (see Section B Eligibility).

Application deadline: Submit via Grants.gov by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on July 27, 2026.

A webinar for CIG Classic applicants is scheduled for June 18, 2026 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:

https://events.gcc.teams.microsoft.com/event/397aeb03-fb5b-4d7b-803d-6753acad2a03@ed5b36e7-01ee-4ebc-867e-e03cfa0d4697

Email questions on this webinar to nrcscig@usda.gov. Applicants are encouraged to visit the CIG website to learn more about the CIG program.

The agency anticipates making selections by 4th quarter of calendar year 2026 and expects to execute awards by 4th quarter of calendar year 2026. These dates are estimates and are subject to change.

Attachments

PDF

USDA-NRCS-NHQ-CIGCLASSIC-26-NOFO0001449

USDA-NRCS-NHQ-CIGCLASSIC-26-NOFO0001449_final_edit_with_datesPDFJJ20260604.pdf

Who Can Apply

This opportunity is open to all non-Foreign applicants, except US Federal Government Entities.The following applicants are considered ineligible:• Foreign organizations and foreign public entities, and• “Partnerships” or other similar groupings (i.e., application must be submitted by a single entity; a partner may serve as a subrecipient).

Eligible Applicant Types

Unrestricted (open to all)

Funding Details

Minimum Award: $250K
Maximum Award: $2.0M
Total Program Funding: $15.0M
Expected Number of Awards: 22
Cost Sharing Required?: Yes
Funding Instrument: grant

Key Dates

Posted: May 26, 2026

Application Deadline: July 27, 2026 (0 days remaining)

Applications must be received by 11:59 pm Eastern Time.

Agency Contact

Jeffrey Jacobs Grants Management Specialist Phone 2027201222

jeffrey.jacobs@usda.gov

Ready to apply?

View the full NOFO and submit your application on Grants.gov

View on Grants.gov