USDA-NRCS On-Farm Conservation Innovation Trials for Federal fiscal year (FY) 2022

Notice of Funding Opportunity Summary

NRCS is announcing the availability of Conservation Innovation Grants (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 2022, applications will be accepted from eligible entities for projects addressing at least one of the following priorities: irrigation management technologies; climate smart agricultural solutions; nutrient management; and soil health demonstration (SHD) trial. Up to $25 million is available for On-Farm Trials in 2022. NRCS anticipates that at least $10 million of On-Farm Trials funding in 2022 will be awarded to entities applying for the SHD component. On-Farm Trials projects may be between 3 and 5 years in duration.

Key Dates

Applicants must submit their applications through Grants.gov by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on September 22, 2022. 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 about the NFO requirements, contact the Federal awarding agency (Section G of this NFO). Please limit questions to clarifying specific information contained in this NFO (such as dates, page numbers, 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 August 10, 2022 at 3pm 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: 727 879 308#

The agency anticipates making selections by December 2022 and expects to execute awards by April 1, 2023. These dates are projected and are subject to change.