Conservation Innovation Grant Florida State Component

The NRCS Florida State Office requests applications for Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies. This notice announces the availability of up to $150,000 of funds during fiscal year 2009 for the Florida State level CIG program competition. The purpose of CIG is to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies while leveraging the Federal investment in environmental enhancement and protection, 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) into NRCS technical manuals, guides, and references or to the private sector. CIG does not fund research projects. It is a vehicle to stimulate the development and adoption of conservation approaches or technologies that have been studied sufficiently to indicate a likelihood of success, and to be candidates for eventual technology transfer or institutionalization. CIG funds projects targeting innovative on-the-ground conservation, including pilot projects and field demonstrations. NRCS will accept applications 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 governments, and non-governmental organizations and individuals. The full announcement identifies the objectives for CIG projects, the eligibility criteria for projects and associated instructions needed to apply to CIG. Interested parties should read the full announcement to determine if their proposal is consistent with the criteria and objectives of the announcement. The Florida State Conservationist reserves the right to not fund any or all proposals. For information about the national program, visit: http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/cig/.