Alaska Conservation Innovation Grant (CIG)

The purpose of Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) is to 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. CIG projects are expected to lead to the transfer of conservation technologies, management systems, and innovative approaches for incorporation into NRCS technical manuals or guides, or further adoption by 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 high likelihood of success and to be candidates for eventual technology transfer. CIG funds projects targeting innovative on-the-ground conservation, including pilot projects and field demonstrations. NRCS Alaska will accept applications for single or multi-year projects, not to exceed three years. Projects must involve landowners who meet the EQIP eligibility requirements. Applications will only be considered for projects within Alaska. Priorities for Alaska's 2012 CIG State Program are innovative practices in energy conservation and best management practices for high tunnel production. Pre-proposals and full proposal applications will be reviewed for compliance with threshold eligibility criteria; eligible and complete submissions will be reviewed by a technical peer review panel and scored based on objective criteria.