Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NRCS NHQ CIGCLASSIC 26 NOFO0001449
The Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) Classic Program is a competitive USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) grant opportunity designed to encourage new, practical conservation solutions that work alongside active agricultural production. The main purpose of the program is to stimulate the development and real-world adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies, including new management systems and potentially market-based approaches. A key expectation is that funded projects will not just test or demonstrate an idea, but will actively support technology transfer to agricultural producers and the private sector. In practice, this means projects should result in usable products such as technical manuals, how-to guides, and other forms of practical instruction that make it easier for producers and industry partners to implement proven innovations at scale.
This funding opportunity is listed as a discretionary grant under CFDA 10.942 (Agriculture, Environment, Natural Resources). The opportunity number is USDA NRCS NHQ CIGCLASSIC 26 NOFO0001449, and it was created on May 26, 2026. NRCS expects to make approximately 22 awards, with an award ceiling of up to $2,000,000 per award. While the notice does not provide a specific floor in the text provided, the ceiling indicates the program can support substantial projects, including larger demonstrations or multi-site efforts, so long as they remain focused on innovation and adoption in agricultural conservation.
Eligibility is broadly described as open to all non-Federal entities and individuals based in the United States, meaning a wide range of domestic applicants may apply as long as they are not part of the U.S. Federal Government. The opportunity is also explicitly open to all non-foreign applicants, with clear exclusions. Ineligible applicants include foreign organizations and foreign public entities. Additionally, the notice specifies that "partnerships" or similar groupings cannot apply as the lead applicant; the application must be submitted by a single eligible entity. Collaborators are still possible, but they must participate through allowable arrangements such as serving as a subrecipient under the single lead applicant, rather than submitting as a joint entity.
Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov no later than 11:59 pm Eastern Time on July 27, 2026. For applicants who want an overview of the program and the Classic application process, NRCS is offering a CIG Classic applicant webinar on June 18, 2026 at 3:00 pm Eastern Time via Microsoft Teams. Participation details are provided through the posted event link (https://events.gcc.teams.microsoft.com/event/397aeb03-fb5b-4d7b-803d-6753acad2a03@ed5b36e7-01ee-4ebc-867e-e03cfa0d4697), and webinar questions can be emailed to nrcscig@usda.gov. NRCS also encourages applicants to review the CIG website for additional program background and guidance.
In terms of timeline, NRCS anticipates making selection decisions by the fourth quarter of calendar year 2026 and expects to execute awards in the fourth quarter of calendar year 2026 as well. These timing statements are estimates and may change, but they give applicants a reasonable sense of when awards are likely to be announced and finalized after the July 2026 submission deadline. Overall, the CIG Classic Program is best suited for applicants proposing conservation innovations that can be demonstrated, validated, and then moved into broader use through clear outreach and adoption tools aimed at producers and the private sector.Apply for USDA NRCS NHQ CIGCLASSIC 26 NOFO0001449
- The Natural Resources Conservation Service in the agriculture, environment, natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "CONSERVATION INNOVATION GRANTS (CIG) CLASSIC PROGRAM" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.942.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-05-26.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-07-27. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $2,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 22 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted.
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Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) Classic Program (USDA NRCS) - FAQs
What is the Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) Classic Program?
The Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) Classic Program is a competitive grant opportunity from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). It is designed to encourage new, practical conservation solutions that work alongside active agricultural production.
What is the main purpose of the CIG Classic Program?
The main purpose is to stimulate both the development and real-world adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies. This includes new management systems and may also include market-based approaches, as long as the focus remains on practical conservation innovation and adoption in agriculture.
What types of projects does CIG Classic expect to fund?
Based on the information provided, CIG Classic is aimed at projects that go beyond simply testing or demonstrating an idea. Funded projects are expected to actively support technology transfer so that agricultural producers and the private sector can realistically adopt proven innovations.
What does “technology transfer” mean in this grant context?
In this program, technology transfer means producing practical, usable outputs that help others implement the innovation. The opportunity specifically emphasizes products like technical manuals, how-to guides, and other forms of practical instruction intended to make adoption easier for producers and industry partners at scale.
What kinds of deliverables are expected from funded projects?
The notice highlights that projects should result in usable products that support adoption, such as technical manuals and how-to guides. The central expectation is that the project outputs are practical and designed to help agricultural producers and private-sector partners implement the innovation in real-world conditions.
Is this a competitive grant?
Yes. CIG Classic is described as a competitive USDA NRCS grant opportunity.
What is the CFDA number and program area for this opportunity?
This opportunity is listed as a discretionary grant under CFDA 10.942, within the Agriculture, Environment, and Natural Resources area.
What is the opportunity number for this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)?
The opportunity number is USDA NRCS NHQ CIGCLASSIC 26 NOFO0001449.
When was this funding opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on May 26, 2026.
How many awards does NRCS expect to make?
NRCS expects to make approximately 22 awards.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling is up to $2,000,000 per award.
Is there a minimum award amount (award floor)?
The information provided does not include a specific award floor. The notice does indicate a ceiling of up to $2,000,000 per award, suggesting the program can support substantial projects.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broadly described as open to all non-Federal entities and individuals based in the United States. In other words, a wide range of domestic applicants may apply as long as they are not part of the U.S. Federal Government.
Are foreign organizations eligible to apply?
No. The opportunity is explicitly open to non-foreign applicants, and foreign organizations are listed as ineligible.
Are foreign public entities eligible to apply?
No. Foreign public entities are specifically identified as ineligible applicants.
Can a partnership or consortium apply as the lead applicant?
No. The notice specifies that “partnerships” or similar groupings cannot apply as the lead applicant. The application must be submitted by a single eligible entity.
Can collaborators still participate if a partnership cannot apply as the lead?
Yes. Collaborators may still participate, but they must do so through allowable arrangements under the single lead applicant, such as serving as a subrecipient rather than submitting as a joint entity.
How do applicants submit an application?
Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov.
What is the application deadline?
Applications are due no later than 11:59 pm Eastern Time on July 27, 2026.
Is there an applicant webinar for this opportunity?
Yes. NRCS is offering a CIG Classic applicant webinar that provides an overview of the program and the Classic application process.
When is the CIG Classic applicant webinar scheduled?
The webinar is scheduled for June 18, 2026 at 3:00 pm Eastern Time.
How will the webinar be hosted?
The webinar will be hosted via Microsoft Teams.
Where can applicants find the webinar event link?
The event link provided is: https://events.gcc.teams.microsoft.com/event/397aeb03-fb5b-4d7b-803d-6753acad2a03@ed5b36e7-01ee-4ebc-867e-e03cfa0d4697
How can applicants submit questions about the webinar?
Webinar questions can be emailed to nrcscig@usda.gov.
When does NRCS expect to make selection decisions?
NRCS anticipates making selection decisions by the fourth quarter of calendar year 2026.
When does NRCS expect to execute awards?
NRCS expects to execute awards in the fourth quarter of calendar year 2026.
Are the selection and award timelines guaranteed?
No. The timing statements are described as estimates and may change, but they provide a reasonable sense of when awards are likely to be announced and finalized after the submission deadline.
What kinds of proposals are the best fit for this program?
The program is best suited for applicants proposing conservation innovations that can be demonstrated and validated, then moved into broader use through clear outreach and adoption tools aimed at producers and the private sector.
Where can applicants look for additional background and guidance?
NRCS encourages applicants to review the CIG website for additional program background and guidance (the specific URL is not provided in the text above).
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