CONSERVATION INNOVATION GRANTS (CIG) CLASSIC PROGRAM
Competitive grants fund development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies for agricultural production, with practical transfer to producers through manuals, guides, and training materials.
⚑ Non-Federal entities and individuals in the United States may apply; US Federal Government entities are ineligible. · Foreign organizations and foreign public entities are ineligible. · Application must be submitted by a single entity; partnerships/group applications are not allowed, though a partner may serve as a subrecipient. · Deadline: July 27, 2026 at 11:59 pm ET via Grants.gov.
Unit fits — one characterization, each unit's own rules
| Physical Sciences & Engineering (demo) | 70 strong | technical depth: substantial; funds applied research |
| IPPRA | 58 good | portfolio topics: environment, water_resources, climate_weather; social/behavioral work is minor; funds applied research |
| Tom Love Innovation Hub | 40 partial | funds applied research; prototyping/demonstration stage; deep-tech content |
Description
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.
Eligibility
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).
Apply
View on Grants.gov → CONTACT: Jeffrey Jacobs Grants Management Specialist <jeffrey.jacobs@usda.gov>