Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NRCS ME CIG NOFO0001269
The U.S. Department of Agriculture, through the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC), announced a Maine-focused Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) funding opportunity for federal fiscal year 2023. The program is tied to Assistance Listing (formerly CFDA) 10.912, the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, and is designed to encourage new and improved conservation approaches by supporting projects that help develop, demonstrate, and accelerate adoption of innovative conservation technologies or methods within Maine.
This is a discretionary grant competition with a total of up to $250,000 available statewide for FY 2023. NRCS expects to make about three awards, with an award ceiling of $75,000 per project. Funded projects can run from one to three years, which gives applicants flexibility to propose short pilots or longer demonstrations and outreach efforts, as long as the work is carried out in Maine and aligns with the program goal of conservation innovation.
Eligibility is broadly open to non-federal entities and individuals, meaning most applicant types can apply (such as nonprofits, state or local units of government, academic institutions, tribes, businesses, and private individuals), with the key restriction that federal agencies are not eligible to apply. The notice emphasizes that eligibility details are provided in the funding notice (referenced as Section C), and that applicants should use the posted requirements rather than expecting pre-review feedback on whether a specific organization or project concept is eligible.
Applications had to be submitted electronically through Grants.gov, and the deadline listed in the notice narrative is 11:59 pm Eastern Time on May 22, 2023 (although the source data also shows an original closing date of May 19, 2023, creating a potential discrepancy applicants would have needed to resolve by relying on the controlling deadline stated in the notice instructions). The announcement also flags a practical issue: first-time Grants.gov users often need substantial lead time to complete registrations and other prerequisites, so applicants were advised to start early rather than waiting close to the deadline.
For support, the notice draws a clear line between technical submission problems and program questions. Grants.gov technical issues were directed to Grants.gov Applicant Support (1-800-518-4726 or support@grants.gov), and the agency notes that NRCS staff cannot troubleshoot Grants.gov accounts. For questions about the content of the Notice of Funding Opportunity itself, applicants were instructed to contact the federal awarding agency contact listed in Section G, but only for clarifications tied to the written notice (like dates, page references, or inconsistencies). The agency explicitly stated it would not respond to questions about proposal quality, competitiveness, or the merits of a particular project idea.
Finally, the timeline provided indicates NRCS anticipated making selections by about June 1, 2023 and executing awards by about July 1, 2023, with the reminder that these dates were estimates and could change. Applicants were also encouraged to review additional background on the CIG program through NRCS online resources to better understand how CIG supports conservation innovation and adoption.Apply for USDA NRCS ME CIG NOFO0001269
- The Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service in the agriculture, environment, natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Announcement for Program Funding for NRCS’ Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) for Federal fiscal year (FY) 2023 Maine" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.912.
- This funding opportunity was created on Mar 20, 2023.
- Applicants must submit their applications by May 19, 2023 Applications must be received by 1159 pm Eastern Time.. (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 $75,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 3 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1) What is this funding opportunity?
This is a Maine-focused Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) funding opportunity for federal fiscal year (FY) 2023, announced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) through the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC).
2) What is the purpose of the Maine CIG funding?
The program is designed to encourage new and improved conservation approaches by supporting projects that help develop, demonstrate, and accelerate adoption of innovative conservation technologies or methods within Maine.
3) Which federal program is this opportunity associated with?
The opportunity is tied to Assistance Listing (formerly CFDA) 10.912, the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP).
4) Is this a competitive grant program or an entitlement program?
This is described as a discretionary grant competition.
5) How much total funding is available?
Up to $250,000 total is available statewide in Maine for FY 2023.
6) How many awards does NRCS expect to make?
NRCS expects to make about three awards.
7) What is the maximum award amount per project?
The award ceiling is $75,000 per project.
8) How long can projects last?
Funded projects can run from one to three years.
9) Do proposed activities need to take place in Maine?
Yes. The notice indicates the work must be carried out in Maine and must align with the program goal of conservation innovation.
10) Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broadly open to non-federal entities and individuals. The notice indicates that many applicant types can apply, such as nonprofits, state or local units of government, academic institutions, tribes, businesses, and private individuals.
11) Who is not eligible to apply?
Federal agencies are not eligible to apply.
12) Where are the official eligibility requirements described?
The notice emphasizes that eligibility details are provided in the funding notice itself, referenced as Section C.
13) Will NRCS confirm whether my organization or project idea is eligible before I apply?
The notice suggests applicants should use the posted requirements rather than expecting pre-review feedback on whether a specific organization or project concept is eligible.
14) How do applications have to be submitted?
Applications had to be submitted electronically through Grants.gov.
15) What was the application deadline?
The deadline listed in the notice narrative is 11:59 pm Eastern Time on May 22, 2023.
16) Why is there confusion about the closing date?
The source data also shows an original closing date of May 19, 2023, which creates a potential discrepancy. The narrative notes applicants would have needed to resolve this by relying on the controlling deadline stated in the notice instructions.
17) What practical advice did the notice give about Grants.gov registration?
The announcement flags that first-time Grants.gov users often need substantial lead time to complete registrations and other prerequisites, so applicants were advised to start early rather than waiting close to the deadline.
18) Who do I contact for technical problems submitting through Grants.gov?
Grants.gov technical issues were directed to Grants.gov Applicant Support at 1-800-518-4726 or support@grants.gov.
19) Can NRCS staff help troubleshoot Grants.gov accounts or submission issues?
No. The agency notes that NRCS staff cannot troubleshoot Grants.gov accounts.
20) Who do I contact for questions about the content of the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)?
Applicants were instructed to contact the federal awarding agency contact listed in Section G, but only for clarifications tied to the written notice (for example: dates, page references, or inconsistencies).
21) What kinds of questions will the agency not answer?
The agency explicitly stated it would not respond to questions about proposal quality, competitiveness, or the merits of a particular project idea.
22) When did NRCS expect to make selections and execute awards?
NRCS anticipated making selections by about June 1, 2023 and executing awards by about July 1, 2023.
23) Are the selection and award dates guaranteed?
No. The notice states these dates were estimates and could change.
24) Where can applicants learn more about the CIG program generally?
Applicants were encouraged to review additional background on the CIG program through NRCS online resources to better understand how CIG supports conservation innovation and adoption.
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| Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 Conservation Innovation Grants State Program Notice of Funding Opportunity (NFO) Apply for USDA NRCS OH CIG NOFO0001277 Funding Number: USDA NRCS OH CIG NOFO0001277 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service Category: Agriculture, Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $150,000 |
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| Announcement for Program Funding for NRCS’ Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) for Federal fiscal year (FY) 2023 – Georgia Apply for USDA NRCS GA CIG 23 NOFO0001264 Funding Number: USDA NRCS GA CIG 23 NOFO0001264 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service Category: Agriculture, Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $75,000 |
| Conservation Innovation Grants Alaska State Program 2023 Apply for USDA NRCS AK CIG 23 NOFO0001272 Funding Number: USDA NRCS AK CIG 23 NOFO0001272 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service Category: Agriculture, Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $479,250 |
| Connecticut Conservation Planning and Support Agreements Apply for USDA NRCS CT MULTI 23 NOFO0001291 Funding Number: USDA NRCS CT MULTI 23 NOFO0001291 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service Category: Agriculture, Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Announcement for Program Funding for NRCS’ Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) for Federal fiscal year (FY) 2023 – Montana Apply for USDA NRCS MT CIG 23 NOFO0001266 Funding Number: USDA NRCS MT CIG 23 NOFO0001266 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service Category: Agriculture, Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $75,000 |
| Vermont NRCS FY23 Conservation Solutions Through Strategic Partnerships Announcement for Funding Apply for USDA NRCS VT CSC 23 NOFO0001288 Funding Number: USDA NRCS VT CSC 23 NOFO0001288 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service Category: Agriculture, Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $1,500,000 |
| Maine Natural Resources Conservation Service General Agreements for Technical Assistance Apply for USDA NRCS ME CTA 23 NOFO0001292 Funding Number: USDA NRCS ME CTA 23 NOFO0001292 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service Category: Agriculture, Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Conservation Innovation Grants Pennsylvania State Program Apply for USDA NRCS PA CIG 23 NOFO0001289 Funding Number: USDA NRCS PA CIG 23 NOFO0001289 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service Category: Agriculture, Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $75,000 |
| NRCS New Jersey Conservation Planning and Data Processing Apply for USDA NRCS NJ CPLAN NOFO0001274 Funding Number: USDA NRCS NJ CPLAN NOFO0001274 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service Category: Agriculture, Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $2,500,000 |
| Virginia Conservation Partnership and Technical Assistance Apply for USDA NRCS VA MULTI 23 NOFO0001275 Funding Number: USDA NRCS VA MULTI 23 NOFO0001275 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service Category: Agriculture, Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| Announcement for Program Funding for NRCS’ Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) for Federal fiscal year (FY) 2023 Apply for USDA NRCS VA CIG 23 NOFO0001280 Funding Number: USDA NRCS VA CIG 23 NOFO0001280 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service Category: Agriculture, Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Conservation Collaboration Cooperative Agreements Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 Announcement for Program Funding – SOUTH CAROLINA Apply for USDA NRCS SC MULTI 23 NOFO0001276 Funding Number: USDA NRCS SC MULTI 23 NOFO0001276 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service Category: Agriculture, Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Iowa Partners for Conservation Apply for USDA NRCS IA MULTI 23 NOFO0001242 Funding Number: USDA NRCS IA MULTI 23 NOFO0001242 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service Category: Agriculture, Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $2,200,000 |
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| NRCS’ Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) for Federal fiscal year (FY) 2023 – South Carolina Apply for USDA NRCS SC CIG 23 NOFO0001296 Funding Number: USDA NRCS SC CIG 23 NOFO0001296 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service Category: Agriculture, Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| 2023 USDA NRCS California Conservation Cooperative Agreements Apply for USDA NRCS CA MULTI 23 NOFO0001281 Funding Number: USDA NRCS CA MULTI 23 NOFO0001281 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service Category: Agriculture, Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $75,000 |
| Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) State Program Notice of Funding Opportunity (NFO) Apply for USDA NRCS CA CIG 23 NOFO0001297 Funding Number: USDA NRCS CA CIG 23 NOFO0001297 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service Category: Agriculture, Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $150,000 |
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