NRCS is offering the FY 2021 Connecticut Conservation Innovation Grants for innovative conservation.

Notice of Funding Opportunity Summary

NRCS is announcing the availability of CIG funding to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies. Applications are accepted from eligible entities for projects carried out in the state of Connecticut. A total of up to $250,000 is available for the Connecticut (State) CIG competition in FY 2021. All non-federal entities (NFE) and individuals are invited to apply, with the sole exception of federal agencies. Projects may be between one and three years in duration. The maximum award amount for a single award in FY 2021 is $250,000.

For new users of Grants.gov, see Section D.1. for information about steps required before submitting an application via Grants.gov.

Key Dates

Applicants must submit their applications via Grants.gov by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on April 2, 2021. For technical issues with Grants.gov, contact Grants.gov Applicant Support at 1-800-518-4726 or support@grants.gov. Awarding agency staff cannot support applicants regarding Grants.gov accounts. Questions regarding this notice of funding opportunity (NFO) may be submitted until March 5, 2021. Responses to questions posed will be posted on Grants.gov approximately two weeks before the application due date.

Applicants are encouraged to visit the Connecticut State CIG website https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/site/ct/home/ [HL-NWD1] to learn more about the CIG program. Questions about this announcement can be directed to Nancy Ferlow at Nancy.ferlow@usda.gov or at 860-871-4049.

The agency anticipates making selections by June 15, 2021 and expects to execute awards by September 1, 2021

.

Federal Funding Floor and Ceiling Amounts

The estimated funding floor for this opportunity is $10,000, and the estimated funding ceiling is $250,000.  The funding floor means the minimum agreement funding amount for the Federal share per agreement awarded. The ceiling is the maximum agreement funding amount for the Federal share per agreement awarded. These numbers refer to the total agreement amount, not any specific budget period.

Federal Financial Assistance Training

The funding available through this NFO is Federal financial assistance. Grants 101 Training is highly recommended for those seeking knowledge about Federal financial assistance. The training is free and available to the public via https://www.cfo.gov/grants-training/. It consists of five modules covering each of the following topics: 1) laws, regulations, and guidance; 2) financial assistance mechanisms; 3) uniform guidance administrative requirements; 4) cost principles; and 5) risk management and single audit. FPAC agencies also apply Federal financial assistance regulations to certain non-assistance awards (e.g., non-assistance cooperative agreements).

Hyperlink to State CIG website

 Please note, the maximum award size is no longer capped at $75k for State-level projects. The state can select a higher award ceiling if preferred.