Kentucky Department of Agriculture Conservation Innovation Grant

The purpose of this CIG is to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies, while leveraging the 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 into NRCS policy, technical manuals, guides, and references or to the private sector. CIG does not fund research projects. Projects intended to test hypotheses do not qualify. CIG is used to apply or demonstrate previously proven technology. It is a vehicle to stimulate development and adoption of conservation approaches or technologies that have been studied sufficiently to indicate a high likelihood of success, and to be a candidate for eventual technology transfer or institutionalization. CIG promotes sharing of skills, knowledge, technologies, and facilities among communities, governments, and other institutions to ensure that scientific and technological developments are accessible to a wider range of users. CIG funds projects targeting innovatinve, on-the-ground conservation, including pilot projects and field demonstrations.

In FY 2012, Kentucky CIG is offering water quality, soil quality and agriculture energy funding categories. These techologies and approaches are on Kentucky’s forefront to meet ongoing State level requirements.

NRCS will accept applications for single or multi-year projects, not to exceed 3 years, submitted to NRCS from eligible entities including federally recognized Indian tribes, State and local units of government, and non-governmental organizations and individuals.

Applications will be screened for completeness and compliance with the provisions of this notice. Incomplete applications will be eliminated from competition, and notification of elimination will be mailed to the applicant. Complete applicatons received by applicable deadlines will be evaluated by a technical peer reiew panel based on the Criteria for Application Evaluation identified in the application instructinos in section V.B.

Applications, along with their associated technical peer review, will be forwarded to the Grants Review Board. The Grants Review Board will make recommendations for project approval to the NRCS Kentucky State Conservationist who will make the final selections.