Applicants | Natural Resources Conservation Service

How To Apply

National Competition

A CIG funding notice is announced each year. Funds for single- or multi-year projects, not to exceed three years, are awarded through a nationwide competitive grants process. Projects may be watershed-based, regional, multi-state or nationwide in scope. The natural resource concerns eligible for funding through CIG are identified in the funding announcement and may change annually to focus on new and emerging, high-priority natural resource concerns. The FY 23 competition is now closed. When the FY24 competition opens, information on the competition and instructions for how to apply will be posted on grants.gov.

State Competition

The CIG state component emphasizes projects that benefit a limited geographical area. Participating states announce their funding availability for CIG competitions through their state NRCS offices. For additional information about State CIG competitions, please contact your State NRCS office.

On-Farm Trials

Up to $50 million annually is available for On Farm Trials, which support more widespread adoption of innovative approaches, practices and systems on working lands. On-Farm Trials projects feature collaboration between NRCS and partners to implement on-the-ground conservation activities and then evaluate their impact. Incentive payments are provided to producers to offset the risk of implementing innovative approaches. The FY 23 competition is now closed. When the FY24 competition opens, information on the competition and instructions for how to apply will be posted on grants.gov.