CONSERVATION INNOVATION GRANT

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The purpose of 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 (such as market-based systems) into NRCS policy, technical manuals, guides, and references or to the private sector. CIG does not fund research projects. Projects intended to formulate hypothesis do not qualify. CIG is to apply proven technology which has been shown to work previously. It is a vehicle to stimulate the development and adoption of conservation approaches or technologies that have been studied sufficiently to indicate a likelihood of success, and to be candidates 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 innovative on-the-ground conservation, including pilot projects and field demonstrations. The Kansas NRCS will accept applications for single or multi-year projects, not to exceed three years, submitted to NRCS from eligible entities including federally recognized Indian tribes, state and local governments, and non-governmental organizations and individuals. Kansas component CIG projects must take place in Kansas; multi-state projects will not be considered. Complete applications will be screened for eligibility determination by appropriate NRCS staff. Applications determined eligible will be evaluated and scored by a subcommittee of the Kansas Technical Committee (KTC). (More information on the KTC may be found at www.ks.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/KTC or by calling the Kansas NRCS State Office at 785-823-4500.) Scored applications will be forwarded to the State Conservationist for final selection and funding decisions.

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