OpportunityTitle: 2010 USDA-NRCS Montana Conservation Innovation Grants
Description: THIS ANNOUNCEMENT HAS BEEN AMENDED TO CLARIFY MATCHING REQUIREMENTS. SEE ATTACHED AMENDMENT 1 ISSUED MAY 13, 2010. 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 into NRCS policy, technical manuals, guides, and references or to the private sector. CIG does not fund research projects. CIG is to apply proven technology which has been studied sufficiently to indicate a likelihood of success, and to be candidates for eventual technology transfer. CIG funds projects targeting innovative on-the-ground conservation, including pilot projects and field demonstrations.NRCS will accept pre-proposals 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. Pre-proposals will only be accepted for projects within Montana.If approved, full applications will be requested and reviewed by a peer review group. Scored applications will be forwarded to the Grants Review Board. The Grants Review Board will make recommendations for project approval to the State Conservationist who will make the final selections.Only complete pre-proposals addressing one of the sub-categories for the following priorities will be considered: Productivity and Environmental Health of Grazing Land and Forest Land; Water Resources; Air Quality and Atmospheric Resource; Soil Quality.To view the subcategories, see the Link to the Full Announcement.
GrantorContactEmailDescription: marsha.harris@mt.usda.gov
GrantorContactText: Marsha Harris &lt;br/&gt;Contracting Officer &lt;br/&gt;Phone 406-587-6859
CloseDateExplanation: Pre-proposals must be received at the NRCS Montana state offce by 4 p.m. Mountain Standard Time (MST) on May 21, 2010.    Full Applications: Project pre-proposals selected for funding consideration by NRCS will be notified by June 4, 2010, and if requested, a full application must be submitted to the NRCS Montana state office by 4 p.m. on June 25, 2010.