Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG)
USDA NRCS
⚠ Program Status Uncertain
FY2026 CIG competition not yet announced. NRCS lost ~22% of staff through DOGE-driven cuts. Check grants.gov or contact NRCS for updates.
⚠️ Important: Verify with your local USDA office
Deadlines listed here are sourced from official USDA, NRCS, and FSA publications but may vary by state and are subject to change — especially given recent agency restructuring. Always confirm dates and program availability with your local USDA service center before planning your application.
This site is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USDA. Information is provided for educational purposes only.
Funding Amount
$200,000 – $2,000,000
Default Deadline
Invalid Date
About This Program
Competitive grants for innovative conservation approaches. On-farm conservation innovation trials available for individual farmers.
Who's Eligible
- ✓ Nonprofits
- ✓ State/local governments
- ✓ Individual farmers (On-Farm Trials)
Get reminded about this deadline
Related Programs
Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)
Cost-share and financial assistance for conservation practices on working agricultural land. Covers soil health, water quality, wildlife habitat, and more.
Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP)
Annual payments for maintaining and improving existing conservation systems. Rewards farmers already doing good stewardship.
Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) - General Signup
Annual rental payments to remove environmentally sensitive land from production and plant resource-conserving covers.