CONSERVATION INNOVATION GRANTS (CIG) CLASSIC PROGRAM
Last verified by NonDilute: 2026-06-08. Official notice and agency instructions control.
If you've built a conservation or sustainable agriculture tool, USDA will fund you to turn it into farmer-ready products and training—up to $2M with zero geographic or organizational restrictions.
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What this is
The Conservation Innovation Grants program awards $250K–$2M to support the development and transfer of cutting-edge conservation approaches, technologies, and market-based systems for use in agricultural production. Successful projects result in tangible outputs—technical manuals, implementation guides, and hands-on instruction—that help private-sector farmers adopt these innovations. This is ideal for entrepreneurs, nonprofits, and researchers with solutions ready to scale into the farming community.
Who can apply
Open to any non-Federal entity or individual based in the United States, including nonprofits, for-profits, startups, universities, and solo researchers. No organizational size restrictions mentioned.
Eligible applicant types
- Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility"
Full description — from the agency
The CIG program stimulates the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies 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) to agricultural producers through the development of technical manuals, guides, and for practical instruction for the private sector. Applications will be accepted from all non-Federal entities and individuals based in the United States (see Section B Eligibility). Application deadline: Submit via Grants.gov by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on July 27, 2026. A webinar for CIG Classic applicants is scheduled for June 18, 2026 at 3 p.m. Eastern Time. Information on how to participate in the Microsoft Teams webinar can be obtained through the following link and phone number: https://events.gcc.teams.microsoft.com/event/397aeb03-fb5b-4d7b-803d-6753acad2a03@ed5b36e7-01ee-4ebc-867e-e03cfa0d4697 Email questions on this webinar to [email protected]. Applicants are encouraged to visit the CIG website to learn more about the CIG program. The agency anticipates making selections by 4th quarter of calendar year 2026 and expects to execute awards by 4th quarter of calendar year 2026. These dates are estimates and are subject to change.
Topics: conservation innovation agriculture · sustainable farming technology · USDA grants farmers · agricultural conservation practices · agtech transfer · farming technology adoption
Public-source funding discovery only. This summary is generated from public agency data and may be incomplete or stale. NonDilute is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or acting on behalf of any government agency. Official notices and agency instructions control. NonDilute does not determine eligibility, provide grant-writing advice, or guarantee funding.