Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) On-Farm Conservation Innovation Trials for fiscal year (FY) 2026
Administered by Jeffrey Jacobs Grants Management Specialist, this agriculture & rural grant invites applications from nonprofits and other eligible applicants, with applications due Jul 27, 2026. It provides awards up to $250K–$5M.
Go to the Grants.gov listingOpportunity description
NRCS is announcing the availability of CIG On-Farm Conservation Innovation Trials (On-Farm Trials). Through On Farm Trials projects, awardees recruit producers and provide them with technical assistance and incentive payments to stimulate the adoption and evaluation of innovative conservation approaches. For 2026, applications will be accepted from eligible entities for projects addressing at least one of the following priorities: irrigation management technologies, new and innovative grazing land management solutions, nutrient management, and soil health demonstration trial (SHD). Up to $50 million is available for On-Farm Trials in 2026. On-Farm Trials projects may be between 3 and 5 years in duration.
Application deadline: Submit through Grants.gov by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on July 27, 2026.
A webinar for On-Farm Trials applicants is scheduled for June 17, 2026, at 3 p.m. Eastern Time. Information on how to participate in the Microsoft Teams webinar can be obtained through the following link:
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.
Who can apply
- Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments)
- Special district governments
- State governments
- Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
- Small businesses
- City or township governments
- Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
- Private institutions of higher education
- For profit organizations other than small businesses
- Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
- County governments
- Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
For-profit entities are eligible for On-Farm Trials if their primary business is related to agriculture. Nonprofit entities are eligible for On-Farm Trials if they have experience working with agricultural producers. On-Farm Trials is authorized under 16 U.S.C. 3839aa-8 and is authorized as part of the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). The following applicants are considered ineligible: • Foreign organizations and foreign public entities • “Partnerships” or other similar groupings (i.e., application must be submitted by a single entity; a partner may serve as a subrecipient). • Individuals Eligible entities must have access to a network of producers that they can recruit as participants to facilitate implementing On-Farm Trials of conservation practices and systems on private lands and meet the participation goals outlined in the proposal. NRCS will not assist with producer recruitment for On-Farm Trials projects.
Funding
Agency contact
Jeffrey Jacobs Grants Management Specialist
Jeffrey Jacobs Grants Management Specialist Phone 2027201222
jeffrey.jacobs@usda.govApplying for this grant
Applications go through Grants.gov directly. We recommend reading the full announcement and double-checking eligibility and dates on the official listing first.
Official Grants.gov listingWe summarize this opportunity from the public Grants.gov database for convenience. It is general information, not legal or grant advice. VolunteerBadge is not affiliated with any agency — rely on the official listing for final details and deadlines.