Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) FY 2026
USDA NRCS has released two FY 2026 funding opportunities under the Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) program: On-Farm Trials and CIG Classic. The purpose of CIG is to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies in conjunction with agricultural production in the United States.
CIG projects are expected to demonstrate, evaluate, and transfer innovative conservation technologies, management systems, and approaches that can support broader adoption by agricultural producers and generate measurable conservation outcomes at regional or national scales.
While both opportunities support innovative conservation approaches on working lands, CIG Classic focuses on piloting and advancing new conservation technologies and approaches, whereas On-Farm Trials emphasizes large-scale producer implementation, evaluation, and incentive-supported adoption.
CIG - On-Farm Trials FY 2026
Through this program, awardees recruit producers and provide them with technical assistance and incentive payments to support adoption of new conservation practices, systems, and technologies. Projects must include evaluation components that assess the environmental, economic, and conservation outcomes associated with implementation.
CIG On-Farm Trials Priorities
- Irrigation management technologies
- New and innovative grazing land management solutions
- Nutrient management
- Soil Health Demonstration Trials (SHD)
- On-Farm Trials Evaluations
- Soil Health Demonstration Evaluations and Study
The program is designed to support large-scale, multi-site on-farm implementation and evaluation efforts rather than single demonstration projects. Projects must involve multiple agricultural producers and generate meaningful data that can inform future NRCS conservation practice standards, technical tools, and program guidance.
Applications should demonstrate:
- Strong partnerships with agricultural producers
- Capacity to provide technical assistance and producer support
- Implementation of innovative conservation approaches with measurable outcomes
- Robust evaluation frameworks for environmental and economic impacts
- Potential for broader adoption and scalability of conservation practices
- Direct incentive payments to participating producers
Please refer to the full CIG - On-Farm Trials NOFO for additional eligibility requirements and program details.
On-Farm Trials - Key track details:
- Application Deadline: July 27, 2026
- Project Duration: 3–5 years
- Estimated Award Size: $250,000–$5,000,000
- Match required: none
- Webinar for Applicants: June 17, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time
CIG - Classic FY 2026
Through the CIG Classic track, NRCS supports pilot projects, field demonstrations, and applied conservation innovations that demonstrate, evaluate, and transfer new technologies and conservation approaches to agricultural producers and land managers.
CIG Classic Priorities
- Producer-focused conservation outcome tools and approaches
- Innovative water conservation and water quality systems
- Soil health and regenerative land management approaches
- Habitat restoration and enhancement on working lands
- Innovative pest and invasive species management systems
Projects that involve Community Colleges, Junior Colleges, and State Technical Schools, integrate precision agriculture, support holistic farm solutions, or include agricultural conservation workforce development components will receive additional consideration.
Projects or activities under CIG Classic must:
- Use innovative conservation technologies or approaches with a strong likelihood of success
- Demonstrate and evaluate effectiveness, affordability, and usability under field conditions
- Support transfer and adoption of conservation technologies and management systems
- Introduce proven approaches into new geographic regions or agricultural sectors
- Comply with all applicable Federal, tribal, state, and local laws and regulations
Please refer to the full CIG - Classic NOFO for additional eligibility requirements and program details.
Classic - Key track details:
- Application Deadline: July 27, 2026
- Project Duration: 3–5 years
- Estimated Award Size: $250,000–$2,000,000
- Match required: 50% nonfederal match required
- Webinar for Applicants: June 18, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time