WASHINGTON, D.C. (RFD NEWS) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service is making $65 million available for fiscal year 2026 Conservation Innovation Grants, giving partners another round of funding to test and expand conservation tools on working farms and ranches.
The funding includes $50 million for CIG On-Farm Trials and $15 million for CIG Classic. NRCS says the program supports new tools, technologies, and strategies that help producers improve operations while conserving natural resources.
“We’re excited to announce $65 million in the CIG program conservation innovation grant,” NRCS Chief Colton Buckley told RFD News. “We’re going to have $50 million on CIG on farm trials. So, this is working directly with producers and partners to build out conservation implementation and the next generation of tools to support American agriculturalists, as well as $15 million for CIG classics. And since 2004, the agencies have awarded over 2000 projects investing more than $600 million.”
Buckley says the program is also designed to help producers adapt to long-term challenges like drought, land management, and the transfer of farmland. He says the grants support both research projects and on-farm demonstrations
“So, there’s classic, which is the priorities this fiscal year, going to be water management, water quality, and soil habitat improvement,” Buckley continues. “And then there are actual on-farm trials for irrigation, water management and technology, grazing land, and soil health demonstration. So think of the program here at the agency that does the research, science, and implementation out of the classic. We’re looking at trade schools, technical universities, land-grant universities, and nonprofits. Pretty much, it’s open to everyone — except for foreign entities and governments — to apply. And then on-farm trials or actual demonstrations on landowners’ private property to support these new technologies and tools in conservation.”
On-Farm Trials are designed to test innovative practices directly with producers, with incentive payments helping offset the risk of trying new approaches. This year’s priorities include irrigation water management, nutrient management, grazing lands, and soil health demonstration trials.
CIG Classic priorities include water management, pest pressure, soil, habitat improvement, and farmer-focused conservation outcomes.
Applications are open through July 27, 2026, on Grants.gov.
