Funding-Limited Submission – USDA – Food, Agriculture, Natural Resources and Human Sciences Education and Literacy Initiative (USDA-NIFA-AFRI-005576); February 2, 2016

Description: The AFRI Food, Agriculture, Natural Resources and Human Sciences Education and Literacy Initiative focuses on developing the next generation of research, education, and extension professionals in the food and agricultural sciences who will lead agriculture into the future by solving current and future challenges facing our society. The initiative goals are as follows:

· Promote research and extension experiential learning for undergraduates such that upon graduation they may enter the agriculture workforce with exceptional skills.

· Prepare the next generation of scientists through fellowships, including doctoral and post-doctoral fellowships.

Research and Extension Experiential Learning for Undergraduates (REEU) promotes research and extension experiential learning for undergraduates such that upon graduation they may enter the agriculture workforce with exceptional skills. This initiative will provide opportunities for undergraduate students at colleges and universities, including those from underrepresented ethnicities and economically disadvantaged groups at minority-serving institutions, community colleges, and other universities.

• Applications must not exceed $300,000 total (including institutional allowance) for project periods of up to 4 years.
• An undergraduate fellowship may be provided for up to 2 years per student.

• At least 50% of the undergraduate fellows must come from outside the host institution or organization.
• Non-exhaustive examples of experiential projects include: (a) research and/or extension apprenticeships, internships, or similar participatory learning within the six AFRI priority areas; (b) practicums in agricultural laboratories, farms or Cooperative Extension Programs; (c) externships in the private or public sector; and (d) study abroad focused on global food security issues to develop global competency skills.

Predoctoral and Postdoctoral Fellowships serve as a conduit for new scientists and professionals to enter research, education, and extension fields within the food, agriculture, natural resources, and human sciences. The aim of these fellowships is to cultivate future leaders able to address and solve emerging agricultural challenges of the 21^st century.

Link to Funding Opportunity

Institutional Limit: Any single institution can submit a maximum of three proposals for the Research and Extension Experiential Learning for Undergraduates (REEU) fellowships.

There is no limit for Predoctoral and Postdoctoral Fellowships.

Internal Competition: To participate in the University’s selection process, researchers are to submit the following material electronically, assembled into a single PDF document, to the Office of the Vice President for Research at limitedsubmissions@uky.edu and a copy to their Associate Dean for Research by Tuesday, February 2, 2016:

• Names and departments of the PI, and Senior Project Personnel
• Title of the program and/or funding opportunity announcement number
• Brief project description (2 pages maximum).

The Vice President for Research will appoint a committee to review the material and make a recommendation as to the University’s applicants. Questions about the submission process may be sent to Ms. Annette Evans in the Office of the Vice President for Research (alevan4@email.uky.edu or 257-1663).

USDA Deadlines:

Research and Extension Experiential Learning for Undergraduates – March 24, 2016

Predoctoral and Postdoctoral Fellowships – February 11, 2016