Funding-USDA –
Foreign Agricultural Service - SCRP Funding Opportunity; March 28, 2016
We are contacting you on behalf of USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service concerning funding now available for the 2016 Scientific Cooperation Research Program (SCRP). FAS is requesting Expressions of Interest by March 28, 2016. Information on the program and application requirements are included in the attached document.
The objective of SCRP is to reduce global poverty and hunger by supporting applied scientific research, extension, or education projects that address challenges faced by small farmers in select emerging economies.
Please share this opportunity with relevant personnel at your institution.
Thanks very much!
Mike McGirr
USDA-National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Center for International Programs
Scientific
Cooperation Research Program
FISCAL YEAR 2016 REQUEST FOR
EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST
Application Deadline: Sunday, March 28, 2016 at 11:59
PM EST
Telephone: (202) 690-1983
Email: Edward.gerard@fas.usda.gov
Catalog of Federal Domestic
Assistance Number (CFDA) - 10.961
Section I: Funding Opportunity
Description
Section III: Eligibility Information
Section IV: Application and Submission Information
Section V: Application Review Information
Section VI: Award Administration Information
FOREIGN AGRICULTURAL SERVICE
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
SCIENTIFIC COOPERATION EXCHANGE
PROGRAM
The United
States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS)
announces the availability of funding through cost reimbursable agreements for
the Scientific Cooperation Research Program (SCRP) for fiscal year (FY) 2016. The objective of SCRP is to reduce global
poverty and hunger by supporting applied scientific research, extension, or
education projects that address challenges faced by small farmers in emerging
economies.
All proposals
should focus on addressing agricultural challenges to small farmers in Feed the
Future countries (FTF). The definition
of small farmers differs between countries and agro-ecological zones. For the purposes of this announcement small
farmers are those that own or lease less than 124 acres of land (less than 50
hectares). This land must be used to
support subsistence or cash crop farming.
All proposals
must target one or more of the selected FTF countries and/or regions referenced
in this announcement and at least one applicable FTF strategy. Selected FTF
countries are Bangladesh, Ghana, Guatemala, Kenya, East African Community
Region, and Central America Region.
Approved FTF strategies are available at the FTF website and are also
listed within this REI.
All proposals
should also utilize the scientific communities’ accumulated knowledge and
technologies to help aid in developing practical solutions to these
challenges. All proposals must include
foreign collaborations and may not exceed two years. Funding may be allocated to foreign
collaborators through sub-awards.
Priority consideration will be given to Minority Serving Institutions (MSI),
proposals focused on challenges faced by women, and proposals with cost share.
This notice
identifies the SCRP deadline, legislative authority, eligibility and proposal
requirements, funding restrictions, cost share requirements, allowable and unallowable
costs, reporting requirements, program purpose and priorities, focus areas and
recommended topics, application and submission information, application review,
selection, and notification process, agency program contact information,
mailing address, and frequently asked questions.
Catalog of Federal Domestic
Assistance:
This program
is listed in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance at www.CFDA.gov and under the program number 10.961.
Deadline:
Applications
must be received by March 28, 2016 at 11:59 pm. Applications received after this deadline
will not be considered for funding.
Legislative Authority:
The
legislative authority for this funding opportunity may be found in the National
Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 enacted as
Title XIV of the Food and Agriculture Act of 1977. When selecting a
proposal for funding, FAS reserves the right to select the applicable
authorization for an award. Available authorizations for this opportunity
include: 7 USC 3318(b), 7 USC 3319(a), and 7 USC 3291. FAS grants officials
will verify that all proposals and budgets comport with the legal requirements
of the selected authorization before an award can be made.
FAS reviews proposals and project costs to make certain they adhere to the provisions of 2 CFR Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, as adopted by USDA through 2 CFR part 400. Recipients/cooperators (including, universities, non-profits, States, Cities/Counties, Tribes, for-profits, and foreign organizations) are subject to Title 2 of the Code of Federal Regulations and other legal requirements, including, but not limited to:
2 CFR Part 25, Universal Identifier and Central Contractor
Registration
2 CFR Part 170, Reporting Sub award and Executive Compensation Information
2 CFR Part 175, Award Term for Trafficking in Persons
2 CFR Part 180 and Part 417, OMB Guidelines to Agencies on Government wide
Debarment and Suspension (Nonprocurement).
Section I:
Funding Opportunity Description
The primary
objective of SCRP is to improve the livelihoods of rural citizens as an
effective means of reducing global poverty and hunger. A second objective is to build regional and
global trade capacities, so as to help rural citizens understand the importance
of trade in a global economy. Finally,
SCRP creates opportunities for partnerships between U.S. and foreign institutions
to address global issues facing small farmers in agriculture.
SCRP is
intended to provide a mechanism to address small farmer constraints,
particularly women, in designated FTF countries. SCRP is also intended to encourage practical
solutions for use by small farmers to advance productivity, transform
agricultural production systems, and integrate rural producers into regional
and global market structures.
For the
purposes of this announcement small farmers are defined as farmers that own or
lease less than 124 acres of land (less than 50 hectares). This land must be used to support subsistence
or cash crop farming.
SCRP will
support applied research, extension, and education projects that create
practical solutions to challenges faced by small farmers and build regional or
global trade capacities in FTF countries.
Permissible FTF countries and strategies are referenced below. The FTF
website is http://www.feedthefuture.gov.
a.
Bangladesh: 1) increase local capacity and
strengthen the policy framework to enable a safe and nutritious food system
that functions in the public interest and attracts private sector investment;
and 2) in partnership with Bangladesh’s research community, support innovations
and strengthen capacity to tackle the most difficult technical barriers to
agricultural growth;
b.
Ghana: 1) strengthen
the legume and maize value chain (including research and post-harvest
technologies), and market information systems that support the private sector;
and 2) increase government capacity to implement effective public policies and
improve the enabling environment for the private sector, including facilitating
trade;
c.
Guatemala: 1) institutional support at the
national or ministry level to drive high-value product value chains, and
national Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) regulatory systems. Targeted support, working through partners to
bring the same institution building on SPS and Good Agricultural Practices
(GAPs) to the Western Highlands; and 2) research on productivity and quality of
staples such as maize/beans/squash/potato and food safety around mycotoxins to
complement the cash generating high-value product chain;
d.
Kenya: 1) support poultry, dairy, livestock,
and horticulture sectors; and 2) develop the capacities of the Kenyan
agricultural institutions;
e.
East African Community Region: 1) strengthen
regional trading systems; and 2) strengthen regional agricultural research
cooperation; and
f.
Central America Region: 1) strengthen
regional trading systems and improve national SPS regulatory systems through
institutional support at the national/ministry level; and 2) improve regional
data systems and analysis.
B. PROGRAM Responsibilities OF HOST
INSTITUTIONS:
Financial Reporting:
A financial status report (SF-425)
must be submitted quarterly and at the end of the life of the reimbursable
agreement. This form can be located at: www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/omb/assets/grants_forms/SF-425.pdf
Subject to the availability of funds, USDA intends to
provide approximately six Scientific Cooperation Research Program awards in
fiscal year 2016.
B.
START DATES AND PERFORMANCE PERIODS
Activities pursuant to this
REI will be for a two year period. Applicants should estimate start and end
dates at approximately August 30, 2016 through August 30, 2018.
USDA will enter into a cost reimbursable agreement (7 USC 3319a) with selected institutions as appropriate.
Section III:
Eligibility Information
Proposals must
be submitted by U.S. - based universities, colleges, and state cooperative
institutions accredited in the United States, acting on behalf of their
institution.
A proposal from
a consortium of organizations must be submitted as a single proposal with one
U.S. organization serving as the lead and all other organizations as team
members and sub-awardees, when applicable.
The proposal
must include a U.S. and foreign collaborator i.e. foreign academic or research institutions. A letter from a collaborating foreign
institution stating that they are willing and able to serve as a partner on the
project must be included in the proposal submission.
Sub-awards may
be made to U.S. or foreign academic institutions, research organizations,
international organizations, research laboratories, professional societies, and
similar organizations that are directly associated with trade capacity
building, education, or research activities pursuant with 2 CFR 200 as listed
in the “Legislative Authority” section of this announcement.
The Principal
Investigator (PI) must hold a position at an eligible U.S. institution.
Especially encouraged are proposals from smaller academic
institutions, MSIs, in particular American Indian, Alaska Native, Pacific
Islander, Hispanic, Asian American, and African American institutions.
B.
COST
SHARING AND MATCHING REQUIREMENTS:
This
program has no statutory formula.
This
program has no matching requirements.
Cost
share is not required but is encouraged.
This is a
cost reimbursable agreement issued under 7 U.S.C. 3319a. Funding requests may
not exceed a total of $40,000. Projects
may not exceed two years.
D. Cost Share:
Cash and
in-kind (non-cash) contributions are not required but will be considered from
the recipient organization. Third party
(institution other than recipient organization) cash and in-kind contributions
must include a letter, on official letterhead, signed by the contributing
organization’s Authorizing Representative (AR) and counter-signed by the
recipient organization’s AR in order for it to be recognized as a matching
contribution.
E. Allowable Costs:
To help in this
review, as well as to expedite the award process, budgets must include a detailed
budget narrative explaining all line item costs. The five budget categories listed below
should be used in your detailed budget preparation. All items should be described in sufficient
detail that would enable FAS to determine that the costs are reasonable and
allowable for the project per federal regulations.
1. Salaries and Fringe Benefits:
No more than 20% of the requested funds may be allocated toward
salaries, consultant fees, fringe benefits, or the combination thereof. Only individuals that hold positions at
eligible U.S. institutions should be listed in this category.
2.
Equipment:
This category includes items of equipment equal to or in excess of $5,000 and having a
utility and meaningful use of more than one year. Details such as the type of equipment, costs,
and a brief narrative detailing the intended use of the equipment for project
objectives and application beyond the life of the project are required.
3.
Travel:
For foreign and domestic travel, provide the purpose of
the travel and information used in estimating the cost, such as the
destination, number of travelers, and estimated cost per trip. There are several restrictions associated
with traveling on federal funds. In most
cases, airfare must be purchased in economy class from a U.S. carrier. Travelers must also adhere to federally
mandated domestic and foreign per diem guidelines. Additional information may be found in 2 CFR
200 cited in the “Legislative Authority” section of this announcement.
4.
Other Direct Costs:
Other Direct Costs are those anticipated
charges not included in other budget categories, including materials and
supplies, publication costs, reasonable consultant fees, computer services,
sub-awards (the level of detail required for the sub-award budget is the same
as the recipient organization), equipment rental, facility rental, conferences
and meetings, speaker fees, honorariums, and constructing of equipment
(developing equipment or restructuring existing equipment).
5.
Indirect Costs:
Indirect Costs may not exceed 10% of direct costs as stated in 7 USC
3319(a).
6.
Unallowable Costs:
Scholarships, stipends, sabbaticals, tuition, tuition
remission, general purpose equipment (no particular scientific, technical, or
programmatic purpose), entertainment, capital improvements, thank you gifts,
and other expenses not directly related to the project are not allowed under
SCRP.
Section IV:
Application and Submission Information
A.
ADDRESS TO REQUEST APPLICATION PACKAGE
This announcement contains all instructions and links to all forms required to complete the application. All applications must be submitted in a single PDF document. The application deadline is March 28, 2016 11:59 PM EST. No paper or fax submissions will be reviewed.
B.
CONTENT
AND FORM OF APPLICATION SUBMISSION:
Institutions
may submit multiple proposals that adhere to program guidelines and criteria.
SCRP
recommends a bottom-up approach. The
project plan should clearly illustrate the small farmers’ role in defining the
problem and crafting the solution. PIs
may utilize and improve upon published research and non-patent
technologies. In addition, the PI must
clearly explain how the enhanced research and technologies will be shared with small
farmers or producers.
The project plan must include a U.S. and foreign
collaborator i.e. foreign academic or research institutions. Proposals may not exceed 15 pages, including
the biographical information for each team member. All proposals must also
include the following components:
·
Executive Summary: Highlight the main points of the
proposal—problems, impacts, objectives (i.e. proposed solution), cost share
components, deliverables, and evaluation mechanisms. Please limit this section to one (1)
page.
·
Project Objectives: Outline the short
and long term objectives of the project.
Discuss each objective and highlight specific and societal
benefits. Link activities and objectives
to long term impacts on rural agricultural development and hunger reduction.
·
Problem Statement: Clearly state
issues to be addressed that are of reasonable dimensions. This section should
refer to appropriate studies, statistics, and information gathered from
discussions with the agricultural community.
·
Project Description: Explain the
proposed practical solution to the problem statement listed above. Describe the procedures and activities that
will be used to create a “practical” solution to the small farmers’
challenge. Explain how these methods
were tailored to meet the specific needs of small farmers. Also explain how these methods support short
and long term objectives. The proposal
should include a project implementation timeline.
·
Evaluation: Include an evaluation plan that clearly
states the objectives and identifies possible unintended effects. The evaluation plan will define measurement
criteria, including qualitative and quantitative measures, describe data
collection methods that will be employed, including baseline data (e.g.
interviews, focus groups, control groups, improved yield records, cost savings,
greater profit, etc.) and how it will be analyzed.
·
Team Description: Identify the PI and all other team members. Explain each team member’s role. Provide
biographical information for each team member.
·
Budget: Include a
line item budget on an excel spreadsheet, and a detailed narrative as a word document that
explains how each line item amount will be used and how it was calculated. All line items should be described in
sufficient detail that would enable FAS to determine that the costs are
reasonable, allowable,
and allocable to the project activity per federal regulations.
·
SF-424 and SF 424a:
These documents are located at: www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms.html.
C.
SUBMISSION
DEADLINES and TIMES
Please also include the Standard Form (SF) 424, and the Standard Form 424A with all proposals. The application deadline is March 28, 2016 at 11:59 PM EST.
Note: The SF-424 and SF- 424A may be found on the grants.gov website. Funding opportunities will be advertised via the NIFA listserv. All proposals must be submitted to the email addresses below with the accompanying required SF-424 forms. Proposals not submitted to the below email address by the stated deadline will not be accepted.
Applicants will receive an email confirming receipt of their application package.
Section V:
Application Review Information
All proposals are carefully
reviewed by USDA/FAS Program Officers and other USDA staff against the criteria
listed below, including others who are experts in a particular field, as
appropriate.
All proposals are carefully
reviewed by USDA/FAS Program Officers’ and others who are experts in a
particular field against the criteria listed below .
Merit Review Criteria
All proposals must include foreign collaborations with institutions in the SCRP target countries.
·
What
is the intellectual merit of the proposed activity? (30 point maximum)
How important is the proposed
activity to advancing the knowledge and understanding of small farmers in
emerging economies regarding effective strategies to mitigate poverty and
hunger? How well qualified is the
individual or team to conduct the project?
To what extent does the proposed activity suggest and explore practical
concepts? How well conceived and
organized is the proposed activity? Is
there sufficient access to resources?
·
What
are the specific impacts of the proposed activity? (40 point maximum)
Will the project help small farmers
generate a higher income or a more stable return on their investment? Will the project create a multiplier effect
(e.g. increased income levels will lead to healthy well balanced diets, help small
farmers purchase essential non-food items, create economically viable non-farm
enterprises, and create educational opportunities)? Will the project help small farmers improve
their confidence and recognition in a business context, enable them to collect
and respond to market information, and integrate them into business networks?
·
What
are the broader impacts of the proposed activity? (30 point maximum)
How well does the activity advance
understanding while promoting applied research, extension, education, and trade
capacity building? To what extent will
it enhance the infrastructure for small farmer’s agricultural training and
trade capacity building (e.g. information sharing, collaboration, partnerships,
and networks)? Will the results be
disseminated broadly to enhance scientific and technological understanding? What may be the benefits of the proposed
activity to the larger society?
Priority
consideration will be given to:
1. Minority Serving Institutions (MSI) (3 additional points)
2. Proposals focused on challenges faced by women (3 additional
points)
Section VI:
Award Administration Information
We estimate that successful candidates will be notified around mid-July.
As necessary, applicants will be contacted by program staff for clarification and additional discussion on any budget related issues before final determination of successful applicants. Any notification by the program office regarding the selection of an institution is not an authorization to begin performance. The notice of award signed by the Deputy Administrator of USDA/FAS/OCBD is the authorizing document. This document will be sent by courier to the university. Both parties must sign this document before the agreement is in force. Unsuccessful applicants will be notified of the status of their application by email.
B.
ADMINISTRATIVE
AND NATIONAL POLICY REQUIREMENTS
Certifications regarding debarment Suspension, Drug Free Workplace, Felony Conviction and Tax Delinquent Status, and other national administrative assurances and policies are required. The cooperator must adhere to the provisions of 2 CFR Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, as adopted by USDA through 2 CFR part 400.
PIs are
required to submit quarterly technical report to the SCRP Program Officers
using SF-PPR and quarterly financial reports using SF-425. A mid-term evaluation update should be
received within 30 days after the midpoint of the project completion, and
other reports should be submitted upon request. Invoices will not be paid
without an applicable quarterly report on file. PIs also are
required to submit a final project report and final evaluation report no later than 90 days after the
project completion date as listed in the original proposal. FAS
reserves the right to refuse proposals from PIs that previously received
an SCRP award but did not meet applicable reporting requirements.
Potential applicants
can direct their questions or request help with problems before the deadline
for submission of the application for these funding opportunities via the
contact information below:
SCRP Points of Contact:
·
Edward
Gerard: 202-690-1983; Email: Edward.Gerard@fas.usda.gov
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. How
do I know if I am eligible or my organization is eligible to apply to
Scientific Cooperation Research Program (SCRP)?
Eligibility
is determined by the legislative authorities and 2 CFR Part 200, Uniform
Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for
Federal Awards listed in
the “Legislative Authority” of the SCRP announcement, which is explained in the
“Eligibility Requirements” section of the announcement.
Principal
Investigators and other team members representing the domestic institution must
be legal U.S. citizens or possess a valid green card.
2. Will
SCRP accept applications that do not address a priority focus area or
recommended topic?
SCRP will not accept proposals that do
not meet the criteria discussed in this announcement.
3. May
I include salary and fringe benefits in my application budget?
Yes, salary and fringe benefits may be
included, but must not exceed 20% of the requested program budget.
4. Does
SCRP require cost sharing?
SCRP does not require cost sharing.
5.
May I submit my
application directly to the www.grants.gov portal?
No, FAS will only accept
applications that are submitted to Edward.Gerard@fas.usda.gov.
6. What
process does FAS use to evaluate SCRP applications?
USDA/FAS reviews proposals submitted to
SCRP using a points-based system.
7. When
will I be notified if my application was accepted?
It is expected that the appropriate SCRP
Program Officers will notify applicants around mid-July.
8. How
soon after notification that my proposal has been accepted can I begin charging
expenses against the project?
Successful applicants are not permitted
to charge expenses against the project until both the USDA/FAS Authorized Representative
(AR) and the recipient’s AR have signed the cost reimbursable agreement and the
start date of the agreement is effective.
Unless pre-award approval is granted, any charges associated with the
agreement prior to complete signature are at the expense of the
institution.
9. What
should I expect regarding reimbursements?
Reimbursements will be made on a
quarterly basis. Payments will be
made with proper request for reimbursement, using SF-270, Request for Advance
or Reimbursement, at least quarterly. Invoices will not be
paid if applicable progress and financial reports have not been submitted to
the Program Manager.
10. What is the limit on indirect costs for this program?
Indirect costs may not exceed 10% of direct
costs.
11. What
is the process to receive final payment and/or officially closing out the
agreement?
Final billing must be made within 90 days
of the end of the agreement period.
Final payments will not be made until all activities identified in the
agreement have been completed, including submission of final reports and other documentation
required under the agreement terms and conditions.