Funding-Limited Submission - ***USDA - New Technologies for Ag Extension***; June 17, 2011

***USDA – New Technologies for Ag Extension***

In FY 2011, NIFA plans to support partial deployment of eXtension and enable a technology-conscious nation to make use of the valuable information and education that the CES has to offer. NTAE funds complement, enhance, and accelerate the implementation of eXtension by building, and maintaining the eXtension infrastructure, including the hardware, software, staffing, training, business agreements, and evaluation activities. The successful applicant will work within the context of the eXtension Business Case, the 2008-2011 eXtension Long-Range Implementation Plan, and the 2011-2014 Cooperative Extension & eXtension Strategic Management Roadmap.

The FY 2011 applicant is expected to continue to build upon the competitive advantages of CES such as being customer-focused, a trusted brand, and community-based by: 1) Expanding the Cooperative Extension Service Network by increasing the number of Communities of Practice (COP) and personnel involved, and by deepening the content of existing CoPs, 2) Facilitating the development of effective, compelling content and learning environments by engaging the learner in content development, 3) Increasing visibility by increasing discoverability and search engine rankings, 4) Increasing local use and value for Extension faculty and county educators to share programmatic loads and repackage eXtension content to support local programming, and 5) Reaching more customers by providing greater access and availability of content using such mechanisms as social networks.

Specifically, the applicant is expected to meet each of the following NTAE objectives within the context of the stated goals above:

1.  Identify, acquire, and maintain state-of-the-art technology and software applications that support the primary business processes of eXtension;

2.  Recruit, hire, and retain innovative and high-quality leaders to create and manage eXtension for the collective vision, mission, values, and principles;

3.  Train an exceptional CES workforce that can meet the challenges of the 21st century by integrating the web-based resources of eXtension into their current mode of operations;

4.  Develop and refine an array of current, effective, and legally binding contractual and financial instruments to support the business aspects of eXtension;

5.  Develop and implement a comprehensive evaluation, and communications and marketing effort for eXtension.

Each institution may submit a maximum of one NTAE application.

Applications may be submitted by Extension Directors of 1862 land-grant institutions and 1890 land-grant institutions, including Tuskegee University and West Virginia State University. Only these institutions are eligible to submit an application and receive a NTAE award. Award recipients may subcontract to other organizations provided such organizations are necessary to conduct the project.

In the case of the University of Kentucky, the appropriate individual to issue the letter of support is Jimmy C. Henning, Associate Dean for Extension Programs.  Any individual interested in this program MUST contact Associate Dean Henning concerning the program.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: June 17, 2011

Link to Full Announcement: http://www.nifa.usda.gov/funding/rfas/new_technologies.html