National Institute of Food and Agriculture
United States Department of Agriculture
FUNDING MECHANISMS
Updated
January 2012
NIFA FUNDING MECHANISMS
Agriculture is a
knowledge-based, global enterprise, sustained by the innovation of scientists
and educators. NIFA supports research, education, and extension activities at
partner institutions through three main funding mechanisms: competitive grants;
formula grants; and non-competitive grants and agreements.
Competitive Grants: NIFA
awards competitive grants for fundamental and applied research, extension, and
higher education activities, as well as for projects that integrate research,
education and extension functions. Competitive programs enable NIFA to attract
a large pool of applicants to work on agricultural issues of national interest,
and to select the highest quality proposals submitted by highly qualified
individuals, institutions or organizations. Awards are made following a
rigorous peer-review process. Eligibility, administrative rules, and procedures
vary for each specific program according to authorizing statutes.
Formula Grants: NIFA provides
funds for research and extension to land-grant institutions (1862, 1890 and
1994 institutions), schools of forestry and schools of veterinary medicine
through several formula program authorities. The amount of funds provided to
each institution is determined by formulae, often statutorily defined, that may
include variables such as the rural population or farm population. Local or
regional university leaders decide which specific projects will be supported by
an institution’s formula grant allotment. These decisions are informed, in
part, by stakeholders who both conduct and use agricultural research and
extension.
Non-competitive Grant Programs: Some
projects are directed by Congress to specifically support a designated
institution or set of institutions for particular research, education or
extension topics of importance to a state or region. These projects are
supported through Special Research Grants or Direct Federal Administration
Research or Education Grants.
The specific NIFA
funding opportunities that are currently available are discussed in the
following pages.
COMPETITIVE GRANTS
Agriculture and
Food Research Initiative (AFRI) 7
U.S.C. 450i(b). The Agriculture and Food Research
Initiative (AFRI) is the flagship competitive grants program at the U.S.
Department of Agriculture. AFRI
is to support research, education, and extension as well integrated programs by
awarding grants that address key problems of national, regional, and
multi-state importance in sustaining all components of agriculture, including
farm efficiency and profitability, ranching, renewable energy, forestry (both
urban and agroforestry), aquaculture, rural communities and entrepreneurship,
human nutrition, food safety, biotechnology, and conventional breeding. Through
this support AFRI advances knowledge in both fundamental and applied sciences
important to agriculture. Awards may be made to the following eligible
entities: State agricultural experiment stations; colleges and universities;
university research foundations; other research institutions and organizations;
Federal agencies; national laboratories; private organizations or corporations;
individuals; or any group consisting of two or more of the aforementioned
entities (7 U.S.C. 450i(b)(7)). Grants are awarded to address priorities in
United States agriculture in the following priority areas:
·
Plant health and
production and plant products;
·
Animal health and
production and plant products;
·
Food safety,
nutrition, and health;
·
Renewable energy,
natural resources, and environment;
·
Agriculture
systems and technology; and
·
Agriculture
economics and rural communities.
In addition, a
certain amount of the AFRI funds (i.e., no less than 30 percent) are dedicated
for integrated research, education, and extension projects pursuant to the
authority found in section 406 of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and
Education Reform Act of 1998 (AREERA) and the awards made under this authority are
limited to 4-year colleges and universities, university research foundations,
1994 land-grant institutions, and Hispanic-serving agricultural colleges and
universities (7 U.S.C. 7626(b)).
Matching funds may be required under certain circumstances. Grants made
under this authority must be consistent with the development of systems of
sustainable agriculture as defined in section 1404 of the National Agricultural
Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977.
Contact: Deborah Sheely
CFDA Number: 10.310
Competitive, Special, and Facilities Research Grant
Act. 7 U.S.C.
450i(c)(1)(B).
The Competitive, Special, and
Facilities Research Grant Act provides authorization in section 450i(c)(1)(B) for special emphasis awards to support research
programs. Organizations eligible to participate are: state agricultural
experiment stations, 1862 and 1890 land-grant colleges and universities,
including Tuskegee University and West Virginia State University, 1994
land-grant colleges and universities, research foundations established by
land-grant colleges and universities, colleges and universities receiving funds
under the Act of October 10, 1962 (16 USC 582a et seq.), accredited
schools or colleges of veterinary medicine, and the University of the District of
Columbia (7 U.S.C. 450i(c)(1)(B)). The following special emphasis programs are
currently supported:
CFDA Number: 10.200
·
Critical Agricultural Materials. The Critical Agricultural Materials Act supports the
domestic production and manufacture of crop-based materials that are of
strategic and industrial importance to benefit the economy, defense and general
well-being of the Nation. Such products replace petroleum-based products, and
offer opportunities to create new businesses and new markets for agricultural
materials. Products of interest are paints, coatings, and adhesives for
composites.
Contact: Carmela Bailey
·
Critical Issues: Plant and Animal Pests and Diseases. This
program is designed to provide one-time seed funding to help initiate work
requiring immediate attention until other longer-term resources can be secured
to address the issue. NIFA will be soliciting proposals on an as-needed basis
during the year to address specific new or emerging issues.
Contact: Gary Sherman
·
Expert Integrated Pest Management Decision Support
System. The purpose of the Expert Integrated Pest
Management (IPM) Decision Support System program is to support development of
expert systems that help guide, demonstrate and multiply impacts of USDA
supported IPM programs.
Contact: Herb Bolton
·
Interregional Research Project #4 Minor Crop Pest Management Program
(IR-4).
The primary goal of the IR-4 program
is to provide safe, effective and economical pest management solutions for
growers of minor/specialty crops. IR-4 facilitates crop protection by providing
expert assistance with product development and registration.
Contact: Monte Johnson
·
Potato Breeding
Research. The purpose of
this grant program is to support potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) research programs that focus on varietal
development and testing and potato varieties for commercial production. As used
herein, varietal development and testing is research using traditional and
biotechnological genetics to develop improved potato varieties. Aspects of
evaluation, screening and testing must support variety development.
Contact: Liang Lin
·
*Regional
Integrated Pest Management Program. (7 U.S.C. 450i(c)(1)(B)). The Regional Integrated Pest
Management Program supports the continuum
of research and extension efforts needed to increase the implementation of IPM
methods. The RIPM program supports projects that develop individual pest
control tactics, integrate individual tactics into an IPM system, and develop
and implement extension and education programs. The program is administered by
the land-grant university system's four regional IPM Centers (North Central,
Northeastern, Southern, Western) in partnership with NIFA. Organizations
eligible to receive Research awards are: state agricultural experiment
stations, 1862 and 1890 land-grant colleges and universities, including
Tuskegee University and West Virginia State University, 1994 land-grant
colleges and universities, research foundations established by land-grant
colleges and universities, colleges and universities receiving funds under the
Act of October 10, 1962 (16 USC 582a et seq.), accredited schools or
colleges of veterinary medicine, and the University of the District of Columbia
(7 U.S.C. 450i(c)(1)(B)).
Organizations eligible to receive Extension awards
are: 1862 and 1890 land-grant colleges and universities, including Tuskegee
University and West Virginia State University, and the University of the
District of Columbia (7 U.S.C. 343(d)).
Contact: Michael Fitzner
*CFDA Number: 10.200
and 10.500 - Combines Research and Extension in separate
awards under a single solicitation.
Integrated
Research, Education and Extension Competitive Grants. 7 U.S.C. 7626. The
NIFA competitive integrated grants support research, education and extension
functions to solve critical agricultural issues, priorities or problems in a
broad array of disciplines. All four-year colleges and universities (as defined
in 7 U.S.C. 3103(4)) including university research foundations maintained by
four-year colleges and universities, 1994 land-grant institutions, and
Hispanic-serving agricultural colleges and universities are eligible to compete
for NIFA integrated grants (7 U.S.C. 7626(b)). Matching funds may be required
under certain circumstances.
CFDA Number: 10.303
·
Water
Quality. This program assists the
State agricultural experiment stations and the Cooperative Extension System to
become viable partners with other Federal and State agencies in addressing
water quality problems of national importance.
·
Contact:
Michael O’Neill
·
Conservation Effects Assessment Project. NIFA is one of the lead federal agencies of the
Conservation Effects Assessment Projects (CEAP). CEAP is a multi-agency effort
to quantify the environmental benefits of conservation practices used by
private landowners participating in selected U.S. Department of Agriculture
(USDA) conservation programs. NIFA is primarily participating in the
Watershed Assessment Studies component of CEAP and the interagency coordination
of CEAP activities through the steering committee. NIFA leads a joint
competitive grants program for CEAP with NRCS.
Contact: Mary Ann
Rozum
·
Food Safety. This program provides for
research, extension, and education programs to improve the safety of food
products and to create a public that is more informed about food safety issues.
Contact: Jodi
Williams
·
Methyl
Bromide Transition Program. This program is designed to
support the discovery and implementation of practical pest management
alternatives for commodities affected by the methyl bromide phase-out. The program focuses on short- to medium-term
solutions for all commodities at risk using either combinations of presently
available technologies or some newly developed practices.
Contact: Kitty
Cardwell
·
Organic
Transition Program. This program supports the
development and implementation of biologically based pest management practices
that mitigate the ecological, agronomic, and economic risks associated with a
transition from conventional to organic agricultural production systems.
Contact: Mary Peet
International
Science and Education Competitive Grants. 7 U.S.C. 3292b. The International Science and Education Competitive
Grants (ISE) support research, extension, and teaching activities that will
enhance the capabilities of U.S. colleges and universities to conduct
international collaborative research, extension and teaching. All four-year colleges and universities (as defined in
7 U.S.C. 3103(4)) including university research foundations maintained by
four-year colleges and universities are eligible to apply. ISE projects enhance the international
content of curricula; ensure that faculty work beyond the U.S.; promote
international research partnerships; enhance the use and application of foreign
technologies in the U.S.; and strengthen the role that colleges and universities
play in maintaining U.S. competitiveness.
Contact: Patricia Fulton
CFDA Number: 10.305
Smith-Lever
Act 3(d). 7 U.S.C. 341 et seq. The Smith-Lever Act provides authorization in section
3(d) for special emphasis awards to support cooperative extension programs.
1862 and 1890 land-grant institutions may compete for and receive Smith-Lever
3(d) funds (7 U.S.C. 343(d)). The following special emphasis programs are
currently supported:
CFDA Number: 10.500
·
Federally
Recognized Tribes Extension Program. These awards establish
extension education programs on Indian Reservations and tribal jurisdictions.
The programs are implemented in consultation with the Bureau of Indian Affairs,
the Intertribal Agriculture Council, and the Southwest Indian Agriculture
Association. Contact: Tim Grosser
·
Children
Youth and Families at Risk (CYFAR). CYFAR supports comprehensive, intensive,
community-based efforts developed with active citizen participation. CYFAR
promotes building resiliency and protective factors in youth, families, and
communities.
Contact: Bonita
Williams
·
Extension
Integrated Pest Management Coordination and Support Program. Extension IPM helps agricultural producers and other
pest managers gain confidence in alternative pest management strategies as they
are demonstrated and evaluated in production and other settings.
Contact: Martin Draper
·
Farm Safety. Smith-Lever
3(d) funds support farm safety through National, State and Regional AgrAbility Projects.
Contact: Bradley Rein
·
Youth Farm Safety and Certification Program.
Awards support national efforts to
deliver timely, pertinent, and appropriate training to youth seeking employment
or already employed in agricultural production.
Contact: Bradley Rein
·
Sustainable Agriculture. Smith-Lever 3(d) provides
funding for Professional Development Grants that support extension outreach
projects in coordination with Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education.
Contact: Robert Hedberg
·
Regional
Pest Management Centers. Pest management centers are
the focal point for team building efforts, communication networks, and
stakeholder participation within a given region. The centers bring together and help focus the
institutional and individual expertise needed to address successfully a range
of pest management issues confronting farmers and other pest managers (e.g.,
regulatory restrictions, development of pest resistance, invasive species, and
biotechnology). The land-grant university
system's four regional IPM Centers (North Central, Northeastern, Southern,
Western) administer the program in partnership with NIFA.
Contact: Michael Fitzner
·
New Technologies for Agriculture Extension. The purpose of the New Technologies for Ag Extension
Program (NTAE) is to increase the capacity of each State to contribute expertise
and content to the development of eXtension, a
national web-based information and education delivery system that provides
direct access to science-based educational resources from land-grant and other
partner institutions about subjects of high importance to the general public.
Contact: Greg Crosby
Secondary Education, Two-Year Postsecondary Education,
and Agriculture in the K-12 Classroom Challenge Grants. 7 U.S.C. 3152(j). Secondary Education, and Two-Year Postsecondary
Education, and the K-12 Classroom Challenge Grants Program (SPECA) promotes and
strengthens secondary education and two-year postsecondary education in the
food and agricultural sciences to ensure a qualified workforce to serve the
U.S. food and agricultural science system and to support the current
agriculture in the classroom programs for grades K-12 . Applications may be
submitted by: (1) public secondary
schools, (2) public or private nonprofit junior and community colleges, (3)
institutions of higher education, or (4) nonprofit organizations (7 U.S.C. 3152(j)(1)). There is a 100 percent matching requirement
for all awards.
Contact: Gregory Smith
CFDA Number: 10.226
·
Secondary
Education and Two-Year Postsecondary Education. Proposals address targeted
need areas of curricula design and instructional materials development; faculty
development and preparation for teaching; career awareness; linkages between
secondary, 2-year post-secondary, and institutions of higher learning; or
education activities promoting diversity in students seeking degrees in
agribusiness and agriscience.
·
Agriculture In the K-12 Classroom (AITC). The AITC effort serves nearly 5 million students and
60,000 teachers annually through workshops, conferences, field trips, farm
tours, and other educational activities. AITC works with states and supports a
variety of projects relating to agricultural literacy. The activities are
carried out in each state, according to state needs and interests, by
individuals representing farm organizations, agribusiness, education and government.
1890
Institutions Teaching, Research, and
Contact: Edwin Lewis
CFDA Number: 10.216
1890 Facilities Grants Program. 7 U.S.C. 3222b. The 1890 Facilities
Grants Program provides funds for the acquisition and improvement of
agricultural and food sciences facilities and equipment, including libraries,
so that the 1890 land-grant institutions, Tuskegee University and West Virginia
State University, may participate fully in the production of human capital in
the food and agricultural sciences. Eligible applicants are the 1890 land-grant
institutions, including Tuskegee University and West Virginia State University
(7 U.S.C. 3222b(a)(1)).
Contact: P.S. Benepal
CFDA Number: 10.216
Alaska-Native Serving and Native-Hawaiian Serving
Institutions Education Grants.
7
U.S.C. 3242. This program promotes and strengthens the ability of
Alaska Native-Serving Institutions and Native Hawaiian-Serving Institutions to
carry out education, applied research, and related community development within
a broadly defined arena of food and agricultural sciences-related disciplines.
Eligible applicants are individual public or private, nonprofit Alaska
Native-Serving and Native Hawaiian-Serving Institutions of higher education
that meet the definitions of Alaska Native-Serving Institution or Native Hawaiian-Serving
Institution established in Title III, Part A of the Higher Education Act of
1965 (7 U.S.C. 3156(a)(1)).
Contact: Saleia Afele-Faamuli
CFDA Number: 10.228
Aquaculture
Centers. 7 U.S.C. 3322. Authorizes the establishment of
aquaculture research, development and demonstration centers in the United
States for the performance of aquaculture research and extension work and
demonstration projects. Funding currently supports five regional
aquaculture centers. Only institutions
housing the respective Administrative Centers are eligible to apply (7 U.S.C.
3322(d)). Non-land-grant institutions can serve as regional centers.
Contact: Gary Jensen
CFDA Number: 10.200
Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program
(BFRDP). 7 U.S.C. 3319f. The purpose of this program is to support the
nation’s beginning farmers and ranchers by making competitive grants to new and
established local and regional training, education, outreach, and technical
assistance initiatives that address the needs of beginning farmers and ranchers. To be eligible for a grant under this
authority, an applicant must be a collaborative State, tribal, local, or
regionally-based network or partnership of public or private entities which may
include a State cooperative extension service; a Federal, state, or tribal
agency; a community-based and non-government organization; a college or
university (including an institution offering associate’s degree) or a
foundation maintained by a college or university; or any other appropriate
partner (7 U.S.C. 3319f(2)). All awardees are required to provide a 25 percent
match in the form of cash or in-kind contributions. For standard BFRDP projects
and Education Enhancement projects, the maximum amount of the award is $250,000
per year and the maximum project period is three years. For the Online Curriculum and Training
Clearinghouse, proposals must not exceed more than $300,000 per year for a
maximum award period of five years.
Contact: Siva
Sureshwaran
CFDA Number: 10.311
Biomass
Research and Development Initiative (BRDI). 7 U.S.C. 8108(e). The purpose of this initiative is to competitively
award grants to grants, contracts, and financial assistance to eligible
entities to carry out research and development and demonstration of (1)
Biofuels and biobased products; and (2) the methods,
practices, and technologies, for the production of biofuels and biobased products.
The program was transferred on October 1, 2008, from Rural Development
(RD) to CSREES (now NIFA). All Research and
Development projects under BRDI require awardees to provide a non-Federal share
of not less than 20 percent. Awardees
are required to provide a non-Federal share not less than 50 percent for
Demonstration and Commercial Projects under BRDI. There is no matching reduction
authority for Demonstration and Commercial Projects. To be eligible for an award, an applicant must be an institution of
higher education, a National Laboratory, a Federal research agency, a State
research Agency, a private sector entity, a nonprofit organization, or a
consortium of two or more of the entities defined in this sentence (7 U.S.C.
8108(e)(5)). NIFA and the Department of Energy jointly administer this program.
Contact: Carmela Bailey
CFDA Number: 10.312
Biotechnology
Risk Assessment Research Competitive Grants. 7 U.S.C. 5921 and amended by 7
U.S.C. 7901. The Biotechnology Risk Assessment Grants (BRAG) funds
projects that investigate the effects of introducing genetically modified
organisms into the environment. Studies
of effects on both managed and natural environments are relevant. The grants
are funded through a 2 percent assessment on all USDA-supported biotechnology
research. Eligible applicants include
U.S. public or private research or educational institutions or organizations (7
U.S.C. 5921(d)). NIFA and the USDA Agricultural
Research Service (ARS) jointly administer the BRAG program.
Contact: Shing F. Kwok
CFDA Number: 10.219
Community Food
Projects Competitive Grants. 7 U.S.C. 2034. These
grants are funded through the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 and competitively
awarded to support the development of Community Food Projects with a one-time
infusion of federal dollars to make such projects self-sustaining or to support
the development of stand-alone technical expertise and assistance activities.
Community Food Projects are designed to meet the food needs of low-income
people; increase the self-reliance of communities in providing for their own
food need; and promote comprehensive responses to local food, farm and
nutrition issues. Eligible applicants include private, nonprofit entities; and,
for training and technical assistance, other entities (all applicants may
partner with public or private, nonprofit or for-profit entities, including
academic or other appropriate professionals, community-based organizations, or
local government entities) (7 U.S.C. 2034(c)). For all but training and
technical assistance projects, there is a matching requirement of 50 percent
nonfederal support.
Contact: Jane Clary
CFDA Number: 10.225
Extension
Services at the 1994 Institutions. 7 U.S.C. 301 note. The Tribal Colleges Extension Services provides
funding to increase extension capacity at the 34 1994 land-grant institutions,
and to address special needs, take advantage of important opportunities, and/or
demonstrate long-term sustained benefits of extension projects at 1994
land-grant institutions. Funds are awarded on a competitive basis. Applications
may be submitted by any of the Tribal colleges and universities designated as
1994 Land-Grant Institutions under the Educational Land-Grant Status Act of
1994 (7 U.S.C. 301 note.).
Contact: Tim Grosser
CFDA Number: 10.500
Food
Animal Residue Avoidance Databank. 7 U.S.C. 7642. The Food Animal Residue Avoidance Databank (FARAD)
supports the production of safe foods of animal origin through the development
and dissemination of expert-mediated resources supporting prevention and
mitigation of violative chemical (drug, pesticide,
natural toxins, and environmental contaminant) residues in food animal
products.
Contact: Gary
Sherman
CFDA Number: 10.500
Higher Education Challenge Grants. 7
U.S.C. 3152(b)(1). Projects supported by Higher Education Challenge Grants address a
State, regional, national, or international educational need, involve a
creative or non-traditional approach toward addressing that need, encourage and
facilitate better working relationships in the university science and education
community, as well as between universities and the private sector, and result
in benefits that will likely transcend the project duration and USDA support.
Eligibility is limited to four-year colleges and universities with programs in
the food and agricultural sciences (7 U.S.C. 3152(b)). Contact: Greg Smith
CFDA Number: 10.217
Healthy
Urban Food Enterprise Development Center. 7 U.S.C. 2034. This competitively awarded cooperative agreement
supports a nonprofit organization to establish and support a healthy urban food
enterprise development center (7 U.S.C.
2034(h)(2)). The purpose of the center is to increase
access to healthy affordable foods, including locally produced agricultural
products, to underserved communities.
Contact: Jane Clary
CFDA Number: 10.225
Hispanic
Serving Institutions Education Grants. 7 U.S.C. 3241. The
competitively awarded Hispanic Education Partnership Grants strengthen the
ability of Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI) to carry out higher education
programs in the food and agricultural sciences; attract outstanding students
from underrepresented groups; and produce graduates capable of enhancing the
Nation’s food and agriculture scientific and professional workforce. Only public or
other non-profit Hispanic-Serving Institutions are eligible to apply for this
program (7 U.S.C. 3241). To qualify as a Hispanic-Serving Institution,
applicants must at the time of application, have an enrollment of undergraduate
full-time equivalent students that is at least 25 percent Hispanic students.
For the purposes of this program, the individual branches of a State university
system or public system of higher education that are separately accredited as
degree granting institutions are treated as separate institutions eligible for
awards. Accreditation must be by an agency or association recognized by the
Secretary, U.S. Department of Education. Institutions also must be legally
authorized to offer at least a two-year program of study creditable toward an
associate’s or bachelor’s degree. Separate branches or campuses of a college or
university that are not individually accredited as degree granting institutions
are not treated as separate institutions. Funded
projects address one or more targeted needs: curricula design, materials
development and library resources; faculty preparation and enhancement for
teaching; instruction delivery systems; scientific instrumentation for
teaching; student experiential learning; and student recruitment and retention.
Contact: Irma Lawrence
CFDA Number: 10.223
Multicultural
Scholars. 7 U.S.C. 3152(b)(5). These competitive undergraduate scholarship
grants are to increase the multicultural diversity in the workforce and meet
the increasingly advanced technological needs of the food and agricultural
sciences. These competitive grants are open to colleges and universities that
confer baccalaureate and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degrees in food,
agricultural and natural resource sciences (7 U.S.C. 3152(b)) The Multicultural
Scholars Program is offered annually and supports student scholarship and
special experiential learning for eligible Scholars. The goal of the grant
program is to increase the number of new and outstanding students from groups
that are traditionally underrepresented in the food and agricultural sciences
and who pursue and complete baccalaureate or Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
degrees, with scientific and professional competence. A 25 percent non-federal
match is required.
Contact: Ray Ali
CFDA Number: 10.220
National Needs
Graduate and Postgraduate Fellowship Grants. 7 U.S.C. 3152(b)(6).
Grants are awarded to
train students for Master’s and/or doctoral degrees and to provide additional
postdoctoral training for Fellows who have completed their doctoral degrees in
food, agricultural and natural resource sciences. Grants are open to colleges and universities
that confer a graduate degree in at least one targeted expertise shortage area
of the food and agricultural sciences and have demonstrable teaching and
research competencies in the food and agricultural sciences (7 U.S.C. 3152(b)).
This competitive grants program is specifically intended to support stipends
for students in graduate degree level and postdoctoral training and for Special
International Study or Thesis/Dissertation Research Travel Allowances (IRTA)
for eligible Fellows. The goal of the program is to develop intellectual
capital to ensure the preeminence of U.S. food and agricultural systems in
areas where there is a national need for the development of scientific and
professional expertise.
Contact: Ray Ali
CFDA Number: 10.210
New Era Rural Technology Program. 7 U.S.C. 3319e. The New Era Rural Technology Competitive
Grants Program will make grants available to community colleges or advanced
technological centers, located in a rural area, for technology development,
applied research, and training necessary to produce graduates capable of
strengthening the Nation's technical, scientific and professional workforce in
the fields of bioenergy, pulp and paper manufacturing, and agriculture-based
renewable energy resources. Eligible applicants must:
(A) be a community college or advanced technological center,
located in a rural area and in existence on the date of the enactment of this
section, that participates in agricultural or bioenergy research and applied
research;
(B) have a
proven record of development and implementation of programs to meet the needs
of students, educators, and business and industry to supply the
agriculture-based, renewable energy or pulp and paper manufacturing fields with
certified technicians, as determined by the Secretary; and
(C) have the ability to leverage existing
partnerships and occupational outreach and training programs for secondary
schools, 4-year institutions, and relevant nonprofit organizations (7
U.S.C.3319e(b)(2)). *Not funded in FY 2012.
Contact: Gregory Smith
CFDA Number: 10.200
Non Land Grant Colleges of Agriculture. 7 U.S.C. 3319i. The Non Land Grant Colleges of Agriculture (NLGCA) grants assist the NLGCA institutions in maintaining and expanding the capacity to conduct education, research, and outreach activities relating to agriculture, renewable resources, and other similar disciplines.
Contact: Greg
Smith
CFDA Number:
10.326
Organic
Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative (OREI). 7 U.S.C. 5925b. The
purpose of the initiative is to fund research and/or extension that will
enhance organic producers' and processors' abilities to grow and market
high-quality organic agricultural products. Priority concerns encompass
biological, physical, and social sciences (including economics). Grants are
open to colleges and universities, state agricultural experiment stations, as
well as federal and private research entities, private organizations or
corporations, and individuals and any group consisting of 2 or more entities
identified in this sentence (7 U.S.C. 450i(b)(7)). Matching may be required
under certain circumstances.
Contact: Mary Peet
CFDA Number: 10.307
Pest Management Alternatives. 7 U.S.C.
450i(c)(1)(A).
The purpose of Pest Management
Alternatives Program (PMAP) is to provide support for and encourage the
development and implementation of integrated pest management (IPM) practices,
tactics, and systems for specific pest problems while reducing human and
environmental risks. Applications may be submitted by State agricultural
experiment stations, all colleges and universities, other research institutions
and organizations, Federal agencies, private organizations or corporations, and
individuals (7 U.S.C. 450i(c)(1)(A)) .
Contact: Monte Johnson
CFDA Number: 10.200
Policy Research Centers. 7 U.S.C. 3155. The purpose of Policy
Research Centers Grant Program is to support rigorous and comprehensive
research and education programs on the impact of public policies and trade
agreements on farmers, ranchers, consumers and taxpayers. In addition, proposed
research and education programs should be objective, operationally independent,
and external to the Federal Government and focus on the effect of public
policies and trade agreements specifically on the following emphasis areas: (1)
The farm and agricultural sectors (including commodities, livestock, dairy and specialty
crops); (2) the environment; (3) rural families, households, and economies; and
(4) consumers, food, and nutrition. Research may be either disciplinary or
interdisciplinary concerning policy research activities identified above and
include activities that (1) quantify implications of public policies and
regulations; (2) develop theoretical and research methods; (3) collect,
analyze, and disseminate data for policy makers, analysts, and individuals; and
(4) develop programs to train future analysts.
Contact: Robin Shoemaker
CFDA Number: 10.200
Rangeland Research. 7 U.S.C. 3333.
The primary purpose of RRP is to provide U.S. agricultural
producers, rural landowners, and land managers with integrated science
strategies to make informed land management decisions with an emphasis on
enhancing the restoration and sustainable integrity of rangelands. Applications may be submitted by land-grant colleges
and universities, State agricultural experiment stations, and colleges,
universities, and Federal laboratories having a demonstrable capacity in
rangeland research, as determined by the Secretary (7 USC 3333(a)(1)) .
Contact: James P Dobrowolski
CFDA Number:
10.200
Renewable Resources Extension Act: National Focus
Funds. The
purpose of the RREA is
to provide funds for pilot projects that address emerging forest and rangeland
resource issues; have national or regional relevancy; and develop new and
innovative projects that can be replicated at other institutions. Applications
may be submitted by 1862 and 1890 land-grant institutions (16 U.S.C. 1672(b)).
Contact: Eric Norland
CFDA Number:
10.500
Resident
Instruction for Insular Areas. 7 U.S.C. 3363. Competitive grants are awarded for educational
capacity building at land-grant universities in the Insular Areas. Eligible
entities are Institutions of higher education, as defined in section 101(a) of
the Higher Education Act of 1995 (20 U.S.C. 1001(a)), located in an Insular
Area and has a demonstrable capacity to carry out teaching and extension
programs in the food and agricultural sciences. Individual land-grant colleges
and universities, and other institutions that have secured land-grant status
through Federal legislation, and which
are located in Insular Areas are automatically eligible for awards under the RIIA
and DEG grant programs, either as direct applicants or as parties to a
consortium agreement (7 U.S.C. 3363 and 20 U.S.C. 1001(a)).
Contact: Gregory Smith
CFDA Number: 10.308
Risk Management
Education. 7 U.S.C. 1524. The Risk Management Education (RME) grants provide
U.S. agricultural producers with the knowledge, skills and tools needed to make
informed risk management decisions for their operations, with the goal of
enhancing farm profitability. Grants fund four Regional RME Centers and a risk
management education library. The program supports the dissemination of
existing risk management tools; and furthers the development of agricultural
risk management curricula and materials, the delivery of agricultural RME to
producers, and the verification of program impacts. Eligible applicants include
public and private entities, including land-grant institutions; Cooperative
Extension Services; four-year colleges or universities; Federal, State, and
local agencies; nonprofit and for-profit private organizations or corporations
(7 U.S.C. 1524(a)(3)(A)).
Contact: Patricia Hipple
CFDA Number: 10.500
Rural Health and Safety Education. 7 U.S.C. 2662(i). The Rural Health and Safety Education Programs
focuses on issues related to individual and family health education in one or
more of the following areas: 1) healthy living behaviors, family interaction
and environmental attributes in rural areas; 2) health literacy and its impact
on health status in rural and farm families; and/or 3) related issues of health
promotion and health care to rural individuals and families. Applications may
be submitted by Land-grant colleges and universities that are eligible to
receive funds under the Act of July 2, 1862 (7 U.S.C. 301 et seq.), and the Act
of August 30, 1890 (7 U.S.C. 321 et seq.), including Tuskegee University, West
Virginia State University and the University of the District of Columbia.
Applications may also be submitted by any of the Tribal colleges and
universities designated as 1994 Land-Grant Institutions under the Educational
Land-Grant Status Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 2662(i)).
Contact: Aida Balsano
CFDA Number:
10.500
Rural Youth Development. 7 U.S.C. 7630.
Rural Youth Development Grants Program is intended to breakdown
barriers to participation, especially for rural youth; enhance opportunities
for youth involvement in policy and decision-making; create safe and inviting
environments for youth activities; and improve access to information and
technology. Only the Girl Scouts of the United States of America, the National
4-H Council, the Boy Scouts of America, and the National FFA Organization are
eligible to apply (7 U.S.C. 7630(a)).
Contact: Nancy Valentine
CFDA Number:
10.500
Small Business
Innovation Research (SBIR). 15 U.S.C. 638. The
USDA SBIR funds research and development projects proposed by small businesses
that address important agricultural problems that could lead to significant
public benefit. Topics include environment and natural resources (animals,
wildlife, aquaculture, plants, and forests), rural development, markets and
trade, technology, industrial applications, and food science and nutrition.
Grants fund research and educational support programs for business and
communities. Funds are not provided for operating or startup costs for
businesses. Grants are funded through a statutorily mandated assessment of 2.5
percent on all USDA supported extramural research. Eligible applicants include
small businesses which: (a) are organized for profit, independently owned or
operated, are not dominant in the proposed research field, have their principal
places of business located in the United States, have a number of employees not
exceeding 500 in all affiliated firms owned or controlled by a single parent
concern, and meet the other regulatory requirements outlined in 13 CFR Part
121, as amended; (b) are at least 51 percent owned, or in the case of a
publicly owned business, at least 51 percent of its voting stock is owned, by
U.S. citizens or lawfully admitted permanent resident aliens; (c) are the
primary source of employment for the principal investigator of the proposed
effort at the time of award and during the actual conduct of proposed research;
and (d) are the primary performer of the proposed research effort (7 C.F.R.
3403.3). For Phase II SBIR grants, eligibility is further restricted (7 C.F.R.
3403.3).
Contact: Charles Cleland
CFDA Number: 10.212
Smith-Lever Special Needs Projects. 7 U.S.C. 343(b) and (c). Special Needs Program is
a competitive grants program to State Extension Services at 1862 Land-Grant
Institutions to support innovative, education-based approaches to addressing
emergency preparedness and specific responses
related to natural and man-made disasters. Applications may be submitted with
the approval of Extension Directors of 1862 Land-grant Institutions in the 50
states, American Samoa, Guam, Micronesia, Northern Marianas, Puerto Rico, and
the U.S. Virgin Islands (7 U.S.C. 343(b) and (c)).
Contact: Bill
Hoffman
CFDA Number: 10.500
Specialty
Crop Research Initiative (SCRI). 7 U.S.C. 7621. The Specialty Crop Research
Initiative (SCRI) is to
solve critical industry issues through research and extension activities. Applications may be submitted by Federal agencies,
national laboratories, colleges and universities, research institutions and organizations,
private organizations or corporations, State agricultural experiment stations,
Cooperative Extension Services, individuals, or groups consisting of two or
more of these entities (7 U.S.C. 7632(c)). Specialty crops are defined as fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried
fruits, and horticulture and nursery crops including floriculture. SCRI will
give priority to projects that are multistate, multi-institutional, or
trans-disciplinary; and include explicit mechanisms to communicate results to producers
and the public. Projects must address at least one of five focus areas:
research in plant breeding, genetics, and genomics to improve crop
characteristics; efforts to identify and address threats from pests and
diseases, including threats to pollinators; efforts to improve production
efficiency, productivity, and profitability over the long term; new innovations
and technology, including improved mechanization and technologies that delay or
inhibit ripening; and methods to prevent, detect, monitor control, and respond
to potential food safety hazards in the production and processing of specialty
crops. There is a 100 percent matching
requirement for these awards.
Contact: Thomas Bewick and Dan Schmoldt
CFDA Number: 10.309
Supplemental and Alternative Crops. 7 U.S.C. 7632. The
Supplemental and Alternative Crops Competitive Grants Program (SACC) supports
the significant increase of canola crop acreage by the development and testing
of superior germplasm, methods of planting,
cultivation, harvesting, processing, and transfer of such applied research from
experimental sites to on farm practice as soon as practicable. Applications may
be submitted by colleges and universities, other Federal agencies, and private
sector entities (7 U.S.C. 3319d(c)(3)(F)).
Contact: Shing Kwok
CFDA Number:
10.200
Sustainable
Agriculture Research and Education (SARE). 7 U.S.C. 5811. SARE
works to increase knowledge about and to help farmers and ranchers adopt
practices that are profitable, environmentally sound, and beneficial to
communities. Competitive grants for sustainable agriculture research and
education are awarded by four regional administrative councils. Generally
ranging from $60,000 to $150,000, SARE grants fund projects that usually
involve scientists, producers and others in an interdisciplinary approach. Many
funded projects involve on-farm research trials with crops and/or livestock. SARE grants also fund education and
demonstration projects, including the development of farmer-to-farmer networks.
Eligible applicants include land-grant colleges or universities, other
universities, State agricultural experiment stations, State cooperative
extension services, nonprofit organizations, and individuals with demonstrable
expertise, or Federal or State governmental entities (7 U.S.C. 5811(b)).
Contact: Robert Hedberg
CFDA Number: 10.215
Tribal
Colleges Research Grants. 7 U.S.C. 301
note. These grants support agricultural
research that addresses high priority concerns of tribal, national, or
multistate significance. Grants support investigative and analytical studies in
the food and agricultural sciences. Funds are awarded on a competitive basis. Applications
may be submitted by any of the Tribal colleges and universities designated as
1994 Land-Grant Institutions under the Educational Land-Grant Status Act of
1994 (7 U.S.C. 301 note.). Grant applications submitted under this program must
certify that the research to be conducted will be performed in collaboration
with at least one 1862 or 1890 Land-Grant college or university.
Contact: Saleia
CFDA Number: 10.227
Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program. 7 U.S.C. 3151a. The purpose of this program is for the U.S.
Department of Agriculture (USDA) to enter into agreements with veterinarians
under which the veterinarians agree to provide, for a specific period of time
as identified in the agreement, veterinary services in veterinarian shortage situations (7 U.S.C.
3151a).
Contact: Gary Sherman
CFDA Number: 10.313
Contact: Jermalina Tupas
CFDA Number: 10.318
FORMULA GRANTS
Hatch
Act Formula Grants. 7 U.S.C. 301. The
Hatch Program allocates federal funds on the basis of a statutory formula to
the State Agricultural Experiment Stations of the 50 States, the District of
Columbia, and the Insular Areas of Puerto Rico, Guam, Virgin Islands, Micronesia,
American Samoa, and Northern Marianas Islands. Funds also are awarded for the Hatch
Multistate Research Fund as a separate allocation and on a formula basis. A 100 percent non-federal match is required
for all recipients except for the District of Columbia and Insular Area
institutions, which are required to provide a 50 percent non-federal match. Approximately 25 percent of these funds
support Multistate Research Fund Projects selected through a scientific
peer-review process. The States are
required to spend a certain amount on integrated activities.
Contact: Michael Fitzner
CFDA Number: 10.203
1890
Extension Formula Grants. 7 U.S.C. 3221. The 1890 Extension Formula allocates funding according
to a statutory formula for agricultural extension programs at the 1890
land-grant institutions, including Tuskegee University and West Virginia State
University. A non-federal match of 100 percent is required, although the
Secretary may waive the match above 50 percent if an institution demonstrates that
it is unable to meet that requirement.
Contact: P.S. Benepal
CFDA Number: 10.500
1890
Facilities Grants. 7 U.S.C. 3222b. The
1890 Facilities Grants provide funds for the acquisition and improvement of
agricultural and food sciences facilities and equipment, including libraries,
to 1890 land-grant institutions, including Tuskegee University and West
Virginia State University.
Contact: P.S. Benepal
CFDA Number: 10.500
McIntire-Stennis Cooperative Forestry Research Program.
16 U.S.C. 582a, et seq. McIntire-Stennis Cooperative Forestry allocates funds on a formula
basis for forestry research, which includes forests and related rangelands, to
eligible 1862 and 1890 land-grant institutions and institutions offering
graduate training in the sciences basic to forestry or having a forestry
school. Eligible institutions are designated by the State. A 100 percent
non-federal match is required.
Contact: Eric Norland
CFDA Number: 10.202
Animal
Health and Disease Research Program. 7
U.S.C. 3195. Funds are allocated according to a statutory
formula that takes into account both the importance of the livestock industry
and the animal health research capacity within a State. Funding supports
livestock and poultry disease research at accredited schools or colleges of veterinary
medicine or State Agricultural Experiment Stations that conduct animal health
and disease research. The Act limits the annual Federal payment a State may
receive in excess of $100,000 to that amount made available and budgeted from
nonfederal sources for expenditures on animal health and disease research.
Contact: Gary Sherman
CFDA Number: 10.207
Evans-Allen 1890 Research
Formula Grants. 7 U.S.C. 3222. Evans-Allen funds are allocated
according to a statutory formula for agricultural research at the 1890
land-grant institutions, including Tuskegee University, and West Virginia State
University. A non-federal match of 100 percent is required, although the
Secretary may waive the match above 50 percent if an institution demonstrates
that it is unable to meet that requirement.
Contact: P.S. Benepal
CFDA Number: 10.205
Expanded
Food and Nutrition Education Program. 7 U.S.C. 3175. The
Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) is conducted by the 1862
and 1890 land-grant institutions in all 50 states and in American Samoa,
District of Columbia, Guam, Micronesia, Northern Marianas, Puerto Rico, and the
Virgin Islands. It is designed to assist
limited-resource audiences in acquiring the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and
changed behavior necessary for nutritionally sound diets, and to contribute to
their personal development and the improvement of the total family diet and
nutritional well-being. Funds are
distributed according to a statutory formula.
Contact: Helen Chipman
CFDA Number: 10.500
Renewable
Resources Extension Act (RREA).
16 U.S.C. 1671 et seq. The Renewable Resources Extension Act provides funding
for extension efforts in forest and range resources. Funds are distributed on a
formula basis to the 1862 and 1890 land-grant institutions to address forest
and rangeland stewardship and health, invasive species, economic opportunities,
and fish and wildlife resource issues.
Contact: Eric Norland
CFDA Number: 10.500
Smith-Lever:
1862 Institution Cooperative Extension Formula Grants. 7 U.S.C. 341. The Smith-Lever Act sections 3(b) and (c) allocate
federal funds on a formula basis to support cooperative extension work in 50
States, Puerto Rico, Guam, Virgin Islands, Micronesia, American Samoa, and
Northern Mariana Islands. The District
of Columbia receives extension funds through separate legislative authority.
The States are required to spend a certain amount on both integrated and
multistate activities. A 100 percent
non-federal match is required for all recipients except for Insular Area institutions,
which are required to provide a 50 percent non-federal match, and the District
of Columbia, which is not required to provide a non-federal match.
Contact: Mike Fitzner
CFDA Number: 10.500
Tribal
Colleges Endowment Fund. 7
U.S.C. 301 note. This fund distributes the interest earned by an
endowment established for the 34 1994 land-grant institutions. The Endowment
Fund enhances education in agricultural sciences and related disciplines for
Native Americans by building educational capacity at these institutions in the
areas of curricula design and materials development, faculty development and
preparation for teaching, instruction delivery systems, experiential learning,
equipment and instrumentation for teaching, and student recruitment and retention.
It also funds facility renovation, repair, construction and maintenance in
support of these efforts. At the end of each fiscal year, the earned interest
income from the endowment fund is distributed according to a statutory formula.
Contact: Tim Grosser
CFDA Number: 10.222
Tribal
Colleges Education Equity Grants. 7 U.S.C. 301 note. These grants promote and strengthen higher education
instruction in the food and agricultural sciences at the 34 1994 land-grant
institutions. Project proposals focus on undergraduate and/or graduate studies
in the food and agricultural sciences in one or more of the following areas:
Curricula Design and Materials Development, Faculty Development and Preparation
for Teaching, Instruction Delivery Systems, Student Experiential Learning,
Equipment and Instrumentation for Teaching, or Student Recruitment and
Retention. Funds are allocated on a formula basis.
Contact: Tim Grosser
CFDA Number: 10.221
NON-COMPETITIVE GRANT PROGRAMS
Non-competitive
Special Research Grants: 7 U.S.C. 450i(c). Recipients of non-competitive special research grants are specified by
Congress in the appropriations act. Eligibility for non-competitive special
grants is generally limited to land-grant universities.
Contact: Meryl Broussard
CFDA Number: 10.500
Food
and Agriculture Defense Initiative. 7 U.S.C. 3351. The initiative supports a national diagnostic network
of public agricultural institutions which identifies and responds to high-risk
biological pathogens in the food and agriculture system. NIFA directly funds
twenty eight individual animal laboratories and five plant diagnostic centers,
dispersed strategically around the country. The diagnostic laboratories are
responsible for identification of exotic and domestic pests and pathogens that
are of concern to the security of our food and other agricultural production
systems. Additionally, the Food and Agricultural Defense Initiative provides
funding for the Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN).
Contact: William Hoffman
CFDA Number: 10.304