Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NIFA AFRI 004797
Apply for USDA NIFA AFRI 004797
- The National Institute of Food and Agriculture in the agriculture sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "AFRI Food, Agriculture, Natural Resources and Human Sciences Education and Literacy Initiative" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.310 Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI).
- This funding opportunity was created on Dec 18, 2014 and posted on Dec 18, 2014.
- Applicants must submit their applications by May 6, 2015 Applications for programs within the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Competitive Grants Program Food, Agriculture, Natural Resources and Human Sciences Education and Literacy Initiative must be received by 500 p.m. Eastern Time on February 11, 2015 (for the Predoctoral and Postdoctoral Fellowships Program) and May 6, 2015 (for the Undergraduate Research and Extension Experiential Learning Fellowships Program). Applicants are encouraged to submit a Letter of Intent to Submit an Application for the Undergraduate Research and Extension Experiential Learning Fellowships by the Letter of Intent due date specified in the RFA.. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $16,900,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Eligible applicants include: Small businesses Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification) Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education For profit organizations other than small businesses Individuals Private institutions of higher education Public and State controlled institutions of higher education.
- Please review Part III, A for more specific eligibility requirements.
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Opportunity Summary:
The AFRI Food, Agriculture, Natural Resources and Human Sciences Education and Literacy Initiative (AFRI ELI) is a competitive grant opportunity run by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) under the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) program (CFDA 10.310). Its core purpose is workforce and training pipeline development in food and agriculture related fields by expanding experiential learning and fellowship opportunities across multiple education stages. The program is designed to help build practical, job-ready skills for students and early-career researchers, while also strengthening pathways into the agricultural workforce and into graduate education in food, agriculture, natural resources, and human sciences.
A central emphasis of the opportunity is hands-on training and real-world exposure. For undergraduates, the initiative supports research and extension experiential learning fellowships that place students in applied settings where they can gain direct experience at land-grant and non-land-grant universities as well as USDA laboratories. The program specifically highlights inclusion by encouraging opportunities for students from underrepresented ethnic groups and economically disadvantaged backgrounds, including those attending minority-serving institutions and community colleges. In practical terms, the initiative is oriented toward making sure students not only learn concepts in the classroom, but also participate in mentored, supervised experiences that build professional competence, clarify career goals, and improve readiness for employment or advanced study.
Beyond undergraduate experiential learning, AFRI ELI also supports training at the predoctoral and postdoctoral levels. Predoctoral support focuses on building technical and functional competence, which generally means strengthening the research skills, methods proficiency, and professional capabilities needed to succeed as an emerging scientist or scholar. Postdoctoral support is framed around promoting research independence and teaching credentials, reflecting an intention to help postdoctoral fellows transition into leadership roles, faculty positions, or other high-responsibility careers by developing both independent research capability and the ability to teach and mentor effectively.
From an administrative standpoint, this is a discretionary grant program using the grant funding instrument. The archived solicitation information lists an estimated total funding level of $16.9 million. The opportunity includes a cost sharing or matching requirement, meaning applicants should plan for required non-federal contributions as defined in the full request for applications. Eligibility is broad and includes public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, individuals, small businesses, other for-profit organizations, and nonprofit organizations (including both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3) entities), with the details and any restrictions referenced in the solicitation's eligibility section.
Key dates in the posted opportunity reflect multiple program tracks and deadlines. Applications for the Predoctoral and Postdoctoral Fellowships Program were due by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on February 11, 2015, while applications for the Undergraduate Research and Extension Experiential Learning Fellowships Program were due by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on May 6, 2015. The notice also encouraged prospective applicants for the undergraduate fellowship track to submit a letter of intent by the date specified in the request for applications, which is commonly used to help the agency anticipate review workload and to support applicant planning.
For support, NIFA provided a help desk contact for access issues with the full announcement, along with guidance that content-related questions should be directed to the appropriate program contacts listed in the full request for applications. Overall, AFRI ELI is best understood as a structured investment in developing the next generation of food and agriculture professionals by funding experiential learning for undergraduates and targeted fellowships that strengthen skills, independence, and teaching capacity for predoctoral and postdoctoral trainees.
AFRI Education and Literacy Initiative (AFRI ELI) - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the AFRI Food, Agriculture, Natural Resources and Human Sciences Education and Literacy Initiative (AFRI ELI)?
AFRI ELI is a competitive grant opportunity administered by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) under the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) program (CFDA 10.310). It is focused on developing the workforce and training pipeline in food and agriculture-related fields by expanding experiential learning and fellowship opportunities across multiple education stages.
What is the main purpose of this grant opportunity?
The core purpose is workforce and training pipeline development in food, agriculture, natural resources, and human sciences. The program is designed to help students and early-career researchers build practical, job-ready skills, strengthen pathways into the agricultural workforce, and support progression into graduate education.
What types of experiences does the program emphasize?
A central emphasis is hands-on training and real-world exposure. The opportunity highlights mentored, supervised experiences that help participants build professional competence, clarify career goals, and improve readiness for employment or advanced study.
What education stages or career levels are supported by AFRI ELI?
Based on the posted opportunity, AFRI ELI supports multiple stages, including undergraduate experiential learning and fellowships at the predoctoral and postdoctoral levels.
What undergraduate opportunities are included in AFRI ELI?
For undergraduates, the initiative supports research and extension experiential learning fellowships. These fellowships are intended to place students in applied settings where they can gain direct, practical experience.
Where can undergraduate experiential learning fellows be placed?
The opportunity indicates placements can occur at land-grant and non-land-grant universities, as well as USDA laboratories.
Does AFRI ELI encourage participation from underrepresented or economically disadvantaged students?
Yes. The program specifically highlights inclusion by encouraging opportunities for students from underrepresented ethnic groups and economically disadvantaged backgrounds, including students attending minority-serving institutions and community colleges.
What is supported at the predoctoral level?
Predoctoral support is described as focusing on building technical and functional competence. This generally includes strengthening research skills, methods proficiency, and professional capabilities needed to succeed as an emerging scientist or scholar.
What is supported at the postdoctoral level?
Postdoctoral support is framed around promoting research independence and teaching credentials. The intent is to help postdoctoral fellows transition into leadership roles, faculty positions, or other high-responsibility careers by developing independent research capability and the ability to teach and mentor effectively.
Is this a competitive program?
Yes. The opportunity is described as a competitive grant opportunity administered by NIFA under AFRI.
What kind of award mechanism is used?
Administratively, it is a discretionary grant program using the grant funding instrument.
How much total funding was estimated for this opportunity?
The archived solicitation information lists an estimated total funding level of $16.9 million.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
Yes. The opportunity includes a cost sharing or matching requirement, meaning applicants should plan for required non-federal contributions as defined in the full request for applications.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is described as broad and includes public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, individuals, small businesses, other for-profit organizations, and nonprofit organizations (including both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3) entities). Any additional details or restrictions are referenced in the solicitation's eligibility section.
Are there multiple tracks with different deadlines?
Yes. The opportunity includes multiple program tracks and deadlines, including one set of deadlines for Predoctoral and Postdoctoral Fellowships and another for the Undergraduate Research and Extension Experiential Learning Fellowships.
What was the application deadline for the Predoctoral and Postdoctoral Fellowships Program?
Applications for the Predoctoral and Postdoctoral Fellowships Program were due by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on February 11, 2015.
What was the application deadline for the Undergraduate Research and Extension Experiential Learning Fellowships Program?
Applications for the Undergraduate Research and Extension Experiential Learning Fellowships Program were due by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on May 6, 2015.
Was a letter of intent requested?
Yes. The notice encouraged prospective applicants for the undergraduate fellowship track to submit a letter of intent by the date specified in the request for applications.
What is the purpose of a letter of intent in this opportunity?
The notice indicates the letter of intent is commonly used to help the agency anticipate review workload and to support applicant planning.
Who should applicants contact if they cannot access the full announcement?
NIFA provided a help desk contact for access issues with the full announcement.
Who should applicants contact with program or content questions?
The opportunity notes that content-related questions should be directed to the appropriate program contacts listed in the full request for applications.
How does AFRI ELI contribute to the agricultural workforce pipeline?
AFRI ELI is positioned as a structured investment in developing the next generation of food and agriculture professionals by funding undergraduate experiential learning and targeted fellowships that build skills, research independence, and teaching capacity for predoctoral and postdoctoral trainees.
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