Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NIFA AFRI 005460
Apply for USDA NIFA AFRI 005460
- The USDA-NIFA in the agriculture, energy, natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "AFRI Sustainable Bioenergy and Bioproducts RFA" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.310.
- This funding opportunity was created on May 13, 2016 and posted on May 13, 2016.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Sep 22, 2016. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Opportunity Summary:
The AFRI Sustainable Bioenergy and Bioproducts (SBEBP) Request for Applications is a discretionary grant opportunity administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA-NIFA) under the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI). The opportunity is listed as Funding Opportunity Number USDA NIFA AFRI 005460 and is associated with CFDA (now commonly referred to as Assistance Listing) 10.310. It was posted on May 13, 2016, with an application closing date of September 22, 2016.
This program sits within AFRI's SBEBP Challenge Area, which focuses on research, development, and systems approaches that support sustainable bioenergy and bioproducts. The overarching purpose is to reduce U.S. dependence on foreign oil by accelerating the development and production of sustainable, regionally appropriate bioenergy systems. In practical terms, the program is aimed at innovations that can materially contribute to the supply of advanced liquid transportation biofuels, biopower, and bio-based products (bioproducts), with an emphasis on solutions that can work within the realities of different U.S. regions and agricultural contexts.
The grant emphasizes the idea of complete and sustainable bioenergy systems rather than isolated laboratory advances. That systems framing typically implies work spanning feedstock development and production, conversion technologies, logistics and supply chains, and sustainability considerations, all aligned to enable deployment at meaningful scale. The "regionally appropriate" language signals that projects are expected to account for local growing conditions, resource constraints, existing agricultural practices, infrastructure, and environmental tradeoffs, with the goal of developing solutions that are viable and scalable in the regions where they would be implemented.
The funding instrument is a grant, and the activity categories align with agriculture, energy, and natural resources. The public listing notes that eligible applicants fall under "Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification)," which indicates that eligibility is broader than a single institution type but requires checking the full RFA for specifics on which organizations may apply (for example, eligibility conditions often differ across AFRI program areas and may include universities, nonprofits, private entities, or other research organizations depending on the announcement). The summary information provided does not specify an award ceiling or the expected number of awards, so those details would need to be confirmed in the full solicitation or accompanying program guidance.
AFRI Sustainable Bioenergy and Bioproducts (SBEBP) Grant - FAQs
What is the AFRI Sustainable Bioenergy and Bioproducts (SBEBP) funding opportunity?
The AFRI Sustainable Bioenergy and Bioproducts (SBEBP) Request for Applications is a discretionary grant opportunity administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA-NIFA) under the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI). It supports research, development, and systems approaches related to sustainable bioenergy and bioproducts.
Which federal agency administers this grant?
This opportunity is administered by USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA-NIFA) under the AFRI program.
Is this a discretionary grant?
Yes. The listing describes SBEBP as a discretionary grant opportunity.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this program?
The Funding Opportunity Number is USDA NIFA AFRI 005460.
What is the Assistance Listing (CFDA) number associated with this opportunity?
The associated CFDA (now commonly referred to as an Assistance Listing) number is 10.310.
When was this funding opportunity posted?
The opportunity was posted on May 13, 2016.
What was the application closing date?
The application closing date listed for this opportunity is September 22, 2016.
What is the main purpose of the SBEBP Challenge Area?
The overarching purpose is to reduce U.S. dependence on foreign oil by accelerating the development and production of sustainable, regionally appropriate bioenergy systems.
What kinds of outcomes is the program trying to accelerate?
The program is aimed at innovations that can materially contribute to the supply of advanced liquid transportation biofuels, biopower, and bio-based products (bioproducts), especially solutions that can work within the practical realities of different U.S. regions and agricultural contexts.
What does it mean that the program focuses on "complete and sustainable bioenergy systems"?
Based on the description provided, the program emphasizes systems-level work rather than isolated laboratory advances. This typically implies integrating multiple parts of a bioenergy system in a way that supports real-world deployment at meaningful scale.
What parts of a bioenergy system are implied by the "systems" framing in the description?
The description suggests systems work may span feedstock development and production, conversion technologies, logistics and supply chains, and sustainability considerations, with all components aligned to enable deployment.
What does "regionally appropriate" mean in this opportunity?
The "regionally appropriate" language indicates projects are expected to account for local conditions and constraints. That can include local growing conditions, resource limitations, existing agricultural practices, infrastructure, and environmental tradeoffs so that solutions are viable and scalable in the regions where they would be implemented.
What is the funding instrument for this opportunity?
The funding instrument is a grant.
What activity categories does this opportunity align with?
The activity categories align with agriculture, energy, and natural resources.
Who is eligible to apply?
The public listing indicates eligible applicants fall under "Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification)." This suggests eligibility is broader than a single institution type, but applicants would need to review the full Request for Applications (RFA) for the specific eligibility rules.
Does the summary specify which organization types (universities, nonprofits, companies, etc.) can apply?
No. The information provided here does not list specific organization types. It notes that the full RFA should be checked for details, since eligibility conditions can vary across AFRI program areas.
Is the award ceiling listed in the summary information provided?
No. The summary information provided does not specify an award ceiling.
Does the summary indicate the expected number of awards?
No. The summary information provided does not state the expected number of awards.
Where would applicants find details like award size, number of awards, and exact eligibility requirements?
Based on the description, those details would need to be confirmed in the full solicitation (the RFA) or accompanying program guidance, since the public summary does not include them.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Agriculture, Energy, Natural Resources
Next opportunity: DoD Gulf War Illness Clinical Partnership Award
Previous opportunity: Restore Wetland Habitat at the Abandoned Glacier Creek Livery Facility, Rocky Mountain National Park
USGrants.org Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for USDA NIFA AFRI 005460
[Watch] how do funding administrators access proposals?
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (USDA NIFA AFRI 005460) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Agriculture and Food Research Initiative - Sustainable Bioenergy and Bioproducts Challenge Area Apply for USDA NIFA AFRI 006352 Funding Number: USDA NIFA AFRI 006352 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture, Energy, Natural Resources Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants

Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Subscribe to Leads
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "USDA NIFA AFRI 005460", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.
