Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NIFA AFRI 004919
Apply for USDA NIFA AFRI 004919
- The National Institute of Food and Agriculture in the agriculture energy natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Agriculture and Natural Resources Science for Climate Variability and Change Challenge Area" 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 Mar 16, 2015 and posted on Feb 18, 2015.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 4, 2015 A Letter of Intent (LOI) must be received by (applications for conference grants are excluded from LOI requirement) 500 p.m. Eastern Time on April 2, 2015 (see Part IV, A. of this RFA). Applications must be received via Grants.gov by 500 p.m. Eastern Time on June 4, 2015.. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $5,000,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
- Eligibility is linked to the project type requested in Program Area Descriptions beginning in Part I, C. All project types are described beginning in Part II, C.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) Agriculture and Natural Resources Science for Climate Variability and Change Challenge Area is a discretionary grant opportunity administered by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). It is designed to support projects that help U.S. agriculture and forestry both mitigate climate change (by cutting greenhouse gas emissions and increasing carbon storage) and adapt to increasing climate variability (by improving the resilience of production systems). The program emphasizes practical, measurable improvements that can be implemented across working lands, including farms, ranches, and managed forests.
At its core, the opportunity targets outcomes tied to resource efficiency and carbon benefits. The stated long-term program goal is to reduce the use of energy, nitrogen fertilizer, and water by 10 percent, while increasing carbon sequestration by 15 percent, achieved through more resilient agricultural and forest production systems. In practice, that means NIFA is looking for work that can lead to real-world changes in how food and fiber are produced, such as improved management practices, new tools or decision supports, and strategies that maintain productivity under changing conditions while lowering environmental impacts.
The grant supports two main types of submissions. First are multi-function Integrated Projects that combine Research, Education, and/or Extension, which typically means applicants are expected not only to generate new knowledge, but also to translate it into training, outreach, and adoption by producers, land managers, educators, or other stakeholders. Second are Food and Agricultural Science Enhancement (FASE) Grants, a category within AFRI that supports particular project and applicant types defined in the solicitation. Applications must address one of the Program Area Priorities described in the Climate Variability and Change Request for Applications (RFA), which is where the specific topical priorities, required components, and review criteria are laid out.
Key administrative details include the funding opportunity number USDA NIFA AFRI 004919 and CFDA number 10.310 (Agriculture and Food Research Initiative). The estimated total funding available for this opportunity is $5,000,000. Cost sharing or matching is required, so applicants should plan for non-federal contributions according to the rules and percentages specified in the full RFA and the project type they select.
Timing and submission requirements are also clearly defined. A Letter of Intent (LOI) is required for most applications (conference grant applications are excluded from the LOI requirement). The LOI deadline is 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on April 2, 2015, and full applications must be submitted through Grants.gov by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on June 4, 2015. The opportunity was posted February 18, 2015, with an archive date of July 4, 2015.
Eligibility is not presented as a single universal rule in the summary information and instead depends on the project type selected. The announcement indicates that eligibility is linked to the project type described in the Program Area Descriptions (Part I, C) and the project type definitions (Part II, C) of the solicitation. In other words, prospective applicants need to match their institution and project concept to the specific eligibility language attached to the chosen grant mechanism (for example, integrated project versus a particular FASE category).
For support, NIFA lists a help desk for applicants who have trouble accessing the full announcement electronically: NIFA Help Desk at 202-401-5048, available Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time, excluding federal holidays. The full announcement and additional details are provided through the opportunity’s “Additional Information” link and the Climate Variability and Change RFA, which together include the program area priorities, required application components, and instructions for preparing and submitting a compliant proposal.
FAQs: AFRI Agriculture and Natural Resources Science for Climate Variability and Change (USDA NIFA)
What is this grant opportunity?
This is the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) Agriculture and Natural Resources Science for Climate Variability and Change Challenge Area, a discretionary grant opportunity administered by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA).
What is the main purpose of the program?
The program is designed to support projects that help U.S. agriculture and forestry both mitigate climate change (for example, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing carbon storage) and adapt to increasing climate variability (for example, improving the resilience of production systems).
What kinds of outcomes is NIFA looking for?
The emphasis is on practical, measurable improvements that can be implemented across working lands, including farms, ranches, and managed forests. The opportunity targets outcomes tied to resource efficiency and carbon benefits.
What is the long-term program goal stated in the opportunity summary?
The long-term goal is to reduce the use of energy, nitrogen fertilizer, and water by 10 percent, while increasing carbon sequestration by 15 percent, achieved through more resilient agricultural and forest production systems.
What are examples of the types of work this program wants to fund?
Based on the summary, NIFA is looking for work that can lead to real-world changes in how food and fiber are produced, such as improved management practices, new tools or decision supports, and strategies that maintain productivity under changing conditions while lowering environmental impacts.
What types of applications can be submitted under this opportunity?
The grant supports two main types of submissions: (1) multi-function Integrated Projects that combine Research, Education, and/or Extension; and (2) Food and Agricultural Science Enhancement (FASE) Grants, a category within AFRI that supports particular project and applicant types defined in the solicitation.
What is an Integrated Project in this context?
An Integrated Project is described as multi-function and may combine Research, Education, and/or Extension. The expectation is typically not only to generate new knowledge, but also to translate it into training, outreach, and adoption by producers, land managers, educators, or other stakeholders.
What are FASE Grants?
FASE Grants are a category within AFRI that supports particular project and applicant types defined in the solicitation. The specific eligible FASE categories and requirements are laid out in the program materials referenced in the announcement.
Do applications have to align with specific priorities?
Yes. Applications must address one of the Program Area Priorities described in the Climate Variability and Change Request for Applications (RFA). That RFA is where the specific topical priorities, required components, and review criteria are laid out.
What is the funding opportunity number and CFDA number?
The funding opportunity number is USDA NIFA AFRI 004919, and the CFDA number is 10.310 (Agriculture and Food Research Initiative).
How much total funding is available?
The estimated total funding available for this opportunity is $5,000,000.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
Yes. Cost sharing or matching is required, so applicants should plan for non-federal contributions according to the rules and percentages specified in the full RFA and the project type selected.
Is a Letter of Intent (LOI) required?
Yes, a Letter of Intent (LOI) is required for most applications. Conference grant applications are excluded from the LOI requirement.
When is the LOI deadline?
The LOI deadline is 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on April 2, 2015.
When are full applications due?
Full applications must be submitted through Grants.gov by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on June 4, 2015.
Where must applications be submitted?
Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov.
When was the opportunity posted and when was it archived?
The opportunity was posted on February 18, 2015, and it has an archive date of July 4, 2015.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility depends on the project type selected and is not presented as a single universal rule in the summary. The announcement indicates eligibility is linked to the project type described in the Program Area Descriptions (Part I, C) and the project type definitions (Part II, C) of the solicitation.
Where can applicants find the specific topical priorities, required components, and review criteria?
Those details are provided in the Climate Variability and Change RFA and related materials accessed via the opportunity's "Additional Information" link. These documents include the program area priorities, required application components, and instructions for preparing and submitting a compliant proposal.
What should applicants do if they cannot access the full announcement electronically?
NIFA provides a help desk for applicants who have trouble accessing the full announcement electronically: NIFA Help Desk at 202-401-5048, available Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time, excluding federal holidays.
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