Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Childhood Obesity Prevention | Apply Online

AFRI Childhood Obesity Prevention (USDA-NIFA-AFRI-004492) FAQs

What is the AFRI Childhood Obesity Prevention funding opportunity?

The Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) Childhood Obesity Prevention opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number USDA-NIFA-AFRI-004492) is a discretionary grant program administered by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) under CFDA 10.310. It is part of the Agriculture, Food and Nutrition funding activity category and is run as a "challenge area" competition focused on reducing and ultimately ending obesity among children and adolescents in the United States.

What public health issue is this program designed to address?

The program is designed to address childhood and adolescent overweight and obesity, described as one of the most pressing public health issues in the United States.

What is the long-term outcome NIFA is trying to achieve through this program?

The long-term outcome is to reduce the prevalence of overweight and obesity among children and adolescents ages 2 through 19.

Why does this opportunity focus on food systems and agriculture?

The opportunity is built around the idea that food and the broader food system play a central role in the pathways that lead to childhood overweight and obesity. Because USDA has a unique role in shaping and supporting the U.S. food system, the program targets solutions that connect nutrition and health outcomes with food, agriculture, and the community or institutional environments where children and families make dietary and activity decisions.

What types of projects does the program support?

NIFA indicates two main types of awards: (1) multi-function integrated projects and (2) Food and Agricultural Science Enhancement (FASE) Grants. Specific configurations and requirements are tied to the full announcement, particularly the project type descriptions.

What is a multi-function integrated project in this program?

Multi-function integrated projects can combine research, education, and/or extension components in a coordinated way. They are typically expected to go beyond isolated studies by linking knowledge generation with practical delivery and adoption, such as translating findings into educational programming, community interventions, school-based efforts, extension outreach, or other real-world applications.

What are FASE Grants in the context of this opportunity?

FASE Grants are described as a category NIFA commonly uses to strengthen and broaden participation and capacity in food and agricultural sciences. For this opportunity, the specific eligibility and requirements for FASE are tied to the project type descriptions in the full announcement.

How much total funding was available for this competition?

The estimated total funding available under the opportunity was $9,000,000.

Is there a stated minimum or maximum award amount in the summary?

No. The listing shows no stated award ceiling or floor in the summary fields (both are listed as 0). This generally indicates applicants needed to rely on the full program announcement for expected award sizes, project durations, and budgeting guidance.

Was cost sharing or matching required?

Yes. Cost sharing or matching was required, meaning applicants needed to plan for and document non-federal contributions consistent with the solicitation rules.

What were the key dates for the application process?

The opportunity followed a two-step deadline structure: a mandatory Letter of Intent (LOI) deadline and a full application deadline. The LOI was due by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on April 17, 2014. The full application deadline (closing date) was June 19, 2014.

Was a Letter of Intent (LOI) required?

Yes. A Letter of Intent (LOI) was mandatory and had to be received by the stated deadline. Submission of an LOI was a prerequisite for submitting a full application.

What time zone and time applied to the LOI deadline?

The LOI had to be received by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on April 17, 2014.

What time zone and time applied to the full application deadline?

The full application deadline was also time-specific: June 19, 2014, with the LOI requirement explicitly repeated, and the submission time referenced as 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time in the LOI instructions.

When was this funding opportunity posted and when was it archived?

The opportunity was posted and created on March 5, 2014, and later archived on July 19, 2014, indicating it was tied to that specific competition cycle.

Who was eligible to apply?

Eligibility is described as being linked to project type. The summary field lists eligibility as "Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification)." In practical terms, who can apply depends on whether the applicant is pursuing an integrated research/education/extension project, a specific integrated configuration, or a FASE grant. The controlling details are in the solicitation section that outlines project types (referenced as beginning in Part II, C of the full announcement).

Where in the full announcement would applicants look for eligibility details?

The summary indicates that eligibility and related requirements are tied to the project type descriptions, referenced as beginning in Part II, C of the full announcement.

What USDA program identifiers are associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity is identified by Funding Opportunity Number USDA-NIFA-AFRI-004492 and is administered under CFDA 10.310.

What kind of help was available for technical issues with access or submission?

NIFA provided a help desk contact for technical access issues with the electronic announcement and submission materials: NIFA Help Desk at 202-401-5048. Hours were Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time, excluding federal holidays.

What issues should be directed to the NIFA Help Desk?

The help desk contact listed was specifically for technical access issues related to the electronic announcement and submission materials.

Were there resources for questions about preparing application content?

Yes. The announcement notes that applicants with questions about preparing application content could seek guidance, with full contact details typically provided in the complete funding announcement.