Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NIFA AFRI 003410

  • The National Institute of Food and Agriculture in the agriculture food and nutrition health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Childhood Obesity Prevention" 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 Jan 26, 2011 and posted on Jan 26, 2011.
  • Applicants must submit their applications by May 18, 2011. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
  • The funding agency has allocated a total of $8,600,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
  • Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $2,500,000.00 in funding.
  • The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 7 candidate(s).
  • Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification) Public and State controlled institutions of higher education Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments) Small businesses 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 Private institutions of higher education Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Individuals.
  • The list above is abbreviated. Others may be eligible to apply. Eligibility may differ based on Program Area. Please review Part III, A of the current AFRI Childhood Obesity Prevention RFA for more specific eligibility requirements. Note restrictions that apply to integrated applicants. Applications from ineligible institutions will not be reviewed.
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Opportunity Summary:

The Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) Childhood Obesity Prevention grant opportunity is a discretionary funding program run by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) that targets one of the most pressing nutrition and public health issues in the United States: reducing overweight and obesity among children and adolescents ages 2 to 19. The program is built around the idea that obesity is not just an individual behavioral issue, but a food-system issue as well. It highlights that the U.S. food supply is rich in highly palatable, energy-dense foods that tend to be low in nutrient content, and it emphasizes USDA's unique role and responsibility in shaping the food and agricultural system that influences what is produced, marketed, available, and ultimately consumed. The long-term goal of the program is clear and outcome-focused: measurably reduce the prevalence of childhood and adolescent overweight and obesity.

Funding is provided through grants, with an estimated total funding pool of $8.6 million and an expectation of about seven awards. Individual awards can be as large as $2.5 million, with no stated minimum award amount (the award floor is listed as $0). Importantly, the opportunity does not require cost sharing or matching funds, which can reduce barriers for applicants that may not have substantial non-federal resources to contribute. The funded work falls under the broad activity categories of agriculture, food and nutrition, and health, reflecting the program's cross-cutting intent to address obesity through solutions that connect agricultural production and food environments to dietary patterns and health outcomes.

A key feature of this opportunity is the type of projects NIFA is looking to support. Rather than funding only narrow research studies, the program prioritizes multi-function, integrated projects that combine Research, Education, and/or Extension in a coordinated way. In practical terms, that means NIFA is encouraging proposals that not only generate new knowledge, but also translate that knowledge into training, curriculum, community-based education, outreach, and implementation strategies that can be adopted in real-world settings. Alongside these integrated projects, the program also supports Food and Agricultural Science Enhancement (FASE) Grants, which are commonly used within AFRI to broaden participation and strengthen the capacity of institutions or investigators, depending on the specific FASE mechanism and rules in the request for applications (RFA). Applicants are expected to align their proposed work with one of the Program Area Priorities described in the AFRI Childhood Obesity Prevention RFA, which serves as the detailed blueprint for what topics, populations, settings, and approaches are considered responsive.

The eligibility pool is broad and includes many types of organizations and individuals. Eligible applicants include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, nonprofits (both those with and without 501(c)(3) status, with the usual distinctions noted in the announcement), small businesses, other for-profit organizations, Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments, as specifically stated), and individuals. However, the notice also makes it clear that the eligibility list is abbreviated and can vary depending on the specific Program Area within the Childhood Obesity Prevention portfolio. It also flags that there are restrictions that apply to integrated project applicants, which is typical for AFRI programs that require certain project structure, partnerships, and component integration. Because applications from ineligible institutions will not be reviewed, applicants are directed to verify eligibility in Part III, A of the official AFRI Childhood Obesity Prevention RFA before investing substantial effort in proposal development.

From an administrative standpoint, this opportunity was posted on January 26, 2011, with an application deadline of May 18, 2011, and it was archived on June 17, 2011. The catalog listing is under CFDA 10.310 (AFRI), and the funding opportunity number is USDA NIFA AFRI 003410. For applicants who need help accessing the full announcement or navigating submission materials, NIFA provides support through its Help Desk (202-401-5048) during standard weekday business hours (7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET). The full details, including the specific Program Area Priorities, required project components, evaluation criteria, and any special requirements for integrated projects or FASE mechanisms, are contained in the linked AFRI RFA documentation referenced in the announcement.

AFRI Childhood Obesity Prevention Grant (USDA NIFA) FAQs

What is the AFRI Childhood Obesity Prevention grant opportunity?

The Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) Childhood Obesity Prevention opportunity is a discretionary grant program run by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). It funds work aimed at reducing overweight and obesity among children and adolescents and supports projects that connect agriculture and food systems to nutrition and health outcomes.

What is the main goal of this program?

The long-term, outcome-focused goal is to measurably reduce the prevalence of childhood and adolescent overweight and obesity.

Who is the target population for this funding opportunity?

The program targets children and adolescents ages 2 to 19.

How does the program frame the childhood obesity problem?

The program emphasizes that obesity is not only an individual behavior issue, but also a food-system issue. It highlights that the U.S. food supply includes many highly palatable, energy-dense foods that tend to be low in nutrient content, and it points to USDA's role in influencing what is produced, marketed, available, and consumed.

Which agency administers and funds this opportunity?

The opportunity is administered by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) under the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI).

What kinds of activities or topic areas does the grant cover?

The funded work falls under broad activity categories including agriculture, food and nutrition, and health, reflecting the program's cross-cutting focus.

How much total funding is available?

The estimated total funding pool is $8.6 million.

How many awards does NIFA expect to make?

The announcement indicates an expectation of about seven awards.

What is the maximum award size?

Individual awards can be as large as $2.5 million.

Is there a minimum award amount?

No minimum award amount is stated. The award floor is listed as $0.

Does the program require cost sharing or matching funds?

No. The opportunity does not require cost sharing or matching funds.

What types of projects does NIFA prioritize for this opportunity?

NIFA prioritizes multi-function, integrated projects that combine Research, Education, and/or Extension in a coordinated way, rather than supporting only narrow research studies.

What does "integrated" mean in this grant context?

In practical terms, integrated projects are expected to coordinate Research, Education, and/or Extension so that new knowledge can be generated and also translated into real-world training, curriculum, community-based education, outreach, and implementation strategies.

Are Research-only projects supported?

The opportunity description emphasizes that NIFA prioritizes integrated projects rather than funding only narrow research studies. Applicants should rely on the official AFRI Childhood Obesity Prevention RFA for the specific project types and requirements under each Program Area Priority.

What are FASE Grants, and are they part of this opportunity?

Yes. The program also supports Food and Agricultural Science Enhancement (FASE) Grants, which are commonly used within AFRI to broaden participation and strengthen institutional or investigator capacity, depending on the specific FASE mechanism and rules described in the RFA.

Do applicants need to align proposals to specific priorities?

Yes. Applicants are expected to align proposed work with one of the Program Area Priorities described in the AFRI Childhood Obesity Prevention Request for Applications (RFA).

Where are the detailed requirements and priorities listed?

The detailed blueprint for responsive topics, populations, settings, approaches, required project components, evaluation criteria, and any special requirements for integrated projects or FASE mechanisms is contained in the AFRI Childhood Obesity Prevention RFA documentation referenced in the announcement.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is broad and includes: public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, nonprofits (with and without 501(c)(3) status, as noted), small businesses, other for-profit organizations, Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments, as specifically stated), and individuals.

Is the eligibility list the same for every Program Area Priority?

Not necessarily. The notice states the eligibility list is abbreviated and can vary depending on the specific Program Area within the Childhood Obesity Prevention portfolio.

Are there any special restrictions for integrated project applicants?

Yes. The notice flags that restrictions apply to integrated project applicants, which is typical for AFRI programs that require certain project structure, partnerships, and component integration. Applicants are directed to confirm the specific restrictions in the RFA.

What happens if an ineligible organization applies?

Applications from ineligible institutions will not be reviewed. Applicants are instructed to verify eligibility in Part III, A of the official RFA before investing substantial effort in proposal development.

What is the CFDA number for this program?

The catalog listing is under CFDA 10.310 (AFRI).

What is the funding opportunity number?

The funding opportunity number is USDA NIFA AFRI 003410.

When was this opportunity posted, and what were the key dates?

The opportunity was posted on January 26, 2011. The application deadline was May 18, 2011. It was archived on June 17, 2011.

Where can applicants get help accessing the announcement or submission materials?

NIFA provides support through its Help Desk at 202-401-5048 during weekday business hours (7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET).

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