Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Childhood Obesity Prevention | Apply Online

AFRI Childhood Obesity Prevention Grant (USDA NIFA) - FAQs

What is this grant opportunity?

The Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) Childhood Obesity Prevention grant opportunity is a discretionary, competitive grant program administered by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) under CFDA 10.310. The Funding Opportunity Number is USDA NIFA AFRI 003742.

What national challenge is this program focused on?

The program is built around reducing childhood and adolescent overweight and obesity, which is described in the announcement as the leading nutrition-related problem in the United States.

Who is the target population for the program's long-term outcome?

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

How does the program frame the causes and drivers of obesity risk?

The opportunity frames food and the broader food system as central drivers of obesity risk, and it highlights USDA's role and responsibility due to its connection to agriculture, food production, and nutrition systems.

Is this funding intended for research only, or for implementation as well?

The opportunity emphasizes approaches that go beyond a single research study or a standalone education campaign. It supports multi-function projects that can combine research with practical implementation components such as education, outreach, and extension activities that move evidence into real-world settings.

What types of projects does this opportunity support?

The announcement supports multi-function Integrated Research, Education, and/or Extension Projects. It also supports Food and Agricultural Science Enhancement (FASE) Grants, which are typically intended to strengthen and broaden participation, capacity, or impact within the food and agricultural sciences.

What does "Integrated Research, Education, and/or Extension" mean in this context?

Based on the summary, integrated projects are expected to combine research with practical components such as education, outreach, and extension activities, with the aim of moving evidence into real-world settings rather than operating as a standalone study or campaign.

What are FASE Grants and how do they relate to this program?

FASE (Food and Agricultural Science Enhancement) Grants are supported under this opportunity and are typically intended to strengthen and broaden participation, capacity, or impact within the food and agricultural sciences. Exact rules depend on the project type selected, as described in the full announcement.

How much funding is available under this opportunity?

The estimated total program funding amount listed is $5,000,000.

What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?

The award ceiling is $1,000,000.

Is there a minimum award amount (award floor)?

The award floor is listed as $0, which generally indicates no minimum award size is specified in the summarized record.

Is cost sharing or matching required?

Yes. Cost sharing or matching is required. Applicants should plan for a project budget that includes non-federal contributions or other matching resources consistent with the rules in the full solicitation.

What type of funding instrument is used?

The funding instrument is a grant.

What activity categories are associated with this opportunity?

The activity categories connected to the opportunity include agriculture, education, food and nutrition, and health.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is broad but depends on the chosen project type. Eligible applicant categories listed include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, nonprofits (including 501(c)(3) organizations and certain nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status other than institutions of higher education), for-profit organizations other than small businesses, small businesses, individuals, Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments), and other entities as further clarified in the announcement.

Does eligibility depend on the type of project being proposed?

Yes. The notice explicitly states that eligibility is linked to the project type. Applicants are directed to consult the program area descriptions and project type definitions within the full announcement for precise requirements.

Where should applicants look for the exact eligibility rules and project type requirements?

The summary indicates that exact eligibility rules are tied to the project type selected, and applicants should consult the program area descriptions and project type definitions in the full announcement for the precise requirements.

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

Key dates provided indicate the opportunity was posted on April 9, 2012. The application closing date was June 5, 2012, and the archive date was July 5, 2012.

Is this opportunity still open?

Based on the dates provided (closing date June 5, 2012 and archive date July 5, 2012), this specific posting is historical.

Which USDA agency administers this program?

The program is administered by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA).

What is the CFDA number associated with this program?

The opportunity is listed under CFDA 10.310.

What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this announcement?

The Funding Opportunity Number is USDA NIFA AFRI 003742.

What kind of help is available if someone has trouble accessing the application systems?

NIFA provided a help desk contact for access issues at 202-401-5048, available during business hours 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET, excluding federal holidays.

Who should applicants contact with questions about preparing application content?

The summary notes that additional contacts are available for questions related to preparing application content, as detailed in the full announcement.