Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NIFA AFRI 003038
Apply for USDA NIFA AFRI 003038
- The National Institute of Food and Agriculture in the agriculture education environment food and nutrition natural resources other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification) regional development science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Climate Change" 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 30, 2010 and posted on Mar 22, 2010.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 16, 2010 This program has multiple deadline dates occurring throughout FY 2010. Please refer to the current Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Climate Change Request for Applications for a complete list of program deadlines. Applications must be received by the date appropriate to the Program Area listed in the FY 2010 Request for Applications. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $55,000,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $25,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 35 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Small businesses Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments) Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education For profit organizations other than small businesses Individuals Public and State controlled institutions of higher education Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification) Private institutions of higher education.
- The Agriculture and Food Research Initiative makes awards under two legislative authorities with different eligibilities. Depending on Program Area Priorities and Project Type, the authority used and hence eligibility, may be different within a particular Program. Please check the Program Area Descriptions (beginning in Part I, C) and the Eligibility Information section (Part III, A) for specific information. Note restrictions that apply to integrated applicants. If you are unsure of your eligibility contact the Program Area Contact listed for clarification before applying. Applications from ineligible institutions will not be reviewed.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) Climate Change grant opportunity is a competitive funding program run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). AFRI is NIFA's flagship competitive grants program, authorized under section 7406 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (the 2008 Farm Bill). For FY 2010, NIFA used AFRI to fund research, education, and extension efforts that can demonstrate significant and measurable outcomes, with this particular Request for Applications (RFA) focused on the societal challenge area of climate change as it relates to agriculture and food systems.
This climate change RFA sits within AFRI's broader structure, which supports six long-term priority areas: plant health and production and plant products; animal health and production and animal products; food safety, nutrition, and health; renewable energy, natural resources, and environment; agriculture systems and technology; and agriculture economics and rural communities. In FY 2010, NIFA announced seven RFAs total: one broad research-focused RFA spanning those six priority areas, plus additional RFAs organized around five major societal challenges (Childhood Obesity Prevention, Climate Change, Food Safety, Global Food Security, and Sustainable Bioenergy). The Climate Change RFA is meant to push forward practical, science-based approaches that help agricultural and related systems mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, adapt to changing climate conditions, improve resilience, and translate findings into on-the-ground impact through education and extension where appropriate.
The opportunity was offered as a discretionary grant program (Funding Opportunity Number USDA NIFA AFRI 003038) under CFDA 10.310 (Agriculture and Food Research Initiative). NIFA expected to make about 35 awards under this climate change announcement, with an estimated total funding level of $55,000,000. Individual awards could be quite large, with an award ceiling listed at $25,000,000, and no stated minimum award amount (award floor of $0, meaning smaller awards were possible depending on program area and project type). The program required cost sharing or matching, so applicants needed to plan for non-federal contributions consistent with the specific rules in the RFA and the program area requirements.
Timing and deadlines were structured around multiple due dates across FY 2010 rather than a single universal deadline. While a closing date of July 16, 2010 is listed, the announcement notes that there were multiple deadline dates throughout the fiscal year and that applicants had to submit by the deadline tied to the specific program area they were applying under. The posting date was March 22, 2010, with records indicating creation on March 30, 2010, and an archive date of September 30, 2010. Applicants were instructed to consult the full FY 2010 AFRI Climate Change RFA for the complete schedule of deadlines and the detailed program area descriptions.
Eligibility was broad but also somewhat complex because AFRI awards can be made under two different legislative authorities that carry different eligibility rules. As a result, eligibility could vary by program area priority and by project type, even within the same overall climate change program. The listed eligible applicant categories included public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, small businesses, other for-profit organizations, individuals, nonprofits (including 501(c)(3) and certain non-501(c)(3) nonprofits), and Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments), plus other eligible entities as clarified in the RFA. NIFA emphasized that some restrictions apply, particularly for integrated projects, and warned that applications from ineligible institutions would not be reviewed. The announcement strongly encouraged applicants who were uncertain about eligibility to contact the program area contact before applying and to rely on the eligibility section and program area descriptions in the official RFA.
In practical terms, this opportunity was designed for organizations and investigators proposing climate-relevant work that aligns with AFRI's agricultural priorities and can produce outcomes that are both scientifically credible and meaningful for producers, communities, and the broader food and agriculture sector. The announcement also noted that NIFA planned a separate fellowships solicitation (the NIFA Fellowships Grant Program RFA) to support predoctoral and postdoctoral fellows, released separately in April 2010, while this specific listing covers the AFRI Climate Change challenge area RFA itself.
For applicants needing assistance accessing the full announcement or troubleshooting, NIFA provided a help desk contact at 202-401-5048 during federal business hours (Monday through Friday, 7:00 am to 5:00 pm Eastern, excluding federal holidays), and directed applicants with questions about application content preparation to use the listed contact information in the full RFA.
AFRI Climate Change (FY 2010) Grant Opportunity FAQs
1) What is the AFRI Climate Change grant opportunity?
The AFRI Climate Change grant opportunity is a competitive funding program administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). It is a Request for Applications (RFA) under NIFA's Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) and focuses specifically on the societal challenge area of climate change as it relates to agriculture and food systems.
2) Which agency runs this program?
This opportunity is run by USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA).
3) What is AFRI?
AFRI (Agriculture and Food Research Initiative) is NIFA's flagship competitive grants program. It supports research, education, and extension activities intended to generate significant and measurable outcomes for U.S. food and agricultural systems.
4) What is the legal authority for AFRI?
AFRI is authorized under section 7406 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (the 2008 Farm Bill).
5) What is the focus of this particular RFA?
This RFA is focused on climate change as a societal challenge affecting agriculture and food systems. It is intended to advance practical, science-based approaches that help agricultural and related systems mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, adapt to changing climate conditions, and improve resilience. Where appropriate, it also supports translating findings into real-world impact through education and extension.
6) What kinds of projects does the Climate Change RFA support?
Based on the announcement, supported efforts can include research, education, and extension activities that demonstrate significant and measurable outcomes related to climate change in agriculture and food systems. The RFA emphasizes mitigation, adaptation, resilience, and translating findings into on-the-ground outcomes.
7) How does the Climate Change RFA fit into AFRI's broader priorities?
The Climate Change RFA sits within AFRI's overall structure, which supports six long-term priority areas: (1) plant health and production and plant products; (2) animal health and production and animal products; (3) food safety, nutrition, and health; (4) renewable energy, natural resources, and environment; (5) agriculture systems and technology; and (6) agriculture economics and rural communities.
8) Were there other AFRI RFAs in FY 2010 besides Climate Change?
Yes. In FY 2010, NIFA announced seven RFAs total: one broad research-focused RFA spanning the six long-term priority areas, plus additional RFAs organized around five major societal challenges: Childhood Obesity Prevention, Climate Change, Food Safety, Global Food Security, and Sustainable Bioenergy.
9) What type of funding mechanism is this?
This opportunity was offered as a discretionary grant program.
10) What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this announcement?
The Funding Opportunity Number listed is USDA NIFA AFRI 003038.
11) What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The announcement lists CFDA 10.310 (Agriculture and Food Research Initiative).
12) How much total funding was expected for the Climate Change RFA?
NIFA estimated a total funding level of $55,000,000 under this climate change announcement.
13) About how many awards did NIFA expect to make?
NIFA expected to make about 35 awards under this climate change announcement.
14) What was the maximum award size (award ceiling)?
The listed award ceiling is $25,000,000.
15) Is there a minimum award amount?
No minimum award amount is stated. The listing indicates an award floor of $0, meaning smaller awards were possible depending on the program area and project type.
16) Is cost sharing or matching required?
Yes. The program required cost sharing or matching, so applicants needed to plan for non-federal contributions consistent with the specific rules in the RFA and any program area requirements.
17) Is there one single deadline for all applications?
No. The announcement indicates multiple due dates across FY 2010 rather than one universal deadline. Applicants were required to submit by the deadline associated with the specific program area they were applying under.
18) What closing date is listed on the announcement?
A closing date of July 16, 2010 is listed, but the announcement also notes that there were multiple deadlines throughout the fiscal year tied to specific program areas.
19) When was the opportunity posted and when was it archived?
The posting date is March 22, 2010. Records indicate creation on March 30, 2010. The archive date is September 30, 2010.
20) Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is described as broad but potentially complex because AFRI awards can be made under two different legislative authorities with different eligibility rules. The listed eligible applicant categories include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, small businesses, other for-profit organizations, individuals, nonprofits (including 501(c)(3) and certain non-501(c)(3) nonprofits), and Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments), plus other eligible entities as clarified in the RFA.
21) Can eligibility vary depending on what you apply for?
Yes. The announcement notes that eligibility could vary by program area priority and by project type, even within the overall climate change program.
22) Are there restrictions that applicants should watch for?
Yes. NIFA emphasized that some restrictions apply, particularly for integrated projects, and stated that applications from ineligible institutions would not be reviewed. Applicants were encouraged to rely on the eligibility section and program area descriptions in the official RFA.
23) What should applicants do if they are unsure whether they are eligible?
The announcement strongly encouraged applicants who were uncertain about eligibility to contact the program area contact before applying and to consult the eligibility section and program area descriptions in the full FY 2010 AFRI Climate Change RFA.
24) Where can applicants find the full schedule of deadlines and program area details?
Applicants were instructed to consult the full FY 2010 AFRI Climate Change RFA for the complete schedule of deadlines and the detailed program area descriptions.
25) Is this opportunity intended only for research projects?
No. The announcement describes funding for research, education, and extension efforts, with an emphasis on measurable outcomes and real-world impact where appropriate.
26) What is the overall goal of the Climate Change RFA within agriculture and food systems?
The stated intent is to push forward practical, science-based approaches that help agricultural and related systems mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, adapt to climate change, improve resilience, and translate findings into on-the-ground impact through education and extension where appropriate.
27) Does this listing include fellowships for students or postdocs?
No. The announcement notes that NIFA planned a separate fellowships solicitation (the NIFA Fellowships Grant Program RFA) to support predoctoral and postdoctoral fellows, released separately in April 2010. This listing covers the AFRI Climate Change challenge area RFA itself.
28) Who should applicants contact for help accessing the full announcement or troubleshooting?
NIFA provided a help desk at 202-401-5048 during federal business hours (Monday through Friday, 7:00 am to 5:00 pm Eastern, excluding federal holidays) for assistance accessing the full announcement or troubleshooting.
29) Who should applicants contact with questions about application content and preparation?
The announcement directs applicants with questions about application content preparation to use the contact information listed in the full RFA.
30) What happens if an ineligible organization submits an application?
The announcement warns that applications from ineligible institutions would not be reviewed.
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