Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NIFA AFRI 003449
Apply for USDA NIFA AFRI 003449
- The National Institute of Food and Agriculture in the agriculture education food and nutrition health science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Food Safety" 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 May 25, 2011 and posted on May 25, 2011.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Oct 11, 2011 Letter of Intent Due Date July 5, 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 $7,000,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $7,000,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments) Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification) Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Small businesses 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 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.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Opportunity Summary:
The Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) Food Safety opportunity is a competitive grant program run by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) under the authority of the 2008 Farm Bill (Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008, section 7406). AFRI is positioned as NIFA's flagship competitive grants platform and is meant to fund projects that produce clear, measurable outcomes across research, education, and extension. While AFRI spans six broad priority areas overall, this specific funding opportunity focuses on the Food Safety priority and aligns with NIFA's wider effort in FY 2011 to organize funding around both core program areas and major societal challenges.
In FY 2011, AFRI funding is distributed through multiple Requests for Applications (RFAs). One RFA supports research projects across the full set of AFRI priority areas, while additional RFAs target five societal challenge areas: Childhood Obesity Prevention, Climate Change, Food Safety, Global Food Security, and Sustainable Bioenergy. This particular announcement is the Food Safety challenge area RFA, meaning it is intended to back work that directly advances food safety outcomes, potentially including integrated approaches that connect scientific research with education and outreach or extension activities to speed adoption and real-world impact. The overarching goal is not just generating knowledge, but translating it into practices, tools, or systems that can be measured in terms of improved food safety.
The opportunity is a discretionary grant program (FundingInstrumentType: Grant) listed under CFDA 10.310 (Agriculture and Food Research Initiative). The posted and creation date for the announcement is May 25, 2011. A Letter of Intent is due July 5, 2011, and full applications are due October 11, 2011 (original and current closing dates are the same). The archive date is November 10, 2011. The estimated total funding for the opportunity is stated as $7,000,000, and the award ceiling is also listed as $7,000,000, with an award floor of $0, which typically signals that award sizes may vary widely depending on project type, scope, and programmatic decisions.
Cost sharing or matching is required, so applicants should plan from the start to document allowable match sources and ensure the proposed budget and matching commitments meet the program rules. Because AFRI can make awards under two different legislative authorities, eligibility can differ by program area priorities and by project type, even within the same overall program. The announcement emphasizes that applicants must consult the specific Program Area Descriptions and the Eligibility Information section in the full RFA to confirm eligibility and any restrictions, especially for integrated projects. It also warns that applications from ineligible institutions will not be reviewed, and advises potential applicants who are uncertain to contact the program area contact before applying.
Eligible applicants are broad and include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, nonprofits (both 501(c)(3) and certain nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status, other than institutions of higher education), small businesses, other for-profit organizations, individuals, and certain Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments). There is also an "Others (see text)" category, indicating additional eligibility nuance that would be spelled out in the full announcement. In practice, the breadth of eligibility suggests NIFA is open to proposals from universities, nonprofit research and outreach organizations, and private-sector innovators, as long as they meet the specific authority and program rules that apply to the chosen project type.
The activity categories tied to the opportunity reflect its cross-cutting nature: agriculture, education, food and nutrition, health, science and technology, and other research and development. That mix reinforces that the Food Safety focus is not limited to laboratory research alone; it can encompass education and extension components aimed at getting validated food safety improvements into production, processing, distribution, and consumer-facing environments, depending on what the RFA prioritizes.
For applicants who need assistance accessing the announcement or navigating submission logistics, NIFA provides a help desk contact at 202-401-5048 during business hours (Monday through Friday, 7:00 am to 5:00 pm ET, excluding federal holidays). The announcement also indicates there are contacts for questions about preparing application content, and prospective applicants are expected to use those channels, particularly when eligibility questions or integrated project restrictions could affect whether an application is reviewed.
AFRI Food Safety (USDA NIFA) Grant Opportunity FAQs
What is the AFRI Food Safety grant opportunity?
The Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) Food Safety opportunity is a competitive grant program run by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). It supports projects intended to produce clear, measurable outcomes related to food safety, including research, education, and extension activities.
Which USDA program and authority is this opportunity associated with?
This opportunity is part of AFRI, described as NIFA's flagship competitive grants program. It is offered under the authority of the 2008 Farm Bill (Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008, Section 7406).
What does "Food Safety challenge area RFA" mean in this context?
In FY 2011, AFRI funding is organized through multiple Requests for Applications (RFAs). This announcement is the RFA specifically focused on the Food Safety societal challenge area, meaning the work proposed should directly advance food safety outcomes and may include integrated approaches that connect research with education and outreach/extension to speed real-world adoption and impact.
Is this a research-only grant, or can it include education and extension?
Based on the opportunity description, AFRI is intended to fund projects across research, education, and extension. This Food Safety RFA specifically notes that integrated approaches are possible, including linking scientific research with education and outreach/extension activities to promote adoption and measurable improvements in food safety.
What is the overarching goal of the AFRI Food Safety opportunity?
The goal is not only to generate knowledge, but also to translate results into practices, tools, or systems with measurable outcomes that improve food safety.
What type of funding instrument is being offered?
The funding instrument type listed is a Grant (a discretionary grant program).
What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?
The opportunity is listed under CFDA 10.310, Agriculture and Food Research Initiative.
When was this opportunity posted?
The posted date and creation date are both listed as May 25, 2011.
Is a Letter of Intent required, and when is it due?
A Letter of Intent is due July 5, 2011.
When are full applications due?
Full applications are due October 11, 2011. The original closing date and the current closing date are the same.
When is the archive date for this announcement?
The archive date is November 10, 2011.
How much total funding is expected to be available?
The estimated total program funding stated for this opportunity is $7,000,000.
What are the award ceiling and award floor?
The award ceiling is listed as $7,000,000 and the award floor is listed as $0. This typically indicates that award amounts may vary widely depending on the project type, scope, and programmatic decisions.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
Yes. Cost sharing or matching is required, so applicants should plan to document allowable match sources and ensure the project budget and matching commitments meet program rules.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants are broad and include:
- Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education
- Private institutions of higher education
- Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education)
- Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education)
- Small businesses
- Other for-profit organizations
- Individuals
- Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments)
- Others (see text), indicating additional eligibility nuances in the full announcement
Does eligibility vary depending on the project type or program authority?
Yes. The announcement notes that AFRI can make awards under two different legislative authorities, and eligibility can differ by program area priorities and by project type. Applicants are instructed to consult the Program Area Descriptions and the Eligibility Information section in the full RFA to confirm eligibility and restrictions (including restrictions related to integrated projects).
What happens if an ineligible institution submits an application?
The announcement states that applications from ineligible institutions will not be reviewed.
What should applicants do if they are unsure about eligibility?
The announcement advises applicants who are uncertain about eligibility to contact the program area contact before applying, and to consult the Program Area Descriptions and the Eligibility Information section in the full RFA.
What types of activities or topic areas does this opportunity cover?
The activity categories listed reflect a cross-cutting scope, including agriculture, education, food and nutrition, health, science and technology, and other research and development. This supports the idea that food safety work may involve more than laboratory research, potentially including education and extension aimed at adoption in real-world settings.
What is meant by "integrated approaches" for this Food Safety RFA?
In this announcement, integrated approaches refer to projects that connect scientific research with education and outreach/extension activities to speed adoption and increase measurable, real-world food safety impact.
Where can applicants get help with accessing the announcement or submission logistics?
NIFA provides a help desk contact at 202-401-5048, available Monday through Friday from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm ET, excluding federal holidays.
Are there contacts for questions about application content?
Yes. The announcement indicates that there are contacts for questions about preparing application content, and applicants are expected to use those channels, especially when eligibility questions or integrated project restrictions could affect whether an application is reviewed.
How does this Food Safety RFA fit within AFRI funding in FY 2011?
In FY 2011, AFRI funding is distributed through multiple RFAs. One RFA supports research projects across the full set of AFRI priority areas, while additional RFAs target five societal challenge areas: Childhood Obesity Prevention, Climate Change, Food Safety, Global Food Security, and Sustainable Bioenergy. This announcement is the Food Safety societal challenge area RFA.
What should applicants pay special attention to before applying?
Based on the announcement, applicants should pay close attention to (1) cost sharing/matching requirements, (2) eligibility rules that may vary by authority and project type, and (3) any restrictions described in the Program Area Descriptions and the Eligibility Information section of the full RFA, particularly for integrated projects.
Browse more business programs for Agriculture Services, Food Research Programs, Food Safety Research
Browse more opportunities from the same agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Agriculture Education Food and Nutrition Health Science and Technology and other Research and Development
Next opportunity: FY 2011 Funding Opportunity Announcement for capacity building programs, research projects and assessments to enable the global community to better prevent and respond to gender based violence (GBV) within refugee and conflict affected populations.
Previous opportunity: Mechanistic Studies of HIV exposed Seronegative Individuals (HESN)(R21)
USGrants.org Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for USDA NIFA AFRI 003449
[Watch] how do funding administrators access proposals?
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Subscribe to Leads
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "USDA NIFA AFRI 003449", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.