Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NIFA AFRI 004412
Apply for USDA NIFA AFRI 004412
- The National Institute of Food and Agriculture in the agriculture community development energy environment food and nutrition natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Foundational Program" 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 Dec 23, 2013 and posted on Dec 23, 2013.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Sep 29, 2014 All Program Areas within the AFRI Foundational Program Area require a Letter of Intent and is a prerequisite for submission of an application. Refer to the Program Area Descriptions beginning in Part I, C for Letter of Intent deadlines for a specific Program Area.. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $82,000,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $500,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
- Eligibility is linked to the project type requested in Program Area Descriptions beginning in Part I, C. All project types are described beginning in Part II, C.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) Foundational Program is a discretionary grant opportunity run by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) under CFDA 10.310. Its purpose is to fund research that strengthens the core scientific foundation needed to address both current and long-term challenges facing agriculture, food systems, natural resources, and rural communities. Rather than focusing on a single narrow topic, the program is structured around major national priority areas and is meant to generate practical and transferable knowledge that can improve productivity, sustainability, and public well-being over time.
The program is organized around six AFRI priority areas. These include 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. Applicants are expected to align their proposals with one of these areas and, more specifically, with the Program Area Priorities described in the official Foundational Program Request for Applications (RFA). In other words, a proposal needs to fit not only the general priority area but also the detailed focus topics laid out for that year and program area.
AFRI Foundational supports several project types. Single-function Research Projects typically concentrate on generating new knowledge or technologies through research alone. Multi-function Integrated Projects combine multiple components such as research, education, and extension in a coordinated way, with the goal of accelerating real-world adoption and impact. The program also includes Food and Agricultural Science Enhancement (FASE) Grants, which are designed to strengthen and broaden participation and capacity within the food and agricultural sciences, depending on the specific FASE mechanisms described in the RFA. The key point is that the appropriate project type, requirements, and review expectations depend on the specific program area and the type of project an applicant selects.
A required procedural feature of this opportunity is the Letter of Intent (LOI). For all program areas within the AFRI Foundational Program, submitting an LOI is mandatory and is a prerequisite to submitting a full application. The LOI deadlines vary by program area, and applicants are directed to the Program Area Descriptions (Part I, Section C of the RFA) to find the correct date and instructions. Missing the LOI step would typically make an applicant ineligible to submit the full proposal for that program area.
From a funding perspective, the opportunity listed an estimated total funding level of $82,000,000. The award ceiling was stated as $500,000, with an award floor of $0, meaning some awards could be smaller depending on project type and program area expectations. The funding instrument is a grant, and the activity categories span agriculture, community development, energy, environment, food and nutrition, and natural resources, reflecting the broad scope of AFRI priorities. Cost sharing or matching is required, so applicants should plan to document and justify matching contributions in line with the program rules for the particular project type and area.
Eligibility is not presented as a single blanket rule in the summary data because it depends on the specific program area and project type. The listing indicates “Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification),†and also notes that eligibility is linked to the project type requested, with details provided in the Program Area Descriptions (Part I, C) and the project type descriptions (Part II, C). In practice, that means prospective applicants must confirm eligibility by reading the section that governs the exact program area they intend to apply to and ensuring they meet any institutional or applicant-category requirements tied to that project type.
Key dates in the listing show the opportunity was posted and created on December 23, 2013, with an original and current closing date of September 29, 2014, and an archive date of October 29, 2014. While those dates indicate this specific notice is historical, the structure described is representative of how AFRI Foundational competitions are often run, including the priority-area framework and the required LOI process.
For support, NIFA provided a help desk contact for difficulties accessing the full announcement electronically (202-401-5048) during business hours, and indicated that additional assistance was available for questions related to preparing application content. The official RFA and the program page linked in the announcement are the central sources for the detailed program area priorities, required forms, formatting rules, budget limits by project type, match requirements, and submission instructions.
AFRI Foundational Program (USDA NIFA) Grant Opportunity FAQs
What is the AFRI Foundational Program?
The Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) Foundational Program is a discretionary USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) grant program (CFDA 10.310). It funds research intended to strengthen the core scientific foundation needed to address both current and long-term challenges in agriculture, food systems, natural resources, and rural communities.
What is the main purpose of this grant opportunity?
The purpose is to generate practical and transferable knowledge that improves productivity, sustainability, and public well-being over time. The program is designed around major national priority areas rather than a single narrow topic.
Who runs and administers the AFRI Foundational Program?
The program is run by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA).
What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?
This opportunity is listed under CFDA 10.310.
What kinds of topics does AFRI Foundational support?
AFRI Foundational supports a broad range of topics across agriculture and food systems, natural resources, and rural communities. Applicants must align proposals to one of the program's priority areas and to the detailed Program Area Priorities described in the official Foundational Program Request for Applications (RFA).
What are the six AFRI 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
- Agriculture Economics and Rural Communities
Does my proposal have to fit a specific priority area?
Yes. Proposals are expected to align with one of the six AFRI priority areas, and also match the more specific Program Area Priorities described in the RFA for the relevant year and program area.
Is it enough to match a general priority area, or do I need to match a specific focus topic too?
You need both. A proposal must fit the broad priority area and also the detailed focus topics (Program Area Priorities) listed in the RFA for that particular program area.
Where do I find the detailed Program Area Priorities for the year?
The detailed priorities are in the official Foundational Program Request for Applications (RFA), specifically in the Program Area Descriptions (Part I, Section C).
What project types does AFRI Foundational support?
The program supports multiple project types, including Single-function Research Projects, Multi-function Integrated Projects, and Food and Agricultural Science Enhancement (FASE) Grants. The appropriate project type, requirements, and review expectations vary by program area and selection.
What is a Single-function Research Project?
Single-function Research Projects typically focus on generating new knowledge or technologies through research alone.
What is a Multi-function Integrated Project?
Multi-function Integrated Projects combine multiple components (such as research, education, and extension) in a coordinated way, with the goal of accelerating real-world adoption and impact.
What are FASE Grants in the context of AFRI Foundational?
Food and Agricultural Science Enhancement (FASE) Grants are intended to strengthen and broaden participation and capacity within the food and agricultural sciences, depending on the specific FASE mechanisms described in the RFA.
How do I know which project type is appropriate for my proposal?
The correct project type depends on the specific program area and what you are proposing. Requirements and review expectations vary, so applicants are directed to the project type descriptions (Part II, Section C) and the Program Area Descriptions (Part I, Section C) in the RFA.
Is a Letter of Intent (LOI) required?
Yes. For all program areas within the AFRI Foundational Program, submitting a Letter of Intent (LOI) is mandatory and is a prerequisite to submitting a full application.
If I do not submit an LOI, can I still submit a full application?
No. Missing the LOI step would typically make an applicant ineligible to submit the full proposal for that program area.
Do LOI deadlines vary by program area?
Yes. LOI deadlines vary by program area. Applicants are directed to the Program Area Descriptions (Part I, Section C of the RFA) for the correct date and instructions.
Where do I find LOI instructions and the correct LOI deadline?
LOI instructions and deadlines are provided in the Program Area Descriptions (Part I, Section C) of the official RFA.
What is the estimated total funding available for this opportunity?
The estimated total funding level listed for this opportunity is $82,000,000.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling is stated as $500,000.
Is there a minimum award amount (award floor)?
The award floor is listed as $0, meaning awards could be smaller depending on the project type and program area expectations.
What type of funding instrument is used?
The funding instrument is a grant.
What activity categories does this program cover?
The activity categories span agriculture, community development, energy, environment, food and nutrition, and natural resources, reflecting the broad scope of AFRI priorities.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
Yes. Cost sharing or matching is required, so applicants should plan to document and justify matching contributions according to the rules for the specific project type and program area.
Where are the matching or cost-share requirements explained?
The detailed match requirements are described in the official RFA and may vary based on project type and program area.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is not presented as a single blanket rule in the summary because it depends on the specific program area and the project type. The listing notes "Others" and indicates that eligibility is linked to the project type requested, with details provided in the RFA.
Where can I confirm eligibility for my specific program area and project type?
Eligibility details are provided in the Program Area Descriptions (Part I, Section C) and the project type descriptions (Part II, Section C) of the RFA.
What were the key dates for this listing?
The opportunity was posted and created on December 23, 2013. The original and current closing date was September 29, 2014, and the archive date was October 29, 2014.
Is this specific notice current or historical?
The dates indicate this specific notice is historical. However, the structure described is presented as representative of how AFRI Foundational competitions are often run, including the priority-area framework and required LOI process.
Where should applicants look for the official requirements and submission instructions?
The official RFA and the program page linked in the announcement are the central sources for detailed program area priorities, required forms, formatting rules, budget limits by project type, match requirements, and submission instructions.
Who do I contact if I cannot access the full announcement electronically?
NIFA provided a help desk contact for difficulties accessing the full announcement electronically at 202-401-5048 during business hours.
Is there support available for questions about preparing the application content?
Yes. The announcement indicates that additional assistance was available for questions related to preparing application content, with the RFA and program page serving as the primary reference sources.
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