Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NIFA AFRI 003040
Apply for USDA NIFA AFRI 003040
- The National Institute of Food and Agriculture in the agriculture education energy environment food and nutrition health natural resources regional development science and technology and other research and development 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 Mar 22, 2010 and posted on Mar 22, 2010.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 23, 2010 Aug 23, 2010 This program has multiple deadline dates occurring throughout FY 2010. Please refer to the current Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Foundational Program 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 $64,000,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $750,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 125 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education 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) Private institutions of higher education Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification) For profit organizations other than small businesses Small businesses Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Individuals.
- 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 (page 4)) 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) Foundational Program is the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) flagship competitive grants program, authorized under section 7406 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (the 2008 Farm Bill). Its purpose is to fund high-impact work that strengthens U.S. agriculture and food systems by supporting research and, where applicable, education and extension activities tied to measurable outcomes. In FY 2010, NIFA structured AFRI funding through multiple Requests for Applications (RFAs), including one Foundational Program-focused opportunity that targets core, long-term scientific and programmatic needs across the agriculture and food enterprise.
This Foundational Program opportunity supports projects across six major 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 addition to the foundational research emphasis, AFRI also released separate RFAs in FY 2010 aligned with five broader societal challenge areas: Childhood Obesity Prevention, Climate Change, Food Safety, Global Food Security, and Sustainable Bioenergy. Together, these AFRI RFAs are designed to generate practical, evidence-based solutions and clear impacts, often encouraging approaches that connect discovery to application through education and extension components when appropriate.
The opportunity is a discretionary grant program (Funding Opportunity Number USDA NIFA AFRI 003040; CFDA 10.310). NIFA anticipated making about 125 awards from an estimated total funding amount of $64,000,000. Individual awards could be as large as $750,000, with no stated minimum award floor. The funding activity spans a wide range of categories including agriculture, education, energy, environment, food and nutrition, health, natural resources, regional development, science and technology, and other research and development fields, reflecting AFRI's broad mandate.
Eligibility is broad but not uniform across all program areas because AFRI can make awards under two different legislative authorities, and the applicable authority can change depending on the specific program area priorities and project type. Eligible applicants listed for this opportunity include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, nonprofits (including those with 501(c)(3) status and certain nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status), for-profit organizations (including small businesses and other for-profits), tribal organizations other than federally recognized tribal governments, and individuals. Because eligibility can vary by program area and because integrated project applications may face additional restrictions, applicants are expected to confirm eligibility for the specific program area they plan to apply under; NIFA notes that proposals from ineligible institutions will not be reviewed and encourages prospective applicants to contact the relevant program area contact if there is uncertainty.
A cost sharing or matching requirement applies, meaning applicants should plan for some level of non-federal contribution consistent with the rules in the RFA and the specific project type being proposed. The original posting date for this funding opportunity was March 22, 2010, with multiple deadlines occurring throughout FY 2010. The listed closing date is August 23, 2010, but NIFA emphasizes that applicants must follow the deadline tied to their specific program area within the FY 2010 Request for Applications. The opportunity was archived on September 22, 2010. For access issues with the full announcement, NIFA provided a help desk contact at 202-401-5048 during standard business hours (7:00 am to 5:00 pm ET, Monday through Friday).
AFRI Foundational Program (FY 2010) - FAQs
What is the AFRI Foundational Program?
The Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) Foundational Program is the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) flagship competitive grants program. It is authorized under section 7406 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (the 2008 Farm Bill) and is designed to support high-impact projects that strengthen U.S. agriculture and food systems.
What is the purpose of this Foundational Program funding opportunity?
The purpose is to fund high-impact work that strengthens U.S. agriculture and food systems by supporting research and, where applicable, education and extension activities tied to measurable outcomes.
What kind of activities can be supported (research, education, extension)?
This opportunity supports research and, where applicable, education and extension activities, especially when they connect discovery to application and are tied to measurable outcomes.
What are the major priority areas supported by this Foundational Program opportunity?
The opportunity supports projects across six major 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
How does the Foundational Program relate to AFRI "societal challenge" RFAs?
In FY 2010, AFRI funding was structured through multiple Requests for Applications (RFAs). In addition to the Foundational Program-focused opportunity, separate AFRI RFAs were aligned with five broader societal challenge areas: Childhood Obesity Prevention, Climate Change, Food Safety, Global Food Security, and Sustainable Bioenergy.
What is the funding opportunity number and CFDA number?
The Funding Opportunity Number is USDA NIFA AFRI 003040, and the CFDA number is 10.310.
What type of grant program is this?
This is a discretionary grant program.
How much total funding was anticipated, and how many awards were expected?
NIFA anticipated making about 125 awards from an estimated total funding amount of $64,000,000.
What is the maximum award size? Is there a minimum award amount?
Individual awards could be as large as $750,000. No minimum award floor is stated in the provided information.
What subject areas or fields does this opportunity cover?
The funding activity spans a wide range of categories, including agriculture, education, energy, environment, food and nutrition, health, natural resources, regional development, science and technology, and other research and development fields.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants listed for this opportunity include:
- Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education
- Private institutions of higher education
- Nonprofits (including those with 501(c)(3) status and certain nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status)
- For-profit organizations (including small businesses and other for-profits)
- Tribal organizations other than federally recognized tribal governments
- Individuals
Does eligibility vary by program area?
Yes. Eligibility is broad but not uniform across all program areas because AFRI can make awards under two different legislative authorities, and the applicable authority can change depending on the specific program area priorities and project type.
What happens if an ineligible organization submits a proposal?
NIFA notes that proposals from ineligible institutions will not be reviewed.
How can an applicant confirm whether they are eligible for a specific program area?
Applicants are expected to confirm eligibility for the specific program area they plan to apply under. If there is uncertainty, NIFA encourages prospective applicants to contact the relevant program area contact.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
Yes. A cost sharing or matching requirement applies, so applicants should plan for some level of non-federal contribution consistent with the rules in the RFA and the specific project type being proposed.
When was this opportunity posted?
The original posting date for this funding opportunity was March 22, 2010.
What are the deadlines and closing date?
There were multiple deadlines throughout FY 2010. The listed closing date is August 23, 2010, but applicants must follow the deadline tied to their specific program area within the FY 2010 Request for Applications.
Is this opportunity still open?
No. The opportunity was archived on September 22, 2010.
Where should applicants look to find the correct deadline for their topic?
Applicants should follow the deadline tied to their specific program area within the FY 2010 Request for Applications (RFA), since deadlines vary by program area.
Who can be contacted for help accessing the full announcement?
For access issues with the full announcement, NIFA provided a help desk contact at 202-401-5048 during standard business hours (7:00 am to 5:00 pm ET, Monday through Friday).
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