Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NIFA AFRI 003958
Apply for USDA NIFA AFRI 003958
- The National Institute of Food and Agriculture in the agriculture community development energy environment food and nutrition health 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 Jan 10, 2013 and posted on Oct 15, 2012.
- Applicants must submit their applications by May 22, 2013. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 264,000,000 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
- 1. Research Projects Eligible applicants for Research Projects include1) State Agricultural Experiment Stations 2) colleges and universities (including junior colleges offering associate degrees or higher) 3) university research foundations 4) other research institutions and organizations 5) Federal agencies, 6) national laboratories 7) private organizations or corporations 8) individuals who are U.S. citizens, nationals, or permanent residents and 9) any group consisting of 2 or more entities identified in 1) through 8). Eligible institutions do not include foreign and international organizations. 2. Integrated Projects (Note that ONLY Agriculture, Economics and Rural Communities Program area (Part I, C. 6) is soliciting integrated projects through this RFA), Eligible applicants for Integrated Projects include 1) colleges and universities 2) 1994 Land Grant Institutions and (3) Hispanic serving agricultural colleges and universities. For Integrated Projects, the terms college and university mean an educational institution in any state which 1) admits as regular students only persons having a certificate of graduation from a school providing secondary education, or the recognized equivalent of such a certificate 2) is legally authorized within such state to provide a program of education beyond secondary education 3) provides an educational program for which a bachelor s degree or any other higher degree is awarded 4) is a public or other nonprofit institution and 5) is accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency or association. A research foundation maintained by a college or university is eligible to receive an award under this program. 3. Hispanic serving Agricultural Colleges and Universities Section 7101 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (Pub. L. 110 246) amended section 1404 of NARETPA (7 U.S.C. 3103) to create a definition for a new group of cooperating institutions Hispanic serving Agricultural Colleges and Universities (HSACUs). HSACUs are colleges and universities that qualify as Hispanic serving Institutions (HSIs) and offer associate, bachelors, or other accredited degree programs in agriculture related fields. HSACUs do not include 1862 land grant institutions. Pursuant to section 406 of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (AREERA) (7 U.S.C. 7626), which authorized the Integrated Research, Education, and Extension Competitive Grant Program, all four year HSIs are eligible to apply for integrated projects as identified in the FY 2013 AFRI RFA. Two year HSIs may also be eligible to apply but only if the institution has been certified as a HSACU for the fiscal year in which funding is being provided. 4. Food and Agricultural Science Enhancement Grants The Food and Agricultural Science Enhancement (FASE) Grants have additional eligibility requirements. See RFA for details.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Opportunity Summary:
The Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) Foundational Program is a competitive grant opportunity run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). Its core purpose is to fund research that strengthens the scientific foundation needed to tackle major, long-term challenges facing U.S. agriculture and society. Projects are expected to build knowledge and develop approaches that can help the agricultural sector remain productive, resilient, and responsive to public needs over time.
The program is organized around six AFRI priority areas that cover the full pipeline from production to human outcomes and rural prosperity. These areas 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. Applications typically need to fit clearly within one of these areas and align with specific Program Area Priorities laid out in the Foundational Program Request for Applications (RFA). The opportunity supports Single Function Research Projects and also includes Food and Agricultural Science Enhancement (FASE) Grants, which are a related set of awards with additional eligibility or program rules described in the RFA.
This funding opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number USDA NIFA AFRI 003958; CFDA 10.310) is a discretionary grant program. The posted date in the source record is October 15, 2012, with an original and current closing date of May 22, 2013, and an archive date of June 21, 2013. The record lists a very large overall expected award amount (shown as 264,000,000) and notes that cost sharing or matching is required, meaning applicants should plan for required non-federal contributions consistent with the RFA and applicable USDA/NIFA rules. The award floor is listed as 0, which generally indicates awards can vary widely in size depending on the project type and program area.
Eligibility is broad for standard Research Projects. Eligible applicants include State Agricultural Experiment Stations; colleges and universities (including junior colleges offering associate degrees or higher); university research foundations; other research institutions and organizations; federal agencies and national laboratories; private organizations or corporations; and individuals who are U.S. citizens, nationals, or permanent residents. Applications can also be submitted by groups or partnerships of two or more eligible entities. A key limitation is that foreign and international organizations are not considered eligible institutions under this program.
The opportunity also references Integrated Projects, but with an important constraint: only the Agriculture Economics and Rural Communities program area is soliciting integrated projects under this particular RFA. Integrated Projects have narrower eligibility rules, generally focusing on colleges and universities, 1994 Land Grant Institutions, and Hispanic-Serving Agricultural Colleges and Universities (HSACUs). For integrated submissions, the definition of an eligible college or university is specific and includes being legally authorized to provide education beyond secondary school, awarding at least a bachelors degree, operating as a public or other nonprofit institution, and being accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency. University-affiliated research foundations are also eligible to receive awards.
Hispanic-Serving Agricultural Colleges and Universities are highlighted with additional statutory context. HSACUs are institutions that qualify as Hispanic-Serving Institutions and offer accredited agriculture-related degree programs at the associate level or higher, but they do not include 1862 land grant institutions. The source notes that four-year HSIs are eligible to apply for integrated projects as identified in the FY 2013 AFRI RFA, and two-year HSIs may be eligible only if the institution is certified as a HSACU for the fiscal year in which funding is provided. FASE Grants are mentioned as having additional eligibility requirements beyond the general categories, so applicants interested in FASE should rely on the RFA for the specific rules.
For support and access issues, NIFA provides help through the NIFA Help Desk at 202-401-5048 during standard weekday business hours (excluding federal holidays). Applicants are also directed to use the full announcement and RFA for detailed guidance on program area priorities, allowable project structures, cost-share requirements, and the application content expectations.
AFRI Foundational Program (USDA NIFA) FAQs
What is the AFRI Foundational Program?
The Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) Foundational Program is a competitive discretionary grant program run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). It funds research intended to strengthen the scientific foundation needed to address major, long-term challenges facing U.S. agriculture and society.
What is the main purpose of this funding opportunity?
The purpose is to support research that builds knowledge and develops approaches to help U.S. agriculture remain productive, resilient, and responsive to public needs over time.
Who runs and administers this opportunity?
This opportunity is administered by USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) under the AFRI Foundational Program.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number and CFDA number?
The Funding Opportunity Number is USDA NIFA AFRI 003958, and the CFDA number is 10.310.
Is this a competitive grant?
Yes. The AFRI Foundational Program is described as a competitive grant opportunity.
What types of projects does the Foundational Program support?
The opportunity supports Single Function Research Projects. It also includes Food and Agricultural Science Enhancement (FASE) Grants, which are a related set of awards with additional eligibility or program rules described in the Foundational Program Request for Applications (RFA).
What are the AFRI priority areas applicants must align with?
The program is organized around 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
Do applications need to fit within a specific priority area?
Yes. Applications typically need to fit clearly within one of the six AFRI priority areas and align with specific Program Area Priorities laid out in the Foundational Program RFA.
Where are the detailed program priorities and application requirements described?
They are described in the full announcement and the Foundational Program Request for Applications (RFA). The RFA is the source for detailed guidance on program area priorities, allowable project structures, cost-share requirements, and application content expectations.
Does this opportunity require cost sharing or matching?
Yes. The record notes that cost sharing or matching is required. Applicants should plan for required non-federal contributions consistent with the RFA and applicable USDA/NIFA rules.
How much funding is expected to be available overall?
The record lists a very large overall expected award amount shown as 264,000,000.
Is there a minimum award amount?
The award floor is listed as 0, which generally indicates awards can vary widely in size depending on the project type and program area.
When was this opportunity posted and when did it close?
The posted date in the source record is October 15, 2012. The original and current closing date is May 22, 2013. The archive date is June 21, 2013.
Who is eligible to apply for standard research projects?
Eligibility is broad for standard Research Projects. Eligible applicants include:
- State Agricultural Experiment Stations
- Colleges and universities (including junior colleges offering associate degrees or higher)
- University research foundations
- Other research institutions and organizations
- Federal agencies and national laboratories
- Private organizations or corporations
- Individuals who are U.S. citizens, nationals, or permanent residents
Can partnerships or multi-organization teams apply?
Yes. Applications can be submitted by groups or partnerships of two or more eligible entities.
Are foreign or international organizations eligible?
No. A key limitation is that foreign and international organizations are not considered eligible institutions under this program.
Are individuals eligible to apply?
Yes. Individuals may apply if they are U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, or permanent residents.
Does the opportunity include Integrated Projects?
It references Integrated Projects, but with a specific constraint: only the Agriculture Economics and Rural Communities program area is soliciting integrated projects under this particular RFA.
Which program area is soliciting Integrated Projects under this RFA?
Only the Agriculture Economics and Rural Communities program area is soliciting integrated projects under this particular RFA.
Who is eligible to submit Integrated Projects?
Integrated Projects have narrower eligibility rules. The description indicates they generally focus on colleges and universities, 1994 Land Grant Institutions, and Hispanic-Serving Agricultural Colleges and Universities (HSACUs), as described in the RFA.
How is an eligible college or university defined for Integrated Projects?
For integrated submissions, an eligible college or university is defined as being legally authorized to provide education beyond secondary school, awarding at least a bachelors degree, operating as a public or other nonprofit institution, and being accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency.
Are university-affiliated research foundations eligible for Integrated Project awards?
Yes. University-affiliated research foundations are identified as eligible to receive awards.
What is an HSACU in the context of this opportunity?
Hispanic-Serving Agricultural Colleges and Universities (HSACUs) are institutions that qualify as Hispanic-Serving Institutions and offer accredited agriculture-related degree programs at the associate level or higher. The description also notes that HSACUs do not include 1862 land grant institutions.
Are four-year Hispanic-Serving Institutions eligible for Integrated Projects?
The source notes that four-year HSIs are eligible to apply for integrated projects as identified in the FY 2013 AFRI RFA.
Are two-year Hispanic-Serving Institutions eligible for Integrated Projects?
Two-year HSIs may be eligible only if the institution is certified as an HSACU for the fiscal year in which funding is provided, as referenced in the opportunity description.
Do FASE Grants have different eligibility requirements?
Yes. FASE Grants are mentioned as having additional eligibility requirements beyond the general categories, so applicants interested in FASE should rely on the RFA for the specific rules.
Where can applicants get help with application access or technical issues?
NIFA provides help through the NIFA Help Desk at 202-401-5048 during standard weekday business hours (excluding federal holidays).
What should applicants rely on for final rules and requirements?
Applicants are directed to use the full announcement and the RFA for definitive guidance on program area priorities, allowable project structures, cost-share requirements, and application content expectations.
Browse more business programs for Agriculture Services, Food Research Programs
Browse more opportunities from the same agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Agriculture Community Development Energy Environment Food and Nutrition Health Natural Resources
Next opportunity: Alzheimers Disease Phase I Clinical Trials (R01)
Previous opportunity: Alzheimers Disease Prevention Trials (R01)
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 003958
[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 003958", 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.