Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NIFA AFRI 003536
Apply for USDA NIFA AFRI 003536
- The National Institute of Food and Agriculture in the agriculture education energy environment 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 Sustainable Bioenergy" 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 Nov 28, 2011 and posted on Sep 21, 2011.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Dec 15, 2011 In FY 2012, all Program Areas within the Sustainable Bioenergy Challenge Area require a Letter of Intent for submission of an application. For those programs requiring a Letter of Intent, a letter is required for all grant types except Conference Grant applications. Refer to Part IV, A (page 24) for instructions on the preparation of a Letter of Intent.. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $10,000,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification) Small businesses Public and State controlled institutions of higher education Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Private institutions of higher education Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments) Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education For profit organizations other than small businesses Individuals.
- Eligibility is linked to the project type requested in Program Area Descriptions beginning in Part I, C (page 5). All project types are described beginning in Part II, C (page 14). Eligible institutions for single function Research Projects are described in paragraph #1 below. Eligible institutions for multi functional Integrated Projects are described in paragraph #2 below.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) Sustainable Bioenergy funding opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number USDA NIFA AFRI 003536) is a discretionary federal grant program administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). It is framed as a "Challenge Area" request for applications (RFA) aimed at a broad national priority: strengthening America's energy security by accelerating the development and deployment of sustainable bioenergy solutions. The central long-term outcome is to reduce U.S. dependence on foreign oil by supporting research and related activities that enable the production of sustainable bioenergy from agricultural and biological resources.
This opportunity supports multiple project formats to match different kinds of work and different applicant capacities. Applicants can propose single-function Research Projects, or larger multi-function Integrated Projects that combine Research with Education and/or Extension components to move innovations beyond the lab and into workforce training and real-world practice. The RFA also includes Food and Agricultural Science Enhancement (FASE) Grants, which are typically designed to broaden participation and strengthen research capacity. The program sits at the intersection of agriculture, education, energy, environment, natural resources, regional development, and science and technology research and development, and it is listed under CFDA 10.310 (Agriculture and Food Research Initiative).
A key administrative feature for the referenced fiscal year is that a Letter of Intent (LOI) was required for all program areas within the Sustainable Bioenergy Challenge Area prior to submitting a full application, with the exception of Conference Grant applications. The LOI requirement is intended to help NIFA plan the review process and align proposals with the appropriate program area expectations. The original and current closing date for the full application cycle shown in the announcement is December 15, 2011, with the posting date of September 21, 2011, and the record archived on January 14, 2012.
The award structure indicates a high potential ceiling, with an Award Ceiling listed at up to $10,000,000, signaling that the program can support substantial, multi-institutional or multi-disciplinary efforts when appropriate. The announcement also states that cost sharing or matching is required, meaning applicants should be prepared to document non-federal contributions consistent with the RFA's rules and any program-area-specific requirements.
Eligibility is broad but tied closely to the specific project type being proposed, as described in the RFA sections referenced in the notice. Eligible applicant categories include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, small businesses, other for-profit organizations (beyond small businesses), nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (including those other than higher education institutions), Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments, as specified), and even individuals. However, because eligibility is linked to project type, applicants are expected to confirm their eligibility under the relevant single-function or integrated project definitions in the RFA before applying.
For support and access issues, NIFA provided help through its Help Desk (202-401-5048) during standard business hours, and the announcement notes that applicants with questions about preparing application content could seek assistance through the contacts provided in the full RFA. Overall, the opportunity is designed to fund research and translational efforts that help build a sustainable bioenergy sector, spanning discovery, technology development, education, and extension-driven adoption, with the overarching policy goal of improving national energy independence.
AFRI Sustainable Bioenergy (USDA NIFA AFRI 003536) - FAQs
What is the AFRI Sustainable Bioenergy funding opportunity?
The Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) Sustainable Bioenergy opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number USDA NIFA AFRI 003536) is a discretionary federal grant program administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). It is issued as a "Challenge Area" request for applications (RFA) focused on accelerating sustainable bioenergy solutions.
What is the main goal of this Challenge Area?
The long-term goal is to strengthen America's energy security by accelerating development and deployment of sustainable bioenergy solutions. The central intended outcome is reducing U.S. dependence on foreign oil by supporting research and related activities that enable production of sustainable bioenergy from agricultural and biological resources.
Which federal agency administers this grant?
This program is administered by USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA).
Is this a formula grant or a competitive/discretionary grant?
It is described as a discretionary federal grant program.
What kinds of projects can be funded under this opportunity?
The announcement describes multiple project formats, including single-function Research Projects and multi-function Integrated Projects. Integrated Projects combine Research with Education and/or Extension components to help move innovations beyond the lab and into workforce training and real-world practice.
What is the difference between a Research Project and an Integrated Project in this RFA?
A Research Project is a single-function project focused on research. An Integrated Project is multi-function and can combine Research with Education and/or Extension components, supporting both innovation and the activities needed for adoption, training, and practical implementation.
Does this opportunity include grants designed to broaden participation or build capacity?
Yes. The RFA includes Food and Agricultural Science Enhancement (FASE) Grants, which are typically designed to broaden participation and strengthen research capacity.
What topic areas or disciplines does the program connect?
The notice places the program at the intersection of agriculture, education, energy, environment, natural resources, regional development, and science and technology research and development, all tied to the sustainable bioenergy mission.
What is the CFDA number for this program?
The program is listed under CFDA 10.310 (Agriculture and Food Research Initiative).
Was a Letter of Intent (LOI) required?
Yes. For the referenced fiscal year, a Letter of Intent (LOI) was required for all program areas within the Sustainable Bioenergy Challenge Area before submitting a full application, except for Conference Grant applications.
Were any applications exempt from the LOI requirement?
Yes. Conference Grant applications were the exception noted in the announcement.
Why did NIFA require a Letter of Intent (LOI)?
The LOI requirement was intended to help NIFA plan the review process and align proposals with the appropriate program area expectations.
What was the full application closing date shown in the announcement?
The original and current closing date listed for the full application cycle was December 15, 2011.
When was this opportunity posted and when was the record archived?
The posting date shown is September 21, 2011, and the record was archived on January 14, 2012.
What is the maximum award amount?
The announcement lists an award ceiling of up to $10,000,000, indicating the program can support substantial efforts, including multi-institutional or multi-disciplinary projects when appropriate.
Does this program require cost sharing or matching funds?
Yes. The announcement states that cost sharing or matching is required. Applicants are expected to document non-federal contributions consistent with the RFA rules and any program-area-specific requirements.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is described as broad, but tied to the project type being proposed as defined in the RFA. Eligible categories listed in the notice include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, small businesses, other for-profit organizations, nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (including those other than higher education institutions), Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments, as specified), and individuals.
Is eligibility the same for every project format?
No. The notice emphasizes that eligibility is linked to the specific project type being proposed. Applicants are expected to confirm eligibility under the relevant single-function or integrated project definitions in the RFA before applying.
Can for-profit organizations apply?
Yes. The eligibility list includes small businesses and other for-profit organizations (beyond small businesses).
Can nonprofits apply even if they do not have 501(c)(3) status?
Yes. The eligibility categories include nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status.
Can individuals apply?
Yes. Individuals are included in the eligible applicant categories listed in the notice, with the reminder that eligibility is tied to the project type under the RFA.
Can institutions of higher education apply?
Yes. Both public and state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education are listed as eligible applicant categories.
Can Native American tribal organizations apply?
Yes. The notice lists Native American tribal organizations as eligible applicants, with the specific note "other than federally recognized tribal governments, as specified."
How should applicants confirm the right project type and eligibility rules?
The announcement points applicants to the RFA sections referenced in the notice, stating that eligibility is linked to project type and that applicants should confirm their eligibility under the relevant single-function or integrated project definitions in the RFA.
What kinds of outcomes is NIFA trying to drive with these awards?
Based on the notice, NIFA is funding research and translational efforts that help build a sustainable bioenergy sector, spanning discovery, technology development, education, and extension-driven adoption, with the overarching policy goal of improving national energy independence.
How can applicants get help with access or technical issues?
NIFA provided support through its Help Desk at 202-401-5048 during standard business hours.
Where can applicants get help with preparing application content?
The announcement notes that applicants with questions about preparing application content could seek assistance through the contacts provided in the full RFA.
What is the overarching national priority behind this Challenge Area?
The notice frames the RFA around a broad national priority: strengthening America's energy security by accelerating the development and deployment of sustainable bioenergy solutions derived from agricultural and biological resources.
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Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (USDA NIFA AFRI 003536) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Sustainable Bioenergy Apply for USDA NIFA AFRI 003042 Funding Number: USDA NIFA AFRI 003042 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Education Energy Environment Natural Resources Regional Development Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $40,000,000 |
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