Alfalfa and Forage Research Program (AFRP) | Apply Online

Alfalfa and Forage Research Program (AFRP) - FAQs

What is the Alfalfa and Forage Research Program (AFRP)?

AFRP is a discretionary grant opportunity administered by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) to advance research that improves alfalfa forage and alfalfa seed production systems. The program emphasizes practical, production-oriented outcomes that improve on-farm performance, profitability, and the reliability of alfalfa as a key forage crop.

What kinds of outcomes is AFRP trying to achieve?

AFRP prioritizes research with real-world, production-focused results. The intent is to strengthen alfalfa systems in ways that producers can use to improve performance and profitability, while also supporting reliability and resilience in alfalfa production.

Is this funding only for alfalfa, or can it include other forage crops?

This funding cycle is centered on alfalfa. However, the program signals that future years could expand to other forage crops if funding allows, suggesting a longer-term goal of modernizing forage production systems more broadly.

What research priorities do projects need to address?

Projects are expected to align with one or more defined research priorities, including:

• Improving alfalfa forage and seed yields through stronger nutrient, water, and pest management strategies.
• Improving persistence of alfalfa stands by reducing biotic and abiotic stresses.
• Improving harvesting and storage systems for both forage and seed with an emphasis on optimizing economic returns.
• Improving estimation of alfalfa forage quality as animal feed.
• Breeding efforts targeting biotic and abiotic stresses that affect yield, persistence, and seed production for propagation.

What does AFRP mean by improving nutrient, water, and pest management?

The program highlights approaches that can raise forage and seed output while controlling costs and environmental impacts. Examples mentioned include better fertilization planning, improved irrigation efficiency, integrated pest management, and related strategies that strengthen production management.

What does "stand persistence" mean in this program?

Stand persistence refers to how long an alfalfa stand remains productive over time. AFRP supports research aimed at reducing factors that shorten stand life or reduce productivity, including both biotic stresses (such as diseases, insects, and weeds) and abiotic stresses (such as drought, heat, winter injury, and salinity).

Does AFRP support research on harvesting and storage?

Yes. AFRP supports work on harvesting and storage systems for both forage and seed, with an explicit emphasis on optimizing economic returns. This points to research that reduces losses, protects quality, improves harvest timing or technology, and strengthens post-harvest handling so producers can capture more value.

What does the program mean by improving estimation of forage quality?

AFRP encourages improvements in estimating alfalfa forage quality as animal feed. Better quality estimation can help producers and buyers make better decisions, increase confidence in feeding value, and potentially expand the role of alfalfa in animal rations.

Is plant breeding eligible under AFRP?

Yes. Breeding is included as a priority area when it targets biotic and abiotic stresses that affect yield, persistence, and the production of seed used for propagation. The emphasis is on genetic improvement efforts that are clearly connected to real production constraints and measurable performance benefits.

What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this AFRP notice?

The Funding Opportunity Number is USDA NIFA OP 005055.

What is the CFDA or Assistance Listing number for this opportunity?

The CFDA (now called the Assistance Listing) number provided is 10.200, Grants for Agricultural Research, Special Research Grants.

How much total funding is available in this cycle?

The estimated total funding available for this cycle is $1,250,000.

What is the maximum award size?

The award ceiling (maximum award size) is $210,000.

Is cost sharing or matching required?

Yes. A cost sharing or matching requirement applies, so applicants should expect to document non-federal contributions according to the full announcement requirements.

What does the matching requirement imply for applicants?

The structure described indicates proposals typically need both a strong technical plan and a credible budget plan that accounts for the required match, including documentation of non-federal contributions as specified in the full announcement.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is broad and includes: state agricultural experiment stations; colleges and universities; university research foundations; other research institutions and organizations; federal agencies; national laboratories; private organizations or corporations; and individual applicants who are U.S. citizens or nationals.

Can partnerships or multi-organization teams apply?

Yes. Applications may be submitted by groups or partnerships made up of two or more eligible entity types, supporting collaborative and multi-institution projects.

What are the key dates for this notice?

The posting date is April 27, 2015. The original closing date was May 26, 2015, and it was later extended to a current closing date of May 29, 2015. The archive date is June 29, 2015.

Is this opportunity current or historical?

The archive date (June 29, 2015) indicates this specific notice is historical. The summary is still useful for understanding the AFRP scope and the types of projects the program is designed to fund.

Where can applicants get help if they cannot access the full announcement?

The notice directs applicants to the NIFA Help Desk at 202-401-5048 during business hours, Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time, excluding federal holidays.

Is there support for questions about preparing the application?

Yes. The announcement indicates there is contact support for questions related to preparing application content, such as clarifying submission requirements, formatting, and program expectations, through the channels listed in the full funding announcement.