Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NIFA OP 003260
Apply for USDA NIFA OP 003260
- The National Institute of Food and Agriculture in the agriculture business and commerce consumer protection disaster prevention and relief food and nutrition science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Critical Issues Emerging and New Plant and Animal Diseases" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.200 Grants for Agricultural Research, Special Research Grants.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jul 14, 2010 and posted on Jul 14, 2010.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 16, 2010. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $318,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $318,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Private institutions of higher education Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification) Public and State controlled institutions of higher education.
- Applications may be submitted by State agricultural experiment stations, land grant colleges and universities, research foundations established by land grant colleges and universities, colleges and universities receiving funds under the Act of October 10, 1962 (16 USC 582a et seq.) McIntire Stennis Cooperative Forestry Act, and accredited schools or colleges of veterinary medicine for the purpose of facilitating or expanding ongoing State Federal food and agricultural research programs that (i) promote excellence in research on a regional and national level (ii) promote the development of regional research centers (iii) promote the research partnership between the Department of Agriculture, colleges and universities, research foundations, and State agricultural experiment stations for regional research efforts and (iv) facilitate coordination and cooperation of research among States through regional research grants. Please see full RFA for additional details.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Opportunity Summary:
The USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) grant opportunity titled "Critical Issues Emerging and New Plant and Animal Diseases" is a discretionary, special research grants program intended to provide one-time seed funding for urgent, time-sensitive problems. The core purpose is to jump-start work that needs immediate attention, with the expectation that awardees will use this initial support to begin addressing the issue while longer-term funding sources are pursued. NIFA indicates it will request proposals on an as-needed basis throughout the year when specific emerging or newly recognized threats require rapid action.
For the specific solicitation described here, NIFA is seeking proposals focused on an animal pest and disease preparedness topic: developing and sharing new knowledge that strengthens radiological incident preparedness, response, and recovery for US animal agriculture and animal-derived food production infrastructures. In practical terms, the emphasis is on research and associated knowledge dissemination that would help the livestock sector, veterinary and animal health systems, and food production chains understand and manage the consequences of a radiological event. That can include improving readiness planning, decision-making during response, and strategies to recover production and protect public and animal health afterward, so that animal agriculture and related food systems can maintain continuity and safety under radiological contamination or exposure scenarios.
A key preference in review is collaboration. Proposals that show clear evidence of communication and coordination with existing working groups and approved multi-state research committees are given priority, reflecting NIFA's interest in avoiding duplication, building on established networks, and ensuring results can be used quickly across states and regions. Even with that preference, the opportunity remains open to all applicants who are qualified to carry out the proposed work, meaning strong proposals from eligible institutions are encouraged even if they are not already part of a multi-state structure, as long as they can demonstrate credible capacity and relevance to the stated emergency need.
Funding for this opportunity is limited and targeted. The estimated total funding is $318,000, and the award ceiling is also $318,000, implying that NIFA anticipated either a single award up to that amount or a very small number of awards that collectively do not exceed the total. There is no cost sharing or matching requirement, which is consistent with the program's goal of enabling quick initiation of urgent work without requiring applicants to assemble additional committed funds on a short timeline. The opportunity was posted on July 14, 2010, with an application closing date of August 16, 2010, and it was archived shortly thereafter (archive date August 20, 2010), indicating a short submission window aligned with the "rapid response" nature of the seed-funding model.
Eligible applicants are primarily higher education and research institutions connected to the US agricultural research system. The eligibility list includes state agricultural experiment stations; land-grant colleges and universities; research foundations established by land-grant colleges and universities; colleges and universities receiving funds under the Act of October 10, 1962 (16 USC 582a et seq.); eligible institutions associated with the McIntire-Stennis Cooperative Forestry Act; and accredited schools or colleges of veterinary medicine. The eligibility language also frames the program as a mechanism to facilitate or expand ongoing state-federal food and agricultural research programs, with goals such as promoting excellence in regional and national research, supporting development of regional research centers, strengthening partnerships among USDA, universities, research foundations, and experiment stations, and improving coordination and cooperation among states through regional research grants. In other words, while the immediate topic is radiological incident readiness for animal agriculture, the program is structured to leverage and reinforce the broader national research infrastructure that connects federal and state efforts.
From a category standpoint, the opportunity is associated with CFDA number 10.200 (Grants for Agricultural Research, Special Research Grants) and is placed under several activity areas including agriculture, disaster prevention and relief, consumer protection, food and nutrition, and science and technology research and development. The funding instrument is a grant, and the sponsoring agency is NIFA.
Applicants needing help accessing the announcement or preparing application materials are directed to the NIFA Help Desk (202-401-5048) during standard business hours, with the note that the full Request for Applications (RFA) contains additional eligibility and submission details beyond the summary provided.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the name of this USDA NIFA grant opportunity?
The opportunity is titled "Critical Issues Emerging and New Plant and Animal Diseases" under the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA).
What is the overall purpose of this program?
This is a discretionary, special research grants program designed to provide one-time seed funding for urgent, time-sensitive problems. The intent is to jump-start work that requires immediate attention, while awardees pursue longer-term funding sources to continue and expand the effort.
Is this grant intended to fund long-term projects?
No. Based on the description provided, it is positioned as one-time seed funding to rapidly initiate critical work. The expectation is that the initial award helps begin addressing the issue while longer-term funding is pursued elsewhere.
How does NIFA release solicitations under this program?
NIFA indicates it will request proposals on an as-needed basis throughout the year, when specific emerging or newly recognized threats require rapid action.
What is the focus of the specific solicitation described here?
This specific solicitation is focused on an animal pest and disease preparedness topic: developing and sharing new knowledge that strengthens radiological incident preparedness, response, and recovery for US animal agriculture and animal-derived food production infrastructures.
What does "radiological incident preparedness, response, and recovery" mean in this context?
In practical terms, it refers to research and knowledge dissemination that help the livestock sector, veterinary and animal health systems, and animal-derived food production chains understand and manage the consequences of a radiological event. This can include improving readiness planning, supporting decision-making during response, and identifying strategies to recover production and protect public and animal health after an event involving radiological contamination or exposure.
What types of activities are emphasized for this solicitation?
The emphasis is on research and associated knowledge dissemination. The goal is to generate and share actionable knowledge that can be used to strengthen preparedness and continuity for animal agriculture and related food systems during and after radiological incidents.
Is collaboration important for this opportunity?
Yes. A key review preference is collaboration. Proposals showing clear evidence of communication and coordination with existing working groups and approved multi-state research committees are given priority.
Why does NIFA prefer coordination with existing working groups or multi-state research committees?
The stated reasons are to avoid duplication, build on established networks, and help ensure results can be used quickly across states and regions.
Can an applicant apply if they are not already part of a multi-state structure?
Yes. The opportunity remains open to all qualified applicants. Strong proposals from eligible institutions are encouraged even if they are not already part of a multi-state structure, as long as they can demonstrate credible capacity and relevance to the stated emergency need.
What is the total amount of funding available?
The estimated total funding is $318,000.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling is $318,000.
Does the funding level suggest one award or multiple awards?
Because the estimated total funding and the award ceiling are both $318,000, it implies NIFA anticipated either a single award up to that amount or a very small number of awards that collectively do not exceed the total.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
No. There is no cost sharing or matching requirement described for this opportunity.
When was this opportunity posted, and what were the key dates?
The opportunity was posted on July 14, 2010. The application closing date was August 16, 2010. It was archived on August 20, 2010, reflecting a short submission window consistent with a rapid-response seed-funding model.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants include: state agricultural experiment stations; land-grant colleges and universities; research foundations established by land-grant colleges and universities; colleges and universities receiving funds under the Act of October 10, 1962 (16 USC 582a et seq.); eligible institutions associated with the McIntire-Stennis Cooperative Forestry Act; and accredited schools or colleges of veterinary medicine.
What is the role of this program within the broader US agricultural research system?
The eligibility and program framing indicate it is meant to facilitate or expand ongoing state-federal food and agricultural research programs. Stated goals include promoting excellence in regional and national research, supporting development of regional research centers, strengthening partnerships among USDA, universities, research foundations, and experiment stations, and improving coordination and cooperation among states through regional research grants.
What CFDA number is associated with this grant?
This opportunity is associated with CFDA number 10.200 (Grants for Agricultural Research, Special Research Grants).
What activity areas are associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is placed under several activity areas, including agriculture, disaster prevention and relief, consumer protection, food and nutrition, and science and technology research and development.
What is the funding instrument?
The funding instrument is a grant.
Which agency is sponsoring this opportunity?
The sponsoring agency is the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA).
Where can applicants get help with accessing the announcement or preparing application materials?
Applicants are directed to the NIFA Help Desk at 202-401-5048 during standard business hours for assistance accessing the announcement or preparing application materials.
Where are additional eligibility and submission details found?
The full Request for Applications (RFA) contains additional eligibility and submission details beyond the summary provided.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Agriculture Business and Commerce Consumer Protection Disaster Prevention and Relief Food and Nutrition Science and Technology and other Research and Development
Next opportunity: Shoe Scanner Detection Technology (SSD)
Previous opportunity: BLM OR WA Eastern Oregon Sage grouse Inventory
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 OP 003260
[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 OP 003260", 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.