Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA OAA 14 000009
Apply for RFA OAA 14 000009
- The Agency for International Development in the agriculture sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Sustainable Intensification" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 98.001 USAID Foreign Assistance for Programs Overseas.
- This funding opportunity was created on Feb 18, 2014 and posted on Feb 18, 2014.
- Applicants must submit their applications by May 15, 2014. (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 $50,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
- This program is authorized under Title XII of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended. Applications may only be submitted by eligible U.S. colleges and universities as defined under Section 296(d) of Title XII of the Foreign Assistance Act, as amended ... those colleges or universities in each State, territory, or possession of the United States, or the District of Columbia, now receiving, or which may hereafter receive, benefits under the Act of July 2, 1862 (known as the First Morrill Act) or the Act of August 30, 1890 (known as the Second Morrill Act), which are commonly known as land grant universities institutions now designated or which may hereafter be designated as seagrant colleges under the Act of October 5, 1966 (known as the National Sea Grant College and Program Act), which are commonly known as seagrant colleges Native American land grant colleges as authorized under the Equity in Educational Land Grant Status Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 301 note) and other United States colleges and universities which (1) have demonstrable capacity in teaching, research, and extension (including outreach) activities in the agricultural sciences and (2) can contribute effectively to the attainment of the objectives of this title. The Title XII university led Feed the Future Innovation Labs involve multiple partners, principal of which are U.S. universities, working in collaboration with scientists in developing country universities, national and international research centers, the private sector, and non governmental organizations (NGOs), to jointly pursue scientific investigations to overcome critical agricultural constraints facing today s global food systems. All types of U.S. and non U.S. entities are eligible as collaborating partners (e.g., sub recipients or contractors at various tiers), provided that they are not excluded from U.S. Government (USG) acquisition and assistance awards (this may be verified through the U.S. Government System for Award Management SAM at https://www.sam.gov/portal/public/SAM/, by checking the U.S. Department of Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) List of Specially Designated Nationals (SDNs) and Blocked Persons, and by checking the United Nations Security designation list. In preparing the application, it is the applicant s responsibility to ensure that no individuals or organizations proposed for participation in the program are excluded by the USG. After award, it is the Recipient s responsibility to ensure that no transactions are conducted with excluded parties. USAID strongly encourages applicants to include qualified Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) including, but not limited to, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Predominantly Black Institutions (PBIs), Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs), Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs), and Asian American Native Alaskan and Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs) in both the Geospatial and Farming Systems Research Consortium and in all collaborative research activities (including the Appropriate Scale Mechanization Consortium).
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Opportunity Summary:
The Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Sustainable Intensification is a USAID-funded competitive grant opportunity designed to support long-term, multidisciplinary applied research and training aimed at reducing global hunger, food insecurity, and malnutrition in developing countries. Issued under the authority of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (as amended) and Title XII provisions that support university-led agricultural development, this solicitation seeks a single lead organization to manage and implement the Sustainable Intensification Innovation Lab. The program sits within USAID's broader Feed the Future Innovation Lab portfolio (formerly called the Collaborative Research Support Programs, or CRSPs), which is structured around U.S. universities leading research partnerships that generate practical, science-based solutions for agriculture and food systems while building the capacity of partner institutions and researchers worldwide. The relevant CFDA listing for this assistance is 98.001 (USAID Foreign Assistance for Programs Overseas).
At its core, the opportunity focuses on "sustainable intensification" of smallholder farming systems, meaning the program is expected to help increase agricultural productivity and improve livelihoods in ways that protect natural resources and remain viable over the long term. The Innovation Lab model emphasizes applied research and training rather than short, stand-alone projects. USAID expects the winning applicant to mobilize U.S. university expertise and connect it with collaborators in developing-country universities, national and international research centers, the private sector, and nongovernmental organizations. These partnerships are intended to tackle critical constraints in global food systems through joint scientific investigation, and to strengthen the human and institutional capacity needed to sustain progress after individual research activities conclude. A typical Innovation Lab also supports students and early-career researchers, linking education, research, and outreach so that new knowledge translates into real-world improvements for farmers and food systems.
The funding instrument for this opportunity is a cooperative agreement, which generally implies substantial involvement by USAID during implementation compared to a standard grant, including collaboration on technical direction, oversight, or coordination. USAID anticipated making one award, with an expected total award size ranging from $25 million to $50 million (award floor and ceiling). No cost sharing or matching funds were required. The announcement was posted on February 18, 2014, with an application deadline of May 15, 2014, and an archive date of June 14, 2014, indicating the competition is historical but the details reflect how USAID structured this solicitation.
Eligibility is narrow for the prime applicant: only eligible U.S. colleges and universities as defined under Section 296(d) of Title XII may submit as the lead applicant. This includes land-grant universities established under the Morrill Acts of 1862 and 1890, Sea Grant colleges designated under the National Sea Grant College and Program Act, Native American land-grant colleges authorized under the 1994 Equity in Educational Land Grant Status Act, and other U.S. colleges and universities that can demonstrate strong capabilities in agricultural science teaching, research, and extension or outreach and can contribute meaningfully to Title XII objectives. While only these institutions may apply as the lead, USAID explicitly allows a broad range of collaborating partners (U.S. and non-U.S.) to participate as subrecipients or contractors at multiple tiers, as long as they are not excluded from receiving U.S. government awards. Applicants are responsible for ensuring proposed partners are not on exclusion lists such as SAM exclusions, OFAC sanctions lists, or relevant United Nations security designation lists, and recipients must continue to ensure compliance after award.
USAID also signals a strong interest in inclusive and diverse partnerships. The solicitation encourages the involvement of Minority Serving Institutions, including Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Predominantly Black Institutions, Hispanic Serving Institutions, Tribal Colleges and Universities, and Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions. This encouragement applies across the Innovation Lab's collaborative structures, including referenced consortia and research groupings (for example, geospatial and farming systems research collaborations and an appropriate-scale mechanization consortium), suggesting that the Lab is expected to coordinate multiple technical networks or partner clusters rather than operate as a single research team.
Administrative details identify the opportunity as an earmark-category funding opportunity in the agriculture sector (Funding Opportunity Number RFA-OAA-14-000009). Questions about access to the full announcement were directed to the Agreement Specialist listed in the notice.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1) What is this grant opportunity?
This is a USAID-funded competitive assistance opportunity for the Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Sustainable Intensification. It is designed to support long-term, multidisciplinary applied research and training that help reduce global hunger, food insecurity, and malnutrition in developing countries.
2) What does "Sustainable Intensification" mean in this solicitation?
In this context, sustainable intensification focuses on improving smallholder farming systems so they can increase agricultural productivity and improve livelihoods while protecting natural resources and remaining viable over the long term.
3) What is the program model USAID is using?
The solicitation uses the Feed the Future Innovation Lab model (formerly known as the Collaborative Research Support Program, or CRSP, model). This model is centered on U.S. universities leading applied research partnerships that generate practical, science-based solutions for agriculture and food systems and build the capacity of partner institutions and researchers worldwide.
4) What is the legal authority for this opportunity?
The opportunity is issued under the authority of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (as amended) and Title XII provisions that support university-led agricultural development.
5) What is the CFDA listing associated with this assistance?
The relevant CFDA listing is 98.001 (USAID Foreign Assistance for Programs Overseas).
6) What type of funding instrument will be used?
The funding instrument is a cooperative agreement.
7) What does it mean that this is a cooperative agreement?
A cooperative agreement generally implies substantial involvement by USAID during implementation compared to a standard grant, such as collaboration on technical direction, oversight, or coordination.
8) How many awards did USAID anticipate making?
USAID anticipated making one award.
9) What is the expected total funding amount?
The expected total award size ranged from $25 million to $50 million (award floor and ceiling).
10) Is cost sharing or matching required?
No. The solicitation stated that no cost sharing or matching funds were required.
11) Who is eligible to apply as the lead (prime) applicant?
Eligibility for the prime applicant is limited to eligible U.S. colleges and universities as defined under Section 296(d) of Title XII.
12) Which types of U.S. institutions are included under the Title XII definition referenced?
The solicitation identified the following as included: land-grant universities established under the Morrill Acts of 1862 and 1890, Sea Grant colleges designated under the National Sea Grant College and Program Act, Native American land-grant colleges authorized under the 1994 Equity in Educational Land Grant Status Act, and other U.S. colleges and universities that can demonstrate strong capabilities in agricultural science teaching, research, and extension or outreach and can contribute meaningfully to Title XII objectives.
13) Can non-university entities apply as the lead organization?
Based on the eligibility language provided, only eligible U.S. colleges and universities (as defined under Section 296(d) of Title XII) may apply as the lead applicant.
14) Are partners allowed, even though lead eligibility is narrow?
Yes. While only eligible U.S. colleges and universities may apply as the lead, the solicitation explicitly allows a broad range of collaborating partners (U.S. and non-U.S.) to participate as subrecipients or contractors at multiple tiers, as long as they are not excluded from receiving U.S. government awards.
15) What types of partners does USAID expect the lead to mobilize?
USAID expected the winning applicant to mobilize U.S. university expertise and connect it with collaborators in developing-country universities, national and international research centers, the private sector, and nongovernmental organizations.
16) What is the purpose of the partnerships described in the solicitation?
These partnerships are intended to tackle critical constraints in global food systems through joint scientific investigation and to strengthen human and institutional capacity so progress can be sustained after individual research activities conclude.
17) Is this opportunity intended for short, stand-alone projects?
No. The Innovation Lab model emphasizes applied research and training rather than short, stand-alone projects.
18) Does the program include training and support for students or early-career researchers?
Yes. The solicitation notes that a typical Innovation Lab supports students and early-career researchers and links education, research, and outreach so knowledge translates into real-world improvements for farmers and food systems.
19) What is USAID's approach to inclusivity and diverse partnerships in this solicitation?
USAID signaled a strong interest in inclusive and diverse partnerships and encouraged involvement of Minority Serving Institutions, including Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Predominantly Black Institutions, Hispanic Serving Institutions, Tribal Colleges and Universities, and Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions.
20) Does the solicitation suggest the Innovation Lab will coordinate multiple networks or groups?
Yes. The opportunity references collaborative structures such as consortia and research groupings (for example, geospatial and farming systems research collaborations and an appropriate-scale mechanization consortium), suggesting coordination across multiple technical networks or partner clusters.
21) What are the compliance expectations related to partner eligibility?
Applicants are responsible for ensuring proposed partners are not excluded from receiving U.S. government awards, including checks against exclusion lists such as SAM exclusions, OFAC sanctions lists, or relevant United Nations security designation lists. Recipients must continue to ensure compliance after award.
22) What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON) for this solicitation?
The Funding Opportunity Number is RFA-OAA-14-000009.
23) What sector and category was this opportunity listed under?
It was identified as an earmark-category funding opportunity in the agriculture sector.
24) When was the announcement posted, and what were the key dates?
The announcement was posted on February 18, 2014. The application deadline was May 15, 2014. The archive date was June 14, 2014.
25) Is this an active opportunity or a historical solicitation?
Based on the archive date and the 2014 timeline provided, this competition appears to be historical, although it reflects how USAID structured this solicitation.
26) Who was the point of contact for questions about accessing the full announcement?
Questions about access to the full announcement were directed to the Agreement Specialist listed in the notice.
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| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| South Carolina FY 2014 Conservatiion Innovation Grant (CIG) Annoucement for Program Funding Apply for USDA NRCS SC 14 01 Funding Number: USDA NRCS SC 14 01 Agency: South Carolina State Office Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| Virginia 2014 Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) Funding Announcement Apply for USDA NRCS VA 14 01 Funding Number: USDA NRCS VA 14 01 Agency: Virginia State Office Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $350,000 |
| Conservation Innovation Grant Apply for USDA NRCS KS 14 01 Funding Number: USDA NRCS KS 14 01 Agency: Kansas State Office Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Tribal Colleges Education Equity Grants Program Apply for USDA NIFA TCEG 004508 Funding Number: USDA NIFA TCEG 004508 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Oregon Conservation Innovation Grants Apply for AG 0436 G 14 002 Funding Number: AG 0436 G 14 002 Agency: Oregon State Office Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $75,000 |
| National Clean Plant Network Request for Applications Apply for USDA GRANTS 032414 001 Funding Number: USDA GRANTS 032414 001 Agency: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Conservation Innovative Grants Apply for USDA NRCS ID 14 10 Funding Number: USDA NRCS ID 14 10 Agency: Idaho State Office Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $75,000 |
| Tribal Colleges Extension Program Capacity Apply for USDA NIFA SLBCD 004513 Funding Number: USDA NIFA SLBCD 004513 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Tribal Colleges Extension Program Special Emphasis Apply for USDA NIFA SLBCD 004512 Funding Number: USDA NIFA SLBCD 004512 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $170,000 |
| Pacific Islands Area Conservation Innovation Grant Apply for USDA NRCS HI 14 01 Funding Number: USDA NRCS HI 14 01 Agency: Hawaii State Office Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $75,000 |
| Supplemental and Alternative Crops Competitive Grants Program Apply for USDA NIFA OP 004516 Funding Number: USDA NIFA OP 004516 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $210,000 |
| Special Research Grants Program Potato Breeding Research Apply for USDA NIFA SRGP 004517 Funding Number: USDA NIFA SRGP 004517 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program Apply for USDA NIFA BFR 004518 Funding Number: USDA NIFA BFR 004518 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| CONSERVATION INNOVATION GRANT Apply for USDA NRCS NE 14 01 Funding Number: USDA NRCS NE 14 01 Agency: Nebraska State Office Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $75,000 |
| Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Integrated Pest Management Apply for RFA OAA 14 000018 Funding Number: RFA OAA 14 000018 Agency: Agency for International Development Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $50,000,000 |
| Specialty Crop Block Grant Program Farm Bill Apply for USDA AMS SCBGP 2014 Funding Number: USDA AMS SCBGP 2014 Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Notice of Funds Availability Emerging Marketing Program Apply for EMP2015 Funding Number: EMP2015 Agency: Foreign Agricultural Service Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Notice of Funds Availability Foreign Market Development Program Apply for FMD2015 Funding Number: FMD2015 Agency: Foreign Agricultural Service Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $34,500,000 |
| Notice of Funds Availability Market Access Program Apply for MAP2015 Funding Number: MAP2015 Agency: Foreign Agricultural Service Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $200,000,000 |
| Notice of Funds Availability Quality Samples Program Apply for QSP2015 Funding Number: QSP2015 Agency: Foreign Agricultural Service Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $75,000 |
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