Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NIFA ICGP 003446
Apply for USDA NIFA ICGP 003446
- The National Institute of Food and Agriculture in the agriculture education environment natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Integrated Research, Education, and Extension Competitive Grants Program Methyl Bromide Transitions" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.303 Integrated Programs.
- This funding opportunity was created on May 18, 2011 and posted on May 12, 2011.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 22, 2011. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $1,900,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $500,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification) Private institutions of higher education.
- For the purposes of this program, 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 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. Applications also may be submitted by 1994 Land Grant Institutions (see Part VIII, E.), HSACUs, and research foundations maintained by eligible colleges or universities.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Integrated Research, Education, and Extension Competitive Grants Program - Methyl Bromide Transitions (MBT) is a USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) discretionary grant opportunity aimed at helping U.S. agriculture and related pest management sectors adapt to the reduced availability of methyl bromide. Methyl bromide had long been a widely used tool for controlling pests and diseases across agricultural production, industrial settings, natural resources, and even urban pest management systems. With its loss or restricted availability, many growers and managers face immediate, practical challenges in maintaining pest and disease control, protecting yields and quality, and keeping production systems economically viable. This program is meant to respond to those near-term pressures by funding projects that do more than just generate research results; proposals are expected to integrate research, education, and extension so solutions can be developed, taught, and put into practice quickly and effectively.
A defining feature of the MBT program is its integrated approach. Rather than supporting research alone, NIFA is looking for coordinated projects where research activities are directly tied to education (such as training students, developing curricula, or creating learning materials) and extension (such as outreach, demonstrations, decision tools, and direct engagement with growers and stakeholders). The intent is to accelerate real-world adoption of alternatives and transition strategies by ensuring that new knowledge is translated into practical guidance and delivered to the people who need it. In practical terms, competitive proposals would typically involve identifying or improving methyl bromide alternatives, validating them under field or operational conditions, and then packaging the findings into extension programming and educational components that build long-term capacity in pest and disease management without relying on methyl bromide.
The opportunity is listed under CFDA number 10.303 (Integrated Programs), reflecting its emphasis on integrated research, education, and extension outcomes. The funding activity categories span agriculture, education, environment, and natural resources, which signals that projects may address a broad range of production systems and pest management contexts as long as they clearly connect to the transition away from methyl bromide and the resulting needs. The overall estimated total funding for the opportunity is $1,900,000, with an award ceiling of $500,000 per grant and no stated award floor, meaning proposals could request smaller amounts if appropriate for the scope. Cost sharing or matching is required, so applicants would need to plan for and document non-federal contributions consistent with the program rules described in the full announcement.
Eligibility is centered on higher education institutions and affiliated entities that fit specific statutory and accreditation criteria. Eligible applicants include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education, provided they are legally authorized to offer education beyond secondary school, award bachelor or higher degrees, operate as public or other nonprofit institutions, and are accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency or association. The announcement also indicates that applications may be submitted by 1994 Land Grant Institutions, Hispanic-Serving Agricultural Colleges and Universities (HSACUs), and research foundations maintained by eligible colleges or universities. This structure is designed to ensure that funded work is anchored in institutions with research and educational capacity, while still allowing participation by mission-driven partners through university-affiliated foundations and collaborative project structures.
Key administrative details show this was a time-bound competitive cycle with a posted date of May 12, 2011, and an application closing date of June 22, 2011 (archived July 22, 2011). The funding instrument is a grant. For access issues with the full announcement, NIFA provided help desk support by phone during standard business hours, and the notice indicates there was also a point of contact for questions related to preparing application content. Overall, the MBT RFA is best understood as a targeted transition program: it funds integrated, stakeholder-facing projects that can rapidly replace or reduce reliance on methyl bromide by combining applied research with education and on-the-ground extension delivery.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - Integrated Research, Education, and Extension Competitive Grants Program - Methyl Bromide Transitions (MBT)
What is the MBT grant program?
The Methyl Bromide Transitions (MBT) program is a USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) discretionary competitive grant opportunity intended to help U.S. agriculture and related pest management sectors adapt to the reduced availability of methyl bromide. It supports projects that help replace or reduce reliance on methyl bromide by developing, validating, and delivering practical transition solutions.
Why does this program exist?
Methyl bromide was widely used to control pests and diseases across agricultural production and other pest management contexts. As its use has been lost or restricted, many growers and managers face immediate, practical challenges in maintaining pest and disease control, protecting yield and quality, and keeping production systems economically viable. This program is designed to respond to those near-term pressures.
Which USDA agency runs this opportunity?
The opportunity is administered by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA).
What makes MBT different from a typical research-only grant?
MBT is an integrated program. Proposals are expected to combine research, education, and extension in a coordinated way. Research activities should be directly linked to education (for example, training students or developing curricula/materials) and extension (for example, outreach, demonstrations, decision tools, and direct engagement with growers and stakeholders) so that solutions can be adopted quickly and effectively.
What does "integrated research, education, and extension" mean in practice?
It means the project should not stop at producing research results. A strong proposal would typically (1) conduct applied research to identify, improve, or validate alternatives and transition strategies, (2) include education components that build skills and capacity (such as student training or learning materials), and (3) deliver extension programming that translates findings into practical guidance for end users through outreach, demonstrations, tools, and stakeholder engagement.
What types of activities are encouraged under MBT?
Based on the program description, competitive projects would typically focus on identifying or improving methyl bromide alternatives, validating them under field or operational conditions, and packaging results into extension and education components that support real-world adoption.
Who is the program intended to help?
The program is meant to help growers, managers, and stakeholders who face practical pest and disease management challenges due to reduced availability of methyl bromide, including those working in agricultural production and related pest management sectors.
What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?
This opportunity is listed under CFDA 10.303 (Integrated Programs).
Which funding activity categories does this opportunity cover?
The funding activity categories include agriculture, education, environment, and natural resources. This suggests projects may address a broad range of systems and contexts, as long as they are clearly connected to transitioning away from methyl bromide and addressing the resulting needs.
How much total funding was estimated to be available?
The overall estimated total funding for the opportunity is $1,900,000.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling is $500,000 per grant.
Is there a minimum award amount (award floor)?
No award floor is stated. Proposals may request smaller amounts if appropriate for the project scope.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
Yes. Cost sharing or matching is required, so applicants need to plan for and document non-federal contributions in line with the rules described in the full announcement.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is centered on higher education institutions and affiliated entities that meet specific statutory and accreditation criteria. Eligible applicants include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education that are legally authorized to offer education beyond secondary school, award bachelor or higher degrees, operate as public or other nonprofit institutions, and are accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency or association.
Are Land Grant Institutions eligible?
Yes. The announcement indicates that applications may be submitted by 1994 Land Grant Institutions.
Are Hispanic-Serving Agricultural Colleges and Universities (HSACUs) eligible?
Yes. The announcement indicates that applications may be submitted by HSACUs.
Can a university-affiliated research foundation apply?
Yes. The announcement indicates that research foundations maintained by eligible colleges or universities may submit applications.
Does this opportunity require projects to be connected to real-world adoption?
Yes. A central intent of the program is to accelerate adoption by ensuring new knowledge is translated into practical guidance and delivered to growers and stakeholders through extension and education components tied directly to the research.
What is the funding instrument for this opportunity?
The funding instrument is a grant.
When was this opportunity posted and when was it due?
The posted date is May 12, 2011, and the application closing date is June 22, 2011. The opportunity was archived on July 22, 2011.
Is this opportunity a limited-time competitive cycle?
Yes. The dates provided indicate it was a time-bound competitive cycle with a specific posted date and closing date, and it was later archived.
What kind of support was available for applicants?
The notice indicates NIFA provided help desk support by phone during standard business hours for access issues with the full announcement, and it also references a point of contact for questions related to preparing application content.
What is the main takeaway for applicants considering this program?
This is a targeted transition program focused on near-term, practical needs created by reduced methyl bromide availability. It prioritizes integrated, stakeholder-facing projects that combine applied research with education and on-the-ground extension delivery to support rapid adoption of alternatives and transition strategies.
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