Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NIFA ICGP 003447
Apply for USDA NIFA ICGP 003447
- The National Institute of Food and Agriculture in the agriculture environment health natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "National Integrated Water Quality Program" 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 20, 2011 and posted on May 20, 2011.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 15, 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 $10,000,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $750,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 28 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education Private institutions of higher education Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
- Colleges and universities (as defined in section 1404 of NARETPA) (7 U.S.C. 3103) are eligible to submit applications for the National Integrated Water Quality Program (NIWQP). Section 1404 of NARETPA was amended by section 7101 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (Pub. L. 110 246) to define Hispanic serving Agricultural Colleges and Universities (HSACUs) (see Part III, B. and Part VIII, E. for more information), and to include research foundations maintained by eligible colleges or universities. 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 bachelors 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 (as defined in Part VIII, E.), HSACUs, and research foundations maintained by eligible colleges or universities. An applicants failure to meet an eligibility criterion by the time of an application deadline will preclude NIFA from reviewing an application and making an award. See RFA for additional details.
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Opportunity Summary:
The National Integrated Water Quality Program (NIWQP) is a competitive grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA NIFA) designed to improve the quality of the nation's surface water and groundwater. The program focuses on water challenges that affect agricultural, rural, and urbanizing watersheds, and it supports work that combines research, education, and extension so that new findings do not stay on paper but are translated into practical decisions and management practices. At its core, NIWQP is aimed at strengthening science-based decision-making by generating useful knowledge about water quality problems and then actively disseminating that knowledge to the communities and professionals who manage land and water resources.
Funded projects are expected to address real water resource problems by both advancing the knowledge base and ensuring that the results reach end users. That typically means projects should not only study issues like nutrient and sediment runoff, contaminants, or watershed-scale impacts of land management, but also build outreach and education components that help producers, landowners, local governments, and other stakeholders adopt effective practices. The emphasis on integrated "research, education, and extension" signals that proposals should be designed to move from discovery to implementation, supporting improved management in places where agriculture and development pressures can degrade water resources.
This opportunity was posted on May 20, 2011, with an application deadline (closing date) of July 15, 2011, and it was archived on August 14, 2011. The program anticipated making about 28 awards from an estimated total funding amount of $10,000,000. Individual awards could be as large as $750,000, and there was no stated minimum award amount (award floor listed as $0). The funding instrument type is a grant, the opportunity category is discretionary, and the activity areas fall under agriculture, environment, health, and natural resources. The program is listed under CFDA 10.303, Integrated Programs, which aligns with its expectation that funded efforts blend multiple functions rather than supporting research alone.
Cost sharing or matching is required, meaning applicants needed to provide some level of non-federal contribution as part of the overall project budget, consistent with the program's requirements. Eligibility is centered on colleges and universities as defined in Section 1404 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act (NARETPA), as codified at 7 U.S.C. 3103, including institutions that meet standard higher-education criteria such as offering programs beyond secondary education, awarding bachelor degrees or higher, operating as public or nonprofit entities, and holding accreditation from a nationally recognized accrediting body. The eligibility language also explicitly includes 1994 Land Grant Institutions, Hispanic-Serving Agricultural Colleges and Universities (HSACUs), and research foundations maintained by eligible colleges or universities. A key compliance point is that eligibility had to be met by the application deadline; otherwise, NIFA would not review the proposal or make an award.
For applicants needing assistance accessing the full announcement, the contact listed is the NIFA Help Desk at 202-401-5048, available during business hours (Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern, excluding federal holidays).
National Integrated Water Quality Program (NIWQP) - FAQs
What is the National Integrated Water Quality Program (NIWQP)?
The National Integrated Water Quality Program (NIWQP) is a competitive grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA NIFA) focused on improving the quality of the nation's surface water and groundwater.
What is the main purpose of NIWQP funding?
The program is designed to strengthen science-based decision-making around water quality by generating useful knowledge about water quality problems and then actively disseminating that knowledge to the people and organizations who manage land and water resources.
What types of water challenges is NIWQP intended to address?
NIWQP focuses on water challenges affecting agricultural, rural, and urbanizing watersheds, particularly where land management and development pressures can degrade water resources.
What kinds of activities or project components does NIWQP emphasize?
The program emphasizes integrated projects that combine research, education, and extension, with the expectation that findings are translated into practical decisions and management practices rather than remaining only in academic outputs.
Does NIWQP support research-only projects?
The program is described as an integrated program under CFDA 10.303 and emphasizes combining research, education, and extension, which signals that proposals are expected to move from discovery to implementation rather than supporting research alone.
What are examples of water quality issues a project might study under NIWQP?
Based on the program description, relevant topics can include nutrient and sediment runoff, contaminants, and watershed-scale impacts of land management. Projects are expected to address real water resource problems and connect results to end users.
Who are the intended end users for NIWQP project results?
The program description highlights outreach and education intended to reach producers, landowners, local governments, and other stakeholders involved in managing land and water resources.
What is meant by "integrated" in this funding opportunity?
"Integrated" refers to blending multiple functions such as research, education, and extension so that new findings are actively communicated and adopted through practical management decisions and practices.
What federal agency administers this grant opportunity?
This opportunity is administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA).
What is the funding instrument type and opportunity category?
The funding instrument type is a grant, and the opportunity category is discretionary.
What activity areas does NIWQP fall under?
The activity areas listed include agriculture, environment, health, and natural resources.
What is the CFDA number associated with this program?
The program is listed under CFDA 10.303, Integrated Programs.
When was this opportunity posted and when was the application due?
The opportunity was posted on May 20, 2011, and the application deadline (closing date) was July 15, 2011.
What does it mean that this opportunity is archived?
The listing indicates it was archived on August 14, 2011, meaning it is presented as an archived opportunity rather than an active, open solicitation.
How much total funding was anticipated and how many awards were expected?
The program anticipated an estimated total funding amount of $10,000,000 and expected to make about 28 awards.
What was the maximum award size?
Individual awards could be as large as $750,000.
Was there a minimum award amount?
No minimum award amount was stated. The award floor was listed as $0.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
Yes. Cost sharing or matching is required, meaning applicants needed to provide some level of non-federal contribution as part of the overall project budget, consistent with program requirements.
Who was eligible to apply?
Eligibility is centered on colleges and universities as defined in Section 1404 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act (NARETPA), codified at 7 U.S.C. 3103. This includes institutions that offer education beyond secondary school, award bachelor degrees or higher, operate as public or nonprofit entities, and are accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting body.
Are 1994 Land Grant Institutions and Hispanic-Serving Agricultural Colleges and Universities included as eligible applicants?
Yes. The eligibility language explicitly includes 1994 Land Grant Institutions and Hispanic-Serving Agricultural Colleges and Universities (HSACUs).
Can a research foundation apply?
Yes. Research foundations maintained by eligible colleges or universities are explicitly included in the eligibility language.
When did an applicant need to meet eligibility requirements?
Eligibility had to be met by the application deadline. If eligibility was not met by the deadline, NIFA would not review the proposal or make an award.
Where can applicants get help accessing the full announcement?
Applicants needing assistance accessing the full announcement could contact the NIFA Help Desk.
What are the NIFA Help Desk phone number and hours?
The NIFA Help Desk can be reached at 202-401-5048, Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern, excluding federal holidays.
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