Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NIFA OP 003442
Apply for USDA NIFA OP 003442
- The National Institute of Food and Agriculture in the agriculture science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "New Technologies of Ag Extension" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.500 Cooperative Extension Service.
- This funding opportunity was created on May 4, 2011 and posted on May 4, 2011.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 17, 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 $1,650,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Eligible applicants include: Private institutions of higher education Public and State controlled institutions of higher education.
- Applications may be submitted by Extension Directors of 1862 land grant institutions and 1890 land grant institutions, including Tuskegee University and West Virginia State University. Only these institutions are eligible to submit an application and receive a NTAE award.
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Opportunity Summary:
The New Technologies for Ag Extension Program (NTAE) is a discretionary grant opportunity offered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), focused on modernizing how Cooperative Extension delivers education and information to the public. Its core purpose is to increase each state's ability to contribute high-quality expertise and educational content to eXtension, a national web-based system designed to give the public direct access to science-based resources produced by land-grant universities and other partners. In practical terms, the program is trying to strengthen the people, tools, and systems needed so Extension can serve audiences online more effectively, more consistently across states, and with up-to-date technology rather than relying primarily on traditional, in-person or locally distributed materials.
A central theme of the opportunity is capacity-building for a major shift in Extension's operating model. The program is explicitly framed as an effort to "dramatically change how the CES does business with its customers," meaning it supports the move toward scalable digital outreach and a more unified national presence for Extension knowledge. Funding is meant to help states participate meaningfully in eXtension by improving both the technical infrastructure (for example, modern software applications and related technology) and the human infrastructure (leaders, staff, and training) required to develop, manage, and deliver strong online educational content. Alongside building tools and staffing, the solicitation also highlights the need for the operational backbone that makes statewide and multi-institution work function: legally binding contractual and financial instruments, as well as thorough evaluation, communications, and marketing activities to measure reach and impact and to ensure the intended audiences actually find and use the resources.
The opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number USDA NIFA OP 003442) falls under CFDA 10.500, Cooperative Extension Service, and is categorized under Agriculture, Science and Technology, and other Research and Development. The total estimated funding listed is $1,650,000. The funding instrument is a grant, and there is no cost-sharing or matching requirement indicated, which generally lowers the barrier to participation for eligible applicants by not requiring non-federal funds to be committed as part of the project budget.
Eligibility is tightly restricted. While the eligible applicant types are listed broadly as private institutions of higher education and public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, the detailed eligibility statement narrows this down to Extension Directors of 1862 land-grant institutions and 1890 land-grant institutions, including Tuskegee University and West Virginia State University. Only those institutions are eligible to submit applications and receive NTAE awards, making this a targeted program aimed specifically at the land-grant Extension system rather than the wider set of universities or nonprofit organizations.
Key dates reflect that this is an archived, historical funding announcement. The opportunity was posted and created on May 4, 2011, with an original and current closing date of June 17, 2011, and an archive date of July 17, 2011. For access issues with the full announcement, the notice directs applicants to the NIFA Help Desk at 202-401-5048 during standard weekday business hours (Eastern Time), excluding federal holidays, and notes that additional contact support is available for questions related to preparing application content.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the New Technologies for Ag Extension Program (NTAE)?
The New Technologies for Ag Extension Program (NTAE) is a discretionary grant program from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). It focuses on modernizing how Cooperative Extension delivers education and information to the public, with a strong emphasis on digital outreach.
What is the main purpose of NTAE?
The core purpose is to increase each state's ability to contribute high-quality expertise and educational content to eXtension, a national web-based system that provides the public with direct access to science-based resources produced by land-grant universities and other partners.
What is eXtension in the context of this program?
eXtension is described as a national web-based system designed to give the public direct access to science-based resources. NTAE aims to strengthen state participation by improving the people, tools, and systems needed to develop and deliver strong online educational content through eXtension.
What kinds of outcomes is NTAE trying to achieve for Cooperative Extension?
The program is framed as capacity-building for a major shift in Extension's operating model. It is explicitly intended to support efforts to "dramatically change how the CES does business with its customers" by enabling scalable digital outreach, more consistent online service across states, and the use of up-to-date technology.
What types of activities or investments does NTAE funding support?
NTAE funding is meant to support both technical infrastructure and human infrastructure needed for effective online Extension education. The announcement also highlights the importance of operational supports that enable statewide and multi-institution work, including contractual and financial instruments, and evaluation, communications, and marketing activities to measure reach and ensure target audiences find and use the resources.
Does the program focus only on technology purchases?
No. While the solicitation references modern software applications and related technology, it also emphasizes staffing, leadership, and training, as well as evaluation, communications, and marketing, and the operational mechanisms needed to make multi-institution and statewide efforts function.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this grant?
The Funding Opportunity Number is USDA NIFA OP 003442.
What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?
This opportunity is listed under CFDA 10.500, Cooperative Extension Service.
How is the opportunity categorized?
The opportunity is categorized under Agriculture, Science and Technology, and other Research and Development.
What is the total estimated funding amount listed for NTAE?
The total estimated funding amount listed is $1,650,000.
What type of funding instrument is used?
The funding instrument is a grant.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
No cost-sharing or matching requirement is indicated in the information provided.
Who is eligible to apply for NTAE?
Although eligible applicant types are broadly listed as private institutions of higher education and public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, the detailed eligibility statement narrows eligibility to Extension Directors of 1862 land-grant institutions and 1890 land-grant institutions, including Tuskegee University and West Virginia State University. Only those institutions are eligible to submit applications and receive NTAE awards.
Is this opportunity open to organizations outside the land-grant Extension system?
Based on the detailed eligibility statement, no. The announcement describes this as a targeted program specifically for Extension Directors of eligible 1862 and 1890 land-grant institutions (including Tuskegee University and West Virginia State University).
When was this grant opportunity posted?
The opportunity was posted (and created) on May 4, 2011.
What was the application closing date?
The original and current closing date listed is June 17, 2011.
Is this an active funding opportunity?
No. The information indicates it is archived. The archive date listed is July 17, 2011.
What does it mean that this announcement is archived?
It means the notice is presented as a historical funding announcement, with dates in 2011 and a stated archive date. The content may be useful for understanding the program intent and requirements as described, but the listed closing date has passed.
Where can applicants get help if they cannot access the full announcement?
The notice directs users to the NIFA Help Desk at 202-401-5048 during standard weekday business hours (Eastern Time), excluding federal holidays.
Is there support available for questions about preparing application content?
Yes. The notice states that additional contact support is available for questions related to preparing application content.
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