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Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative (OREI) - FAQs

What is the Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative (OREI)?

OREI is a USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA-NIFA) grant program that supports integrated projects combining research, education, and extension to address high-priority challenges in organic agriculture.

What is the main goal of OREI?

The program aims to strengthen the capacity of farmers, ranchers, and processors already operating under organic standards to produce and successfully market high-quality organic products.

Does OREI fund purely theoretical research?

No. OREI emphasizes practical, field-tested solutions and the delivery of usable information that producers can apply directly in real-world operations.

What types of projects does OREI support?

OREI supports projects that address critical organic agriculture issues across a broad range of disciplines, with an emphasis on integrated efforts that combine research, education, and extension/outreach.

Which disciplines are included under OREI?

The program explicitly includes biological and physical sciences as well as social sciences. Economics is specifically called out as an important component.

What topic areas can OREI proposals cover?

Based on the opportunity description, projects may span areas such as soil health, pest and disease management, weed control strategies, organic livestock systems, climate resilience, post-harvest handling, supply chain and market development, adoption barriers, and economic tradeoffs of different organic practices.

Is whole-farm planning emphasized in OREI?

Yes. A key theme is whole-farm planning, and NIFA shows interest in projects that help producers make integrated, farm-level decisions using research-based evidence delivered through effective outreach and education.

Where must fieldwork take place for OREI-funded projects?

Fieldwork must occur on certified organic land or land transitioning to organic certification, depending on what best fits the project goals and objectives.

Why does OREI require fieldwork on certified organic or transitioning land?

This requirement is intended to ensure that results are relevant to real organic systems and aligned with organic rules and conditions.

Which organic standards should applicants follow for OREI projects?

Applicants are directed to follow the USDA National Organic Program (NOP) standards as the definitive reference for organic production requirements.

What does OREI mean by integrating research, education, and extension?

The opportunity describes a single, coordinated effort where research generates practical findings and education/extension components deliver those findings as usable information and outreach that producers can put into practice.

Who is the intended audience or primary beneficiary of OREI projects?

The primary focus is on organic farmers, ranchers, and processors, particularly those already operating under organic standards, and on providing outcomes that improve on-the-ground decision-making and performance.

What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling) for this OREI opportunity?

The award ceiling listed is up to $2,000,000 per project.

What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?

The notice lists CFDA number 10.307.

What is the funding opportunity number?

The funding opportunity number is USDA NIFA ICGP 005517.

When was this funding opportunity posted?

It was posted on December 10, 2015.

What was the application closing date for this opportunity?

The application closing date listed is March 10, 2016.

How is eligibility described in the notice?

Eligibility is listed broadly as "Others," with additional eligibility details expected to be clarified in the full notice or supplemental eligibility text.

What does it mean that this was offered as a mandatory grant?

The notice states the opportunity was offered as a mandatory grant, indicating the program funding was provided through a mandatory funding source as described in the opportunity materials.

What is NIFA's Center of Excellence (COE) designation mentioned in the notice?

The notice highlights NIFA's Center of Excellence (COE) designation process and points applicants to NIFA resources such as a COE factsheet, criteria, and prior outreach webinar recordings.

Is the COE designation part of the project content requirements?

The description frames COE as more about program administration than project content, but it signals that applicants should consult COE resources and updated COE webpages and stakeholder guidance when preparing submissions.

Does the notice suggest any benefit related to COE status?

Yes. It suggests NIFA may provide special recognition or consideration for entities meeting COE criteria, based on the way the COE process is highlighted.

What kind of outcomes is OREI designed to produce?

OREI is structured to fund integrated, applied, and outreach-driven projects that generate practical outcomes for organic producers and processors and translate results into on-the-ground improvements in organic farming and ranching systems.