Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NIFA ICGP 003218
Apply for USDA NIFA ICGP 003218
- The National Institute of Food and Agriculture in the agriculture environment natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Organic Transitions Program (ORG)" 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 21, 2010 and posted on May 21, 2010.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 1, 2010. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $4,700,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $700,000.00 in funding.
- 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 to the ORG program. Section 1404 of NARETPA was amended by section 7101 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (Public Law 110 246) to define Hispanic serving Agricultural Colleges and Universities (HSACUs) (see Part III, B. and 7 CFR 3430, Competitive and Noncompetitive Non formula Financial Assistance Programs General Award Administrative Provisions 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 bachelor s 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 (defined in 7 CFR 3430, Competitive and Noncompetitive Non formula Grant Programs General Grant Administrative Provisions), HSACUs, and research foundations maintained by eligible colleges or universities.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Organic Transitions Program (ORG) is a competitive grant opportunity run by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) aimed at strengthening the organic agriculture sector through integrated projects that combine research, extension, and higher education. The program is designed to help organic crop and livestock producers, along with producers in the process of adopting organic practices, become more competitive by improving the knowledge, tools, and systems they rely on. For the FY 2010 funding cycle specifically, the program places a clear emphasis on the environmental services of organic farming, with particular interest in projects that support soil conservation and contribute to climate change mitigation. The scope is broad enough to include organic cropping systems, organic animal production (including dairy), and integrated systems that link plant and animal production within the same operation or landscape.
This opportunity was offered as a discretionary grant program under CFDA 10.303 (Integrated Programs). It reflects a systems-based approach rather than funding isolated research alone, encouraging projects that connect on-the-ground producer needs with practical outreach and education. In other words, successful projects would typically be expected to generate usable findings, translate them into extension materials or technical assistance, and build educational capacity through curricula, training, or workforce development related to organic agriculture and transition strategies.
The total estimated funding available for this cycle was about $4.7 million, with an expected maximum award size (award ceiling) of $700,000 and no stated minimum award amount (award floor of $0). The program also required cost sharing or matching, meaning applicants needed to provide non-federal contributions consistent with the program rules. The funding instrument type was a standard grant.
Eligibility was focused primarily on colleges and universities as defined under Section 1404 of NARETPA (7 U.S.C. 3103), which generally means accredited, nonprofit (public or private) institutions of higher education authorized to award bachelors or higher degrees and admitting students with a secondary school completion credential (or equivalent). The eligible applicant pool also explicitly included 1994 Land-Grant Institutions, Hispanic-Serving Agricultural Colleges and Universities (HSACUs, as recognized through amendments in the 2008 Food, Conservation, and Energy Act), and research foundations maintained by otherwise eligible colleges or universities. This structure signals that the program is oriented toward institutions with the capacity to run multi-part projects spanning science, producer engagement, and education, while also making room for designated land-grant and minority-serving agricultural institutions and affiliated research foundations.
Key timeline details for this particular announcement include a posted date of May 21, 2010, with an application closing date of July 1, 2010. The opportunity was later archived on August 2, 2010. Administrative support for access issues was provided through the NIFA Help Desk (202-401-5048), available during standard weekday business hours (Eastern Time), and the announcement indicated there were also contacts available for questions related to application content (though the provided text cuts off before listing those details).
Overall, ORG (FY 2010) can be summed up as a federally funded push to advance organic agriculture by supporting integrated, institution-led projects that both improve farm-level competitiveness and document or enhance the environmental benefits of organic systems, especially benefits tied to conserving soil and reducing or mitigating climate impacts across crop, livestock, and mixed farming operations.
Organic Transitions Program (ORG) FY 2010 - FAQs
What is the Organic Transitions Program (ORG)?
The Organic Transitions Program (ORG) is a competitive grant opportunity run by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) that supports projects intended to strengthen the organic agriculture sector. It focuses on helping organic producers and producers adopting organic practices become more competitive by improving the knowledge, tools, and systems they use.
Which USDA agency administers this grant opportunity?
The program is administered by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA).
What type of projects does ORG fund?
ORG funds integrated projects that combine research, extension, and higher education. The program encourages a systems-based approach, rather than supporting isolated research alone.
What does "integrated project" mean in this program?
In this program, an integrated project is one that links research activities with practical extension/outreach and higher education components. Projects are generally expected to generate useful findings, translate them into extension materials or technical assistance, and build educational capacity through curricula, training, or workforce development related to organic agriculture and transition strategies.
Who is this program intended to benefit?
The program is designed to benefit organic crop and livestock producers, as well as producers in the process of adopting organic practices, by improving the systems and tools they rely on and helping them compete more effectively.
What was the FY 2010 program emphasis?
For the FY 2010 funding cycle, ORG emphasized the environmental services of organic farming, with particular interest in projects supporting soil conservation and contributing to climate change mitigation.
What production systems are included in the program scope?
The scope includes organic cropping systems, organic animal production (including dairy), and integrated systems that link plant and animal production within the same operation or landscape.
Is this opportunity a formula grant or a competitive grant?
It is a competitive grant opportunity.
What was the CFDA number for this opportunity?
The opportunity was offered as a discretionary grant program under CFDA 10.303 (Integrated Programs).
What funding instrument was used?
The funding instrument type was a standard grant.
How much total funding was estimated to be available for FY 2010?
The total estimated funding available for this cycle was about $4.7 million.
What was the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The expected maximum award size (award ceiling) was $700,000.
Was there a minimum award amount (award floor)?
No minimum award amount was stated. The award floor was listed as $0.
Was cost sharing or matching required?
Yes. The program required cost sharing or matching, meaning applicants needed to provide non-federal contributions consistent with the program rules.
Who was eligible to apply?
Eligibility was focused primarily on colleges and universities as defined under Section 1404 of NARETPA (7 U.S.C. 3103). This generally includes accredited, nonprofit (public or private) institutions of higher education authorized to award bachelors or higher degrees and admitting students with a secondary school completion credential (or equivalent).
Were any specific institution types explicitly included?
Yes. The eligible applicant pool explicitly included 1994 Land-Grant Institutions, Hispanic-Serving Agricultural Colleges and Universities (HSACUs, as recognized through amendments in the 2008 Food, Conservation, and Energy Act), and research foundations maintained by otherwise eligible colleges or universities.
Why does the eligibility focus on colleges and universities?
The structure indicates the program is oriented toward institutions with the capacity to run multi-part projects spanning science, producer engagement, and education, while also including designated land-grant and minority-serving agricultural institutions and affiliated research foundations.
What were the key dates for the FY 2010 announcement?
The posted date was May 21, 2010, and the application closing date was July 1, 2010. The opportunity was later archived on August 2, 2010.
Where could applicants get help with access or technical issues?
Administrative support for access issues was provided through the NIFA Help Desk at 202-401-5048, available during standard weekday business hours (Eastern Time).
Were there contacts for application content questions?
Yes. The announcement indicated there were contacts available for questions related to application content, although the provided information does not include the specific names or details.
What is the overall goal of ORG (FY 2010) in plain terms?
ORG (FY 2010) aimed to advance organic agriculture by supporting institution-led, integrated projects that improve farm-level competitiveness while documenting or enhancing environmental benefits of organic systems, especially benefits related to conserving soil and reducing or mitigating climate impacts across crop, livestock, and mixed farming operations.
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