Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NIFA ICGP 003691
Apply for USDA NIFA ICGP 003691
- The National Institute of Food and Agriculture in the agriculture food and nutrition sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Organic Transitions 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 Feb 29, 2012 and posted on Feb 29, 2012.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Apr 25, 2012. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $3,750,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $750,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Private institutions of higher education Public and State controlled 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.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Organic Transitions Program (ORG) is a competitive grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) designed to strengthen organic agriculture in the United States. Its core purpose is to fund the development and implementation of integrated projects that combine research, extension, and higher education activities. The program is aimed at improving the competitiveness of organic crop and livestock producers, as well as farmers and ranchers who are in the process of adopting organic practices. In practical terms, it supports work that helps producers transition to organic systems successfully and remain economically viable once certified, while also improving the knowledge base and outreach capacity needed to expand the organic sector.
For fiscal year 2012, the program places a specific emphasis on the environmental services delivered by organic farming systems, especially those that support soil conservation and contribute to climate change mitigation. This focus signals that proposed projects are expected to go beyond production and market outcomes alone and also address measurable or well-documented environmental benefits. Projects may cover organic crop production, organic animal agriculture including dairy, and integrated plant-animal systems, meaning proposals can explore whole-farm approaches such as rotational grazing with crop rotations, nutrient cycling strategies, or management systems that reduce erosion and improve soil health while lowering greenhouse gas impacts or increasing carbon storage.
This opportunity is categorized as a discretionary funding program and uses the grant funding instrument. It falls under the Agriculture, Food and Nutrition funding activity category and is listed under CFDA number 10.303 for Integrated Programs. A cost sharing or matching requirement applies, so applicants should be prepared to document non-federal contributions consistent with the program rules and the full announcement requirements.
The estimated total funding available for this funding cycle is $3,750,000. Individual awards can be as large as $750,000, and the award floor is listed as $0, which typically means there is no formally stated minimum request amount, though applicants usually propose budgets that match the scale and complexity of an integrated research-extension-education effort. The posting date for the opportunity is February 29, 2012, and the application deadline (original and current closing date) is April 25, 2012. The archive date is May 25, 2012, indicating when the listing was scheduled to be removed from active posting.
Eligibility is centered on academic institutions. Colleges and universities, as defined in Section 1404 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act (NARETPA), are eligible to apply. The eligibility language also reflects updates made by the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008, including recognition of Hispanic-serving Agricultural Colleges and Universities (HSACUs) and the inclusion of research foundations maintained by eligible colleges or universities. The listing also notes eligibility for private institutions of higher education and public or state-controlled institutions of higher education, with a reference to additional eligibility text in the full announcement for any clarifications or special cases.
Administratively, the sponsoring agency is NIFA, and the opportunity number is USDA NIFA ICGP 003691. Applicants needing help accessing the full announcement electronically are directed to the NIFA Help Desk at 202-401-5048 during business hours (Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time, excluding federal holidays). The announcement also indicates there is contact support for questions related to preparing the application content, which typically covers issues like required proposal sections, budget and match documentation, and how to structure the integrated research-extension-education components to align with program goals.
Organic Transitions Program (ORG) - FAQs
What is the Organic Transitions Program (ORG)?
The Organic Transitions Program (ORG) is a competitive grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), administered by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). It is designed to strengthen organic agriculture in the United States by funding projects that help organic and transitioning-to-organic producers succeed.
What is the main purpose of this grant program?
The program funds the development and implementation of integrated projects that combine research, extension, and higher education activities. The goal is to improve the competitiveness of organic crop and livestock producers and to support farmers and ranchers who are adopting organic practices.
What does "integrated projects" mean for this opportunity?
For ORG, an integrated project is one that intentionally combines research, extension, and higher education components into a coordinated effort. Projects are expected to build knowledge (research), share and apply that knowledge with producers and stakeholders (extension), and contribute to learning and workforce development through academic activities (higher education).
Who is this program intended to help?
The program is aimed at organic crop and livestock producers and at farmers and ranchers who are transitioning to organic systems. In practical terms, it supports work that helps producers transition successfully, remain economically viable after certification, and expand the broader knowledge base and outreach capacity needed to grow the organic sector.
What is the FY 2012 emphasis or priority area?
For fiscal year 2012, the program emphasizes the environmental services delivered by organic farming systems, especially services that support soil conservation and contribute to climate change mitigation. Proposals are expected to address environmental benefits in addition to production and market outcomes.
Are environmental outcomes required to be addressed in proposed projects?
Based on the FY 2012 emphasis described in the opportunity summary, projects are expected to go beyond production and market outcomes alone and also address measurable or well-documented environmental benefits, particularly related to soil conservation and climate change mitigation.
What types of production systems can be included in an ORG project?
Projects may cover organic crop production, organic animal agriculture (including dairy), and integrated plant-animal systems. The program allows for whole-farm approaches that connect crop and livestock management.
What are examples of integrated plant-animal or whole-farm approaches mentioned for this opportunity?
The description highlights approaches such as rotational grazing combined with crop rotations, nutrient cycling strategies, and management systems intended to reduce erosion, improve soil health, reduce greenhouse gas impacts, or increase carbon storage.
What funding mechanism is used for this opportunity?
This is a discretionary funding program that uses the grant funding instrument.
What is the funding activity category for this program?
The opportunity falls under the Agriculture, Food and Nutrition funding activity category.
What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?
The listing is under CFDA number 10.303 and is identified as an Integrated Programs opportunity.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
Yes. A cost sharing or matching requirement applies, and applicants should be prepared to document non-federal contributions consistent with program rules and the full announcement requirements.
How much total funding is expected to be available?
The estimated total funding available for this cycle is $3,750,000.
What is the maximum award amount per project?
Individual awards can be as large as $750,000.
Is there a minimum award amount?
The award floor is listed as $0, which typically indicates there is no formally stated minimum request amount. However, the summary notes that applicants usually propose budgets that match the scale and complexity of an integrated research-extension-education project.
When was this opportunity posted?
The posting date is February 29, 2012.
What is the application deadline?
The application deadline (original and current closing date) is April 25, 2012.
What does the archive date mean for this listing?
The archive date is May 25, 2012, indicating when the listing was scheduled to be removed from active posting.
Which agency sponsors this grant?
The sponsoring agency is USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA).
What is the opportunity number for this grant?
The opportunity number is USDA NIFA ICGP 003691.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is centered on academic institutions. Colleges and universities, as defined in Section 1404 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act (NARETPA), are eligible to apply.
Are Hispanic-serving Agricultural Colleges and Universities (HSACUs) recognized as eligible?
Yes. The eligibility language reflects updates made by the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008, including recognition of HSACUs.
Can a university-associated research foundation apply?
Yes. The listing includes research foundations maintained by eligible colleges or universities.
Are private universities eligible?
Yes. The listing notes eligibility for private institutions of higher education.
Are public or state-controlled universities eligible?
Yes. The listing notes eligibility for public or state-controlled institutions of higher education.
Where should applicants look for additional eligibility details or clarifications?
The listing references additional eligibility text in the full announcement for clarifications or special cases.
How can applicants get help accessing the full announcement electronically?
Applicants needing help accessing the full announcement electronically are directed to the NIFA Help Desk at 202-401-5048.
What are the NIFA Help Desk hours?
The Help Desk is available Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time, excluding federal holidays.
Is there support for questions about preparing the application itself?
Yes. The announcement indicates contact support for questions related to preparing the application content, including items such as required proposal sections, budget and match documentation, and how to structure the integrated research-extension-education components to align with program goals.
What kinds of application preparation topics are specifically mentioned?
The opportunity summary notes support for topics such as required proposal sections, budget and match documentation, and how to structure the integrated research-extension-higher education components to fit the program's goals and FY 2012 emphasis.
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