Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NIFA ICGP 003448
Apply for USDA NIFA ICGP 003448
- The National Institute of Food and Agriculture in the agriculture environment natural resources 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 May 24, 2011 and posted on May 24, 2011.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 30, 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 $3,750,000.00 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 6 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification) Public and State controlled institutions of higher education Private institutions of higher education.
- 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 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 (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 from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) designed to strengthen the U.S. organic sector by funding integrated work in research, extension, and higher education. The program is meant to help organic crop and livestock producers, along with producers who are in the process of adopting organic practices, become more competitive and successful. In practical terms, the program supports projects that do more than just generate research results; it also emphasizes getting those results into the hands of farmers, advisors, and educators through outreach and training, while also building the educational pipeline needed to support organic agriculture over time.
For fiscal year 2011, the ORG program places a specific spotlight on the environmental services provided by organic farming systems, particularly services that support soil conservation and contribute to climate change mitigation. That focus signals a preference for proposals that can demonstrate how organic practices improve soil health, reduce erosion, build soil organic matter, improve nutrient cycling, and potentially reduce net greenhouse gas emissions or increase carbon sequestration. The scope is intentionally broad across organic production types, covering organic crops, organic animal production (including dairy), and integrated systems that combine plant and animal production. Projects could therefore center on cropping systems, pasture and grazing strategies, manure and nutrient management within organic constraints, rotational systems linking livestock and crops, or other whole-farm approaches that credibly connect organic management to measurable environmental outcomes.
This opportunity is offered as a discretionary grant under the “Integrated Programs” assistance listing (CFDA 10.303), which generally indicates the expectation of coordinated work across functions like research plus extension and/or education rather than isolated activities. The total estimated funding available is $3,750,000, with an anticipated six awards. Individual awards can be as large as $750,000 (award ceiling), and there is no stated minimum award amount (award floor listed as $0). A cost sharing or matching requirement applies, meaning applicants should expect to document non-federal contributions consistent with the program rules described in the full solicitation.
Eligible applicants are primarily colleges and universities as defined in Section 1404 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act (NARETPA), including certain updated categories recognized under amendments made by the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008. In addition to standard public and nonprofit accredited institutions of higher education that meet the statutory definition, eligibility also extends to Hispanic-serving Agricultural Colleges and Universities (HSACUs), 1994 Land Grant Institutions, and research foundations maintained by eligible colleges or universities. The definition of an eligible “college or university” for this program emphasizes institutions that are legally authorized to provide education beyond secondary school, award bachelors or higher degrees, operate as public or other nonprofit entities, and hold accreditation by a nationally recognized accrediting agency.
Key administrative details place the timeline in 2011: the funding opportunity was posted May 24, 2011, with an application deadline of June 30, 2011, and an archive date of July 30, 2011. The opportunity category is discretionary, the funding instrument is a grant, and the activity areas are agriculture, environment, and natural resources, reflecting the program’s combined production and environmental objectives. For support accessing the full announcement or navigating electronic submission issues, NIFA directs applicants to its help desk (202-401-5048) during normal business hours, and it also provides a point of contact for questions related to preparing application content in the full announcement.
Organic Transitions Program (ORG) - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Organic Transitions Program (ORG)?
The Organic Transitions Program (ORG) is a competitive grant opportunity from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). It is designed to strengthen the U.S. organic sector by funding integrated projects that combine research, extension, and higher education.
What is the purpose of the ORG program?
The program aims to help organic crop and livestock producers, as well as producers who are adopting organic practices, become more competitive and successful. It supports projects that generate research results and also prioritize outreach, training, and educational capacity-building so that results reach farmers, advisors, and educators and the organic workforce pipeline grows over time.
What does it mean that ORG is an "integrated" program?
ORG is offered under the "Integrated Programs" assistance listing (CFDA 10.303). This signals an expectation that funded projects coordinate multiple functions such as research plus extension and/or education, rather than proposing isolated activities.
What is the special focus for fiscal year (FY) 2011?
For FY 2011, ORG places a specific spotlight on the environmental services provided by organic farming systems, particularly services that support soil conservation and contribute to climate change mitigation.
What kinds of environmental outcomes are emphasized in FY 2011?
The FY 2011 emphasis favors proposals that can demonstrate how organic practices improve soil health, reduce erosion, build soil organic matter, improve nutrient cycling, and potentially reduce net greenhouse gas emissions or increase carbon sequestration.
What types of production systems can ORG projects cover?
The scope is broad and includes organic crops, organic animal production (including dairy), and integrated systems that combine plant and animal production.
What are examples of project topics that fit within the ORG scope?
Projects could focus on cropping systems, pasture and grazing strategies, manure and nutrient management within organic constraints, rotational systems linking livestock and crops, or other whole-farm approaches that credibly connect organic management to measurable environmental outcomes.
What is the funding instrument and opportunity category?
The opportunity category is discretionary, and the funding instrument is a grant.
What is the assistance listing/CFDA number for this opportunity?
This opportunity is offered under the "Integrated Programs" assistance listing, CFDA 10.303.
How much total funding is estimated to be available?
The total estimated funding available is $3,750,000.
How many awards are anticipated?
The program anticipates making six awards.
What is the maximum award amount?
The award ceiling is $750,000 per award.
Is there a minimum award amount?
No minimum award amount is stated. The award floor is listed as $0.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
Yes. A cost sharing or matching requirement applies, so applicants should expect to document non-federal contributions consistent with the program rules described in the full solicitation.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants are primarily colleges and universities as defined in Section 1404 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act (NARETPA), including updated categories recognized under amendments made by the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008.
What types of institutions are explicitly included as eligible?
Eligibility extends to public and nonprofit accredited institutions of higher education that meet the statutory definition, Hispanic-serving Agricultural Colleges and Universities (HSACUs), 1994 Land Grant Institutions, and research foundations maintained by eligible colleges or universities.
What characteristics define an eligible "college or university" for this program?
An eligible institution is legally authorized to provide education beyond secondary school, can award bachelors or higher degrees, operates as a public or other nonprofit entity, and is accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency.
What are the main activity areas for this grant opportunity?
The activity areas are agriculture, environment, and natural resources, reflecting the program's combined production and environmental objectives.
When was this funding opportunity posted?
The opportunity was posted on May 24, 2011.
What was the application deadline?
The application deadline was June 30, 2011.
When was this opportunity archived?
The archive date was July 30, 2011.
Where can applicants get help accessing the full announcement or with electronic submission issues?
NIFA directs applicants to its help desk at 202-401-5048 during normal business hours for support with accessing the full announcement or navigating electronic submission issues.
Is there a point of contact for application content questions?
Yes. NIFA provides a point of contact for questions related to preparing application content in the full announcement.
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