Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NIFA ICGP 004168
Apply for USDA NIFA ICGP 004168
- 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 8, 2013 and posted on Feb 8, 2013.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Apr 5, 2013 Prospective applicants are asked to email a notice of Intent to Submit an application by close of business Friday, March 1, 2013 (500 p.m. Eastern Time). This notification is not required and does not enter into the review of a subsequent application.. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $3,700,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $750,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification) Private institutions of higher education Public and State controlled 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.
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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) focused on helping U.S. agriculture strengthen and expand organic production. Its core purpose is to fund integrated efforts in research, extension, and higher education that make organic crop and livestock producers more competitive, while also supporting farmers and ranchers who are in the process of adopting organic practices. In practice, ORG is designed to move beyond basic research alone and encourage projects that generate usable knowledge, translate it into practical guidance, and build the education and outreach capacity needed for organic systems to succeed.
For FY 2013, the program emphasizes the public benefits of organic farming systems, especially environmental services tied to soil conservation and climate change mitigation. A specific part of that emphasis includes understanding and reducing greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) through organic management, and documenting how organic approaches can protect or improve soil health. Projects can address organic crop systems, organic animal production, or integrated systems that combine plant and animal production, reflecting the reality that many successful organic operations rely on whole-farm strategies rather than isolated practices.
Two notable new priorities were added in this funding cycle. The first is the development of educational tools aimed at Cooperative Extension personnel and other agricultural professionals who advise producers on organic practices. This signals that USDA wants more consistent, high-quality technical assistance available on the ground, not just new findings published in journals. The second new priority targets the development of cultural practices and other allowable alternatives to inputs that are being recommended for removal from the National Organic Program (NOP) National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances. In other words, ORG is encouraging innovation that helps organic producers transition away from at-risk inputs by improving management-based solutions, non-chemical approaches, or other compliant substitutes that still protect productivity and farm viability.
Administratively, this opportunity is listed as a discretionary grant under CFDA 10.303 (Integrated Programs). It includes a cost sharing or matching requirement, meaning applicants should expect to provide some level of non-federal contribution according to the full program rules. The estimated total funding available for the FY 2013 competition is $3.7 million, with an award ceiling of $750,000 and no stated award floor. The funding opportunity number is USDA NIFA ICGP 004168, and it was posted on February 8, 2013. The application closing date is April 5, 2013. NIFA also requested (but did not require) that prospective applicants email a notice of intent to submit by March 1, 2013 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern; importantly, that notice was optional and was not used in proposal review.
Eligibility is centered on higher education institutions. Colleges and universities as defined in Section 1404 of NARETPA (7 U.S.C. 3103) are eligible, including public/state-controlled and private institutions of higher education, and research foundations maintained by eligible colleges or universities. 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). Applicants needing assistance accessing the full announcement were directed to the NIFA Help Desk (202-401-5048) during standard business hours.
Overall, ORG is best understood as a program meant to accelerate practical, science-based organic transition and performance improvements, while also building the advisory and educational infrastructure that organic producers depend on. The funding priorities show a clear intent to support environmentally beneficial outcomes (especially soil and climate benefits), strengthen the capacity of extension and agricultural professionals to deliver organic guidance, and help the organic sector adapt to evolving NOP input rules by developing reliable, compliant alternatives rooted in improved management and cultural practices.
Organic Transitions Program (ORG) - FAQs (FY 2013)
What is the Organic Transitions Program (ORG)?
The Organic Transitions Program (ORG) is a competitive USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) grant opportunity designed to help U.S. agriculture strengthen and expand organic production by funding integrated efforts in research, extension, and higher education.
What is the main purpose of the ORG grant?
The core purpose is to support projects that make organic crop and livestock producers more competitive and to support farmers and ranchers who are adopting organic practices. ORG encourages projects that go beyond basic research by generating usable knowledge, translating it into practical guidance, and building education and outreach capacity for organic systems.
What types of projects does ORG fund?
ORG funds integrated projects that combine research, extension, and higher education. The program is intended to support practical, science-based improvements that can be used by organic producers and those transitioning to organic practices.
Does ORG support both crop and livestock systems?
Yes. Projects may address organic crop systems, organic animal production, or integrated systems that combine plant and animal production, reflecting whole-farm organic strategies.
What are the FY 2013 program emphasis areas?
For FY 2013, ORG emphasizes the public benefits of organic farming systems, particularly environmental services tied to soil conservation and climate change mitigation. This includes understanding and reducing greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) through organic management and documenting how organic approaches can protect or improve soil health.
How does ORG address greenhouse gas emissions and climate change?
FY 2013 priorities include understanding and reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through organic management and documenting climate-related benefits associated with organic farming systems.
How does ORG address soil health and soil conservation?
FY 2013 priorities highlight documenting how organic approaches can protect or improve soil health, linking organic systems to soil conservation and environmental service benefits.
What new priorities were added for this funding cycle?
Two notable new priorities were added: (1) developing educational tools for Cooperative Extension personnel and other agricultural professionals who advise producers on organic practices, and (2) developing cultural practices and other allowable alternatives to inputs recommended for removal from the National Organic Program (NOP) National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances.
What does the new educational tools priority focus on?
It focuses on creating educational tools aimed at Cooperative Extension personnel and other agricultural professionals who provide technical assistance and guidance to producers on organic practices, supporting more consistent, high-quality on-the-ground support.
What does the priority about alternatives to at-risk inputs mean?
It targets the development of cultural practices and other allowable alternatives to inputs that are being recommended for removal from the NOP National List. The intent is to help organic producers transition away from inputs that may become unavailable by improving management-based solutions, non-chemical approaches, or other compliant substitutes that maintain productivity and viability.
Is this a discretionary grant program?
Yes. ORG is listed as a discretionary grant opportunity.
What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?
The opportunity is listed under CFDA 10.303 (Integrated Programs).
Is cost sharing or matching required?
Yes. The opportunity includes a cost sharing or matching requirement, meaning applicants should expect to provide some level of non-federal contribution according to the full program rules.
How much total funding is available for FY 2013?
The estimated total funding available for the FY 2013 competition is $3.7 million.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling is $750,000.
Is there a minimum award amount (award floor)?
No stated award floor is provided in the information available.
What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number is USDA NIFA ICGP 004168.
When was the opportunity posted?
The opportunity was posted on February 8, 2013.
What is the application deadline?
The application closing date is April 5, 2013.
Was a notice of intent to submit required?
No. NIFA requested (but did not require) that prospective applicants email a notice of intent to submit.
When was the optional notice of intent due?
The optional notice of intent was requested by March 1, 2013 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern.
Did the optional notice of intent affect proposal review?
No. The notice was optional and was not used in proposal review.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is centered on higher education institutions. Eligible applicants include colleges and universities as defined in Section 1404 of NARETPA (7 U.S.C. 3103), including public/state-controlled and private institutions of higher education, as well as research foundations maintained by eligible colleges or universities.
Are Hispanic-serving Agricultural Colleges and Universities (HSACUs) recognized in eligibility?
Yes. The eligibility language reflects updates made by the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008, including recognition of HSACUs.
Where can applicants get help accessing the full announcement?
Applicants needing assistance accessing the full announcement were directed to the NIFA Help Desk at 202-401-5048 during standard business hours.
What is ORG ultimately trying to accomplish?
ORG is intended to accelerate practical, science-based organic transition and performance improvements while building the advisory and educational infrastructure organic producers depend on. FY 2013 priorities emphasize environmental benefits (especially soil and climate benefits), strengthening extension and professional capacity to deliver organic guidance, and helping the organic sector adapt to evolving NOP input rules by developing reliable, compliant alternatives rooted in improved management and cultural practices.
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