Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NIFA FAPR 003632
Apply for USDA NIFA FAPR 003632
- The National Institute of Food and Agriculture in the agriculture business and commerce education environment food and nutrition science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Policy Research Centers Grant Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.200 Grants for Agricultural Research, Special Research Grants.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jan 5, 2012 and posted on Jan 5, 2012.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Feb 13, 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 $3,840,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $960,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
- Applications may be submitted by State agricultural experiment stations, colleges and universities, other research institutions and organizations, private organizations, corporations, and individuals (7 U.S.C. 3155).
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Opportunity Summary:
The Policy Research Centers (PRC) Grant Program is a discretionary grant opportunity run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA NIFA). It is designed to support Policy Research Centers that can deliver rigorous, objective policy analysis and related education activities. A PRC can be a single organization with strong internal analytical capacity, or it can be a partnership across multiple institutions. The key expectation is that the center operates independently and objectively, remains external to the Federal Government, and produces policy-relevant research that helps clarify how public policies and trade agreements affect major parts of the U.S. food and agriculture system.
The program is focused on generating credible evidence and analysis across four broad impact areas. First, it targets the farm and agricultural sectors, explicitly including commodities, livestock, dairy, and specialty crops. Second, it supports work connected to environmental outcomes, which can include how policy choices influence resource use, conservation, emissions, water quality, land use, and other environmental considerations tied to agriculture and rural development. Third, it emphasizes rural families, households, and economies, reflecting an interest in how policy and trade decisions affect rural livelihoods, employment, income, community resilience, and regional economic conditions. Fourth, it addresses consumers, food, and nutrition, which can include food access, affordability, diet quality, nutrition programs, and consumer impacts stemming from agricultural and trade policy decisions. In practice, the PRC structure is meant to bridge research and education so that findings are not only produced, but also communicated and used to inform decision-making and public understanding.
From an administrative standpoint, this opportunity was posted January 5, 2012, with an application deadline of February 13, 2012, and an archive date of March 14, 2012. The Funding Opportunity Number is USDA NIFA FAPR 003632, and the associated CFDA number is 10.200 (Grants for Agricultural Research, Special Research Grants). The funding instrument is a grant, and the activity areas span agriculture, business and commerce, education, environment, food and nutrition, and science and technology/research and development. There is no cost sharing or matching requirement listed, which means applicants are not required to provide matching funds as a condition of receiving an award.
Funding levels indicate a relatively substantial investment in each center. The estimated total funding for the opportunity is $3,840,000. Individual awards are expected to range from a floor of $450,000 to a ceiling of $960,000, suggesting the agency anticipated supporting multiple sizable projects or centers, with award size likely reflecting scope, capacity, and the breadth of proposed work. These amounts imply the program is intended to fund organizations capable of sustained policy analysis and education outputs rather than small, narrowly scoped studies.
Eligibility is broad and includes state agricultural experiment stations, colleges and universities, other research institutions and organizations, private organizations, corporations, and individuals, referenced under 7 U.S.C. 3155. That breadth signals NIFA's intent to draw from both academic and non-academic policy research capacity, including interdisciplinary teams and consortia that can demonstrate independence and analytical strength. A PRC may be organized around multi-issue policy analysis or may focus deeply on a single policy area, as long as it aligns with the program's stated domains and maintains objective, independent operations.
For access or submission issues, the announcement directs applicants to the NIFA Help Desk at 202-401-5048 during business hours (Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET, excluding Federal holidays). The notice also indicates there is a contact channel for questions related to preparing application content, though the excerpt provided cuts off before listing the full details.
Policy Research Centers (PRC) Grant Program (USDA NIFA) - FAQs
1) What is the Policy Research Centers (PRC) Grant Program?
The Policy Research Centers (PRC) Grant Program is a discretionary grant opportunity run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA NIFA). It is intended to support Policy Research Centers that provide rigorous, objective policy analysis along with related education activities.
2) What is the main purpose of this grant opportunity?
The program is designed to fund centers that produce policy-relevant research and analysis that helps clarify how public policies and trade agreements affect major parts of the U.S. food and agriculture system, while also supporting education and communication of findings.
3) What is a "Policy Research Center" (PRC) under this program?
A PRC can be a single organization with strong internal analytical capacity or a partnership across multiple institutions. The key expectation is that the center operates independently and objectively, remains external to the Federal Government, and produces rigorous policy analysis and related education activities.
4) Can a PRC be a consortium or partnership across institutions?
Yes. The opportunity explicitly states a PRC may be structured as a partnership across multiple institutions, as long as it maintains independence and objective operations and can deliver rigorous analysis and education outputs.
5) Does the PRC have to be independent from the Federal Government?
Yes. A central expectation is that the center operates independently and objectively and remains external to the Federal Government.
6) What kinds of activities does the program support besides research?
In addition to policy research and analysis, the program supports related education activities. The PRC structure is intended to bridge research and education so that findings are produced, communicated, and used to inform decision-making and public understanding.
7) What are the program's broad impact areas?
The program focuses on generating credible evidence and analysis across four broad impact areas: (1) farm and agricultural sectors, (2) environmental outcomes, (3) rural families, households, and economies, and (4) consumers, food, and nutrition.
8) What topics are included in the farm and agricultural sectors impact area?
This impact area explicitly includes commodities, livestock, dairy, and specialty crops.
9) What topics fit under the environmental outcomes impact area?
Environmental outcomes may include how policy choices influence resource use, conservation, emissions, water quality, land use, and other environmental considerations tied to agriculture and rural development.
10) What topics fit under the rural families, households, and economies impact area?
This area reflects interest in how policy and trade decisions affect rural livelihoods, employment, income, community resilience, and regional economic conditions.
11) What topics fit under the consumers, food, and nutrition impact area?
This area can include food access, affordability, diet quality, nutrition programs, and consumer impacts stemming from agricultural and trade policy decisions.
12) Is the program specifically concerned with trade agreements as well as domestic policy?
Yes. The program description highlights research that clarifies how public policies and trade agreements affect major parts of the U.S. food and agriculture system.
13) When was this opportunity posted, and what were the key dates?
The opportunity was posted on January 5, 2012. The application deadline was February 13, 2012, and the archive date was March 14, 2012.
14) What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this PRC grant?
The Funding Opportunity Number is USDA NIFA FAPR 003632.
15) What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The associated CFDA number is 10.200 (Grants for Agricultural Research, Special Research Grants).
16) What type of funding instrument is used for this opportunity?
The funding instrument is a grant.
17) What activity areas does this program cover?
The activity areas span agriculture, business and commerce, education, environment, food and nutrition, and science and technology/research and development.
18) Is cost sharing or matching required?
No cost sharing or matching requirement is listed for this opportunity, meaning applicants are not required to provide matching funds as a condition of receiving an award (based on the information provided).
19) How much total funding was estimated for this opportunity?
The estimated total funding for the opportunity is $3,840,000.
20) What is the expected award size for individual grants?
Individual awards are expected to range from $450,000 (floor) to $960,000 (ceiling).
21) Does the funding level suggest the program is intended for larger efforts rather than small studies?
Yes. The stated award range and total funding suggest the program is intended to support organizations capable of sustained policy analysis and education outputs, rather than small, narrowly scoped studies.
22) Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes state agricultural experiment stations, colleges and universities, other research institutions and organizations, private organizations, corporations, and individuals (referenced under 7 U.S.C. 3155).
23) Does the program allow both academic and non-academic applicants?
Yes. The listed eligible entities include academic institutions (such as colleges and universities) and non-academic entities (such as private organizations, corporations, and individuals), indicating intent to draw from diverse policy research capacity.
24) Can a PRC focus on a single policy area, or must it cover multiple issues?
A PRC may be organized around multi-issue policy analysis or may focus deeply on a single policy area, as long as it aligns with the program's stated domains and maintains objective, independent operations.
25) What is the expectation regarding objectivity in the center's work?
The program expects rigorous, objective policy analysis. The PRC is expected to operate independently and objectively while producing credible evidence and policy-relevant research.
26) Who should applicants contact for help with access or submission issues?
For access or submission issues, applicants 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. ET, excluding Federal holidays).
27) Is there a contact for questions about preparing application content?
The notice indicates there is a contact channel for questions related to preparing application content, but the excerpt provided does not include the full contact details.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Agriculture Business and Commerce Education Environment Food and Nutrition Science and Technology and other Research and Development
Next opportunity: Institute of Education Sciences (IES) Statewide, Longitudinal Data Systems Program CFDA Number 84.372A
Previous opportunity: ROSES 2011 Strategic Astrophysics Technology
USGrants.org Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for USDA NIFA FAPR 003632
[Watch] how do funding administrators access proposals?
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Subscribe to Leads
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "USDA NIFA FAPR 003632", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.