Renewable Resource Extension Act – National Focus Fund Projects (RREA-NFF) | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the RREA-NFF grant opportunity?

The Renewable Resource Extension Act - National Focus Fund Projects (RREA-NFF) is a discretionary grant program administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA-NIFA). It supports pilot, extension-oriented projects focused on forests and rangelands.

Which agency runs this program?

The program is run by USDA-NIFA (the National Institute of Food and Agriculture within the U.S. Department of Agriculture).

Is this a discretionary grant program?

Yes. The opportunity is described as a discretionary grant program.

What is the funding opportunity number for this notice?

The funding opportunity number is USDA NIFA OP 005779.

What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?

This opportunity is cataloged under CFDA 10.500, which is tied to USDA extension-related activities in agriculture and natural resources.

When was the opportunity posted and created?

The notice was posted on April 4, 2016, and it was also created on April 4, 2016.

What was the application deadline?

The notice set a single application deadline of June 3, 2016.

What is the main purpose of RREA-NFF?

The core purpose is to support pilot projects focused on forests and rangelands, emphasizing practical, extension-oriented work that helps land managers, communities, and institutions respond to changing conditions.

What types of projects does RREA-NFF support?

RREA-NFF supports pilot projects centered on forest and rangeland resources, especially projects designed as extension and outreach efforts with practical application.

What does "extension-oriented" mean in this context?

Based on the opportunity description, projects are expected to emphasize practical work and outreach that can be used by land managers, communities, and institutions. The intent is to translate knowledge into usable methods, tools, curricula, or models that support on-the-ground decisions and stewardship.

What are examples of "emerging forest and rangeland resource issues" the program is interested in?

The notice gives examples such as new pests, wildfire risk dynamics, drought impacts, invasive species, changing land use pressures, and other rapidly evolving challenges affecting forests and rangelands.

Do projects need to focus on emerging issues?

Projects are expected to do at least one of the following: tackle emerging forest and rangeland issues, demonstrate national or regional relevance (not narrowly local), or develop innovative approaches designed to be replicated by other institutions.

Do projects have to be national in scope?

The notice emphasizes national or regional relevance rather than narrowly local impact. That means projects should be designed so their results matter beyond a single site or community, even if the work is piloted in a specific location.

What does it mean for a project to be "replicable"?

Replicable projects are those that produce approaches other institutions can adopt. The opportunity describes deliverables such as methods, tools, curricula, outreach models, or similar products that can be used elsewhere.

What kinds of deliverables are expected?

The notice suggests deliverables that can be adopted by others, including methods, tools, curricula, and outreach models (or other comparable products) that support forest and rangeland resource stewardship.

Is this funding meant for pilot or demonstration efforts?

Yes. The opportunity specifically describes support for pilot projects and emphasizes testable, scalable extension and outreach work.

What is the award mechanism?

Funding is provided through a grant award mechanism.

What is the maximum award amount?

The award ceiling is $80,000 per award.

How many awards will be made?

The notice indicates an expectation of making awards, but the exact number of expected awards is not specified in the information provided.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is listed broadly as "Others." The notice also includes a note that applicants should consult the opportunity's additional eligibility information for clarification, which implies eligibility may be more specific than the summary field indicates.

Is eligibility clearly defined in the summary information?

No. The summary describes eligibility as "Others" and directs applicants to review additional eligibility information for details.

Are partnerships required?

The summary information does not explicitly state whether partnerships are required. It does note that eligibility may involve specific types of organizations or partnerships, but the details are not provided in the text available here.

What kinds of beneficiaries or audiences should the project serve?

The description emphasizes usefulness for land managers, communities, and institutions dealing with changing conditions affecting forests and rangelands.

What is the overall intent behind this funding?

The opportunity is structured to seed testable, scalable extension and outreach projects that advance forest and rangeland resource stewardship and can be leveraged beyond a single site or institution.

Does the opportunity focus on forests, rangelands, or both?

Both. The program is explicitly focused on forests and rangelands.

Does the program prioritize local-only projects?

No. The opportunity highlights national or regional relevance and discourages projects that are narrowly local in impact.