Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA CSREES OP 002343
Apply for USDA CSREES OP 002343
- The CSREES in the agriculture energy environment natural resources other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Renewable Resources Extension Act National Focus Fund Projects" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.500 Cooperative Extension Service.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jul 27, 2009 and posted on Jun 3, 2009.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 27, 2009. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $350,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $130,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 4 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
- Applications may be submitted by 1862 and 1890 land grant institutions.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Renewable Resources Extension Act National Focus Fund Projects grant opportunity is a discretionary USDA CSREES (Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service) program designed to strengthen and modernize extension work tied to forest and rangeland renewable resources. It sits under the Renewable Resources Extension Act of 1978 (Public Law 95-306; 16 U.S.C. 1671 et seq.), which established a broad, coordinated extension effort to help land managers, communities, and stakeholders improve the stewardship and productivity of forests and rangelands. While most RREA funds are distributed to states by formula (based on factors like the state’s geographic extent, ecosystem productivity, economic contribution, and population), this particular competition sets aside a smaller portion specifically for National Focus Fund Projects. Those projects are meant to operate beyond a single state, supporting national, regional, or multi-institutional approaches that improve coordination, introduce innovative technologies, and test extension delivery models that other programs can easily replicate.
In practical terms, the opportunity is aimed at projects that make extension programming more effective at scale: better alignment across institutions and regions, shared tools and methods, and approaches that can be duplicated by other extension systems working on renewable resource issues. The funding activity categories span agriculture, energy, environment, natural resources, and related areas, reflecting the cross-cutting nature of forestry and rangeland work, such as sustainable management practices, resource conservation, and education/outreach strategies that connect research-based knowledge to on-the-ground decision-making.
For this funding round, the estimated total available funding is $350,000, with an expected four awards. Individual awards are anticipated to fall between $85,000 (award floor) and $130,000 (award ceiling). The program does not require cost sharing or matching funds, which can reduce barriers for eligible institutions proposing ambitious coordination or technology-forward extension efforts.
Eligibility is limited to 1862 and 1890 land-grant institutions, meaning the traditional land-grant universities established under the Morrill Act and the historically Black land-grant institutions established under the Second Morrill Act. The funding opportunity is identified as USDA-CSREES-OP-002343 and is associated with CFDA 10.500 (Cooperative Extension Service). Key dates listed include a posted date of June 3, 2009, an original closing date of July 15, 2009, and an updated closing date of August 27, 2009, with the opportunity later archived on February 17, 2010. For applicants needing help accessing the full announcement, the notice points to the CSREES Help Desk (202-401-5048) during standard business hours (Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern).
Renewable Resources Extension Act (RREA) National Focus Fund Projects Grant - FAQs
What is the Renewable Resources Extension Act National Focus Fund Projects grant?
This is a discretionary USDA CSREES (Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service) grant program intended to strengthen and modernize extension work connected to forest and rangeland renewable resources. The competitive portion described here is specifically for National Focus Fund Projects.
What is the underlying legal authority for this opportunity?
The opportunity is tied to the Renewable Resources Extension Act of 1978, Public Law 95-306 (16 U.S.C. 1671 et seq.), which established a coordinated extension effort to improve stewardship and productivity of forests and rangelands.
How is this National Focus Fund competition different from typical RREA funding?
Most RREA funds are distributed to states by formula (based on factors such as geographic extent, ecosystem productivity, economic contribution, and population). This competition uses a smaller set-aside portion specifically for National Focus Fund Projects, which are designed to operate beyond a single state.
What is the main purpose of National Focus Fund Projects?
National Focus Fund Projects are intended to support national, regional, or multi-institutional approaches that improve coordination across extension systems, introduce innovative technologies, and test extension delivery models that can be replicated by other programs.
What kinds of outcomes is the program aiming for?
Based on the description, the program is aimed at making extension programming more effective at scale. That includes improved alignment across institutions and regions, shared tools and methods, and delivery approaches that other extension systems can duplicate for renewable resource issues.
Do projects have to work across state lines?
The National Focus Fund Projects are described as operating beyond a single state and supporting national, regional, or multi-institutional approaches. In practice, proposals are expected to be broader than a single-state effort.
What subject areas or activity categories does this opportunity cover?
The funding activity categories span agriculture, energy, environment, natural resources, and related areas. The opportunity is described as cross-cutting, reflecting forestry and rangeland work such as sustainable management practices, resource conservation, and education/outreach strategies that connect research-based knowledge to on-the-ground decision-making.
Is this an extension-focused program or a research program?
The program is described as designed to strengthen and modernize extension work. It emphasizes extension programming, coordination, and delivery models that move research-based knowledge into practical decision-making for forests and rangelands.
What is the estimated total amount of funding available for this round?
The estimated total available funding for this funding round is $350,000.
How many awards are expected?
The opportunity indicates an expectation of four awards.
What is the anticipated award size?
Individual awards are anticipated to range from $85,000 (award floor) to $130,000 (award ceiling).
Is cost sharing or matching required?
No. The program states that cost sharing or matching funds are not required.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is limited to 1862 and 1890 land-grant institutions, meaning the traditional land-grant universities established under the Morrill Act and the historically Black land-grant institutions established under the Second Morrill Act.
What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity is identified as USDA-CSREES-OP-002343.
What CFDA number is associated with this grant?
The opportunity is associated with CFDA 10.500 (Cooperative Extension Service).
When was the opportunity posted?
The posted date listed is June 3, 2009.
What was the original application closing date?
The original closing date listed is July 15, 2009.
Was the application deadline updated?
Yes. An updated closing date is listed as August 27, 2009.
Is this opportunity still active?
No. The notice indicates the opportunity was later archived on February 17, 2010.
What kind of projects does the program want to be easily replicable?
The description highlights extension delivery models, tools, and coordination approaches that other programs can easily replicate, especially those that improve multi-institutional or multi-region extension work tied to renewable forest and rangeland resources.
Where can applicants get help accessing the full announcement?
The notice points applicants to the CSREES Help Desk at 202-401-5048 for assistance accessing the full announcement.
What are the Help Desk hours?
Standard business hours are listed as Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern.
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