Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NIFA OP 003436
Apply for USDA NIFA OP 003436
- The National Institute of Food and Agriculture in the agriculture environment natural resources 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 Apr 6, 2011 and posted on Apr 6, 2011.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 6, 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 $300,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $110,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 3 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. Project Directors are encouraged to have an extension appointment.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Renewable Resources Extension Act (RREA) National Focus Fund Projects grant opportunity (USDA NIFA, Funding Opportunity Number USDA NIFA OP 003436) was a discretionary federal grant program offered by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture to support Cooperative Extension work connected to forests and rangelands. For FY 2011, the program was designed to fund a small number of higher-impact projects that either matter beyond a single local area, strengthen Extension capacity to serve forest and rangeland owners, or create new approaches that other universities and Extension programs can copy and use.
The program priorities were framed around three main aims. First, projects could be funded if they had clear national or regional relevance, meaning the work addressed issues, audiences, or needs that extend across state lines or represent broadly shared challenges in forestry and rangeland management. Second, the opportunity emphasized building capacity within the Cooperative Extension System, specifically improving the ability of Extension professionals and institutions to deliver better education, technical support, outreach, or tools for forest and rangeland owners. Third, USDA NIFA signaled strong interest in new and innovative projects that would not just solve a problem in one place, but would be designed in a way that makes replication practical at other institutions, which generally implies transferable curricula, adaptable outreach models, or scalable methods and materials.
Funding was relatively focused and competitive. NIFA anticipated making about three awards, with an estimated total program funding of $300,000. Individual awards were expected to fall between $85,000 (award floor) and $110,000 (award ceiling). The opportunity did not require cost sharing or matching funds, which can lower barriers for eligible institutions and encourage proposals driven by program need rather than available non-federal contributions.
Eligibility was limited to 1862 and 1890 land-grant institutions, aligning the program closely with the traditional and historically Black land-grant university systems that anchor Cooperative Extension. While the eligible applicant category is listed broadly as "Others (see text field...)," the provided eligibility statement clarifies that applications were intended for those land-grant institutions. The opportunity also encouraged Project Directors to hold an Extension appointment, reinforcing that the funded work should be grounded in Extension programming and outreach rather than purely research activity.
Administratively, the opportunity was posted on April 6, 2011, with an application deadline of June 6, 2011, and it was later archived on September 30, 2011. The funding activity categories were Agriculture, Environment, and Natural Resources, and the CFDA number associated with the program was 10.500 (Cooperative Extension Service). For technical trouble accessing the full announcement, applicants were directed to the NIFA Help Desk (202-401-5048) during standard weekday business hours, and separate contact routes were provided for questions about the request for applications itself.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the RREA National Focus Fund Projects grant opportunity?
The Renewable Resources Extension Act (RREA) National Focus Fund Projects opportunity was a discretionary federal grant program offered by USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). It supported Cooperative Extension work connected to forests and rangelands, with an emphasis (for FY 2011) on a small number of higher-impact projects.
Which agency offered this opportunity?
The opportunity was offered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA).
What is the Funding Opportunity Number?
The Funding Opportunity Number was USDA NIFA OP 003436.
What CFDA program number is associated with this opportunity?
The associated CFDA number was 10.500, which corresponds to the Cooperative Extension Service.
What was the main purpose of the FY 2011 program?
For FY 2011, the program was designed to fund a small number of higher-impact projects that either: (1) mattered beyond a single local area, (2) strengthened Extension capacity to serve forest and rangeland owners, or (3) created new approaches that other universities and Extension programs could copy and use.
What types of projects were prioritized?
The priorities were framed around three main aims:
- National or regional relevance: Projects addressing issues, audiences, or needs that extend across state lines or reflect broadly shared challenges in forestry and rangeland management.
- Extension capacity building: Projects improving the ability of Cooperative Extension professionals and institutions to deliver education, technical support, outreach, or tools for forest and rangeland owners.
- Innovation and replicability: New approaches designed so other institutions can realistically replicate them, such as transferable curricula, adaptable outreach models, or scalable methods and materials.
Does the program focus on forestry and rangelands specifically?
Yes. The opportunity supported Cooperative Extension work connected to forests and rangelands, including education, outreach, technical assistance, and tools intended for forest and rangeland owners.
How many awards did NIFA expect to make?
NIFA anticipated making about three awards.
How much total funding was expected to be available?
The estimated total program funding for FY 2011 was $300,000.
What was the expected award size?
Individual awards were expected to range from $85,000 (award floor) to $110,000 (award ceiling).
Was cost sharing or matching required?
No. The opportunity did not require cost sharing or matching funds.
Who was eligible to apply?
Eligibility was limited to 1862 and 1890 land-grant institutions. Although the eligible applicant category was listed broadly as "Others (see text field...)," the eligibility statement indicated applications were intended for those land-grant institutions.
Were applicants expected to be connected to Cooperative Extension?
Yes. The program supported Cooperative Extension work, and it encouraged Project Directors to hold an Extension appointment, reinforcing that proposed work should be grounded in Extension programming and outreach rather than purely research activity.
Is this program intended to support local-only projects?
The FY 2011 design emphasized projects that matter beyond a single local area, such as those with national or regional relevance, capacity-building impacts, or approaches that can be replicated by other universities and Extension programs.
What does "replicable" mean in the context of this opportunity?
Replicable projects are those intentionally designed so other institutions can copy and use them in practice. This generally implies outputs like transferable curricula, adaptable outreach models, or scalable methods and materials.
What were the funding activity categories for this opportunity?
The funding activity categories were Agriculture, Environment, and Natural Resources.
When was the opportunity posted?
The opportunity was posted on April 6, 2011.
What was the application deadline?
The application deadline was June 6, 2011.
When was the opportunity archived?
The opportunity was archived on September 30, 2011.
Where could applicants get help if they had technical trouble accessing the full announcement?
Applicants were directed to the NIFA Help Desk at 202-401-5048 during standard weekday business hours for technical trouble accessing the full announcement.
Were there separate contacts for questions about the request for applications (RFA) itself?
Yes. Separate contact routes were provided for questions about the request for applications itself, distinct from technical help accessing the announcement.
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