Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NIFA SRGP 004517
Apply for USDA NIFA SRGP 004517
- The National Institute of Food and Agriculture in the agriculture sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Special Research Grants Program Potato Breeding Research" 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 Apr 4, 2014 and posted on Apr 4, 2014.
- Applicants must submit their applications by May 15, 2014. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $1,238,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
- Applications may only be submitted by State agricultural experiment stations, land grant colleges and universities, research foundations established by land grant colleges and universities, colleges and universities receiving funds under the Act of October 10, 1962, as amended (16 USC 582a et seq.), and accredited schools or colleges of veterinary medicine.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Opportunity Summary:
The Special Research Grants Program Potato Breeding Research opportunity (USDA NIFA SRGP 004517) is a discretionary grant program run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) under CFDA 10.200, Grants for Agricultural Research, Special Research Grants. Its central goal is to fund research that strengthens U.S. potato breeding efforts, specifically research programs aimed at developing, evaluating, and testing new potato varieties (Solanum tuberosum L.) that are suitable for commercial production. The program is geared toward practical, variety-focused outcomes rather than general potato research, meaning the work proposed needs to clearly contribute to the pipeline that results in improved cultivars.
The program defines "varietal development and testing" in a fairly inclusive way, allowing both conventional breeding approaches and biotechnological genetics approaches, as long as the work is tied to producing improved varieties. In other words, an applicant can propose traditional crossing and selection, marker-assisted selection, genomics-enabled breeding, or other genetics tools, but the emphasis must remain on creating better potato lines and moving them through the evaluation process toward release and commercial use. Importantly, activities like evaluation, screening, and testing are considered appropriate only when they directly support variety development. That typically implies projects should be built around selection decisions, performance validation, or trait confirmation that advance breeding materials and help identify candidates for release.
From an administrative perspective, this opportunity uses the grant funding instrument, does not require cost sharing or matching, and had an estimated total funding amount of $1,238,000. The funding opportunity was posted on April 4, 2014, with an application deadline of May 15, 2014, and it was later archived on June 14, 2014. While the dates indicate this specific announcement is historical, the summary reflects what the program sought to support: applied breeding research with a clear line of sight to commercially viable potato varieties.
Eligibility is limited to specific institution types associated with agricultural and related research capacity in the United States. Applications could only be submitted by State agricultural experiment stations, land grant colleges and universities, research foundations established by land grant colleges and universities, colleges and universities receiving funds under the Act of October 10, 1962 (as amended, 16 USC 582a et seq.), and accredited schools or colleges of veterinary medicine. This structure indicates the program was designed to fund established public or similarly qualified research institutions with the infrastructure to run breeding programs, conduct multi-location testing, and manage variety development pipelines.
For applicant support, NIFA provided a help desk contact for technical difficulties accessing the full announcement, available by phone at 202-401-5048 during standard business hours (Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time, excluding federal holidays). The announcement also notes separate assistance for questions related to preparing application content, indicating NIFA expected applicants to engage with guidance on proposal preparation and compliance.
Overall, the grant opportunity is best understood as targeted funding for breeding-driven potato research: creating improved varieties through conventional and/or biotech-enabled genetics, and backing those efforts with the evaluation and testing needed to make credible advancement decisions toward commercial release.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Special Research Grants Program Potato Breeding Research opportunity (USDA NIFA SRGP 004517)?
It is a discretionary grant program run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) under CFDA 10.200 (Grants for Agricultural Research, Special Research Grants). The opportunity is specifically focused on funding applied potato breeding research.
What is the main goal of this grant program?
The central goal is to strengthen U.S. potato breeding efforts by funding research programs that develop, evaluate, and test new potato varieties (Solanum tuberosum L.) that are suitable for commercial production.
Is this grant intended for general potato research?
No. The program is geared toward practical, variety-focused outcomes rather than broad or general potato research. Proposed work needs to clearly contribute to the pipeline that results in improved cultivars.
What types of projects does the program prioritize?
The program prioritizes breeding-driven projects aimed at developing improved potato lines and moving them through evaluation and testing toward release and commercial use.
What does the program mean by "varietal development and testing"?
"Varietal development and testing" is described in an inclusive way and can include a range of breeding and genetics activities, as long as they are tied to producing improved potato varieties and advancing materials through the evaluation process.
Are conventional potato breeding approaches allowed?
Yes. Traditional crossing and selection approaches are consistent with the program's definition of varietal development, as long as the work is clearly focused on producing improved varieties.
Are biotechnology or genetics-based approaches allowed?
Yes. Biotechnological genetics approaches are allowed (including marker-assisted selection, genomics-enabled breeding, or other genetics tools), but the emphasis must remain on creating better potato lines and moving them toward commercial viability.
Are evaluation, screening, and testing activities eligible for support?
Yes, but only when they directly support variety development. The announcement indicates that testing and screening are appropriate when they inform selection decisions, validate performance, confirm traits, or otherwise advance breeding materials toward potential release.
What is the funding instrument for this opportunity?
The opportunity uses the grant funding instrument.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
No. The announcement states that cost sharing or matching is not required.
What was the estimated total funding amount for this opportunity?
The estimated total funding amount listed was $1,238,000.
When was the funding opportunity posted?
The opportunity was posted on April 4, 2014.
What was the application deadline?
The application deadline was May 15, 2014.
Is this specific announcement still active?
No. The opportunity was archived on June 14, 2014, indicating this specific announcement is historical.
Who was eligible to apply?
Eligibility was limited to specific institution types in the United States: State agricultural experiment stations; land grant colleges and universities; research foundations established by land grant colleges and universities; colleges and universities receiving funds under the Act of October 10, 1962 (as amended, 16 USC 582a et seq.); and accredited schools or colleges of veterinary medicine.
Does the eligibility list suggest what kind of organizations the program is designed to fund?
Yes. The eligibility structure indicates the program was designed to fund established public or similarly qualified research institutions with the capacity to run breeding programs, conduct evaluation and testing (including multi-location testing), and manage variety development pipelines.
What crop and species does this program focus on?
The program focuses on potato, specifically Solanum tuberosum L.
What kinds of outcomes should a proposed project be able to demonstrate?
Based on the description, projects should show a clear line of sight to improved cultivars, including activities that support developing, evaluating, testing, and advancing candidate potato varieties toward commercial production.
Where could applicants get help with technical difficulties accessing the full announcement?
NIFA provided a help desk for technical difficulties at 202-401-5048, available Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time, excluding federal holidays.
Was there assistance available for questions about preparing the application content?
Yes. The announcement notes separate assistance for questions related to preparing application content, indicating that applicants were expected to follow guidance on proposal preparation and compliance.
What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is listed under CFDA 10.200, Grants for Agricultural Research, Special Research Grants.
How should applicants interpret the program's emphasis when designing a project?
Applicants should interpret the emphasis as strongly variety-centered: methods can be conventional or biotech-enabled, but the work should be organized around tangible breeding advancement (selection, validation, and testing that moves breeding materials toward release and commercial use).
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Agriculture
Next opportunity: Wind Forecasting Improvement Project in Complex Terrain
Previous opportunity: FA New Mexico Long Term Bird Monitoring
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 SRGP 004517
[Watch] how do funding administrators access proposals?
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (USDA NIFA SRGP 004517) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program Apply for USDA NIFA BFR 004518 Funding Number: USDA NIFA BFR 004518 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| CONSERVATION INNOVATION GRANT Apply for USDA NRCS NE 14 01 Funding Number: USDA NRCS NE 14 01 Agency: Nebraska State Office Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $75,000 |
| Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Integrated Pest Management Apply for RFA OAA 14 000018 Funding Number: RFA OAA 14 000018 Agency: Agency for International Development Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $50,000,000 |
| Specialty Crop Block Grant Program Farm Bill Apply for USDA AMS SCBGP 2014 Funding Number: USDA AMS SCBGP 2014 Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Notice of Funds Availability Emerging Marketing Program Apply for EMP2015 Funding Number: EMP2015 Agency: Foreign Agricultural Service Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Notice of Funds Availability Foreign Market Development Program Apply for FMD2015 Funding Number: FMD2015 Agency: Foreign Agricultural Service Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $34,500,000 |
| Notice of Funds Availability Market Access Program Apply for MAP2015 Funding Number: MAP2015 Agency: Foreign Agricultural Service Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $200,000,000 |
| Notice of Funds Availability Quality Samples Program Apply for QSP2015 Funding Number: QSP2015 Agency: Foreign Agricultural Service Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $75,000 |
| Notice of Funds Availability Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops Apply for TASC2015 Funding Number: TASC2015 Agency: Foreign Agricultural Service Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Basin States Salinity Program Apply for R14SS40005 Funding Number: R14SS40005 Agency: Bureau of Reclamation Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $9,200,000 |
| Rural Health and Safety Education Apply for USDA NIFA RHSE 004522 Funding Number: USDA NIFA RHSE 004522 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| Farm Business Management and Benchmarking Competitive Grants Program Apply for USDA NIFA FBMB 004523 Funding Number: USDA NIFA FBMB 004523 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| AgrAbility Assistive Technology Program for Farmers with Disabilities Apply for USDA NIFA SLBCD 004524 Funding Number: USDA NIFA SLBCD 004524 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $180,000 |
| Critical Agricultural Materials Apply for USDA NIFA OP 004526 Funding Number: USDA NIFA OP 004526 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Federal State Marketing Improvement Program Apply for USDA AMS FSMIP 2014 Funding Number: USDA AMS FSMIP 2014 Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| National Integrated Water Quality Program Apply for USDA NIFA ICGP 004527 Funding Number: USDA NIFA ICGP 004527 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $750,000 |
| Smith Lever Special Needs Competitive Grants Program Apply for USDA NIFA SLBCD 004528 Funding Number: USDA NIFA SLBCD 004528 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $120,000 |
| IMPROVING POST HARVEST LOSS THROUGH HOUSHOLD SEED STORAGE MODELS FOR VULNERABLE POPULATIONS IN JAMAICA Apply for APS OFDA 14 000007 Funding Number: APS OFDA 14 000007 Agency: Agency for International Development Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Biodiesel Fuel Education Program Apply for USDA NIFA OP 004529 Funding Number: USDA NIFA OP 004529 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| 2014 Farmers Market Promotion Program Grants Apply for USDA AMS FMPP 2014 Funding Number: USDA AMS FMPP 2014 Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $100,000 |
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 SRGP 004517", 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.