Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NIFA SRGP 003712
Apply for USDA NIFA SRGP 003712
- The National Institute of Food and Agriculture in the agriculture science and technology and other research and development 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 May 1, 2012 and posted on Mar 14, 2012.
- Applicants must submit their applications by May 8, 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 $1,238,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $1,238,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education Private institutions of higher education.
- Applications may 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. Award recipients may subcontract to organizations not eligible to apply provided such organizations are necessary for the conduct of the project.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Special Research Grants Program Potato Breeding Research opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number USDA NIFA SRGP 003712) is a discretionary grant competition administered by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) under CFDA 10.200, Grants for Agricultural Research, Special Research Grants. Its central goal is to fund applied agricultural research that results in improved potato varieties (Solanum tuberosum L.) suitable for commercial production. In practical terms, the program is aimed at supporting potato breeding pipelines that move from creating new genetic material through evaluation and field testing, with a clear emphasis on producing varieties that can be adopted by the potato industry.
The scope of work is specifically focused on varietal development and testing. That phrase is defined in the announcement to include research using conventional breeding methods and/or biotechnological genetics to develop improved potato varieties. Importantly, the program makes clear that evaluation, screening, and testing activities are eligible and expected, but only when they directly support variety development. This means projects centered on phenotype screening, disease or pest resistance evaluation, quality testing (such as processing traits), yield stability trials, or other assessment work should be framed as components of a broader breeding and advancement strategy rather than as stand-alone studies.
Awards are made as grants, with no cost sharing or matching requirement. The estimated total funding available for the opportunity is $1,238,000, and the listed award ceiling is also $1,238,000 (with an award floor of $0), indicating that the program could fund one large award up to that amount or potentially multiple awards depending on agency decisions and the quality of applications. The opportunity was posted March 14, 2012, created May 1, 2012, and ultimately closed May 8, 2012 (originally April 13, 2012), with an archive date of June 7, 2012.
Eligibility is limited to specific academic and research institutions tied to U.S. agricultural research capacity. Eligible applicants include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education, with further detail specifying that applications may 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., often associated with certain historically Black land-grant institutions); and accredited schools or colleges of veterinary medicine. While only those entities may apply directly, award recipients are allowed to subcontract to organizations that are not themselves eligible to apply if those partners are necessary to conduct the project. This structure supports collaborations with industry, specialized laboratories, or other partners, so long as the lead applicant meets the eligibility requirements and the subcontracting is justified by the project needs.
For applicant support, the announcement lists NIFA assistance for technical access issues via the NIFA Help Desk at 202-401-5048 during standard weekday business hours (7:00 am to 5:00 pm ET, excluding federal holidays). The opportunity also references an additional information link titled "Special Research Grants Program Potato Breeding Research," which would typically contain the full program announcement, application instructions, required forms, and any detailed review criteria or program priorities.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the name of this grant opportunity?
The opportunity is the Special Research Grants Program Potato Breeding Research (Funding Opportunity Number USDA NIFA SRGP 003712).
Which federal agency administers this program?
This is a discretionary grant competition administered by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA).
What is the CFDA number and program area?
The opportunity is under CFDA 10.200, Grants for Agricultural Research, Special Research Grants.
What is the central goal of the program?
The central goal is to fund applied agricultural research that results in improved potato varieties (Solanum tuberosum L.) that are suitable for commercial production and can be adopted by the potato industry.
What kinds of projects are this program trying to support?
The program is aimed at supporting potato breeding pipelines, meaning work that progresses from creating new genetic material through evaluation and field testing, with a clear focus on producing commercially adoptable potato varieties.
What is the scope of work for this opportunity?
The scope is specifically focused on varietal development and testing, as defined in the announcement.
What does "varietal development and testing" mean in this announcement?
It includes research using conventional breeding methods and/or biotechnological genetics to develop improved potato varieties.
Are evaluation, screening, and testing activities allowed?
Yes. Evaluation, screening, and testing activities are eligible and expected, but only when they directly support variety development.
Can a project focus only on screening or evaluation (without breeding/advancement)?
The announcement indicates that screening, evaluation, and testing should be framed as components of a broader breeding and advancement strategy rather than as stand-alone studies.
What are examples of eligible evaluation or testing activities (when tied to variety development)?
Examples mentioned include phenotype screening, disease or pest resistance evaluation, quality testing (including processing traits), yield stability trials, and other assessment work, as long as they directly support advancing improved varieties.
What type of award is made under this program?
Awards are made as grants.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
No. The program states there is no cost sharing or matching requirement.
How much total funding is available for this opportunity?
The estimated total funding available is $1,238,000.
What is the award ceiling for a single award?
The listed award ceiling is $1,238,000.
What is the award floor?
The listed award floor is $0.
Does the award ceiling mean there will only be one award?
Not necessarily. The funding details indicate the program could fund one large award up to $1,238,000 or potentially multiple awards, depending on agency decisions and the quality of applications.
When was the opportunity posted?
It was posted on March 14, 2012.
When was the opportunity created?
It was created on May 1, 2012.
When did the application period close?
The opportunity closed on May 8, 2012 (it was originally listed as closing April 13, 2012).
When was the opportunity archived?
The archive date is June 7, 2012.
Who is eligible to apply as the lead applicant?
Eligibility is limited to specific academic and research institutions. Eligible applicants include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education, with additional eligible entities described in the announcement.
Which specific institution types are listed as eligible to submit applications?
The announcement specifies that applications may 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.
Can organizations that are not eligible applicants still participate in the project?
Yes. Award recipients are allowed to subcontract to organizations that are not themselves eligible to apply, as long as those partners are necessary to conduct the project and the lead applicant meets the eligibility requirements.
Does this structure support collaborations with industry or specialized partners?
Yes. The announcement notes that subcontracting can support collaborations with industry, specialized laboratories, or other partners, provided the subcontracting is justified by project needs and the eligible entity remains the lead applicant.
Where can applicants find full details like application instructions and review criteria?
The opportunity references an additional information link titled "Special Research Grants Program Potato Breeding Research," which would typically include the full program announcement, application instructions, required forms, and detailed review criteria or program priorities.
Who can help with technical access issues related to applying?
NIFA provides assistance for technical access issues through the NIFA Help Desk at 202-401-5048.
What are the NIFA Help Desk hours for technical access issues?
The Help Desk is available during standard weekday business hours, 7:00 am to 5:00 pm Eastern Time (ET), excluding federal holidays.
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