Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NIFA OP 004976
Apply for USDA NIFA OP 004976
- The National Institute of Food and Agriculture in the agriculture sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Supplemental and Alternative Crops Competitive Grants Program" 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 Mar 12, 2015 and posted on Mar 12, 2015.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Apr 17, 2015. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $768,000.00 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 colleges and universities (as defined in section 1404 of NARETPA, 7 U.S.C. 3103), other Federal agencies and private sector entities.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Supplemental and Alternative Crops Competitive (SACC) Grants Program is a competitive grant opportunity from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) designed to accelerate the development of canola as a practical supplemental or alternative crop option in the United States. The program is focused on moving canola forward as a production-ready crop by funding applied research and closely tied outreach that can help growers adopt improved varieties and better production practices. In plain terms, the government is using this program to help expand canola acreage and output by investing in the full pipeline from improved plant genetics to on-farm management, and then making sure the results are delivered quickly to producers through Extension.
The core objectives emphasize measurable increases in production and/or planted acreage. To get there, the program prioritizes projects that develop and test superior germplasm (for example, breeding or evaluating canola lines with better yield potential, quality traits, or agronomic performance), improve methods of planting, cultivation, and harvesting (such as optimized seeding rates, fertility and pest management strategies, or harvest timing and equipment considerations), and transfer new knowledge to producers as soon as practicable. A key expectation is that research cannot stand alone; proposals must also address Extension, education, and communication activities that connect directly to the research areas being pursued. This means applicants are expected to include plans for how findings will be shared with growers and stakeholders, potentially through field days, extension publications, decision tools, trainings, or other outreach methods that support real-world adoption.
Administratively, this opportunity is a discretionary grant under CFDA 10.200 (Grants for Agricultural Research, Special Research Grants). The funding opportunity number is USDA NIFA OP 004976, and the total estimated funding listed for the program is $768,000. Cost sharing or matching is required, so applicants must plan for non-federal contributions in line with the program requirements described in the full announcement. Eligibility is limited to colleges and universities as defined in section 1404 of NARETPA (7 U.S.C. 3103), other federal agencies, and private sector entities, which indicates the program is intended for institutions and organizations with the capacity to conduct agricultural research and deliver extension or technology transfer activities.
Key dates in the original posting show the opportunity was posted on March 12, 2015, with an application closing date of April 17, 2015, and an archive date of May 17, 2015. While those dates indicate this specific notice is historical, the summary of priorities and requirements is still useful for understanding what NIFA was seeking under the SACC program: integrated canola-focused research plus a clear, practical plan for extension and communication that helps producers implement results quickly. For applicants needing help accessing materials, the notice points to NIFA support through the NIFA Help Desk at 202-401-5048 during standard weekday business hours (Eastern Time), and it indicates there is also assistance available for questions related to preparing application content.
Supplemental and Alternative Crops Competitive (SACC) Grants Program - FAQs
What is the SACC Grants Program?
The Supplemental and Alternative Crops Competitive (SACC) Grants Program is a competitive grant opportunity from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). It is designed to accelerate the development of canola as a practical supplemental or alternative crop option in the United States by funding applied research and closely tied outreach.
What crop does this opportunity focus on?
This program is specifically focused on canola and on moving canola forward as a production-ready crop in the United States.
What is the overall purpose of the program?
The purpose is to expand canola acreage and output by investing across the pipeline from improved plant genetics to on-farm management, and by making sure results are delivered quickly to producers through Extension and related outreach.
What types of outcomes is the program trying to achieve?
The core objectives emphasize measurable increases in canola production and/or planted acreage.
What project areas are prioritized for funding?
The program prioritizes projects that: (1) develop and test superior canola germplasm (such as breeding or evaluating lines with improved yield potential, quality traits, or agronomic performance), (2) improve methods of planting, cultivation, and harvesting (including seeding rates, fertility and pest management strategies, and harvest timing and equipment considerations), and (3) transfer new knowledge to producers as soon as practicable.
Does the program support canola breeding and germplasm development?
Yes. A stated priority is developing and testing superior germplasm, including breeding or evaluating canola lines with improved yield potential, quality traits, and agronomic performance.
Does the program support research on production practices?
Yes. The opportunity highlights improving planting, cultivation, and harvesting methods, including optimized seeding rates, fertility strategies, pest management, and harvest timing/equipment considerations.
Is this opportunity intended for basic research or applied research?
The program is described as funding applied research, paired with outreach that supports adoption of improved varieties and production practices.
Is Extension or outreach required as part of a proposal?
Yes. A key expectation is that research cannot stand alone. Proposals must address Extension, education, and communication activities that connect directly to the research being pursued.
What kinds of outreach or communication activities are mentioned?
Examples mentioned include field days, extension publications, decision tools, trainings, or other outreach methods that support real-world adoption by growers and stakeholders.
How closely does the outreach need to connect to the research?
The notice indicates that Extension, education, and communication activities should connect directly to the research areas being pursued and should help deliver results to producers quickly.
What agency is offering this grant?
The grant opportunity is offered by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA).
Is this a discretionary grant program?
Yes. The opportunity is described as a discretionary grant under CFDA 10.200 (Grants for Agricultural Research, Special Research Grants).
What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The CFDA number listed is 10.200 (Grants for Agricultural Research, Special Research Grants).
What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number is USDA NIFA OP 004976.
How much total funding is estimated for the program?
The total estimated funding listed for the program is $768,000.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
Yes. Cost sharing or matching is required, so applicants must plan for non-federal contributions consistent with the program requirements described in the full announcement.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is limited to colleges and universities as defined in section 1404 of NARETPA (7 U.S.C. 3103), other federal agencies, and private sector entities.
Is this opportunity intended for individual farmers to apply directly?
The listed eligibility categories are institutions and organizations (colleges and universities, other federal agencies, and private sector entities). The notice does not indicate that individual producers are eligible applicants.
When was this opportunity posted and when did it close?
Key dates show the opportunity was posted on March 12, 2015, with an application closing date of April 17, 2015, and an archive date of May 17, 2015.
Is this specific notice current or historical?
The dates provided indicate this specific notice is historical. The description is still useful for understanding the priorities and requirements NIFA was seeking under the SACC program.
Where can applicants get help with the application or technical issues?
The notice points to NIFA support through the NIFA Help Desk at 202-401-5048 during standard weekday business hours (Eastern Time), and it notes that assistance is also available for questions related to preparing application content.
What is the main theme reviewers would expect to see in a strong proposal?
Based on the description, proposals are expected to integrate canola-focused applied research with a clear, practical plan for Extension and communication that helps producers implement results quickly, with an emphasis on measurable increases in production and/or acreage.
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