Supplemental and Alternative Crops Competitive Grants Program | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Supplemental and Alternative Crops Competitive Grants Program (SACC) - FY 2010

What is the Supplemental and Alternative Crops Competitive Grants Program (SACC)?

The Supplemental and Alternative Crops Competitive Grants Program (SACC) is a competitive grant program run by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) focused on rapidly expanding canola acreage in the United States through applied, field-ready research.

What is the main goal of this grant program?

The program aims to support research that helps growers adopt canola more widely and successfully, with an emphasis on practical, field-ready outcomes that can move quickly from research plots into real farm operations.

What kinds of projects does SACC fund?

SACC funds applied research tied to real-world canola production needs. This includes improving canola varieties (germplasm) and refining practical production steps such as planting, cultivation, harvesting, and processing considerations, along with rapid transfer of proven methods to farm operations.

What was the FY 2010 funding emphasis?

For fiscal year 2010, the primary emphasis was on field production. Genetic improvement was included as part of that field-production focus, but proposals were expected to address broader production barriers and opportunities affecting profitable and reliable canola production at larger scale.

Does the program fund genetic improvement or breeding work?

Yes. Genetic improvement is specifically included within the FY 2010 field-production emphasis, as long as the work is connected to practical production outcomes and addresses real barriers or opportunities for growers.

What are the high-priority research areas for FY 2010?

NIFA identified the following high-priority research areas for FY 2010: biodiesel and other bioproduct applications, management of blackleg disease, health and nutrition traits, reduction of input costs, reducing yield loss from pod shattering, and development or improvement of winter canola production systems.

How important is collaboration in this program?

Collaboration is a major selection factor. Priority is given to applications demonstrating multi-state cooperation with at least three state cooperators involved, supporting coordinated regional research and faster dissemination of results across growing environments.

Is multi-state participation required?

The program gives priority to applications that include multi-state cooperation with at least three state cooperators. This is described as a selection preference and priority factor for the competition.

Does the program prefer partnerships with USDA ARS or land-grant universities?

Yes. The program prefers proposals that leverage existing expertise and infrastructure from USDA's Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and land-grant colleges and universities, reflecting an expectation to build on established capacity and research networks.

What is the CFDA number for this grant program?

This program is a discretionary grant program under CFDA 10.200, "Grants for Agricultural Research, Special Research Grants."

Is this a formula grant program?

No. The opportunity is described as a discretionary grant program, meaning awards are made through a competitive process rather than distributed by formula.

How many awards did NIFA expect to make under the FY 2010 competition?

NIFA expected to make about four awards under the FY 2010 competition.

How much total funding was available for FY 2010?

The estimated total funding available for FY 2010 was $780,000.

What is the maximum award amount per project?

The award ceiling for FY 2010 was $210,000 per project.

Is there a minimum award amount?

No minimum award amount was stated. The award floor is listed as $0.

Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. There is no cost-sharing or matching requirement for this opportunity.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is described as broadly open. Applications are allowed from colleges and universities, other federal agencies, and private sector entities.

Can award recipients subcontract to other organizations?

Yes. Award recipients may subcontract to organizations that are not eligible to apply directly, as long as those partners are necessary to carry out the project.

What happens if an applicant does not meet eligibility requirements by the deadline?

NIFA notes that meeting eligibility criteria by the application deadline is important. If eligibility requirements are not met by the deadline, the application may be excluded from consideration or an award may be prevented even if the proposal is reviewed.

What is the funding opportunity number?

The funding opportunity number is USDA-NIFA-OP-003098.

When was the FY 2010 opportunity posted?

The opportunity was posted and created on April 1, 2010.

What was the application closing date for FY 2010?

The application closing date was May 6, 2010.

When was the opportunity archived?

The archive date was June 5, 2010.

Who should applicants contact if they cannot access the full announcement?

Applicants who had trouble accessing the full announcement were directed to NIFA help desk support at 202-401-5048.

What are the help desk hours for support?

Help desk support was available Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

What types of outcomes do proposals appear to be expected to deliver?

Based on the stated priorities and emphasis, proposals were expected to connect agronomic performance to practical outcomes such as improved disease resilience, improved end-use value (including biodiesel and other bioproduct uses), reduced yield loss (including from pod shattering), improved winter canola production systems, and lower production risk and costs.