2020-National -Needs Graduate-Postgraduate -Fellowship (NNF)-508-5-13-1010.docx

Food and Agricultural Sciences National Needs Graduate and Postgraduate Fellowship (NNF) Grants Program

Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 Request for Applications (RFA)

APPLICATION DEADLINE: June 22, 2020

LETTER OF INTENT: Not Required

AWARD AMOUNT: $6,200,000

CATALOG OF FEDERAL

DOMESTIC ASSISTANCE NUMBER. 10:210

ELIGIBILITY: See Part III, A of RFA

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE; U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

FOOD AND AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES NATIONAL NEEDS GRADUATE AND POSTGRADUATE FELLOWSHIP GRANTS PROGRAM

INITIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

CATALOG OF FEDERAL DOMESTIC ASSISTANCE: This program is listed in the Assistance Listings under the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance number 10.210.

Table 1: Key Dates and Deadlines

(NIFA may not consider comments received after the sixth month)

STAKEHOLDER INPUT: We at the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) seek your comments about this RFA. We will consider your comments when we develop the next RFA for the program, if applicable, and we’ll use them to meet the requirements of section 103(c)(2) of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7613(c)(2)). Submit your written stakeholder comments by the deadline set forth in the DATES portion of this notice via email to Policy@usda.gov. (This email address is only for receiving comments regarding this RFA and not for requesting information or forms.) In your comments, please state that you are responding to the Food and Agricultural Sciences National Needs Graduate and Postgraduate Fellowship Grants Program RFA.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: NIFA requests applications for the Food and Agricultural Sciences National Needs Graduate and Postgraduate Fellowship (NNF) Grants Program for fiscal year (FY) 2020 to provide traineeship programs to eligible institutions for meeting the national need to develop scientific and professional expertise in the Food, Agricultural, Natural Resources, and Human Sciences. The anticipated amount available for grants is approximately $6,200,000 and includes FY 2019 and 2020 funding.

This notice identifies the objectives for NNF projects, deadline dates, funding information, eligibility criteria for projects and applicants, and application forms and associated instructions needed to apply for a NNF grant.

Table of Contents

PART I—FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

A. Legislative Authority and Background

Section 1417 (7 USC 3152) of the National Agricultural Research, Extension and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (NARETPA); P.L. 95-113, Sept. 29, 197, 7 (7 U.S.C. 3152) authorizes the Secretary to conduct a program of competitive grants for all colleges and universities for the purpose of furthering education in the food and agricultural sciences. Among the competitive grant or grants without regard to any requirement for competition that the Secretary may make are grants to conduct graduate and postdoctoral fellowship programs to attract highly promising individuals to research or teaching careers in the food and agricultural sciences.

NIFA administers this Federal assistance grant program specifically designated for graduate degree programs and postgraduate training of the next generation of policy makers, researchers, and educators in the Food and Agricultural Sciences. This program, in collaboration with eligible higher education institutions, is developing intellectual capital to ensure the preeminence of U.S. food and agricultural systems. This program is subject to federal regulations as outlined in administrative provisions that can be found in 7 CFR 3402.

B. Purpose and Priorities

The purpose of the NNF Grants Program is to provide funding to support graduate student training and completion of master’s and/or doctoral degree programs in identified national need areas within the Food, Agricultural, Natural Resources, and Human (FANH) Sciences. Awards made under NNF are specifically intended to support traineeship programs that engage outstanding students to pursue and complete their degrees in areas where there is a national need for the development of scientific and professional expertise in the food and agricultural sciences. NNF awards invest in graduate training and relevant international experiential learning for a cadre of diverse individuals who demonstrate their potential to successfully complete graduate degree programs in disciplines relevant to the mission of the USDA. This funding opportunity is open to eligible institutions. Individuals are not eligible to apply.

For this award cycle, NIFA intends to support graduate Fellowship training grants for both master’s and doctoral levels of study only. Post-doctoral Fellowships will not be awarded under this grant announcement.

NIFA is soliciting applications for the Food and Agricultural Sciences National Needs Graduate Fellowship Grants Program under the following areas:

1. Graduate Fellowships to support the training for and completion of master’s and doctoral degree programs in the FANH Sciences; and

2. Special International Study or Thesis/Dissertation Research Travel Allowances (IRTA) for NEW eligible master’s and doctoral USDA Fellows.

Working collaboratively with eligible institutions, the objectives of the NNF program are:

a. To support the training of new students at the master’s and doctoral levels, in order to fill nationally identified expertise shortage areas in the FANH Sciences.

b. To increase the number, quality and diversity of students in the food, agricultural and related sciences by recruiting outstanding students, particularly those from traditionally underrepresented groups to enter and complete graduate training in these areas.

c. To ensure that the National Needs Fellows build science competencies through research and extension activities, and experience and engagement in an international setting within the Targeted Expertise Shortage Area (TESA) in the FANH Sciences through the IRTA awards.

All NNF projects are required to provide leadership skills opportunities. The development of leadership skills, knowledge and qualities are necessary for preparing students for agricultural related careers in the private sector, government and academia. Projects must demonstrably incorporate a leadership development component to ensure that students are equipped with both technical and leadership abilities. Specific activities may include:

· Developing practical applications to increase understanding of leadership roles, including critical thinking, problem solving, and communication skills, ethics and professionalism, and working in teams;

· Connecting the academic classroom experience with daily leadership roles and organizational activities;

· Providing opportunities for mentoring and shadowing; and

· Organizing leadership academies, workshops, trainings, etc.

NNF supports social and behavioral science disciplines. Projects that integrate social and biological sciences to provide experiential learning opportunities for students in applied research, and related community development programs are encouraged. Incorporation of social and behavioral sciences is important for addressing many of the challenges facing agriculture and rural communities, such as increasing global demand for food production in the face of limited natural resources; improving health and reducing obesity by engaging in heathy diets; and alleviating poverty by fostering economic opportunity.

NNF is intended to promote advances in U.S. FANH Sciences. Agriculture, however, is increasingly worldwide in scope and reach. To attain NNF’s goals for U.S. agriculture, applicants may include international partnerships or engagement in proposals as appropriate. Any international activities proposed under NNF, such as partnerships, study abroad, exchanges, training, trips, etc., must first and foremost support NNF’s domestic program goals. Applicants must clearly describe and demonstrate how international activities proposed in applications submitted to NNF will contribute to and support advances in American agriculture.

If international activities (e.g., partnerships, exchanges, travel) are proposed, then applicants shall describe indicators that will be used to assess those activities. Additional guidance on including international activities is provided on the NIFA Global Engagement Programs webpage https://nifa.usda.gov/program/global-engagement-programs.

NIFA encourages, but does not require, projects that develop content suitable for delivery through eXtension (https://extension.org/).

By developing the next generation of a highly-skilled workforce for the food, agricultural, natural resources, and human sciences, the National Needs Fellowship Program (NNF) directly aligns with the USDA Strategic Plan 2018-2022, specifically addressing Goals 2: Maximize the Ability of American Agricultural Producers To Prosper by Feeding and Clothing the World and 4: Facilitate Rural Prosperity and Economic Development.

The 2015-2020 Employment Opportunities for College Graduates in Food, Renewable Energy, and the Environment Report indicates shortages of graduates, specifically in the food, agriculture, natural resources and human sciences disciplines, to fill the estimated 57,900 annual openings for individuals with baccalaureate or higher degrees in food, renewable energy, and environmental specialties between 2015 and 2020. The NNF aligns with the effort to produce graduates from colleges of agriculture and life sciences, forestry and natural resources, and veterinary medicine for careers in FANH.

C. Program Area Description

NNF grants will support master’s and doctoral levels of study.

The NNF Program furthers exceptional graduate training in the food and agricultural sciences to develop human capital to participate in meeting the mission of the USDA.

NNF supports NIFA’s goal to increase human resource diversity in the agricultural enterprise by providing funds for eligible full-time students pursuing graduate studies at the master’s and doctoral levels within the Food, Agricultural, Natural Resources, and Human Sciences (FANH) disciplines identified as national needs or Targeted Expertise Shortage Areas (TESAs). The IRTA component also supports NIFA’s goal by allowing students to have additional training through experiential learning or research opportunities and travel awards that are expected to expand the competencies and skills of USDA Fellows and eventually lead to their completion of advanced degrees in the food and agriculture sciences. IRTA grants, if requested, are provided to National Needs Fellows to be recruited under current applications to allow them to conduct thesis/dissertation research or undertake studies outside the United States.

Program Code – KK Program Code Name – National Needs Graduate Fellowship Program Project Types – Education Projects Only Grant Types – Standard Grants Only Letter of Intent not required for this program area Application Deadline – June 22, 2020 (5;00 p.m., Eastern Time) Program Area Contact – Dr. Ray Ali (816) 926-1453 or NNF@usda.gov

1. Student Eligibility

a) Eligibility for NNF – The grantee institutions develop the selection criteria and it is their responsibility to award fellowships to high caliber students in superior academic standing. Only individuals who meet the eligibility requirements listed below will be awarded fellowships. In order for individuals to receive Fellowship stipend support they must:

1. Be citizens or nationals of the United States of America as determined in accordance with Federal law.

1. Have strong interest, as judged by the institution, in pursuing a degree in a national TESA; are preparing for a career as a food or agricultural or natural resources scientist or professional; are registered as full-time students; and

1. Not have completed more than one semester or equivalent hours of full-time study as defined by the institution in the same academic program at the same degree level.

b) Eligibility for IRTA – At the time of travel under the IRTA grant award, USDA Fellows conducting research at alternate locations or outside the United States must:

1. Be supported under a USDA NNF grant and be registered as a full-time student;

1. Have completed one academic year of full-time study, as defined by the institution under the fellowship appointment;

1. Have formalized arrangements to study and/or conduct research in the foreign/alternate location(s) (see Part IV, B, 3, (b));

1. Have sufficient time remaining in their fellowship award to complete the proposed IRTA travel or research; and

1. Have a completed NIFA Form 2010 – Fellowship Appointment Form on file with the funding agency (NIFA).

2. Targeted Expertise Shortage Areas (TESA)

Applicants should propose training projects at the master’s and/or doctoral levels to support graduate fellowship stipends for NNF and/or IRTA in ONE of the following TESAs:

a) Animal Production

b) Plant Production

c) Forest Resources

d) Agricultural Education and Communication

e) Agricultural Management and Economics

f) Food Science, Human Nutrition and Human Sciences

g) Agricultural Biosecurity

h) Data Science (to enable systems and communities to effectively utilize data, improve resource management, and integrate new technologies and approaches to further U.S. food and agriculture enterprises)

3. Funding preference

Funding preference will be given to applications that propose to:

(a) Establish innovative and evidence-based frameworks for graduate training;

(b) Establish master’s degree or doctoral programs;

(c) Establish multidisciplinary graduate training programs;

(d) Increase the multicultural diversity of the nation’s scientific and professional expertise in the food and agricultural sciences;

(e) Partner with teaching/research/extension or across colleges/institutions or public/private sectors;

(f) Provide leadership skills opportunities; and/or

(g) Develop performance measures for evaluating the overall effectiveness of the graduate training.

The anticipated start date for successful applications under this RFA is January 15, 2021 and the duration is 60 months.

PART II—AWARD INFORMATION

A. Available Funding

The anticipated amount available for NIFA support of grants in response to this RFA is approximately $6,200,000.

There is no commitment by USDA to fund any particular application or to make a specific number of awards.

The Automated Standard Applications for Payment System (ASAP), operated by the Department of Treasury’s Bureau of the Fiscal Service, is the designated payment system for awards resulting from this RFA. For more information see https://www.fiscal.treasury.gov/fsservices/gov/pmt/asap/asap_home.htm.

B. Types of Applications

In response to this RFA, you may only submit an application to the NNF Program as one of the following types of requests:

New application. This is a project application that has not been previously submitted to the NNF Program. We will review all new applications competitively using the screening for administrative requirements, review panel evaluation of proposals using evaluation criteria and selection process described in Part V—Application Review Requirements.

Resubmitted application. This is an application that had previously been submitted to the NNF Program but not funded. Project Directors (PDs) must respond to the previous review panel summary (see Response to Previous Review, Part IV). Resubmitted applications must be received by the relevant due dates, will be evaluated in competition with other pending applications in appropriate area to which they are assigned, and will be reviewed according to the same evaluation criteria as new applications.

C. Project Types

Applicants may only submit proposals for Education/Teaching Projects.

Single-function Education Projects develop human capital relevant to overall program goals for U.S. agriculture. Projects must focus on developing skills necessary for entry- and mid-level technical employment or for entering graduate programs in food, agriculture, natural resources and human sciences.

Educational activities must show direct alignment with one of the following:

· Increasing the number of graduates with the necessary technical skills for entry-level positions in food, agriculture, natural resources and human sciences;

· Improving the technical competencies needed for the workforce to ensure that U.S.

agriculture remains globally competitive; or

· Enhancing the diversity of the workforce in food, agriculture, natural resources and human sciences.

D. Grant Types

The following is a list of available grant types under this RFA.

(a) Standard. This is an award instrument by which NIFA agrees to support a specified level of effort for a predetermined project period without the announced intention of providing additional support at a future date.

A single application may propose funding under any single TESA for any of the Award Categories listed below, either singly or in any combination, up to a maximum of $262,500 per application. Applicants may not request partial fellowships.

Standard Grant: Category No. 1 -- Master’s Level Training: Funding at $41,000 for each Fellow. This consists of a student stipend of $18,500 per year for two years, plus $2,000 per year cost-of-education allowance ($4,000 maximum).

Standard Grant: Category No. 2 -- Doctoral Level Training: Funding at $79,500 for each Fellow. This consists of a student stipend of $24,500 per year for three years, plus $2,000 per year cost-of education allowance ($6,000 maximum).

Standard Grant: Category No. 3 -- Special International Study or Thesis/Dissertation Research Travel Allowances (IRTA): One-time award of up to $4,500 for each eligible NEW (i.e. to be recruited) USDA National Needs Master’s Fellow and/or a one-time award of up to $8,000 for each eligible NEW (i.e. to be recruited) USDA National Needs Doctoral Fellow.

NOTE: Awarded IRTA funds must be used exclusively for IRTA purposes and CANNOT be rebudgeted amongst other budget categories (i.e. stipend or cost-of-education allowance) during the performance period of the award.

There is no limit to the number of applications an eligible institution may submit; however, an institution may only receive support up to a maximum of $525,000 in awards for this award competition.

Each application may request any combination of Category No. 1 (Master’s), Category No. 2 (doctoral) or Category No. 3 (IRTA) funds, not to exceed $262,500. A separate application must be submitted for each Targeted Expertise Shortage Area (see Part I, C. 2.) for which support is requested. NIFA reserves the right to fund fewer Fellows than requested in an application, and to partially fund IRTA requests.

Project Directors who have received NNF awards in the last five years may also apply. However, the proposals submitted in response to this RFA must differ substantively in scope and objectives from previously funded NNF projects in the last five years by the same Project Director.

E. Responsible and Ethical Conduct of Research

In accordance with sections 2, 3, and 8 of 2 CFR Part 422, institutions that conduct USDA-funded extramural research must foster an atmosphere conducive to research integrity, bear primary responsibility for prevention and detection of research misconduct, and maintain and effectively communicate and train their staff regarding policies and procedures. In the event an application to NIFA results in an award, the Authorized Representative (AR) assures, through acceptance of the award that the institution will comply with the above requirements. Award recipients shall, upon request, make available to NIFA the policies, procedures, and documentation to support the conduct of the training. See http://nifa.usda.gov/responsible-and-ethical-conduct-research for more information.

PART III—ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

A. Eligible Applicants

Pursuant to section 1417 of the NARETPA of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3152), and administrative provisions that can be found in 7 CFR 3402 applications may only be submitted by:

1. Land-grant institutions (1862, 1890 and 1994 Institutions);

2. Colleges and universities having significant minority enrollments and a demonstrable capacity to carry out the teaching of food and agricultural sciences; and

3. Other colleges and universities having a demonstrable capacity to carry out the teaching of food, and agricultural sciences.

Research foundations maintained by an eligible college or university are eligible to submit graduate training proposals under this RFA. Applicants should be institutions that confer a graduate degree in at least one of the TESAs. Award recipients may subcontract to organizations not eligible to apply provided such organizations are necessary for the conduct of the project. Failure to meet an eligibility criterion by the application deadline may result in the application being excluded from consideration or, even though an application may be reviewed, will preclude NIFA from making an award.

Applicants should be institutions that confer a graduate degree in at least one of the TESAs listed in Part I of this RFA. Awards are made to eligible colleges and universities. Individuals are not eligible to apply for these grants to support their graduate education.

Successful applications must select and identify Fellows and award Fellowships within eighteen (18) months of the start date of a grant. Post-doctoral Fellowships will not be awarded under this grant announcement.

· Institutions that fail to meet this deadline will be required to refund monies associated with unawarded Fellowships to NIFA.

· Graduate fellowship appointments must be awarded only to registered students who are pursuing full-time study in graduate programs in the TESA and at the degree level supported by the grant.

· Applicants may not request partial fellowships.

A USDA Fellow at the master’s degree level who maintains satisfactory progress is eligible to receive grant support for a maximum of twenty-four (24) months during a thirty (30) month period. A USDA Fellow at the doctoral degree level who maintains satisfactory progress is eligible to receive grant support for a maximum of thirty-six (36) months within a forty-two (42) month period.

It is the intent of this program that Graduate Fellows pursue full-time uninterrupted study or thesis/dissertation research, including time spent pursuing USDA-funded special international study or thesis/dissertation research activities. Graduate Fellows in academic institutions are not entitled to regular annual leave but are entitled to the normal student holidays observed by the institution. The time between academic semesters or quarters is to be utilized as an active part of the grant period. During the period of support, USDA Graduate Fellows, at the discretion of their institutions, may accept additional supplemental employment that would positively contribute to their training or research and would make them eligible for tuition waivers (e.g., full or partial tuition waivers with research or teaching assignments).

A Graduate Fellow who finds it necessary to interrupt his/her program of study because of health, personal, or other reasonable non-academic and non-disciplinary cause(s) must be allowed to resume funded study at any time within 6 months of the interruption, provided there is adequate time remaining before the award expires (i.e. within the 30-month total funding period for a master’s Fellow, and 42-month total funding period for a Doctoral Fellow). A Graduate Fellow who finds it necessary to interrupt his/her program of study more than one time cannot exceed 6 total months of cumulative leave without forfeiting NNF eligibility.

Failure to meet an eligibility criterion by the application deadline may result in the application being excluded from consideration or, even though an application may be reviewed, will preclude NIFA from making an award.

For those new to Federal financial assistance, a grants overview page is available on the NIFA website. This page includes information about free Grants 101 Training and other resources that are highly recommended for those seeking an understanding of Federal awards.

B. Cost Sharing or Matching

There are no matching requirements and matching resources will not be factored into the review process as evaluation criteria.

PART IV—APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

A. Method of Application Applicants must apply to this RFA electronically; no other method or response is accepted. The electronic application for this RFA and additional resources are available on Grants.gov and Grants 101. Table 2 provides instructions on how to obtain an electronic application. Part II § 1 of the NIFA Grants.gov Application Guide (Application Guide) contains detailed information regarding the Grants.gov registration process.

Table 2 Steps to Obtain Application Materials

search for application here: Opportunity Package.

Table 3: Help and Resources

Grants.gov Online Support Telephone support: 800-518-4726 Toll-Free or 606-545-5035 Email support: support@grants.gov Self-service customer based support: Grants.gov iPortal Key Information: Customer service business Hours 24/7, except federal holidays.

Email: electronic@nifa.usda.gov Phone: 202-720-2719 Key Information: Business hours: Monday thru Friday, 7a.m. – 5p.m. ET, except federal holidays

B. Content and Form of Application The Application Guide is part of the corresponding application package for this RFA. The RFA overrides the Application Guide if there is a discrepancy between the two documents. NIFA will accept subsequent submissions to an application until the application deadline. However, applicants that do not meet the application requirements, to include partial applications, risk being excluded from NIFA’s review. NIFA will assign a proposal number to all applications that meet the requirements of this RFA. Applicants must refer to the proposal number when corresponding with NIFA. Table 3 outlines other key instructions for applicants.

Table 3: Key Application Instructions

(All references are to the Application Guide)

Contact the Grants.gov helpdesk for technical support, and keep a record of the correspondence.

Contact NIFA if applicant does not received correspondence from NIFA regarding an application within 30 days of the application deadline.

1. SF 424 R&R Cover Sheet. See Part V § 2 and Part V § 2.17of the Application Guide for the required certifications and assurances.

2. SF 424 R&R Project/Performance Site Location(s) Detailed information related to the questions on this form is available in Part V, 3 of the NIFA Grants.gov. Application Guide

3. R&R Other Project Information Form Detailed information related to the questions on this form is available in Part V, 4 of the NIFA Grants.gov Application Guide.

a. Field 7. Project Summary/Abstract. (Required Attachment – Must be PDF format).

The summary should also include the relevance of the project to the goals of NNF. See Part V. 4.7 of NIFA Grants.gov Application Guide for further instructions and a link to a suggested template.

IMPORTANT – The Project Summary/Abstract is required in all applications and is limited to two pages. Applicants are encouraged to revisit the page numbers after converting the narrative to PDF format and make the necessary adjustments if the required page limit has been exceeded. A Project Summary/Abstract that exceeds this page limit requirement will not be accepted for review.

1. List the proposal title;

1. List the names of Project Director(s) and institution(s);

1. Identify the primary Targeted Expertise Shortage Area (TESA) being addressed (see following) – applicants must select only ONE TESA per application;

1. Identify the major academic program or discipline(s) being addressed (see following) – applicants may indicate a single or multiple discipline code(s);

1. Clearly indicate the number of Fellows and degree level(s) to be supported under the application; and

1. Clearly indicate the number and degree level of IRTAs to be supported.

In addition to the above, the rest of the Project Summary should:

1. Be concise and precise at no more than 250 words;

1. Provide a clear description of the type of project proposed (fellowships and/or IRTA), succinctly providing information about its major features and a specific description of the activities to be undertaken;

1. State the overall project goal(s) and supporting measurable objectives;

1. Give a concise overview of plans for training project to accomplish project goal(s) for national targeted expertise shortage area, include measurable targets, in specified timeline, to meet proposed objectives;

1. State the relevance of the project to the NNF program goals, and the USDA Strategic Goals and Objectives and

1. State the anticipated, measurable national impact(s) on the Targeted Expertise Shortage Areas (TESAs).

Title the attachment ‘Project Summary’ in the document header and save the file in PDF format with the title ‘Project Summary’. The importance of a concise, informative Project Summary cannot be overemphasized.

Targeted Expertise Shortage Areas (TESA) this Funding Cycle

Animal Production

Plant Production

Forest Resources

Agricultural Education and Communication

Agricultural Management and Economics

Food Science, Human Sciences, and Human Nutrition

Agricultural Biosecurity

Data Science (to enable systems and communities to effectively utilize data, improve resource management, and integrate new technologies and approaches to further U.S. food and agriculture enterprises)

See Part V. 4.7 of NIFA Grants.gov Application Guide for further instructions and a link to a suggested template.

b. Field 8. Project Narrative. (Required Attachment – Must be PDF format). Application will not be accepted for review if the project narrative is not included or not in PDF format.

NOTE: The Project Narrative shall not exceed 20 pages of written text, inclusive of figures and tables. We have established this maximum (20 total pages) to ensure fair and equitable competition. The Project Narrative must include all of the following:

· Formatting shall be one-inch margins, no smaller than 12-point font (Times New Roman or similar), and DOUBLE-SPACED. Project narratives that are formatted incorrectly and/or exceed this page limit requirement will not be accepted for review.

· The Project Narrative must include and be organized into the four sections identified below. A description of the information that must be included in each section is also provided.

Section 1: Progress Report (if applicable) and Institutional Data and Profile

Progress Report (if applicable, maximum of two pages)

If the application is from a Project Director that has received a NNF grant funded competitively by this agency in the past five years, include a clearly marked progress report (no longer than two pages) describing results to date from the previous award. The progress report must contain the following information:

(a) The Grant Number (xxxx-38420-xxxxx) for the award;

(b) A comparison of actual accomplishments with the objectives established for the previous award;

(c) The reasons established objectives were not met, if applicable;

(d) A listing of any graduated NNF Scholars, new curricula, service-learning, or other outputs, including those outputs identified in the project logic model resulting from the award; and

(e) An explanation of how the current proposal differs substantively in scope and objectives from previously funded NNF projects in the last five years by the same Project Director.

The Progress Report (maximum of two pages) does not count against the page limit of the Project Narrative (20 pages).

Institutional Profile

(1) Discuss the quality of education for all students in the graduate program. Describe aligned data, accountability and knowledge management to support graduate training program development for improvement in practice, policy, and strategy to increase achievement, graduation and post-graduation success in the targeted expertise shortage areas. Provide supporting data with numbers, demographics, and results from Program Quality Review(s). Describe curriculum and instructional approaches, the availability of research training opportunities, and strategies or activities for developing the leadership, management, critical thinking and problem-solving skills of students or unique mentoring experiences that may assist in preparing students for placement following graduation.

(2) Present evidence that the overall academic program has an established record that recognizes and addresses current trends and future needs, and prepares students for the national targeted expertise shortage area of the application and successful careers in the food and agricultural sciences professional and scientific workplaces.

(3) Discuss current or planned programs at the institution designed to engage outstanding graduate students, especially from traditionally underrepresented groups, to pursue and complete further graduate/professional studies to pipeline into the workforce, filling areas of management and leadership in food and agricultural sciences disciplines and how these programs will be synergistic or augment the current application.

(4) Substantiate clearly, with data indicating prior graduate training success in the TESA, the quality of graduate training and/or international experiential learning available through the institution's graduate teaching, research and experiential program(s) in the food and agricultural sciences in the discipline(s) for which Fellows are being recruited.

(5) Demonstrate the likelihood that the proposed program of graduate study will result in the development of outstanding graduates with effective leadership and communication skills and the technical and functional competence to meet the future needs of a globally interconnected, technologically advanced, rapidly diversifying and stakeholder-driven food and agricultural industry.

(6) If funds requested in this application fall under Award Category 3 (International Research and/or Thesis/Dissertation Allowance), please include the information below:

(a) When applying for an IRTA award , the Project Narrative should include all of the following:

Section 2: Proposed activities

Describe in detail the proposed activities and strategies that will be employed to carry out the following:

(1) Recruitment and selection of Fellows

(2) Academic advising, research training, professional counseling, mentoring, pipelining

(3) Experiential learning: hands-on research, extension, teaching and other activities

(4) Measuring performance outcomes

Using the mean of two years prior to project start as the baseline data, and demonstrating how the training project will help increase the number and/or percentage of students graduating with master’s or doctoral degrees in Food and Agricultural Sciences versus the normal outcome without a grant award. Include:

The project evaluation should describe a plan for assessment of outcomes and impacts for the TESA that includes: entry of Fellow(s) into a specific TESA; assessment if the training is well-tailored for the Fellow and should lead to expected outcomes, as well as meeting the needs of the TESA; determination of measurable change due to the training; and the accrued changes in the TESA due to the training program proposed. Describe the strategy or approach that will be used to evaluate project implementation and how success will be measured. Include a discussion of how evaluation findings would be used to modify and improve future opportunities for Fellows.

(5) Dissemination of results and/or impacts

Wide dissemination of results and/or impacts of the graduate training program including student achievements, should be provided to NIFA and other interested parties including the general citizenry. Make clear what specific avenues will be used and identify the expected impacts. Include plans for:

Section 3: Institutional resources, support, and commitment

Substantiate clearly, with supporting documentation, that:

(1) Processes, facilities and equipment, instructional, professional mentoring, and research support resources and other attributes (e.g., professional ranking of department, other funding sources, and NIFA program evaluation) are excellent for providing outstanding teaching, research and/or extension at the forefront of science and technology related to the chosen discipline for the TESA(s).

(2) Fellowship recipients will be provided with curricula and experiential learning opportunities, including travel activities that are relevant to their course of study to prepare graduates to gain expertise and meet the national need.

(3) Demonstrate institutional commitment to supporting the Fellows’ education and research over and beyond the funds provided by USDA. Such support beyond the USDA funding should be documented with signed letters of support.

(4) Describe support to matriculate knowledge experts and indicate plans to challenge the NNF Fellows in problem-solving and critical thinking in a broader context beyond TESA.

Section 4: Other supporting information

Identify practices and innovations in training and learning that have shown substantial achievement gains in knowledge, skills and competencies in the targeted expertise shortage area. Describe any innovative and special features of the proposed project that will be available to USDA Fellows, or required as a part of their degree programs. Such features may include:

(1) Developing intellectual capital – increase in knowledge and skills – for advancement in higher education, development of a creative and innovative workforce, and informed participation in civic life. Specifically identify experiences and expected qualitative and quantitative outcomes from Fellows.

(2) Including holistic concepts and analytical tools from a variety of disciplines to address sciences (environmental, social and economic) for sustainability and increase USDA mission science content in cyberlearning materials - based on how students learn - with deeper study of statistics, data analysis to ensure rigorous learning to advance STEM achievement of K-12 students. Specifically identify experiences and expected qualitative and quantitative outcomes from Fellows.

(3) Providing intentional leadership, management and communication experiences for the Fellows that enhance the skills of the emerging professional to contribute to areas of national targeted expertise shortage in the food and agricultural sciences and advance America’s competitiveness. Specifically identify experiences and expected qualitative and quantitative outcomes from Fellows.

(4) Describing the wider array of resources (such as private-sector companies; K-12 educational system; consulting firms; universities) that will be leveraged to increase educational assets and expand Fellows' professional development and intellectual capacity to impact the TESA as creative and innovative thinkers. Specifically identify experiences and expected qualitative and quantitative outcomes from Fellows.

c. Field 9. Bibliography & Cited References - (Optional Attachment – Must be PDF format).

If needed, provide a complete list of all references cited in the application.

d. Field 10. Facilities & Other Resources - (Optional Attachment – Must be PDF format) Describe the types, location, and availability of instrumentation and physical facilities necessary to carry out the work proposed. If special academic, private or government laboratories or facilities are being used, include a letter in the application from the authorized representative of the facility describing the proposed arrangements and availability. Any such letter shall be included as a part of Other Attachments, see Field 12 below.

e. Field 11. Equipment Documentation - (Optional Attachment – Must be PDF format).

f. Field 12. Add Other Attachments - (Must be PDF format).

See Part V. Section 4.12 of the NIFA Grants.gov Application Guide (Field 12 on the form) for instructions regarding mandatory Felony Convictions or Tax Delinquent Status.

The following instructions are in addition to those noted in Part V 4.12 of the NIFA Grants.gov Application Guide.

· Response to Previous Review – PDF Attachment. 1-Page Limit.

Title the attachment as ‘Response to Previous Review’ in the document header and save file as ‘ResponsetoPreviousReview’. This requirement only applies to “Resubmitted Applications” as described under Part II, B., “Types of Applications.” PDs must respond to the previous review panel summary on no more than one page, titled, “RESPONSE TO PREVIOUS REVIEW.” If desired, additional comments may be included in the text of the Project Narrative, subject to the page limitations of that section.

· Appendices to Project Narrative – PDF Attachment. Title the attachment as ‘Appendices’ in the document header and save file as ‘Appendices’. Appendices to the Project Narrative are allowed if they are directly germane to the proposed project. The addition of appendices should not be used to circumvent the text and/or figures and tables page limitations.

· Institutional Profile (PDF Attachment. Title the attachment as ‘Appendices: Institutional Profile.’ No page limit). Supportive information may include the following institutional data and should be presented in table format:

· Student enrollment, retention and graduation rates by gender, racial groups, socio-economic groups, and ethnic groups for the past five years;

· Mean standardized college entrance exam scores of students from traditionally underrepresented groups and of other students admitted to the institution(s) for the past five years;

· Placement…