FY21-Tribal-RFA.pdf

Tribal Colleges Research Grants Program

Fiscal Years (FY) 2021 Request for Applications (RFA)

FY 2021 Application Due Date: January 13, 2021, by 5:00pm Eastern Time

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA): 10.227

Program Name Code: TCRGP

Program Code: ZY

FY 2021 Funding Opportunity Number: USDA-NIFA-TCRGP-007812

Amount of Available Funding: Approximately $3.8 Million

Eligible Applicants: 1994 Land-Grant Institutions

This RFA solicits applications for FY 2021. Applicants considering applying to the FY 2021 funding cycle should check the TCRGP webpage and www.grants.gov for the FY 2021 Application Kit, as well as for any programmatic changes. Only electronic applications may be submitted via Grants.gov in response to this RFA.

https://www.nifa.usda.gov/funding-opportunity/tribal-colleges-research-grants-program-tcrgp http://www.grants.gov/

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

AGRICULTURE

Tribal Colleges Research 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 10.227.

DATES: This RFA solicits applications for FY 2021. Applications for the FY 2021funding cycle must be received by 5 p.m. Eastern Time on January 13, 2021. Applications received after this deadline will normally not be considered for funding (see Part IV, C of this RFA). Comments regarding this request for applications (RFA) are requested within six months from the issuance of this notice. Comments received after that date will be considered to the extent practicable.

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 will use them to meet the requirements of section 103(c)(2) of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 as amended, codified at 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 Tribal Colleges Research Grants Program

RFA.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: NIFA requests applications for the Tribal Colleges Research Grants Program (TCRGP) for fiscal year 2021 to enhance research capacity at 1994 American Indian Land-Grant Institutions hereafter referred to as 1994s; and develop research projects of tribal, state, or national importance. This RFA has several research options set at funding levels designed to provide 1994s with the opportunity to engage in research at the optimum level commensurate with their institutional capacity. All applications must include at least one research collaborator from the approved list of research institutions. This RFA is being released prior to the passage of an appropriations act for FY 2021. Enactment of additional continuing resolutions or a full appropriations act may affect the availability or level of funding for this program. The anticipated amount available for grants in FY 2021 is approximately $3.8 million.

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

https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(title:7%20section:7613%20edition:prelim)%20OR%20(granuleid:USC-prelim-title7-section7613)&f=treesort&edition=prelim&num=0&jumpTo=true https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(title:7%20section:7613%20edition:prelim)%20OR%20(granuleid:USC-prelim-title7-section7613)&f=treesort&edition=prelim&num=0&jumpTo=true mailto:Policy@usda.gov.

Table of Contents

PART I—FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

A. Legislative Authority B. Purpose and Priorities C. Program Area Description:

PART II—AWARD INFORMATION

A. Available Funding B. Types of Applications C. Project and Grant Types D. Responsible and Ethical Conduct of Research

PART III—ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

A. Eligible Applicants B. Cost Sharing or Matching

PART IV—APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

A. Electronic Application Package B. Content and Form of Application Submission C. Submission Dates and Times D. Funding Restrictions E. Other Submission Requirements

PART V—APPLICATION REVIEW REQUIREMENTS

A. General B. Evaluation Criteria C. Conflicts of Interest and Confidentiality D. Organizational Management Information E. Application Disposition

PART VI—AWARD ADMINISTRATION

A. General B. Award Notice C. Administrative and National Policy Requirements D. Expected Program Outputs and Reporting Requirements

PART VII-Agency Contact

PART VIII—OTHER INFORMATION

A. Use of Funds; Changes B. Confidential Aspects of Applications and Awards C. Regulatory Information D. Definitions E. Materials Available on the Internet

Table of Tables

Table 1: Proposed TCRGP Research Options 2021 Table 2: Expected Outcomes Format

PART I—FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

A. Legislative Authority

Legislative authority for TCRGP is contained in section 536 of the Equity in Educational Land- Grant Status Act of 1994 as amended and codified at 7 U.S.C. 301 note. The term "1994 Institution" means one of the 1994 Institutions defined in section 532 of the same Act.

B. Purpose and Priorities

Subject to the legislative authority described in Part I A and the availability of funds, the Secretary of Agriculture may award competitive grants to 1994s to conduct agricultural research that addresses high priority concerns of tribal, national, or multi-state significance.

By supporting applied research at the 1994s, TCRGP directly aligns with the:

• 2018-2022 USDA Strategic Plan, Strategic Goal #4 -- Facilitate Rural Prosperity and Economic Development; Objective 4.1: Expand rural business opportunity and rural quality of life with access to capital; improved infrastructure, broadband access and connectivity; and support for workforce availability.

Specifically, TCRCP aims to:

(1) Enhance the institutional infrastructure and faculty expertise among 1994s in planning and carrying out appropriate applied research projects that address concerns and needs of tribal and reservation communities;

(2) Forge strong institutional and faculty collaborations with other land-grant institutions as well as with USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and other research institutions of higher learning;

(3) Address the food and agricultural concerns of reservation communities through scientific inquiry and discovery; and

(4) Engage American Indian students in laboratory and/or field research opportunities domestically or internationally in the food and agricultural sciences to help them in the advancement of their education and careers.

TCRGP also focuses on development of leadership skills, knowledge, and qualities that are necessary to prepare students to be globally competitive with other students for agricultural and related careers in the private sector, government, and academia.

TCRGP intern-focused applications must demonstrably incorporate a leadership development component that equips students with technical and leadership abilities upon graduation.

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 student leadership roles https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(title:7%20section:301%20edition:prelim)%20OR%20(granuleid:USC-prelim-title7-section301)&f=treesort&edition=prelim&num=0&jumpTo=true https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/usda-strategic-plan-2018-2022.pdf and organizational activities;

• Providing opportunities for mentoring and shadowing; and

• Organizing leadership academies, workshops, trainings, etc.

Research Collaboration Requirement: All applications must, by congressional authorization, include one of four research collaborators from the list below. The application must contain a signed collaboration agreement indicating the role the collaborating institution will play. Additional collaborations are optional. The approved collaborators are:

• An 1862 or 1890 land-grant institution;

• The USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) headquarters, state or regional laboratory;

• A Non-land-grant College of Agriculture (NLGCA) (as defined in section 1404 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977).

Updated requirements and list of certified NLGCA at https://www.nifa.usda.gov/funding/pdfs/nlgca_colleges.pdf; or

• A forestry school funded under the McIntire-Stennis Cooperative Forestry Research Program. The partner must be the McIntire-Stennis-funded department and not another entity.

C. Program Area Description:

Program Code – ZY Program Code Name – TCRGP

CFDA -- 10.227

Project Types – Research Grant Types – New Discovery, Area of Expertise, Applied

Faculty/Community and Student Led Research

Table 1: Proposed TCRGP Research Options 2021

The TCRGP develops 1994 institutional research capacity to address American Indian priority issues of concern to the tribal community and reservations. Research options are designed to provide opportunities for institutions with varying degrees of research capacity to participate in the program.

Student Participation: All Applications must contain a student component. NIFA will not make an award that does not involve some level of 1994 student participation.

Research Option Maximum Award Area of Expertise Approximately $500,000 New Discovery - Regular Approximately $220,000 Capacity Building Option *** Applied Faculty/Community Approximately $95,000 Student Led Research Approximately $60,000 https://www.nifa.usda.gov/funding/pdfs/nlgca_colleges.pdf

Leadership Skills Development

All TCRGP 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 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 upon graduation. Specific activities may include:

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

2. Connecting the academic classroom experience with daily student leadership roles and organizational activities;

3. Providing opportunities for mentoring and shadowing; and

4. Organizing leadership academies, workshops, trainings, etc.

Incorporation of Social Sciences and Enhancing Impacts

The TCRGP Program supports social and behavioral science disciplines. TCRGP 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 by engaging in heathy lifestyles and alleviating poverty by fostering economic opportunity.

eXtension

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

https://extension.org/

PART II—AWARD INFORMATION

A. Available Funding

The amount available for TCRGP in FY 2021 is approximately $3.8 million. This RFA is being released prior to the passage of a full appropriations act for FY 2021. Enactment of additional continuing resolutions or an appropriations act may affect the availability or level of funding for this program.

For the FY 2021 program, there are no restrictions in the number of applications that an eligible institution may submit. NIFA will generally only award any one institution: (1) Up to two awards in the New Discovery Research option, (2) One award for Area of Expertise, and (3) Up to two awards in Capacity Building. There is generally a limit of three awards total to any one eligible institution in response to this RFA (Refer to Part II, C. Project and Grant Types).

There is no commitment by USDA to fund any 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 FY 2021, you may submit a new or resubmitted application to the TCRGP:

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

Resubmitted application. This is a project application that had previously been submitted to the TCRGP but not funded. Project Directors (PDs) must respond to the previous review panel summary (see Response to Previous Review, Part IV). NIFA must receive resubmitted applications by the relevant due dates. NIFA will evaluate resubmitted applications in competition with other pending applications in the appropriate area to which they are assigned and review them according to the same evaluation criteria (Part V, B) as new applications. If you are submitting a resubmission application, enter the NIFA-assigned proposal number of the previously submitted application in the Federal field (Field 4 on the form).

C. Project and Grant Types

1. Project Types

a. Area of Expertise ($500,000 maximum) This grant seeks to enhance existing research completed or near completed for TCRGP New Discovery and Applied Faculty/Community grants that have been awarded in the https://www.fiscal.treasury.gov/fsservices/gov/pmt/asap/asap_home.htm past five years or enhance the area of expertise at the institution that has been funded by other sources. It is designed for 1994 Land Grants that have or are developing focused areas of expertise in one or more of the food and agricultural sciences. This grant is intended to support a research endeavor where existing research, extension and education resources have already developed some level of expertise in an area that is important to their students and communities they serve. The maximum amount of this grant is generally $500,000.

The Project Narrative shall not exceed [15], 1.5 line spaced pages of written text and up to [2], 1.5 line spaced additional pages for figures and tables, and the font size for tables, figures and narrative text must not be smaller than 11 point font. ALL

DOCUMENTS MUST BE IN PDF FORMAT.

You should include an introduction, objectives, methods and project timetable. Explain thoroughly how you are building onto existing research at the institution that was funded by NIFA or other funding sources, and how this funding will assist the 1994 into becoming a top research institution in the area identified. The Area of Expertise needs to have a clear experimental design, citations and evaluation plan. Please describe the impacts and outcomes of the proposed project including any publications, students or community members impacted, and capacity building at the institution.

Letters of Commitment from collaborators are required.

For all other requirements look under PART IV—APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION and CONTENT AND FORM OF APPLICATION SUBMISSION for required materials. You need to attach, in PDF format, 1 through 8 under this section of the RFA.

b. New Discovery-Regular ($220,000 maximum)

These projects should be on a level of research complexity that could lead to an enhancement in the body of scientific knowledge and problem-solving on relevant issues. Applicants are expected to possess robust research capacity and faculty expertise to conduct scientific inquiry. Proposed projects are expected to meet the standards of scientific rigor recognized by the greater research community. Research undertakings should be at a standard where results may help solve problems of a regional, state, or national level. Data and results should be of a quality appropriate for submission to a peer-reviewed journal. New Discovery projects are also required to offer meaningful research involvement for 1994 students. Project periods shall not exceed three years (36 months). The maximum amount for a New Discovery application is generally $220,000 total for the entire project period.

The Project Narrative shall not exceed [15], 1.5 line spaced pages of written text and up to [2], 1.5 line spaced additional pages for figures and tables, and the font size for tables, figures and narrative text must not be smaller than 11 point font. ALL DOCUMENTS MUST BE IN PDF FORMAT You should include an introduction, objectives, methods and project timetable. New Discovery projects need to have a clear experimental design, citations, future goals of the project and impacts. Letters of Collaboration from collaborators are required.

For all other requirements look under PART IV—APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION and CONTENT AND FORM OF APPLICATION SUBMISSION for required materials. You need to attach in PDF format 1 through 8 under this section of the RFA.

c. Applied Faculty/Community Research ($95,000 maximum)

Funds faculty and community research that addresses practical tribal community needs and opportunities. Investigations should result in knowledge or best practices useful to the tribal community and readily available to college extension offices, teaching faculty, and community development organizations. Research may be on skillful adaptations of existing knowledge to address unique community needs requiring a culturally sensitive approach. The Project Narrative shall not exceed [15], 1.5-line spaced pages of written text and up to [2],1.5 line spaced additional pages for figures and tables, and the font size for tables, figures and narrative text must not be smaller than 11 point font. ALL DOCUMENTS MUST BE IN PDF FORMAT Address the impacts and outcomes of the project. You should include an introduction, objectives, methods and project timetable. Letters of Commitment from collaborators are required. For all other requirements look under PART IV— APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION and CONTENT AND FORM OF APPLICATION SUBMISSION for required materials. You need to attach in PDF format 1 through 8 under this section of the RFA.

d. Student Research ($60,000 maximum)

Funds for students to design and implement their own research projects. Project Directors and research collaborators will mentor and train students in research ethics, scientific method, data collection and analysis, presenting posters and publicly sharing research findings. Funded projects should lead to an increase in the number of American Indian students participating in research and gaining scientific skills and knowledge. The Project Narrative shall not exceed [15], 1.5 line spaced pages of written text and up to [2], 1.5 line spaced additional pages for figures and tables, and the font size for tables, figures and narrative text must not be smaller than 11 point font. ALL DOCUMENTS MUST BE IN PDF FORMAT You should include an introduction, objectives, methods and project timetable. Letters of Commitment from collaborators are required. For all other requirements look under PART IV—APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION and CONTENT AND FORM OF APPLICATION SUBMISSION for required materials. You need to attach in PDF format 1 through 8 under this section of the

RFA.

2. Grant Type

Collaborative Grant A Collaborative Grant supports projects with at least one additional partner or a multi-partner approach to enhance research programs. Collaborative Grants should build linkages domestically and internationally to generate a critical mass of expertise, skill and technology to address education/teaching programs related to the food and agricultural sciences. Grants can reduce duplication of efforts and/or build capacity and should be organized and led by a strong applicant with documented project management knowledge and skills to organize and carry out the initiative.

D. 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 https://nifa.usda.gov/responsible-and-ethical-conduct-research for more information.

https://nifa.usda.gov/responsible-and-ethical-conduct-research https://nifa.usda.gov/responsible-and-ethical-conduct-research

PART III—ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

A. Eligible Applicants

Applications may only be submitted by Tribal Colleges or Universities designated as 1994s under the Equity Educational Land-Grant Status Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 301, as amended).

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 time of application deadline may result in the application being excluded from consideration. The eligible 1994s are listed below:

(1) Aaniiih Nakoda College. (2) Bay Mills Community College.

(3) Blackfeet Community College. (4) Cankdeska Cikana Community College.

(5) Chief Dull Knife College. (6) College of Menominee Nation.

(7) College of the Muscogee Nation. (8) Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College.

(9) Dine College. 10) Haskell Indian Nations University.

11) Fort Peck Community College. (12) Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts Development.

(13) Ilisagvik College. (14) Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwa Community College.

(15) Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College.

(16) Little Big Horn College.

(17) Leech Lake Tribal College. (18) Navajo Technical University.

19) Little Priest Tribal College. (20) Northwest Indian College.

(21) Nebraska Indian Community College. (22) Oglala Lakota College.

(23) Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish College. (24) Saginaw Chippewa Tribal College.

(25) Red Lake Nation College. (26) Sinte Gleska University.

(27) Salish Kootenai College. (28) Sitting Bull College.

(29) Sisseton Wahpeton College. (30) Stone Child College.

(31) Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute.

(32) Turtle Mountain Community College.

(33) Tohono O'odham Community College. (34) White Earth Tribal and Community College.

(35) United Tribes Technical College.

B. Cost Sharing or Matching

NIFA does not require matching support for this program and matching resources will not be factored into the review process as evaluation criteria.

PART IV—APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

A. Electronic Application Package

Only electronic applications may be submitted via Grants.gov to NIFA in response to this RFA.

We urge you to submit early to the Grants.gov system. For information about the pre-award phase of the grant lifecycle see https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/learn-grants/grants-101/pre-award-phase.html.

New Users of Grants.gov

Prior to preparing an application, we recommend that the Project Director/Principal Investigator (PD/PI) first contact an Authorized Representative (AR, also referred to as Authorized Organizational Representative, or AOR) to determine if the organization is prepared to submit electronic applications through Grants.gov. If not (e.g., the institution/organization is new to the electronic grant application process through Grants.gov), then the one-time registration process must be completed PRIOR to submitting an application. It can take as long as two weeks to complete the registration process, so it is critical to begin as soon as possible. In such situations, the AR should go to “Register,” in the top right corner of the Grants.gov web page (or go to https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/register.html), for information on registering the institution/organization with Grants.gov. Part II, 1 of the NIFA Grants.gov Application Guide contains detailed information regarding the registration process. Refer to item 2, below, to locate the “NIFA Grants.gov Application Guide.”

Steps to Obtain Application Package Materials

To receive application materials:

1. You must download and install a version of Adobe Reader compatible with Grants.gov to access, complete, and submit applications. For basic system requirements and download instructions, see https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/adobe-software-compatibility.html. Grants.gov has a test package that will help you determine whether your current version of Adobe Reader is compatible.

2. To obtain the application package from Grants.gov, go to https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/download-application-package.html and enter the funding opportunity number where appropriate

Funding Opportunity Number for FY 2021: USDA-NIFA-TCRGP-007812 Click “Search.” On the displayed page, click the corresponding link to continue. A Grant Application Package is tied to a particular funding opportunity. You may move forms amongst different Grant Application Packages, but you may ONLY submit an application to the particular funding opportunity to which the Grant Application Package is associated.

Contained within the application package is the “NIFA Grants.gov Application Guide.”

This guide contains an introduction and general Grants.gov instructions, information about how to use a Grant Application Package in Grants.gov, and instructions on how to complete the application forms.

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/learn-grants/grants-101/pre-award-phase.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/learn-grants/grants-101/pre-award-phase.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/register.html https://get.adobe.com/reader/ https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/adobe-software-compatibility.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/adobe-software-compatibility.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/adobe-software-compatibility.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/download-application-package.html

If you require assistance to access the application package (e.g., downloading or navigating Adobe forms) or submitting the application, refer to resources available on the Grants.gov website (https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/support.html). Grants.gov assistance is also available at:

Grants.gov Customer Support 800-518-4726 Toll-Free or 606-545-5035 Business Hours: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Closed on federal holidays.

Email: support@grants.gov Grants.gov iPortal (see https://grants-portal.psc.gov/Welcome.aspx?pt=Grants):

Top 10 requested help topics (FAQs), Searchable knowledge base, self-service ticketing and ticket status, and live web chat (available 7 a.m. - 9 p.m. ET).

Have the following information available when contacting Grants.gov:

• Funding Opportunity Number (FON)

• Name of agency you are applying to

• Specific area of concern

B. Content and Form of Application Submission

Electronic applications are to be prepared following Parts V and VI of the NIFA Grants.gov Application Guide. This guide is part of the corresponding application package (see Section A of this part). The following is additional information you need to prepare an application in response to this RFA. If there is discrepancy between the two documents, the information contained in this RFA is overriding.

Note the attachment requirements (e.g., PDF) in Part III, Section 3 of the guide. ANY PROPOSALS THAT ARE NON-COMPLIANT WITH THE REQUIREMENTS (e.g., content format, PDF file format, file name restrictions, and no password protected files) WILL BE AT RISK OF BEING EXCLUDED FROM NIFA REVIEW. Grants.gov does not check for NIFA required attachments or whether attachments are in PDF format; see Part III, Section 6.1 of the guide for how to check the manifest of submitted files. Partial applications will be excluded from NIFA review. We will accept subsequent submissions of an application until close of business on the closing date in the RFA (see Part V, 2.1 of the NIFA Grants.gov Application Guide for further information).

For any questions related to the preparation of an application, review the NIFA Grants.gov Application Guide and the applicable RFA. If assistance is still needed for preparing application forms content, contact:

• Programmatic Contact listed in Part VII.

• Business hours: Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. – 5 p.m. Eastern Time ( ET), excluding

1. SF 424 R&R Cover Sheet Information related to the questions on this form is dealt with in detail in Part V, 2 of the NIFA Grants.gov Application Guide. See Part V, Section 2.18 of the NIFA Grants.gov Application Guide for the required certifications and assurances (e.g., Prohibition Against Entities Requiring Certain Internal Confidentiality Agreements).

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/support.html http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/snow-dismissal-procedures/federal-holidays/ mailto:support@grants.gov https://grants-portal.psc.gov/Welcome.aspx?pt=Grants

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

a. Field 7. Project Summary/Abstract.

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

The Project Summary:

• Shall not exceed one page;

• Shall state the type of application (new or resubmission);

• Shall state the research option being addressed (see Part II C. Project and Grant Types:

Project Types);

• Shall indicate the science subject areas to be addressed;

• Shall include the names of research collaborators including PDs, and Co-PDs;

• Shall include the title of the project – should be descriptive of the work to be undertaken;

and

• A Project summary that exceeds this page limit requirement will not be accepted for review.

b. Field 8. Project Narrative.

For all TCRGP research options, the project narrative shall not exceed [15], 1.5 spaced pages of written text and up to [2], 1.5 line spaced additional pages for figures and tables, and the font size for text, tables and figures must not be smaller than 11 point font. The page limit outlined here ensure fair and equitable competition. Applicants must ensure that the page limit is not exceeded after converting to PDF format. Project narratives that exceed this page limit requirement will not be accepted for review. The project narrative must include all of the following:

a. Introduction: Identify the Project Type clearly. Include a clear statement of the long-term goal(s) and supporting objectives of the proposed activities. Summarize the body of knowledge or other past activities that substantiate the need for the proposed project.

Describe ongoing or recently completed significant activities that relate to the proposed project including the work of key project personnel. Include preliminary data/information pertinent to the proposed project. In addition, this section is to include in-depth information on the following, when applicable:

(1) Estimates of the magnitude of the issues and the relevance to reservation and/or tribal community, stakeholders and ongoing state-federal, or international food and agricultural research, education, and extension programs;

(2) The role of tribal stakeholders in problem identification, planning, implementation, and evaluation, as appropriate; and

(3) Indicate likelihood that research capacity will be enhanced at the proposing institution.

b. Objectives: All applications must include a statement(s) of specific aims of the proposed effort in clear, concise, complete, and logically arranged terms.

c. Methods: Explicitly state the procedures or methodology you will apply to the proposed effort. This section is to include

1) Proposed project activities, listed sequentially;

2) A clear hypothesis and experimental design or objectives

3) Techniques to be employed in this project, including their feasibility and rationale;

4) Expected results;

5) How data will be analyzed and interpreted;

6) How research capacity enhancement will be evaluated

7) Plans to communicate results to tribal stakeholders and relevant

American Indian communities;

8) Plans to publish results

9) Role to be played by the collaborating institution(s);

10) Indicate the role of students in this project;

11) Outline the expected benefit to the student, and the number to be recruited, trained or mentored by the 1994 or collaborating faculty; and

12) Discuss possible limitations of the proposed procedures, obstacles, or unintended consequences and how they will be addressed.

d. Project Timetable: The proposal outline is to include all important phases as a function of time, year by year, for the entire project.

c. Field 12. Add Other Attachments See Part V. Section 4.12 of the NIFA Grants.gov Application Guide (Field 12 on the form) for instructions for this field. Remember to also attach your expected outcome forms and any letters of support.

1. Summary of Expected Outcomes as PDF - ExpectedOutcomes.pdf

2. Collaborative Agreement – between each institution and signed by respective ARs

3. Signed letter of support from the Tribal government or department if applicable

4. IRB approval – if applicable

5. Response to previous review – PDF Attachment. 1page limit – if applicable

6. If applicable Expected Outcomes – PDF Attachment to ‘Field 12’

Expected Outcomes – PDF Attachment. Title the attachment “Expected Outcomes” in the document header and save file as “ExpectedOutcomes.” Please use a format, similar to what is provided below, to submit expected impacts and attach it as the last page of the application. This data will be requested when a grant is recommended for an award. A fillable version of this document can be found at https://nifa.usda.gov/resource/recommended-format-submitting-expected-impacts.

Table 2: Expected Outcomes Format https://nifa.usda.gov/resource/recommended-format-submitting-expected-impacts https://nifa.usda.gov/resource/recommended-format-submitting-expected-impacts

Note:

1. Please provide your best estimate based on past experiences, graduation rates, retention rates, etc.

2. Number of underrepresented students to be supported during the grant period (questions

#6 and #8) should be less than or equal to total number of students supported by the grant (questions #5 and #7).

3. Response to question #9 should be the sum of 9-A through 9-E.

4. Response to question #10 should be the sum of 10-A and 10-B.

Data Management Plan. A Data Management Plan (DMP) is required and is to clearly articulate how the project director (PD) and co-PDs plan to manage and disseminate the data generated by the project. The DMP will be considered during the merit review process (see Part V, B.). See Part III Section 3.1 of the NIFA Grants.gov Application Guide for NIFA attachment specifications.

The requirements for preparation and inclusion of a DMP in your application is included on the following web page, https://nifa.usda.gov/resource/data-management-plan-nifa-funded-research-projects. Also included on the web page are FAQs and information about accessing examples of DMPs.

4. R&R Senior/Key Person Profile (Expanded) Detailed information related to the questions on this form is available in Part V, 5 of the NIFA Grants.gov Application Guide. This section of the guide includes instructions about senior/key person profile requirements, and details about the biographical sketch and the current and pending support, including a link to a suggested template for the current and pending support.

5. R&R Personal Data – As noted in Part V, 6 of the NIFA Grants.gov Application Guide, the submission of this information is voluntary and is not a precondition of award. Part V.6 also notes the importance and use of the information.

6. R&R Budget Detailed information related to the questions on this form is available in Part V, 7 of the NIFA

• Applicants shall submit a budget for all years of the grant award (either two or three) including a cumulative budget.

• Applicants shall submit a budget narrative for each year and for the cumulative budget.

• Applicants shall include separate budget pages for sub-awards to collaborating institutions for all years of the award including a cumulative budget.

• The 1994s shall retain 70 percent of the total grant award.

• Budgets must follow the amounts indicated in the chosen Research Option:

- Area of Expertise - $500,000

- New Discovery Research - $220,000

- Applied Faculty/Community Research - $95,000

- Student Research - $60,000 https://nifa.usda.gov/resource/data-management-plan-nifa-funded-research-projects https://nifa.usda.gov/resource/data-management-plan-nifa-funded-research-projects

Funding Limitations per Institution:

• For each award, the submitting 1994 institution must retain at least 70 percent of the overall award.

• While at least one approved research collaborator is required, there is no requirement to make a sub-award if the collaborator agrees to this arrangement.

• For further information and instructions regarding indirect costs, refer to Part V, section

7.9 of the NIFA Grants.gov Application Guide. For indirect cost funding restrictions, refer to Part IV, D. of this RFA.

7. Supplemental Information Form Detailed information related to the questions on this form is available in Part VI, 1 of the NIFA

a. Field 2. Program to which you are applying. Enter the program code name (TCRGP) and the program code (ZY). Note that accurate entry of the program code is very important for proper and timely processing of an application.

b. Field 8. Conflict of Interest List. See Part VI, 1.8 of the NIFA Grants.gov Application

Guide for further instructions and a link to a suggested template.

8. Representations Regarding Felony Conviction and Tax Delinquent Status for Corporate Applicants This is a required form for corporate applicants. See Part VI, 2 of the NIFA Grants.gov Application Guide for a description of the term, “corporation,” and detailed information related to the questions on this form.

C. Submission Dates and Times

We recommend that you conduct an administrative review of the application before submission to Grants.gov to ensure that it complies with all preparation instructions. An application checklist is included in Part VII of the NIFA Grants.gov Application Guide to assist with this review.

While the checklist should be used to verify application completeness, the application should be checked for the following required item(s). This is not an exhaustive list of required items; it only serves to highlight items that may be overlooked. The list includes:

• A cooperative agreement between the 1994s and a required research collaborator (must be signed by the Authorized Representative (AR) of both institutions).

• An Expected Impact Table found in the project narrative portion of this RFA.

• A letter of support by a tribal representative stating that the tribe understands the nature of any research to be conducted on tribal lands and concurs with the project’s activities and locations of study.

• IRB approval or an IRB exemption for human subject studies, including surveys.

• An animal welfare certification if required (IACUC).

• Required forms or documentation are available at https://nifa.usda.gov/resource/application-support-templates o For each Project Director (PD) and co-PD

A conflict of interest documentation (COI) Current CV or resume Current and Pending Support

• Felony Convictions or Tax Delinquent Status document.

• A budget and budget narrative for each year of the project as well as a cumulative budget for both the 1994 and the Collaborating institutions receiving funding.

Instructions for submitting an application are included in Part IV, Section 1.9 of the NIFA

Applications for FY 2021 funding cycle must be received by 5 p.m. Eastern Time on January 13, 2021. Applications received after this due date and time will normally not be considered for funding

If you have trouble submitting an application to Grants.gov, you should FIRST contact the Grants.gov Help Desk to resolve any problems. Keep a record of any such correspondence.

See Part IV. A for Grants.gov contact information.

We send email correspondence to the AR regarding the status of submitted applications. We strongly encourage you to provide accurate email addresses, where designated, on the SF-424 R&R Application for Federal Assistance.

If the AR has not received correspondence from NIFA regarding a submitted application within 30 days of the established deadline, contact the Agency Contact identified in Part VII of the RFA and request the proposal number assigned to the application. Failure to do so may result in the application not being considered for funding by the peer review panel. Once the application has been assigned a proposal number, you should cite this number on all future correspondence.

The Grants.gov application tracker can alert you to matters that may cause your application not to reach NIFA. Using the tracker allows you to identify and address issues with your application.

Grants.gov application tracker https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/track-my-application.html

D. Funding Restrictions

The maximum funding period is generally three years. Please see Part II, C of this RFA for the different project types.

https://nifa.usda.gov/resource/application-support-templates https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/track-my-application.html

Indirect Costs

NIFA has determined that grant funds awarded under this authority may not be used for the renovation or refurbishment of research, education, or extension space; the purchase or installation of fixed equipment in such space; or the planning, repair, rehabilitation, acquisition, or construction of buildings or facilities.

Section 1462(a) and (c) of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (NARETPA) limits indirect costs for the overall award to 30 percent of Total Federal Funds Awarded (TFFA) under a research, education, or extension grant. The maximum indirect cost rate allowed under the award is determined by calculating the amount of indirect costs using:

1) the sum of an institution’s negotiated indirect cost rate and the indirect cost rate charged by sub-awardees, if any; or

2) 30 percent of TFFA.

The maximum allowable indirect cost rate under the award, including the indirect costs charged by the sub-awardee(s), if any, is the lesser of the two rates.

If the results of number one, is the lesser of the two rates, the grant recipient is allowed to charge the negotiated indirect cost rate on the prime award and the sub-award(s), if any. Any sub-awards would be subject to the sub-awardee’s negotiated indirect cost rate. The sub-awardee may charge its negotiated indirect cost rate on its portion of the award, provided the sum of the indirect cost rate charged under the award by the prime awardee and the sub-awardee(s) does not exceed 30 percent of the TFFA.

If the result of number two, is the lesser of the two rates, then the maximum indirect cost rate allowed for the overall award, including any sub-award(s), is limited to 30 percent of the TFFA.

That is, the indirect costs of the prime awardee plus the sum of the indirect costs charged by the sub-awardee(s), if any, may not exceed 30 percent of the TFFA.

In the event of an award, the prime awardee is responsible for ensuring the maximum indirect cost allowed for the award is not exceeded when combining indirect costs for the Federal portion (i.e., prime and sub-awardee(s)) and any applicable cost-sharing (see 7 CFR 3430.52(b)).

Amounts exceeding the maximum allowable indirect cost is considered unallowable. See sections 408 and 410 of 2 CFR 200.

Special Notice Regarding Indirect Costs for Grantees and Subcontractors All 1994s must have a valid Indirect Cost (IDC) rate agreement to receive indirect costs.

Applicants may obtain an IDC rate agreement from the U.S. Department Health and Human Service. In most cases, first time applicants are encouraged to check with their business office as their institution typically has an IDC rate agreement already in place.

Special Notice for Collaborators Requirement—Distribution of Funds The 1994s must retain at least 70 percent of the grant award funds.

Special Notice regarding construction and investment The use of grant funds to plan, acquire, or construct a building or facility is not allowed under this program. With prior approval, and in accordance with the cost principles set forth in 2 CFR part 200, some grant funds may be used for minor alterations, renovations, or repairs deemed necessary to retrofit existing teaching or research spaces in order to carry out a funded project.

However, requests to use grant funds for such purposes must demonstrate that the work is essential to achieving the major purpose of the project. Grant funds may not be used for endowment investing.

Other Exclusions:

The following costs, although not all-inclusive, are not permitted:

• Entertainment

• Meals (except when provided to maintain the continuity of a meeting)

• Tickets to shows or sporting events

• Alcoholic beverages

• Costs associated with banquets and award ceremonies

• Incentives such as bags, buttons, and related promotional items

E. Other Submission Requirements

You should follow the submission requirements noted in Part IV, Section 1.9 in the document entitled “NIFA Grants.gov Application Guide.”

For information about the status of a submitted application, see Part III, Section 6 of the NIFA

PART V—APPLICATION REVIEW REQUIREMENTS

A. General

NIFA evaluates each application in a two-part process. First, we screen each application to ensure that it meets the administrative requirements as set forth in this RFA. Second, a scientific peer- review process will be used to technically evaluate applications that meet the administrative requirements using a review panel (see NIFA Peer Review Process)..

Scientific Peer Review Process:

NIFA selects reviewers for the review panel based upon their training and experience in relevant scientific, extension, or education fields, taking into account the following factors:

• the level of relevant formal scientific, technical education, or extension experience of the individual, as well as the extent to which an individual is engaged in relevant research, education, or extension activities;

• the need to include experts from various areas of specialization within relevant scientific, education, or extension fields;

• the need to include other experts (e.g., producers, range or forest managers/operators, and consumers) who can assess relevance of the applications to targeted audiences and to program needs;

• the need to include experts from a variety of organizational types (e.g., colleges, universities, industry, state and Federal agencies, and private profit and non-profit organizations) and geographic locations;

• the need to maintain a balanced composition with regard to minority and female representation and an equitable age distribution; and

• the need to include reviewers who can judge the effective usefulness of each application to producers and the general public.

After each peer review panel has completed its deliberations, the responsible program staff of NIFA will recommend that your project is either approved for support from currently available funds or declined due to insufficient funds or unfavorable review.

NIFA reserves the right to negotiate with the PD/PI and/or the submitting organization or institution regarding project revisions (e.g., reductions in the scope of work, funding level, period, or method of support) prior to recommending any AFRI project for funding.

After the review process has been completed, NIFA sends copies of reviews, not including the identity of reviewers, and a summary (if applicable) of the review panel comments to the PD.

Conflicts of interest. NIFA takes extreme care to prevent any actual or perceived conflicts of interest that may influence the review or evaluation (see NIFA Peer Review Process for Competitive Grant Applications).

B. Evaluation Criteria

A reviewer’s written evaluation entails two levels of assessment. First, the reviewer summarizes how well the application addressed each evaluation criterion. After the application has been https://nifa.usda.gov/sites/default/files/resource/NIFA-Peer-Review-Process-for-Competitive-Grant-Applications_0.pdf https://nifa.usda.gov/resource/nifa-peer-review-process-competitive-grant-applications https://nifa.usda.gov/resource/nifa-peer-review-process-competitive-grant-applications assessed for strengths and weaknesses of each criterion, the reviewer then evaluates the overall likelihood that the project will have significant outcome and impact.