FY21-1890-Cap-RFA-508.pdf

REQUEST FOR APPLICATION

1890 Institution Teaching, Research and

Extension Capacity Building Grants (CBG) Program

MODIFICATION: This RFA is an updated version of the FY 2020-FY 2021 solicitation. It includes only the references to FY 2021 funding; FY 2020 references have been eliminated. General updates and edits appear in dark red.

FUNDING YEAR: FY 2021

APPLICATION DEADLINE: September 10, 2021

LETTER OF INTENT DEADLINE: Not Applicable

AMOUNT AVAILABLE FY 2021: Approximately $24,693,760

ASSISTANCE LISTING NUMBER: 10.216

INITIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

National Institute of Food and Agriculture, United States (U.S.) Department of Agriculture

(USDA).

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance. The CBG is listed in the Assistance Listings under the number 10.216.

Table 1: Key Dates and Deadlines

Task Description Deadline

Application: FY 2021: September 10, 2021 5:00 P.M. Eastern

Letter of Intent: Not Required

Applicants Comments:

Within six months from the issuance of this notice (NIFA may not consider comments received after the sixth month)

Stakeholder Input. The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) seeks comments on all request for applications (RFAs) so it can deliver programs efficiently, effectively, with integrity, and with a focus on customer service. NIFA considers comments, to the extent possible when developing RFAs and use comments to help 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)).

Applicants may submit written comments to Policy@usda.gov (email is for comments only).

Please use the following subject line: Response to the 1890 Institution Teaching, Research and Extension Capacity Building Grants (CBG) Program RFA.

mailto:Policy@usda.gov

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

NIFA requests applications for the CBG Program for fiscal year (FY) 2021 to strengthen research, teaching, and extension capacity needed to advance fundamental sciences, as well as translational research and development in support of food and agriculture; and to coordinate opportunities to build on these discoveries at the 1890 Land-Grant Institutions.

The anticipated amount available for grants in FY 2021 is approximately $24.6 million.

Eligible institutions may submit up to twelve Standard/Collaborative and three Professional Development applications per institution in FY 2021.

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

TABLE OF CONTENTS

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

A. Legislative Authority

B. Purpose and Priorities

PART II AWARD INFORMATION

A. Available Funding

B. Types of Application

C. Project and Grant Types

D. Ethical Conduct of Funded Projects

PART III ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

A. Eligibility Requirements

B. Cost Sharing or Matching

PART IV APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION

A. Method of Application

B. Content and Form of the Application

C. Potential for Building and Strengthening Capacity and Advancing the Quality of Teaching/Education, Research, or Extension

D. Overall Approach, Cooperative Linkages and Quality of the Proposal

E. Funding Restrictions

PART V APPLICATION REVIEW REQUIREMENTS

A. NIFA’s Evaluation Process

B. Scientific Peer Review Process:

C. Evaluation Criteria

D. Organizational Management Information

E. Application Disposition

PART VI AWARD ADMINISTRATION

A. General

B. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

PART VII OTHER INFORMATION

A. Use of Funds and Changes in Budget

B. Confidential Aspects of Applications and Awards

C. Regulatory Information

APPENDIX I: AGENCY CONTACT

APPENDIX II: GLOSSARY OF TERMS

APPENDIX III: DEFINITIONS

TABLE OF TABLES

Table 1: Key Dates and Deadlines Table 2: CBG Priority Areas Table 3: Program Key Information Table 4: Applications, Awards, and Project Duration (by Grant Type) Table 5: Maximum Fund Request Allocations* Table 6: Discipline Codes Table 7: Eligible Institutions Table 8: Steps to Obtain Application Materials Table 9: Help and Resources Table 10: Key Application Instructions Figure 1: Expected Outcome Format

PART I FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

A. Legislative Authority Authority for this program is contained in Section 1417 (b)(4) of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (NARETPA), as amended [7 U.S.C. 3152 (b)(4)] and pursuant to annual appropriations made available specifically for the 1890 Capacity Building Program. Section 7107 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (FCEA) (Pub. L. 110-246) amended the authority for the 1890 Capacity Building Program to allow for extension capacity building, as well as teaching and research.

See Appendix III for definitions of “capacity building” and “food and agricultural sciences.”

B. Purpose and Priorities CBG under Assistance Listing 10.216, is designed specifically to build the institutional teaching, research, and extension capacities of the eligible institutions through cooperative programs with Federal and non-Federal entities.

The program is designed to achieve three major goals:

1. To advance the cultural diversity of the food and agricultural sciences scientific and professional workforce by attracting and educating more students from underrepresented groups.

2. To strengthen linkages among the 1890 institutions, other colleges and universities, USDA, other federal agencies, and private industry; and

3. To enhance and strengthen the quality of Teaching/Education, Research, and Extension programs at the 1890 institutions to establish them as full partners more readily in the U.S. food and agricultural sciences higher education system.

eXtension. CBG encourages (but does not require) projects that develop content suitable for delivery through eXtension.

Global Engagement. NIFA supports global engagement that advances U.S. agricultural goals.

NIFA recognizes that collaboration with international partners may be necessary to attain the agency's goals for U.S. agriculture, promote global competence of our nation’s future agricultural workforce, and promote safe and nutritious food security in a growing world.

Therefore, although application to this RFA is limited to eligible U.S. institutions, applicants may collaborate with international partners, to include subcontracts to international partners or other institutions. Applications must clearly demonstrate benefits to the U.S.

Social and Behavioral Sciences. CBG supports social and behavioral sciences and encourages projects that integrate them with related biological sciences. Incorporating social and behavioral sciences is important for addressing many of the challenges that face 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 healthy diets; fostering opportunities for positive youth development; and alleviating poverty by fostering economic opportunity.

Leadership Skills Development. The development of leadership skills, knowledge, and qualities are necessary to prepare students for agricultural and related careers in the private sector, government, and academia. CBG teaching applications must demonstrably incorporate a leadership development component to equip students with technical and leadership abilities upon https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(title:7%20%20section:3152%20edition:prelim)%20OR%20(granuleid:USC-prelim-title7%20-section3152)&f=treesort&edition=prelim&num=0&jumpTo=true https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(title:7%20%20section:3152%20edition:prelim)%20OR%20(granuleid:USC-prelim-title7%20-section3152)&f=treesort&edition=prelim&num=0&jumpTo=true https://www.agriculture.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/pl110-246.pdf https://www.agriculture.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/pl110-246.pdf https://impact.extension.org/ 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 leadership roles and organizational activities.

3. Providing opportunities for mentoring and shadowing; and

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

Metrics. Applications must describe and assess the expected products, results, outcomes, and their potential impacts on strengthening food and agriculture Teaching/Education, Research, and Extension in the United States.

Stakeholder Input. NIFA, with stakeholder input, has identified 10 priority areas.

Applications must encourage regional or national program delivery in one of the priority areas in Table 2.

Table 2: CBG Priority Areas

Human health, obesity as it relates to nutrition, and human sciences

Rural communities for the 21st century (expanded opportunities for small businesses and small farms)

Bioenergy/biofuel and natural resources Sustainable agriculture Food safety Positive youth development Water quality Family and consumer sciences Global food security and agricultural biosecurity

Environmental sciences

Other Areas in General Food & Agricultural Science

This priority area is for innovative applications in Teaching/Education, Research, or Extension in areas that address local, regional, or national issues in the food and agricultural sciences not included in the priority areas listed above. Projects in this area may not fit any of the USDA or NIFA Strategic Goals, but address an emerging local, regional, or national issue.

Background CBG advances food and agricultural sciences, including conventional and organic food production systems. The program directly aligns with USDA Strategic Plan, 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.

The program area priorities in this RFA also align with the theme outlined in the USDA Science Blueprint. Theme 5: Ag Science Policy Leadership/Beacon for Science/ Objective: Develop and expand degree, certificate, curriculum, and youth programs that integrate science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) into instruction, considering real world challenges relevant to agricultural and food science.

The outcomes of projects supported through this RFA are expected to provide foundations for achieving the goals of the USDA Agriculture Innovation Agenda.

https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/usda-strategic-plan-2018-2022.pdf https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/usda-science-blueprint.pdf https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/agriculture-innovation-agenda-vision-statement.pdf

Additional requirements on expected performance goals, indicators and targets may be required as a condition of award.

Table 3: Program Key Information

Title Description Program Code: Research (EQ), Teaching (EP), Extension

(EWE)

Program Code Name: 1890 Capacity Building Grants Program

(CBG)

CFDA Number 10.216

Project Type: Research Project, Teaching/Education Project, Extension Project, Integrated Project

Grant Type: Professional Development Grant, Standard Grant, Collaborative Grant

Application Deadline FY 2021: September 10, 2021

Grant Duration: 24-36 Months (Standard/Collaborative Grant) 12 Months (Professional Development Grant)

Anticipated # of Awards: 50 Maximum Award Amount: Approximately $750,000

PART II AWARD INFORMATION

A. Available Funding The anticipated amount available for CBG in FY 2021 is approximately $24.6 million. The assistance instrument will be in the form of grants. USDA is not committed to fund any particular application or to make a specific number of awards. The Automated Standard Application for Payments, operated by the Department of Treasury, Bureau of Fiscal Service, is the designated payment system for awards resulting from this RFA.

Table 4: Applications, Awards, and Project Duration (by Grant Type)

Grant Type Maximum # of Applications Per Institution

Maximum # of Awards

Project Duration

Professional Development

1 award per faculty member

12 months (funds may be used for salary and benefits up to one year)

Standard/ Collaborative

No limit, but institution cannot receive more than 10% of the available funds

Up to 36 months

Table 5: Maximum Fund Request Allocations*

Project Types (up and down) Grant Types (left to right)

Standard Collaborative Professional Development

Teaching/Education $150,000 $300,000 $100,000 Research $300,000 $500,000 $100,000 Extension $250,000 $350,000 $100,000 Integrated $600,000 $600,000 N/A *See pages 13-14 for additional funding for AI

B. Types of Application NIFA will evaluate applications using the criteria described in Part V of this RFA. Applications for FY 2021 are limited to the following application types:

1. New application. New applications will be evaluated using the criteria described in Part V of this RFA and are subject to the due dates herein (see Appendix III for definition).

2. Resubmitted application. Resubmitted applications must include the response to the previous review panel summary and are subject to the same criteria and due dates herein.

Resubmitted applicants must enter the NIFA-assigned proposal number of the previously submitted application in the Federal Field (Field 4) on the application form (see Appendix III for definition).

https://www.fiscal.treasury.gov/fsservices/gov/pmt/asap/asap_home.htm https://www.fiscal.treasury.gov/fsservices/gov/pmt/asap/asap_home.htm

3. Renewal application. Renewal applications must contain the same information as required for new applications and must contain a progress report. The progress report must include the implementation of the data management plan (DMP) of the previously funded project. Renewal applications are subject to the same criteria and due dates herein. Applicants submitting a renewal application must enter the NIFA-assigned proposal number of the previously approved application in the Federal Field (Field 4) on the application form (see Appendix III for definition).

C. Project and Grant Types The following describes the types of projects or grants that are eligible for funding.

4. Project Types. Applicants must propose one of the following project types:

a. Teaching/Education Projects: A teaching or education project should develop human capital in order to help meet current and future national food and agricultural sciences workplace needs. Examples of relevant activities under this project type include (but are not limited to) the following: formal classroom instruction, laboratory instruction, and practicum experience such as faculty development, student recruitment and services, curriculum development, instructional materials and equipment, and innovative teaching methodologies.

Need Areas: Teaching/Education applications must demonstrate how the chosen Priority Area is addressed when selecting one of the following Teaching/Education Need Areas.

i. Curricula Design and Materials Development. This Need Area promotes developing new (or adapting existing) curricula and related materials to meet changes anticipated within the food and agricultural sciences. Projects must be integrated and multidisciplinary and possess learner-centered instruction which will demonstrate an improvement in teaching and student learning against core course objectives. Applicants are expected to demonstrate how the project will reach large audiences efficiently and effectively, provide hands-on learning experiences, extend learning beyond the classroom, reinforce recent research on how to motivate students to learn, retain, apply, and transfer knowledge, skills, and competencies, and integrate and synthesize knowledge.

ii. Faculty Preparation and Enhancement for Education. This Need Area prepares academic faculty for sustainable change to address emerging student clientele (demographic composition, learning styles, digital applicability), improving teaching competency (subject matter expertise and pedagogy), or developing student recruitment and advising skills (career opportunities in emerging agricultural sciences fields). Training of targeted faculty recipient(s) must be intentional and relevant to the identified educational needs of the students, who will be the beneficiaries of such faculty development.

iii. Instructional Delivery Systems. This Need Area encourages the development and use of alternative methods of delivering instruction to enhance the quality, effectiveness, and cost efficiency of teaching programs. Examples of alternative methods of delivering instruction include (but are not limited to): using state-of the-art digital technology; faculty sharing, cross enrollments, joint degrees, teleconferencing; networking via satellite communications; e-learning and online instruction; or utilizing mobile classrooms/laboratories and individualized learning centers. Multi-institutional, regional, or national collaborations are encouraged. Emphasis should be on improving the art of teaching by faculty.

iv. Scientific Instrumentation for Teaching. This Need Area provides students with the necessary experience with suitable, up-to-date equipment to involve them in work central to understanding advances in the food and agricultural sciences and to prepare them for work or further graduate/professional training.

Additionally, this Need Area will support the acquisition of instructional laboratory and classroom equipment.

v. Student Experiential Learning. This Need Area encourages the development of new student learning opportunities where students are placed in team-oriented, problem-solving, decision-making situations in the context of real-world experiences. Experiential learning in laboratory research or other internships with business and industry, community organizations, Federal agencies, and other domains that provide knowledge and skills for graduate study will be given priority.

vi. Student Recruitment and Retention. This Need Area aims to enhance student recruitment and retention programs in order to strengthen the Nation's scientific and professional workforce. Recruitment and retention efforts should be summarized quantitatively (i.e., numbers of students recruited against those contacted) and qualitatively (i.e., lessons learned that improve future recruitment strategies).

b. Research Projects: Single-function research projects support fundamental or applied research conducted by individual investigators, co-investigators within the same discipline, or multidisciplinary teams. The following must be considered when developing research applications:

i. Fundamental research means research that: (i) increases knowledge or understanding of the fundamental aspects of phenomena and has the potential for broad application and, (ii) impacts agriculture, food, nutrition, or the environment.

ii. Applied research means research that includes expansion of the findings of fundamental research to uncover practical ways in which new knowledge can be advanced to benefit individuals and society; and/or

iii. Multi-disciplinary projects are those in which investigators from two or more disciplines collaborate closely to address a common problem. These collaborations, where appropriate, may integrate the biological, physical, chemical, or social sciences.

Need Areas. Research applications must demonstrate how the chosen Priority Area is addressed when selecting one of the following Research Need Areas:

Studies and Experimentation in Food and Agricultural Sciences. The purpose of this Need Area is to advance the body of knowledge in basic and applied natural and social sciences that comprise the food and agricultural sciences. Projects addressing this Area are encouraged to focus on multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary research activities addressing critical issues rather than single discipline-specific research studies.

i. Centralized Research Support Systems. The purpose of this Need Area is to establish centralized research support systems that:

• meet national needs or serve regions or 1890 institution clientele that cannot otherwise afford or does not have access to such support; or

• provide research support more economically, thereby freeing up resources for other research uses. You must demonstrate how your chosen Priority Area is addressed when selecting this Need Area.

c. Extension Projects: Single-function Extension Projects conduct programs and activities that deliver science-based knowledge and informal educational programs to people, enabling them to make practical decisions. Program delivery may range from community-based to national audiences and use communication methods from face-to-face to electronic or combinations thereof. Extension Projects may also include related matters such as certification programs, in-service training, client recruitment and services, curriculum development, instructional materials and equipment, and innovative instructional methodologies appropriate to informal educational programs.

These projects must lead to measurable, documented changes in learning, actions, or conditions in an identified audience or stakeholder group. These projects must synthesize and incorporate a wide range of the latest relevant research results.

Extension applications must demonstrate how the chosen Priority Area is addressed when selecting one of the following Extension Need Areas.

i. Extension Program Development Support Systems. The purpose of this Need Area is to increase the quality of extension education programs to clientele through training of Extension specialists, educators, paraprofessionals, technicians, and volunteers. The training may focus on professional development, leadership development, application of the Extension program development model, development of train-the-trainer models, volunteer development, volunteer delivery systems, etc. This Need Area will also include program accountability support systems which will translate into the delivery of more effective programs by enhancing the expertise and instruments available to effectively report impacts and evaluate Extension programs.

ii. Extension Technology Upgrades. The purpose of this Need Area is to provide funds to upgrade traditional equipment and instruments, establish mobile delivery systems (laboratories and food safety kitchens, etc.), and offer emerging delivery technologies (e.g., IT applications such as distance education, web conferencing, podcasting, and social media interfaces).

iii. Extension Delivery/Methodology. The purpose of this Need Area is to: develop effective methodologies, strategies, or delivery systems to enhance services to the underserved, including developing new or modifying existing curriculums; establish program centers, experiential learning programs, or after-school programs; and utilize research results for effective community-based programs.

iv. Other Extension Initiatives. The purpose of this Need Area is to support projects that may not fit the Need Areas above, but are creative initiatives designed to provide enhancement of the institutions’ Extension capacity.

d. Integrated Projects. An Integrated Project includes at least two of the three functions of the agricultural knowledge system (i.e., research, teaching/education, and extension) within a project. The project must name one of the project types (teaching/education, research, or extension) as the primary project type. The primary project type is defined as the area which will receive most of the funding (up to two- thirds of the total funding). There is no program code for the integrated application. Therefore, it is imperative that the applicants clearly identify the primary project type in their summary and select the appropriate program code for this area.

The functions addressed in the project must be focused around a problem or issue and be interwoven throughout the life of the project to complement and reinforce one another. The functions must be interdependent and necessary for the success of the project and no more than two-thirds of the project’s budget may be focused on a single component. Integrated applications must include individuals on the project team with significant expertise in each component of the project (research, teaching/education, and/or extension). Integrated applications may be submitted by a single eligible institution where the expertise for all areas (research, teaching/education, and/or extension) are within the Project Director’s (PD) institution or multi-institutions where the expertise for one or two of the areas are from another institution(s).

For additional information on integrated programs, including tips for writing Integrated Project applications and an example of an integrated application, see Integrated Programs Application Information. You are also encouraged to contact the Program Contact to discuss the anticipated project parameters and outcomes to ensure the application content appropriately meets the requirements of an Integrated Project.

Building Artificial Intelligence (AI) Capacity for Education, Research and Extension at 1890 Institutions: In support of the Executive Order on Maintaining American Leadership in Artificial Intelligence, USDA Science Blueprint and USDA Agriculture Innovation Agenda, the 1890 CBG program for FY2021 is seeking proposals that strengthen artificial intelligence and machine learning capacity in food and agricultural sciences. Examples of relevant activities under this Need Area include (but are not limited to) curricula design and materials development, scientific instrumentation for teaching, student experiential learning, and student recruitment and retention. Research proposals could include application of artificial intelligence and machine learning for (including but not limited to) monitoring, analytics, and automation in all food and agricultural disciplines, including precision crop agriculture, precision livestock farming, and advanced food manufacturing. Extension proposals should address how artificial intelligence and machine learning tools could be applied to improve access to information and enhance extension services. USDA-NIFA and NSF have recently established nationwide network of artificial intelligence research institutes (https://nifa.usda.gov/press-release/artificial-https://nifa.usda.gov/resource/integrated-programs-application-information https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/executive-order-maintaining-american-leadership-artificial-intelligence/ https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/executive-order-maintaining-american-leadership-artificial-intelligence/ https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/usda-science-blueprint.pdf https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/agriculture-innovation-agenda-vision-statement.pdf https://nifa.usda.gov/press-release/artificial-intelligence-research intelligence-research). Applicants are strongly encouraged to foster collaborations with the following USDA-NIFA funded AI institutes:

USDA-NIFA AI Institute for Future Agricultural Resilience, Management, and Sustainability.

Dr. Vikram Adve, Director, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, (217) 244-2016;

vadve@illinois.edu

USDA-NIFA AI Institute for Next Generation Food Systems. Dr. Ilias Tagkopoulos, Director, University of California, Davis, (530) 752-4821/ (530) 752-7707; itagkopoulos@ucdavis.edu

Applicants may partner with other institutions with AI programs but must obtain prior approval from NIFA before submitting the proposal. Prior approval requests should include justification for such a partnership.

Budget: In addition to the budget allocation described on page 9, the successful applicant with an AI focus may request up to $150,000.

Discipline Codes. Eligible institutions may, within the Teaching/Education, Research, or Extension Project Need Areas identified for support, propose projects in any discipline(s) or subject matter area(s) of the food and agricultural sciences noted in Table 6. Applicants are to identify a primary discipline code and may identify one additional discipline code that categorizes the project application. At review, each application is evaluated by three peer reviewers. The discipline codes selected by the applicants are used to match reviewers’ education and expertise to the applications.

https://nifa.usda.gov/press-release/artificial-intelligence-research mailto:vadve@illinois.edu mailto:itagkopoulos@ucdavis.edu

Table 6: Discipline Codes Teaching/Education Codes Discipline

T1 Agribusiness Management & Marketing T2 Agricultural Engineering T3 Animal Sciences T4 Aquaculture T5 Data Science T6 Entomology T7 Environmental Science & Natural Resource

Conservation T8 Food Science/Technology T9 General Agricultural Science T10 Human Sciences T11 Human Nutrition T12 International Education T13 Plant Sciences T14 Related Biological Sciences T15 Rural Development/Social Science T16 Veterinary Science T17 Artificial Intelligence

Research Codes Discipline R1 Agribusiness Management & Marketing R2 Agricultural Engineering R3 Agricultural Social Sciences R4 Animal Sciences R5 Aquaculture R6 Conservation and Renewable Natural Resources R7 Data Science R8 Entomology R9 Environmental Sciences/Management R10 Food Science/Technology R11 Human Nutrition R12 International Education/Research R13 Plant Sciences R14 Related Biological Sciences R15 Soil Sciences R16 Human Sciences R17 Artificial Intelligence

Extension Codes Discipline E1 4-H Youth Development E2 Agriculture E3 Leadership Development E4 Natural Resources E5 Family and Consumer Sciences E6 Community and Economic Development E7 International Extension

E8 Artificial Intelligence

5. Grant Types. Applicants must select the appropriate grant type:

a. Standard Grant: 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. Standard Grants support targeted original scientific Teaching/Education, Research, Extension, or Integrated Projects. An eligible, individual institution, independent branch campus, or branch institution of a State system may submit a grant application for project activities to be undertaken principally on behalf of its own students or faculty, and to be managed primarily by its own personnel. The project is to be executed, without the requirement of sharing grant funds with other project partners (subaward budgets are not allowable). Applications for Standard Grants must address local or regional problems or opportunities in one of the listed Priority Areas (Part I, Table 2). The application must have the potential to encourage regional or national program delivery in one of the selected priority areas. A Project Director may receive only one new award as the lead individual in a Need Area that focuses on a single subject or discipline. Funds do not have to be equally divided among project years.

b. Collaborative Grant: Collaborative Grants support projects with at least one additional partner or a multi-partner approach to enhance Teaching/Education, Research, and Extension programs. Collaborative Grants should build linkages to generate a critical mass of expertise, skill, and technology to address programs related to the food and agricultural sciences (applicants should address one of the listed Priority Areas (Part I, Table 2). Projects should be multidisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary and should address issues at the local, state, regional, and/or national level(s). Grants can reduce duplication of efforts and/or build capacity and should be organized and led by a strong project director with documented project management knowledge and skills to organize and carry out the initiative.

Collaborative Grants are expected to be larger than Standard Grants (refer to Part II, Table 5 for the maximum fund amounts). The partners must share grant funds (the applicant institution will transfer no more than 50% of the awarded funds to the other institutions participating in the project). A separate subaward budget is to be included in the application for each of the identified project partners. The award of grant funds through subawards is limited to the eligible applicant institutions and collaborating institutions.

c. Professional Development Grant: Professional Development Grants are intended to provide an opportunity for individual faculty members (i.e., each award is to support one faculty member at the applicant university) to enhance the quality of their Teaching/Education, Research, and/or Extension work. Examples of projects addressing this area include, but are not limited to:

i. Gaining experience with recent developments or innovative technology relevant to their professional responsibilities.

ii. Working under the guidance and direction of experts who have substantial expertise in an area related to project/career goals.

iii. Working with professionals or peers in government, industry, or colleges or universities to learn new applications and enhance networks within a field; and/or

iv. Expanding competence with new methods of information delivery related to Teaching/Education and Extension.

Professional Development applications that support Teaching/Education, Research, and/or Extension faculty, may include approaches such as:

i. Sabbaticals;

ii. Mini-sabbaticals for short-term training;

iii. Faculty exchanges; and/or

iv. Continuing education.

The training must address critical U.S. food and agricultural sciences issues at the local, state, regional, and national level(s). The application should align with the university’s strategic plan for food and agricultural sciences. Applications should also address one or more of the CBG priority areas identified in Part I, Table 2.

Funds may be used for salary and benefits (up to one year), travel, supplies and training/course fees. Funds will not be awarded to support activities in fulfillment of degree requirements or travel to make presentations at conferences or meetings.

D. Ethical Conduct of Funded Projects 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 must, upon request, make available to NIFA the policies, procedures, and documentation to support the conduct of the training. See Responsible and Ethical Conduct of Research for further information.

https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=85308d0fb099abf94433fe85fdba9565&mc=true&node=pt2.1.422&rgn=div5#se2.1.422_12 https://nifa.usda.gov/responsible-and-ethical-conduct-research https://nifa.usda.gov/responsible-and-ethical-conduct-research

PART III ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

A. Eligibility Requirements Applicants for the CBG program must meet all the requirements discussed in this RFA. Failure to meet the eligibility criteria by the application deadline may result in exclusion from consideration or, preclude NIFA from making an award. For those new to Federal financial assistance, NIFA’s Grants Overview provides highly recommended information about grants and other resources to help understand the Federal awards process.

Applications may only be submitted by eligible 1890 Land-Grant Institutions, including Tuskegee University, West Virginia State University, and Central State University (per Section 7129 of Pub. L. 113-79) 7 U.S.C. 3152(d)(2). The eligible institutions are:

Table 7: Eligible Institutions

Eligible Applicants

Alabama A&M University Prairie View A&M University Alcorn State University South Carolina State University Central State University Southern University and A&M College Delaware State University Tennessee State University Florida A&M University Tuskegee University Fort Valley State University University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff Kentucky State University University of Maryland-Eastern Shore Langston University Virginia State University Lincoln University (MO) West Virginia State University North Carolina A&T State University

Faculty and students receiving support for developmental activities or educational costs must be an eligible participant (citizen or national of the United States as defined in Part VIII, E. – Definitions). Students must be enrolled at institutions that are eligible to receive CBG awards (see above paragraphs). Where student or faculty eligibility is claimed under 8 U.S.C. 1101(a) (22), documentary evidence from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) as to such eligibility must be made available to NIFA upon request.

United States citizenship is not required for faculty who serve as PD, co-PD, or key personnel on a Standard or Collaborative project. United States citizenship is required for faculty who serve as PD on a Professional Development project.

Faculty may not serve as PD on more than two active CBG projects. If an applicant has two active projects, at least one project must be scheduled to expire by the end of the current fiscal year. Faculty may submit multiple Standard and/or Collaborative Grant applications as the lead PD to the CBG program in FY 2021. Additionally, there is no limit on the number of applications for which faculty may be listed as co-PD or key personnel. NOTE: All key personnel must submit a current and pending support form. Key personnel may not commit more than 100% effort on concurrent projects.

https://nifa.usda.gov/resource/grants-overview https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(title:7%20section:3152%20edition:prelim)%20OR%20(granuleid:USC-prelim-title7-section3152)&f=treesort&edition=prelim&num=0&jumpTo=true

Collaborative and Integrated Project award recipients may subcontract, as deemed appropriate, to organizations not eligible to apply provided such organizations are necessary to conduct a successful project. The subcontract must advance capacity building at the 1890 institution in the area of the submitted application.

B. Cost Sharing or Matching No Match Required - The CBG has NO matching requirement. NIFA will not factor matching resources into the review process as an evaluation criterion.

PART IV APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION

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 8 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 8: Steps to Obtain Application Materials Steps Action

Step One:

Register

New Users to Grants.gov must register early with Grants.gov prior to submitting an application (Register Here).

Step Two:

Download Adobe

Download and Install Adobe Reader (see Adobe Software Compatibility for basic system requirements).

Step Three:

Find Application

Use this funding opportunity number USDA-NIFA-CBGP-008120 search for application here: Opportunity Package.

Step Four:

Assess Readiness

Contact an AR prior to starting an application to assess the organization’s readiness to submit an electronic application.

Table 9: Help and Resources Grants.gov Support NIFA Support

Grants.gov Online Support Telephone support: 800-518- 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: policy@usda.gov Key Information: Business hours:

Monday thru Friday, 7a.m. – 5p.m. ET, except federal holidays

B. Content and Form of the 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 https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/learn-grants/grants-101/pre-award-phase.html/ https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/opportunities/instructions/PKG00249520-instructions.pdf https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/ 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/search-opportunity-package.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/support.html mailto:support@grants.gov https://grants-portal.psc.gov/Welcome.aspx?pt=Grants https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/snow-dismissal-procedures/federal-holidays/ https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/snow-dismissal-procedures/federal-holidays/ mailto:electronic@usda.gov https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/snow-dismissal-procedures/federal-holidays/ https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/opportunities/instructions/PKG00249520-instructions.pdf meet the requirements of this RFA. Applicants must refer to the proposal number when corresponding with NIFA. Table 10 outlines other key instructions for applicants.

Table 10: Key Application Instructions

Instruction References (All references are to the Application Guide)

Attachments must be in a portable document format (PDF) format.

Part III § 3

Check the manifest of submitted files to verify attachments are in the correct format.

Part III § 6.1

Conduct an administrative review of the application before submission.

Part VII

Follow the submission instructions. Part IV § 1.5

Provide an accurate email address, where designated, on the SF-424 R&R.

Part IV § 1.5

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

N/A

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

N/A

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

SF 424 R&R Project/Performance Site Location(s). See Part V § 3 of the Application Guide.

R&R Other Project Information Form. See Part V § 4 of the Application Guide.

1. Field 7. Project Summary (PS)/Abstract. The PS must show how the project goals align with the project goals of the CBG. See Part V § 4.7 of the Application Guide for instructions and suggested templates.

2. Field 8. Project Narrative (PN). For Standard and Collaborative Grant applications, the PN must not exceed 20 1.5 spaced pages of written text and up to 5 1.5 spaced additional pages for figures and tables (the font size for tables should be no smaller than 11 points, Times New Roman). Figures and tables may come after the 20 pages of text or be intertwined with the text (but they should not exceed 5 pages). For Professional Development Grant applications, the PN must not exceed eight pages, including figures and tables. The page limits outlined here ensure fair and equitable competition.

Appendices to the PN are allowed if they are directly germane to the proposed project.

Do not add appendices to circumvent the page limit. You are encouraged to include a table of contents in the project narrative, which will not count toward the narrative’s page limitation. After converting the narrative to PDF format and making the necessary https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/opportunities/instructions/PKG00249520-instructions.pdf https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/opportunities/instructions/PKG00249520-instructions.pdf https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/support.html https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/opportunities/instructions/PKG00249520-instructions.pdf https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/opportunities/instructions/PKG00249520-instructions.pdf adjustments, you should verify that you have not exceeded the applicable page limit.

Proposals with project narratives that exceed the page limit requirement will not be accepted for review. Applicants must address all components of the Evaluation Criteria in their Project Narrative (see Part V, B.). The PN must include all the following:

a. Data management plan (DMP). Maximum of two pages. DMP does not count towards the page limit of the project narrative, and it should be placed directly after the 25-page narrative section in the application.

b. Logic model. The logic model is required for Integrated Project applications, and recommended for Teaching/Education, Research, and Extension Project applications.

The logic model planning process is a tool that should be used to develop your project before writing your proposal. It should detail the activities, outputs, and outcomes of the proposed project. Two additional pages may be used solely for the logic model.

The logic model does not count towards the page limit of the narrative, and it should be placed directly after the 25-page narrative section in the application. More information and resources related to the logic model planning process are provided at Logic Model Planning Process.

c. Response to previous review: The response to previous review must not exceed one

1.5 spaced page. This does not count towards the page limit for the PN. This is only required for resubmitted applications.

d. Cover Page (first page of the narrative) will not count towards the page limit of the PN and should include the following;

i. Type of Application (see Part II, B.)

ii. Project Type (see Part II, C.)

iii. Grant Type (see Part II, C.)

iv. Need Area addressed (see Part II, C.)

v. Program Code (see Table 3). For integrated project applications, the program code for the primary component must be listed. For example, if the primary component of an integrated project is research, then the applicant must indicate “EQ” as the program code.

vi. Primary CBG Priority Area (see Table 2)

vii. Discipline Code (see Table 6)

For new and renewal applications, the cover page should come before the table of contents.

For resubmitted applications, please use this order: 1) response to previous review, 2) cover page, 3) table of contents.

Standard and Collaborative Grant Applications. To facilitate application review and evaluation, the applicant must include the following headings in the Project Narrative (A.

through D.), followed by the applicant’s response for each numbered item under A. through D.

below.

C. Potential for Building and Strengthening Capacity and Advancing the Quality of Teaching/Education, Research, or Extension

1. Significance of the Problem and Opportunity. Clearly state the specific instructional, research, or extension problem or opportunity to be addressed and the connection(s) with the institutional goals, strategic plan, or Plan of Work.

https://nifa.usda.gov/resource/logic-model-planning-process

Project Justification. Summarize the body of knowledge justifying the need for the proposed project using graphical and tabulated format when possible. Discuss how the project will be of value at the state, regional, national, or international level(s). Describe any ongoing or recently completed significant activities related to the proposed project for which previous funding was received under this program or other funding programs (including projects supported under the NIFA 1890 Facilities Grants Program and 1890 Formula Programs).

2. Impact on Building and Strengthening Capacity. Describe the institution's capability to perform the project and the degree to which the project will enhance its teaching/education, research, or extension capacity. Include a description of baseline information/preliminary data. Additionally, include the project’s potential for adoption by other institutions.

3. Continuation Plans. Describe the likelihood of, or specific plans for, continuation or expansion of the project beyond the period of USDA support. Applicants must indicate if eventual self-support is built into the project and if plans are being made to institutionalize the program if it is successful.

4. Innovation. Describe the creative approach to 1) improving the quality of food and agricultural sciences, 2) the approach to solving a scientific problem or advancing a field of science that address objective(s) that are of high importance at the 1890 institution, and 3) the potential results in institutional capacity building.

5. Multidisciplinary and/or Problem-based Focus. Indicate how the teaching/education project is relevant to multiple disciplines in the food and agricultural sciences, or with other academic curricula and how the research or extension project is multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary, and/or involves integrated (teaching/education, research and extension) activities. Identify the field of science and the objective(s) that are of high importance and will be addressed at your institution. If partners are included, provide a concise plan on how they will be managed and coordinated. Identify potential results in 1890 institutional capacity building.

6. Products and Results. Explain, including metrics, the expected products, and results, outputs, and their potential impact on strengthening food and agricultural sciences education, research, and extension in the United States. Metrics to assess products and outputs are to be clearly delineated in the proposal.