FY 2017 alfalfa_final.pdf

Alfalfa and Forage Research Program (AFRP)

FY 2017 Request for Applications (RFA)

APPLICATION DEADLINE: May 1, 2017

ELIGIBILITY: See Part III, A of RFA

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

AGRICULTURE

ALFALFA AND FORAGE RESEARCH PROGRAM (AFRP)

INITIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

CATALOG OF FEDERAL DOMESTIC ASSISTANCE: This program is listed in the

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance under 10.330.

DATES: Applications must be received by 5 p.m. Eastern Time on May 1, 2017. 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’ll use them to meet the requirements of section

103(c)(2) of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C.

7613(c)(2)). Submit your written stakeholder comments by the deadline set forth in the DATES portion of this notice via email to Policy@nifa.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 Alfalfa and Forage Research Program RFA.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: NIFA requests applications for the Alfalfa and Forage Research

Program (AFRP) for fiscal year (FY) 2017 to increase forage and seed yields and forage quality;

improve forage and seed harvest and storage systems; develop methods to estimate forage yield and quality to support marketing and reduce producer risks; and explore new and novel uses for alfalfa. This is an integrated research and extension program. The anticipated amount available for grants in FY 2017 is approximately $1.9 million. This RFA is being released prior to the passage of an appropriations act for FY 2017. Enactment of additional continuing resolutions or an appropriations act may affect the availability of funds or level of funding for this program.

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

mailto:Policy@nifa.usda.gov

Table of Contents

PART I—FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

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

PART II—AWARD INFORMATION

A. Available Funding B. Types of Applications C. Project 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

PART I—FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

A. Legislative Authority and Background

The authority for this program is contained in 7 USC 5925(d)(8): High-priority research and extension initiatives.

B. Purpose and Priorities

Alfalfa Forage and Research Program (AFRP) is aligned with the USDA Strategic Plan

(http://www.ocfo.usda.gov/usdasp/sp2014/usda-strategic-plan-fy-2014-2018.pdf ), and specifically addresses Goal 3, Objective 3.1. It also aligns with the USDA Research, Education, and Extension Action Plan (https://nifa.usda.gov/resource/usda-strategic-plan-fy-2014-2018) and specifically addresses Goal 1, Subgoals 1A, 1B, and 1C; and Goal 2, Subgoal 2A. In addition, AFRP is aligned with the NIFA Strategic Plan

(http://nifa.usda.gov/about/pdfs/strat_plan_2014.pdf) and specifically addresses Strategic Goal 1, Subgoal 1.1, and Subgoal 1.3.

Alfalfa and other forage crops are essential to sustainable agricultural production systems and are economic engines for rural communities. Their value for soil conservation, nitrogen fixation, energy savings, crop rotation benefits, and wildlife habitat is high. However, to provide these societal benefits, the production of forage crops must be profitable to farmers through market outlets so they will be willing to maintain or expand the use and acreage of alfalfa.

C. Program Area Description

The Alfalfa Forage and Research Program (AFRP) is an integrated alfalfa-oriented research and extension program that supports collaborative research and technology transfer to improve overall agricultural productivity, profitability, and conservation of natural resources through conventional and organic forage and seed production systems. The AFRP encourages applicants to establish interdisciplinary, and multi-location research and extension networks to address national priorities or regional science needs of the U.S. alfalfa forage industry. By bringing together expertise across multiple university, federal agency, and industry organizations and states, AFRP projects seek to enhance the effectiveness of limited state, federal, and industry resources and so produce greater long-lasting impacts.

In FY 2017, AFRP will support the development of improved alfalfa forage and seed production systems, practices, and supporting technologies. NIFA is soliciting applications for the FY 2017 under the following areas:

1. Increase alfalfa forage and seed yields and forage quality through improved management practices, plant breeding, and other strategies to reduce biotic and abiotic stresses and costs of production.

2. Improve alfalfa forage and seed harvest and storage systems to optimize economic returns to alfalfa producers as well as end-users including milk producers;

http://www.ocfo.usda.gov/usdasp/sp2014/usda-strategic-plan-fy-2014-2018.pdf https://nifa.usda.gov/resource/usda-strategic-plan-fy-2014-2018 http://nifa.usda.gov/about/pdfs/strat_plan_2014.pdf

3. Develop methods to estimate alfalfa forage yield and quality to support marketing as a livestock feed and instruments to reduce producer risks.

4. Explore new uses for alfalfa such as in fish feeds, nutritive supplements, high-value chemical manufacturing, or other novel uses.

You must specify in the introductory part of the narrative which of the four areas above are addressed by your proposal. If multiple areas are covered, provide an estimate of the percentage of effort/funds dedicated to each with the sum of percentages equaling 100 percent.

AFRP projects must integrate research and extension objectives and represent a collaboration of at least three states, with at least two of which must be within the same region (see table below).

The decision on which states should reside in each region is based on the farm gate value of alfalfa and forage as reported by National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). Regional balance and involvement of new investigators may be taken into consideration during the proposal review process.

Region

Western Central Eastern

Alaska Arkansas Alabama New Hampshire

Arizona Iowa Connecticut New Jersey

California Kansas Delaware New York

Colorado Louisiana Florida North Carolina

Hawaii Minnesota Georgia Ohio

Idaho Missouri Illinois Pennsylvania

Montana Nebraska Indiana Rhode Island

Nevada North Dakota Kentucky South Carolina

New Mexico Oklahoma Maine Tennessee

Oregon South Dakota Maryland Vermont

Utah Texas Massachusetts Virginia

Washington Michigan West Virginia

Wyoming Mississippi Wisconsin

Applications must provide a description and budget plan for the public release of and access to research results (e.g., data, germplasm, cultivars, and genetic resources) that is compliant with the award Terms and Conditions that govern NIFA-funded projects in the areas of plant breeding, genetics and genomics. The terms and conditions can be found at:

https://nifa.usda.gov/sites/default/files/resource/NIFA%20Grant_Cooperative%20Agreement%2

0General%20Terms%20Oct%202016.pdf. The following sections are particularly relevant:

Genetic Resources from Outside of the U.S ; Patents and Inventions including Plant Variety

Protection (pages 6-8); and Release of Animal or Plant Genome Sequence Data and Distribution of Animal or Plant Genomic Resources, and the Release or Distribution of Plant Germplasm.

The projects must include well-defined information dissemination and extension activities that specifies your target audience including individuals, market segments, communities, or other customer or stakeholder groups that will be served by the project. Such engagement efforts must https://www.nass.usda.gov/ https://nifa.usda.gov/sites/default/files/resource/NIFA%20Grant_Cooperative%20Agreement%20General%20Terms%20Oct%202016.pdf https://nifa.usda.gov/sites/default/files/resource/NIFA%20Grant_Cooperative%20Agreement%20General%20Terms%20Oct%202016.pdf include a detailed plan and schedule for how science-based knowledge and technology will be delivered through formal or informal educational programs such as workshops, field days, and other extension, outreach, and engagement activities, as well as published documents including bulletins, extension guides, germplasm or variety releases, licensing agreements, or on-line media.

New requirement in 2017: Applicants are expected to report the readiness status for commercial use of information or technology components developed through this program for use by growers, seed companies, hay and feed suppliers, or other production system or end-product supply chain participants. As applicable, the present readiness status of information or technology components towards the market place at the beginning of the project and the expected advancement at the end of the project must be reported. Advancement should be described by progress from technology readiness level (TRL) tollgate accomplishment to another. See Crop

System Research TRL worksheet at: https://nifa.usda.gov/funding-opportunity/alfalfa-and-forage-research-program. Also see general TRL background and examples from NASA at:

http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/458490main_TRL_Definitions.pdf.

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

Logic Model: Applicants must include a logic model for each project to help the project team stay on track and relate their research and extension activities to their long-term goals. See Part

IV B.3.b.iv. for further information. Proposals not including a logic model will not be reviewed.

Project Directors Workshop: It is the intent of the AFRP to require successful applicants to attend at least one Project Director (PD) meeting during the term of their project. The PD meeting may be held in conjunction with other related grant programs, professional scientific, or alfalfa industry meetings, or may be held in NIFA’s offices in Washington, DC. For budget development purposes, applicants are required to request funds for attendance to at least one such specified PD meeting (see Part IV, B, 6).

https://nifa.usda.gov/funding-opportunity/alfalfa-and-forage-research-program https://nifa.usda.gov/funding-opportunity/alfalfa-and-forage-research-program http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/458490main_TRL_Definitions.pdf https://extension.org/

PART II—AWARD INFORMATION

A. Available Funding

The anticipated total amount available for AFRP grants in FY 2017 is approximately $1.9 million. The total project budget cannot exceed a maximum of $250,000 including indirect costs for the entire project period. This RFA is being released prior to the passage of an appropriations act for FY 2017. Enactment of additional continuing resolutions or an appropriations act may affect the availability of funds or level of funding for this program.

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

The Automated Standard Applications for Payment System (ASAP), operated by the Department of Treasury’s Bureau of the Fiscal Service, is the designated payment system for awards resulting from this RFA. For more information see:

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

B. Types of Applications

In FY 2017, you may only submit an application to the AFRP as one of the following grant types:

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

Requirements.

(2) Renewal application. This is a project application that requests additional funding for a project beyond the period that was approved in an original or amended award.

Applications for renewed funding must contain the same information as required for new applications, and they also must contain a Progress Report (see Project Narrative, Part

IV). Renewal applications must be received by the specified due dates, will be evaluated in competition with other pending applications in the area to which they are assigned, and will be reviewed according to the same evaluation criteria as new applications.

(3) Resubmitted application. This is an application that had previously been submitted to

AFRP, but not funded. Project Directors (PDs) must respond to the previous review panel summary (see Response to Previous Review, Part IV). Resubmitted applications must be received by the specified due dates, and will be evaluated in competition with other pending applications in the appropriate area that they are assigned.

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

C. Project Types

Only projects that integrate research and extension objectives will be considered. Projects must include collaborations among at least three states, with a minimum of two states being from the same region (See Table, Part I B). The total project budget cannot exceed a maximum of

$250,000 including indirect costs for the entire project period. Applications may request a project period of up to two years.

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

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

PART III—ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

A. Eligible Applicants

Applications may only be submitted by (1) State agricultural experiment stations; (2) Colleges and universities; (3) University research foundations; (4) Other research institutions and organizations; (5) Federal agencies; (6) National laboratories; (7) Private organizations or corporations; (8) Individuals who are United States citizens or nationals; or (9) A group consisting of two or more of the entities described in (1) through (8). 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 or, even though an application may be reviewed, will preclude NIFA from making an award.

B. Cost Sharing or Matching

In accordance with Section 1492 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and

Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3371), as added by section 7128 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (Pub. L. 113-79), for grants awarded after Oct. 1, 2014, the recipient of an award from the MBT program must provide funds, in-kind contributions, or a combination of both, from sources other than funds provided through such grant in an amount that is at least equal to the amount awarded by NIFA unless one of the exemptions described herein is applicable. Note that NIFA included information at http://www.nifa.usda.gov/business/awards/matching_require.html to further assist you in determining if you must meet the new matching requirement.

The matching funds requirement does not apply to grants awarded:

1. To a research agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA); or

2. To an entity eligible to receive funds under a capacity and infrastructure program (as defined in section 251(f)(1)(C) of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of

1994, 7 U.S.C. 6971(f)(1)(C)), including a partner (see Part VIII, D., Definitions, for definition of partnership) of such an entity.

Entities eligible to receive funds under a capacity and infrastructure program and exempt from the matching funds requirement include:

a. 1862 land-grant institutions, including State Agricultural Experiment

Stations receiving funding under the Hatch Act of 1887

b. 1890 land-grant institutions

c. 1994 land-grant institutions

d. Entities eligible to receive funds under the of Continuing Animal Health and Disease, Food Security, and Stewardship Research, Education, and

Extension Program Funds — Capacity and Infrastructure Program (CIP)

e. Hispanic-Serving Agricultural Colleges and Universities (HSACU) http://www.nifa.usda.gov/business/awards/matching_require.html

f. Insular area schools eligible to receive funds from the Distance

Education/Resident Instruction Grant Programs

g. Entities eligible to receive funds under the of McIntire-Stennis

Cooperative Forestry Program Funds

h. Non-Land Grant Colleges of Agriculture (NLGCA) – (for exemption from the new matching requirement, these applications must include

NLGCA certification, see instructions for requesting certifications at http://www.nifa.usda.gov/form/form.html and for attaching the certification, in Part IV, B of this RFA)

i. Entities eligible to receive funds under a program established under

Section 1417(b) of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and

Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3152(b)), including: (1) 1890

Institution Teaching, Research, and Extension Capacity Building Grants

Program; (2) Higher Education Challenge Grants Program; (3) Higher

Education Multicultural Scholars Program; and (4) Food and Agricultural

Sciences National Needs Graduate and Postgraduate Fellowship Grants

Program

j. Individual public or private, nonprofit Alaska Native-Serving and Native

Hawaiian-Serving Institutions of higher education (see 20 U.S.C. 1059d).

Proposal submissions to this RFA may indicate that multiple entities will complete work as a collaborative partnership. All partners must have a substantial involvement in the project throughout the life of the project. Proposals for partnerships among multiple entities must clearly identify the following:

1) A narrative that clearly establishes each entity’s role in the project;

2) How each project partner will contribute to execution of project objectives; determine experimental design; develop the project work plan and time table; and submit collaborative, timely reports; and

3) A comprehensive project budget that reflects each entity’s financial or third party in-kind contribution (see section 2 of 7 CFR 3430 or section 96 of 2 CFR part 200) to the total project budget costs.

If a proposal indicates that multiple entities, as partners, complete work on the project, and at least one entity is exempt from the matching requirement under #2 above, the entire project will be exempt from the matching requirement. Any partner entity may serve as the lead entity on the project. All partners must be significantly involved in the project.

NIFA will examine proposals recommended for award to determine if the proposed division of work reflects substantial involvement of all entities involved. If a proposal is recommended for award to a lead entity that is not otherwise exempt from the matching requirement, and the proposal does not reflect substantial involvement of at least one partner that is exempt under #2 above, then the matching requirement will apply. Exemption from the matching requirement for an entity not otherwise exempt is limited to the project for which it is a partner.

http://www.nifa.usda.gov/form/form.html

Waiver of Match: NIFA may waive the matching funds requirement for a recipient for one year for a competitive grant that involves research or extension activities that are consistent with the priorities established by the National Agricultural Research, Education, Extension and

Economics Advisory Board (NAREEEAB) for the year involved. Refer to the 2014 Research, Education and Economics Action Plan to determine whether proposed activities are consistent with the priorities of the NAREEEAB. See R&R Budget under Part IV, B, of this RFA.

https://nifa.usda.gov/resource/ree-action-plan https://nifa.usda.gov/resource/ree-action-plan

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 http://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 http://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 http://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 http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/download-application-package.html and enter the funding opportunity number

Funding Opportunity Number: USDA-NIFA-OP-006285

From the search result, click “Select Package” to access the application package. A

Grant Application Package is tied to a particular funding opportunity. You may submit an application ONLY to the particular funding opportunity to which the Grant

Application Package is associated.

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

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.

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 (http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/applicant-tools-and-tips.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. EST).

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

You should prepare electronic applications 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:

Email: electronic@nifa.usda.gov

Phone: 202-401-5048

Business hours: Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. – 5 p.m. EST, excluding federal holidays.

http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/applicant-tools-and-tips.html http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/applicant-tools-and-tips.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 mailto:electronic@nifa.usda.gov https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/snow-dismissal-procedures/federal-holidays/

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).

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 AFRP. See Part V.

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

b. Field 8. Project Narrative.

NOTE: The Project Narrative shall not exceed 18 pages of written text, regardless of whether it is single- or double-spaced, and up to three additional pages for figures and tables. We have established this maximum (18 pages) to ensure fair and equitable competition. The Project

Narrative must include all of the following:

i. Introduction. First identify which of the four program areas you are applying for and the % of your project in each area. Clearly state the high priority need of the alfalfa industry, who will benefit and how they will benefit, and the research goals. Summarize the body of knowledge or other past activities related to your proposed research citing the work of key project personnel or others that is relevant to the project. Preliminary data or information pertinent to the proposed research should be included in this section. Describe the qualifications of key personnel, adequacy of facilities, and the project management capability of the applicant institution.

ii. Rationale and Significance. Concisely present the rationale behind the proposed research as it relates to alfalfa forage or seed production. This section should address:

The priority-setting process and method of engaging stakeholder involvement in problem identification, planning, implementation of the research, evaluation, and utilization of results.

Describe any coordination of the research in national or regional efforts, and how this research complements other work conducted by land-grant and other universities, Federal agencies, and industry.

Discuss novel ideas or contributions that the proposed project offers.

iii. Objectives: Include a list of project objectives.

v. Approach. Describe how you will address each stated objective. Include in your approach:

Methods to be used in carrying out the research and extension components.

Means by which results will be analyzed, assessed, and interpreted.

A detailed description of how you will communicate your findings and transfer technologies to intended users.

A clear description of each team members’ role and responsibility to the project.

For the entire project, a timeline that outlines all important phases as a year-by-year function of time, including periods beyond the grant funding period.

iv. Expected outcomes and benefits. Projects must include a clear description of the expected accomplishments, and how research’s progress and benefits (outputs and outcomes) will be tracked and measured. This section can include:

Anticipated specific uses for your results or products.

Specific changes in knowledge about alfalfa forage or seed crops and their performance that will directly result from your research. Also, present status and expected advancement of information or technology components towards the market place measured as technology readiness level (TRL).

Performance measures such as number of new alfalfa acres planted, increased seed sales, relative changes in land use, enhanced sustainability of production systems, or change in market share.

Estimated increases in profit or risk reductions from growing alfalfa, or other quantitative measures of impact in crop or livestock production.

Describe the potential long-term benefits of utilizing the new technology based on current knowledge and practice, and the estimated impact on the alfalfa industry and

American agriculture.

vi. Logic Model requirement. Projects must include the elements of a logic model detailing the activities, outputs, and outcomes of the proposed project. This information must be formatted into a logic model chart. More information and resources related to the logic model planning process are provided at www.nifa.usda.gov/funding/integrated/integrated_logic_model.html.

vii. Response to previous review. This is only required for applications previously submitted to the AFRP, but not funded. Project directors (PDs) must respond to the previous review panel summary on no more than one page, title as “Response to Previous Review” and include as the first page of the Project Narrative. Please include previous proposal number, if possible.

The one- page “Response to Previous Review” does not count against the 18-page limit of the

Project Narrative.

viii. In addition to the other components of the Project Narrative, renewal applications must provide a progress report detailing, for each objective of the original project award: (1) project activities, both completed and continuing; (2) results and outputs from those activities; and (3) significant outcomes and impacts. The report should be as concise as http://www.nifa.usda.gov/funding/integrated/integrated_logic_model.html possible, and is limited to five pages. If available, please include the NIFA proposal number or award number from the original project. The progress report is not counted against the page limit of the Project Narrative.

NOTE: Appendices to the Project Narrative are allowed if they are directly germane to the proposed project. Do not add appendices to circumvent the page limit.

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 regarding mandatory Felony Convictions or Tax Delinquent Status.

Non-Land Grant College of Agriculture (NLGCA) Certification. Applicants claiming exemption from the new matching requirements as NLGCA, must attach the NLGCA certification letter they requested and received from NIFA. Title the attachment ‘NLGCA

Certification’ and save file as ‘NLGCA Certification’. To request certification as an NLGCA, complete the form at http://www.nifa.usda.gov/form/form.html. Note that certification can take

14 up to 30 days from submission of request form. See Part III Section 3.1 of the NIFA

Grants.gov Application Guide for NIFA attachment specifications.

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

Matching

If you conclude that matching funds are not required as specified under Part III, B. Cost-Sharing or Matching, you must include a justification in the Budget Narrative. We will consider this justification when ascertaining final matching requirements or in determining if required matching can be waived. NIFA retains the right to make final determinations regarding matching requirements.

For grants that require matching funds as specified under Part III, B., the Budget Narrative should include written verification of commitments of matching support (including both cash and in- kind contributions) from third parties. Written verification means:

(a) For any third party cash contributions, a separate pledge agreement for each donation, signed by the authorized representatives of the donor organization (and the applicant http://www.nifa.usda.gov/form/form.html organization ONLY if provided after submission of the application), must include: (1) The donor’s name, address, and telephone number; (2) the name of the applicant organization;

(3) the title of the project; (4) the dollar amount of the cash donation (the budget narrative must describe how the cash donation will be used); (5) a statement that the donor will pay the cash contribution during the grant period; and (6) whether the applicant can designate cash as the applicant deems necessary or the cash contribution has been designated to a particular budget item.

(b) For any third party in-kind contributions, a separate pledge agreement for each contribution, signed by the authorized representatives of the donor organization (and the applicant organization ONLY if provided after submission of the application), must include:

(1) The donor’s name, address, and telephone number; (2) the name of the applicant organization; (3) the title of the project; (4) a good faith estimate of the current fair market value of the third party in-kind contribution and a description of how the fair market value was determined; and (5) a statement that the donor will make the contribution during the grant period. .

Summarize on a separate page the sources and amount of all matching support from outside the applicant institution and place that information in the proposal as part of the Budget Narrative.

You must place all pledge agreements in the proposal immediately following the summary of matching support.

Establish the value of applicant contributions in accordance with applicable cost principles. 2

CFR 200, the Uniform Administrative Requirement, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards.

Project Director Workshop

The AFRP requires successful applicants or a designee to attend at least one project director workshop during the term of their project. For the purposes of budget development, applicants are required to request funds for travel for attending at least one such workshop. The request for these funds should be clearly indicated in the budget narrative section of the application.

Indirect Costs. 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 section D. of this Part of the 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 (i.e., enter

“Alfalfa and Forage Research Program”) and the program code (i.e., enter “AFRP”). 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.

C. Submission Dates and Times

We recommend that you conduct an administrative review of the application before submission of it via 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 review the application for 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. These include:

Logic Model

Crop Research Technology Readiness Level (TRL) description of information and technology advancement

Management Plan

Current and Pending Support

Signed Tax and Felony Certification Form

The AFRP also has unique requirements: (i) inclusion of a project logic model, (ii) integrated research and extension objectives, (iii) collaboration among at least three states, with a minimum of two from the same region, and (iv) description of present status and expected advancement of information or technology components towards the market place measured as Crop Research

Technology Readiness Level (TRL). Applicants should ensure that all required components are included.

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

Applications must be received by Grants.gov by 5 p.m. Eastern Time on May 1, 2017.

Applications received after this deadline 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.

D. Funding Restrictions

Section 713 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016 (Pub. L. 114-113) limits indirect costs to 30 percent of the total federal funds provided (or 42.857 percent of total direct costs) under each award. Similar language may be included in the FY 2017 appropriation, therefore, when preparing budgets, you should limit your request for the recovery of indirect costs to the lesser of your institution’s official negotiated indirect cost rate or the equivalent of 30 percent of total

Federal funds awarded. See Part V section 7.9 of the NIFA Grants.gov Application Guide for further indirect cost information.

You may not use grant funds awarded under this authority to renovate or refurbish research, education, or extension space; purchase or install fixed equipment in such space; or the plan, repair, rehabilitate, acquire, or construction of buildings or facilities.

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

We evaluate 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 technical review panel will evaluate applications that meet the administrative requirements.

We select reviewers based upon their training and experience in relevant scientific, extension, or education fields, taking into account the following factors:

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;

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

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;

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;

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

AFRP will recommend that your project be approved for support from currently available funds or be declined due to insufficient funds or unfavorable review.

The AFRP reserves the right to negotiate with the PD/PI and/or with 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 project for funding.

We will send copies of reviews, not including the identity of reviewers, and a summary of the panel comments to the PD after the review process has been completed.

B. Evaluation Criteria

We will use the evaluation criteria below to review applications submitted in response to this

RFA:

1. Conceptual adequacy (20 points). Application clearly states which research area(s) of alfalfa forage or seed production systems is/are to be addressed, and the specified objectives are relevant and potentially attainable within project time, scope, and budget.

2. Appropriate use of a multi-regional, interdisciplinary, and industry-engaged approach (5 points). Application documents the bringing together of needed expertise in biological sciences, physical sciences and engineering, socio-economic sciences, extension, and program evaluation, as well as participation from principal stakeholders and partners.

Project goals should address ways to increase the productivity and profitability of alfalfa forage and seed production systems.

3. Design (40 points). The application’s methodologies and analytical approaches are appropriate to project objectives, and effectively integrate the research and extension activities. The application demonstrates understanding of a whole system(s) approach, and discusses how the project will contribute to a part or the whole of an integrated solution to the identified problem. Even if a single component is the focus of the project, the proposal must provide a thorough analysis of the broader systems context for why that component is critical.

4. Outreach plan (20 points). Application includes a detailed Extension-engagement-outreach plan and schedule for how information, knowledge, and technology will be delivered to those served by the project. A description of how impacts will be measured and reported is included.

5. Overall feasibility (10 points). The likelihood that the project will help maintain or expand the use and acreage of alfalfa grown in the U.S.

6. Appropriateness of budget (5 points). Budget allocations should reflect the personnel and tasks associated with the activities needed to accomplish your objectives. In the budget plan, describe how this program’s funding complements other funding sources including

Federal capacity and competitive funds, and state, industry, and other kinds of support.

C. Conflicts of Interest and Confidentiality

During the peer evaluation process, we take extreme care to prevent any actual or perceived conflicts of interest that may impact review or evaluation. See http://www.nifa.usda.gov/business/competitive_peer_review.html for further information about conflicts of interest and confidentiality as related to the peer review process.

D. Organizational Management Information

Specific management information relating to an applicant shall be submitted one-time, with updates on an as-needed basis. This requirement is part of the responsibility determined prior to the award of a grant identified under this RFA, if such information has not been provided previously under this or another NIFA program. We will provide you copies of forms recommended for use in fulfilling these requirements as part of the pre-award process. Although an applicant may be eligible based on its status as one of these entities, there are factors that may exclude an applicant from receiving federal financial and nonfinancial assistance and benefits under this program (e.g., debarment or suspension of an individual involved or a determination that an applicant is not responsible based on submitted organizational management information).

http://www.nifa.usda.gov/business/competitive_peer_review.html

E. Application Disposition

An application may be withdrawn at any time before a final funding decision is made regarding the application. Each application that is not selected for funding, including those that are withdrawn, will be retained by AFRP for a period of two years.

PART VI—AWARD ADMINISTRATION

A. General

Within the limit of funds available for such purpose, the NIFA awarding official shall make grants to those responsible, eligible applicants whose applications are judged most meritorious under the procedures set forth in this RFA. The date specified by the NIFA awarding official as the effective date of the grant shall be no later than September 30 of the federal fiscal year in which the project is approved for support and funds are appropriated for such purpose, unless otherwise permitted by law. The project need not be initiated on the grant effective date, but as soon thereafter as practical so that project goals may be attained within the funded project period.

All funds granted by NIFA under this RFA may be used only for the purpose for which they are granted in accordance with the approved application and budget, regulations, terms and conditions of the award, applicable federal cost principles, USDA assistance regulations, and

NIFA General Awards Administration Provisions at 7 CFR part 3430, subparts A through E.

B. Award Notice

The award document will provide pertinent instructions and information including, at a minimum, the information described in 2 CFR 200.210.

See http://www.nifa.usda.gov/business/awards/awardterms.html to…