FY 2018 Resident Instruction.pdf

Resident Instruction Grants Program for Institutions of Higher Education in Insular Areas

(RIIA)

Agriculture and Food Science Facilities and Equipment Program for Insular Areas

(AGFEI)

2018 Request for Applications (RFA)

APPLICATION Due Dates: Friday, March 23, 2018

ELIGIBILITY: See Part III, A of RFA

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

AGRICULTURE

RESIDENT INSTRUCTION GRANTS PROGRAM FOR INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER

EDUCATION IN INSULAR AREAS (RIIA)

INITIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

CATALOG OF FEDERAL DOMESTIC ASSISTANCE: This program is listed in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance under 10.308, Resident Instruction Grants Program for Institutions of Higher Education in Insular Areas.

DATES: Applications must be received by 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday, March 23, 2018.

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 Resident Instruction Grants Program for Institutions of Higher Education in Insular Areas (RIIA) and the Agriculture and Food Sciences Facilities and Equipment (AGFEI) for land-grant colleges and universities in the Insular Areas

RFA.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: NIFA requests applications for the Resident Instruction Grants for Institutions of Higher Education in Insular Areas (RIIA) and the Agriculture and Food Sciences Facilities and Equipment (AGFEI) for land-grant colleges and universities in the Insular Areas for fiscal year (FY) 2018 to strengthen the capacity to carry out resident instruction, curriculum, and teaching programs in the food, agriculture, natural resources and human sciences (FANH) as well as to upgrade agriculture and food science facilities, and equipment necessary to conduct tropical and subtropical agricultural research. The amount available for grants in FY 2018 is approximately $1,200,000. This RFA is being released prior to the passage of an appropriations act for FY 2018. Enactment of additional continuing resolutions or an appropriations act may affect the availability or level of funding for this program.

This notice identifies the objectives for RIIA and AGFEI projects, the eligibility criteria for projects and applicants, and the application forms and associated instructions needed to apply for an RIIA and AGFEI grant.

mailto:Policy@nifa.usda.gov

Table of Contents

PART I—FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

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

PART II—AWARD INFORMATION

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

PART III—ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

A. Eligible Applicants B. Cost Sharing or Matching

PART IV—APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

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

PART V—APPLICATION REVIEW REQUIREMENTS

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

PART VI—AWARD ADMINISTRATION

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

PART VII—AGENCY CONTACT

PART VIII—OTHER INFORMATION

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

PART I—FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

A. Legislative Authority

This program is administered under the provisions of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (Section 7501 of Public Law 107-171) as reauthorized in Section 7143 of Public Law 110-246, which amended the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3101 et seq.) by continuing the Resident Instruction Grants for Institutions of Higher Education in Insular Areas (RIIA) (7 U.S.C. 3363) conducting educational programs in food and agricultural sciences and related sciences. Furthermore, in accordance with the 7 U.S.C 3222b-2 authority, this request for applications also covers the Agriculture and Food Sciences Facilities and Equipment (AGFEI) Program to Support Tropical and Subtropical Agricultural Research in the Insular Area. Under this authority, funds will be awarded to assist the land-grant colleges and universities in the insular areas in efforts to acquire, alter or repair facilities or relevant equipment necessary for conducting agricultural research; and support tropical and subtropical agriculture research, including pest and disease research.

B. Purpose and Priorities

The RIIA and AGFEI Programs directly align with:

• 2014-2018 USDA Strategic Plan Goals 1-4;

• USDA Research, Economics and Education Action Plan, specifically Goals 6;

• 2014-2018 NIFA Strategic Plan, specifically Strategic Goal 1 Sub-goal 1.7

The purpose of these programs are to promote and strengthen the ability of eligible institutions in the Insular Areas (see definition in Part VIII,) to carry out education within the FANH sciences.

RIIA projects strengthen institutional educational capacities, including libraries, curriculum, faculty, scientific instrumentation, instruction delivery systems, and student recruitment and retention, in order to respond to education needs in the food and agricultural sciences. RIIA activities facilitate cooperative initiatives between two or more insular area eligible institutions, or between those institutions and units of State Government or organizations in the private sector, to maximize the development and use of resources such as faculty, facilities and equipment to improve food and agricultural sciences teaching programs. Furthermore, RIIA activities support the creation, adaptation, of learning materials and teaching strategies to operationalize what we know about how students learn. Many of these concepts are identified in the National Research Council’s publication: How People Learn. RIIA-funded projects shall also focus on imparting both technical knowledge as well as ‘soft’ skills such as communication, team work, and problem solving, as these are abilities expected by employers. These concepts may be found in the publication: Comparative Analysis of Soft Skills: What is Important for New Graduates?

AGFEI projects support activities to acquire or renovate facilities and relevant equipment necessary for conducting agricultural research and support tropical and subtropical agricultural research, including pest and disease research.

https://www.ocfo.usda.gov/usdasp/sp2014/usda-strategic-plan-fy-2014-2018.pdf https://www.ree.usda.gov/ree/news/USDA_2014_REE_Action_Plan_08-2014_Final.pdf https://nifa.usda.gov/sites/default/files/resource/NIFA%20Strategic%20Plan%20FY2014-FY2018.pdf http://www.colorado.edu/MCDB/LearningBiology/readings/How-people-learn.pdf http://www.colorado.edu/MCDB/LearningBiology/readings/How-people-learn.pdf http://www.colorado.edu/MCDB/LearningBiology/readings/How-people-learn.pdf http://www.colorado.edu/MCDB/LearningBiology/readings/How-people-learn.pdf https://ag.purdue.edu/oap/career/Documents/2012%20Soft%20Skills%20Survey%202011%20Crawford%20Lang%20Fink%20Dalton%20Fielitz.pdf https://ag.purdue.edu/oap/career/Documents/2012%20Soft%20Skills%20Survey%202011%20Crawford%20Lang%20Fink%20Dalton%20Fielitz.pdf https://ag.purdue.edu/oap/career/Documents/2012%20Soft%20Skills%20Survey%202011%20Crawford%20Lang%20Fink%20Dalton%20Fielitz.pdf https://ag.purdue.edu/oap/career/Documents/2012%20Soft%20Skills%20Survey%202011%20Crawford%20Lang%20Fink%20Dalton%20Fielitz.pdf

These programs are intended to broaden the undergraduate student experience by integrating opportunities to participate in research, education, and extension and to enhance collaborations with community colleges, Hispanic Serving Institutions, Alaska Native-Serving and Native Hawaiian-Serving Institutions, 1890 and 1994 land-grant institutions, and non-land grant college and universities of agriculture.

C. Program Area Description

Key Information:

Program Code – AA-Q for both AGFEI and RIIA Program Code Names –

- Resident Instruction Grants Program for Higher Education in the Insular Areas (RIIA)

- Agriculture and Food Sciences Facilities and Equipment Program (AGFEI) Code of Federal Domestic Assistance- 10.308 Requested Project Types –

- RIIA Education/Teaching Projects

- AGFEI Facilities and Equipment Requested Grant Types – Standard Grants Application Deadline - Friday, March 23, 2018

Grant Duration 24-36 months Award Amount Up to $150,000 for each Program Number of Applications Per Lead Institution

3 for RIIA and 2 for AGFEI

Award Limit per Institution 2 for RIIA and 2 for AGFEI No more than 3 awards made per applicant

Total Funding per Institution Not to Exceed $450,000

A Letter of Intent is not required for this program

Applications for the RIIA program shall do the following:

1. Improve formal, postsecondary agricultural sciences education/instruction to ensure a competent and qualified workforce to serve the FANH sciences and meet current and future national food and agricultural science needs.

2. Improve the economic health and viability of rural communities through the development of degree programs emphasizing new and emerging employment opportunities in FANH sciences.

3. Increase the number and diversity of students who will pursue and complete a 2- or 4-year post-secondary education in the FANH sciences, or Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines.

Applications for the AGFEI program shall do the following:

Acquire or renovate facilities or relevant equipment necessary for conducting agricultural research and support tropical and subtropical agricultural research, including pest and disease research.

Leadership Skills Development:

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

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

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

• Providing opportunities for mentoring and shadowing; and

• Organizing leadership academies, workshops, trainings, etc.

Expected Products and Results:

The RIIA program requires all project directors to provide appropriate metrics and describe the expected products and results, outcomes, and their potential impact on strengthening food, agricultural, natural resources and human sciences education, research and extension in the United States. Metrics to assess products, outputs and outcomes are to be clearly delineated in the proposal.

Incorporation of Social Sciences and Enhancing Impacts:

The RIIA program supports social and behavioral science disciplines. RIIA projects that integrate social and biological sciences to provide experiential learning opportunities for students in applied research, and related community development programs are encouraged.

Incorporation of social and behavioral sciences is important for addressing many of the challenges facing agriculture and rural communities, such as increasing global demand for food production in the face of limited natural resources; improving health and reducing obesity by engaging in heathy life styles and consuming heathy diets; and alleviating poverty by fostering economic opportunity.

PART II—AWARD INFORMATION

A. Available Funding

The anticipated amount available for RIIA and AGFEI grants in FY 2018 is approximately $1,200,000. This RFA is being released prior to the passage of an appropriations act for the FY 2018. Enactment of additional continuing resolutions or an appropriations act may affect the availability or level of funding for this program. Funds will be awarded competitively through a peer panel review process.

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 2018, only ‘new’ or ‘resubmitted’ applications will be accepted:

New application. This is a project application that has not been previously submitted to the RIIA or AGFEI Programs. We will review all new applications competitively using the selection process and evaluation criteria described in Part V—Application Review Requirements.

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

C. Project and Grant Types

1. Project Types

The RIIA program will only accept one project type: Education/Teaching

An education activity or teaching activity is formal classroom instruction, laboratory instruction, and practicum experience in the FANH sciences supporting faculty development, student recruitment and services, curriculum development, instructional materials and equipment, and innovative teaching methodologies.

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

RIIA Education/Teaching projects should focus on one or more of the Need Areas listed below. Please note that at least one of these Need Areas must be indicated on the Project Summary (See Part IV, B. 3).

The AGFEI program will only accept one project type: Facilities and Equipment

The Facilities and Equipment Projects will focus on construction, acquisition, and remodeling of buildings, laboratories, and other capital facilities (including fixtures and equipment) necessary to conduct activities in tropical and subtropical agricultural research, including pest and disease research.

For Education/Teaching Projects, Need Areas for FY 2018 are defined as follows:

Curricula Design, Materials Development, and Library Resources:

To promote the development of courses of study and degree programs, new and improved curricula, and instructional materials and technology; promote the acquisition of library resources including books and journals relating to the food and agricultural sciences; and stimulate the use of new approaches to the study of traditional subjects, new research on teaching and learning theory, and new applications of knowledge.

Faculty Preparation and Enhancement for Teaching:

To advance faculty development in the areas of teaching competency and leadership, subject matter expertise, or student recruitment and advising skills. Examples include:

obtaining experience with recent developments and new applications; expanding competence in innovative technologies and new methods of instruction delivery;

developing new skills in a field of science or education including student advising skills; or pursuing graduate-level study in a field related to the food and agricultural sciences.

Each faculty recipient of support for developmental activities must be an “eligible participant” please refer to: 7 CFR 3430, Competitive and Noncompetitive Non-formula Financial Assistance Programs--General Award Administrative Provisions, for applicable definitions for this NIFA grant program.

Instruction Delivery Systems:

To encourage the use of alternative methods of delivering instruction to enhance the quality, effectiveness, and cost efficiency of teaching programs. Examples include:

incorporating alternative instructional methodologies that respond to differences in student learning styles; inter-institutional collaborations that deliver instruction in ways that maximize program quality and reduce unnecessary duplication; and consideration and implementation of innovative instructional techniques, methodologies, and delivery systems in response to advances in knowledge and technology.

Scientific Instrumentation for Teaching and Research:

http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?c=ecfr&SID=2a6f6bfbef4c918616eebe5353d0793c&rgn=div5&view=text&node=7%3A15.1.12.2.13&idno=7&7%3A15.1.12.2.13.1.17.2 http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?c=ecfr&SID=2a6f6bfbef4c918616eebe5353d0793c&rgn=div5&view=text&node=7%3A15.1.12.2.13&idno=7&7%3A15.1.12.2.13.1.17.2 http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?c=ecfr&SID=2a6f6bfbef4c918616eebe5353d0793c&rgn=div5&view=text&node=7%3A15.1.12.2.13&idno=7&7%3A15.1.12.2.13.1.17.2

To provide students and faculty in science-oriented courses with suitable, up-to-date equipment in order to involve them in work central to scientific understanding and progress. Examples include: acquire new, state-of-the-art instructional, laboratory, classroom, and research scientific equipment; upgrade existing equipment, or replace obsolete equipment.

Student Experiential Learning:

To develop scientific and professional competencies that provide students with opportunities to solve complex problems in the context of real-world situations.

Examples include: preparing future graduates to advance knowledge and technology, enhance quality of life, conserve resources, and address community and economic development issues. Activities include: internships, practicum experiences, study abroad opportunities, and participation with faculty on applied research and related community development projects.

Student Recruitment, Retention, and Educational Equity:

To enhance educational equity for under-represented students, and strengthen student recruitment and retention programs in the FANH sciences. Examples include -initiating new projects or supplementing current efforts to attract increased numbers of students from under-represented groups to enroll in FANH degree programs;

mentoring programs and other initiatives for student retention; and the provision of student financial support to attend college.

Additional Concerns:

The use of students with only routine office, laboratory or field work is not considered education for the purposes of this program. Students will need to be actively engaged in the scholarship of research activities to be considered as education related.

2. Grant Types There is only one grant type for the RIIA and AGFEI Grants Program -- Standard

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

An eligible institution may submit a standard project application for project activities undertaken principally on behalf of its own students or faculty, and managed primarily by its own personnel. In a Standard grant, the applicant executes the project without the requirement of sharing grant funds with other project partners.

Grants awards may differ from the amounts requested in the application and revised budgets and revised plans of work may be required by NIFA before an award is made.

The project period may range from 24 to 36 months. The project start date should not occur prior to September 2018.

An eligible institution may submit no more than three Applications to the RIIA or two applications to AGFEI. All applicants must meet the eligibility criteria as described in Part III of this RFA.

An eligible applicant may receive up to two awards for RIIA and two awards for AGFEI but no more than three awards total. Total award amount per institution will not exceed $450,000. Institutions receiving a grant under these programs are eligible to receive RIIA and/or AGFEI grants in subsequent years. Receiving a grant under any other authority does not affect eligibility for these RIIA or AGFEI grants programs.

D. Responsible and Ethical Conduct of Research

While the Responsible and Ethical Conduct of Research (RCR) policy is required for research projects, it includes ethical conduct expected of all projects, including education and extension.

RCR topics that apply to all projects include plagiarism, reporting misconduct, data and research integration, and ensuring the quality, accuracy, and transparency of scientific information used to support decision making. Since ethical conduct is applicable to all projects, it is imperative that all applicants have a full understanding of, and adhere to the RCR. For information about the Responsible and Ethical Conduct of Research, see http://nifa.usda.gov/responsible-and-ethical-conduct-research.

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 eligible institutions as described below. Failure to meet an eligibility criterion by the application due date may result in the application being excluded from consideration or, even though an application may be reviewed, will preclude NIFA from making an award.

1. Individual Institutions For the purposes of the RIIA Program, an eligible institution means an institution of higher education, as defined in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1995 (20 U.S.C. 1001(a)), that is located in an Insular Area and that has a demonstrable capacity to carry out teaching and extension programs in the FANH sciences. All public or non-profit 2-year and 4-year accredited institutions of higher education that offer certificate/degree programs in the FANH sciences are eligible. For the purposes of the AGFEI Program only individual land-grant colleges and universities, and other institutions that have secured land-grant status through Federal legislation, and which are located in Insular Areas are eligible for awards under this RFA as individual applicants.

The eight Insular Areas are:

• American Samoa,

• the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands,

• the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico,

• the Federated States of Micronesia,

• Guam,

• the Republic of the Marshall Islands,

• the Republic of Palau, and

• the Virgin Islands of the United States.

2. Branch Institutions of a Territory University System For the purposes of the RIIA and AGFEI Programs, the individual branches of a Territory university system that are separately accredited as degree-granting institutions are treated as separate, individual institutions eligible to apply for and receive awards, provided they otherwise satisfy the definition of “eligible institution” as specified above.

3. Independent Branch Campuses Independent branch campuses of individual institutions may apply for and receive grant awards under this program, provided that they otherwise satisfy the definition of “eligible institution” as specified above.

4. Certification of Eligibility At the time of application, each primary applicant will be required to demonstrate or certify that it is an eligible institution as defined by this RFA. A non-Land Grant institution must submit a letter signed by the institution’s Authorized Representative (AR) certifying that it meets the requirements of an “eligible institution” as defined above. The AR must also certify the institution, or parent institution in the case of an independent branch campus:

a) Admits as regular students only persons having a certificate of graduation from a school providing secondary education, or the recognized equivalent of such a certificate;

b) Is legally authorized by the Territory in which it is located to provide a program of education beyond secondary education;

c) Provides an educational program for which the institution awards a bachelor’s degree or provides not less than a 2-year program that is acceptable for full credit toward such a degree; and

d) Is a public or other nonprofit institution; and is accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency or association, or if not so accredited, is an institution that has been granted pre-accreditation status by such an agency or association that has been recognized by the Secretary for the granting of pre-accreditation status, and the Secretary has determined that there is satisfactory assurance that the institution will meet the accreditation standards of such an agency or association within a reasonable time.

Eligibility documentation must be submitted as part of the applicant’s Project Narrative. See Part IV, B.3, Field 8.

B. Cost Sharing or Matching

NIFA does not require matching support for these programs, and matching resources will not be a factor in the review process as evaluation criteria.

PART IV—APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

A. Electronic Application Package

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

We urge you to submit early to the Grants.gov system. For information about the pre-award phase of the grant lifecycle see 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 where appropriate

Funding Opportunity Number: USDA-NIFA-RIGP-006469

Click “Search.” On the displayed page, click the corresponding link to continue. A Grant Application Package is tied to a particular funding opportunity. You may submit an application ONLY to the particular funding opportunity to which the Grant Application Package is associated.

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

This guide contains an introduction and general Grants.gov instructions, information 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 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 (https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/support.html). Grants.gov assistance is also available at:

Grants.gov customer support 800-518-4726 Toll-Free or 606-545-5035

Business Hours: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Closed on federal holidays.

Email: support@grants.gov

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

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

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

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

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

• Email: electronic@nifa.usda.gov

• Phone: 202-401-5048

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

1. SF 424 R&R Cover Sheet https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/support.html http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/snow-dismissal-procedures/federal-holidays/ mailto:support@grants.gov https://grants-portal.psc.gov/Welcome.aspx?pt=Grants mailto:electronic@nifa.usda.gov https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/snow-dismissal-procedures/federal-holidays/

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 Grants.gov Application Guide.

a. Field 7. Project Summary/Abstract.

The summary shall not exceed 250 words and must include the relevance of the project to the goals of the RIIA or AGFEI Program. See Part V. 4.7 of NIFA Grants.gov Application Guide for further instructions and a link to a suggested template.

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

NOTE: The Project Narrative shall not exceed 18 pages of written text and up to five additional pages for figures and tables. Formatting shall be one inch margins, no smaller than 12-point font (Times New Roman or similar), and double-spaced. We have established this maximum of 23 pages to ensure fair and equitable competition. Project narratives that exceed this page limit requirement will not be accepted for review.

The Project Narrative must include all of the following:

1) Introduction: Include a clear statement of the long-term goal(s) and supporting objectives of the proposed activities. Summarize the body of knowledge or other past activities that substantiate the need for the proposed project. Describe ongoing or recently completed significant activities that relate to the proposed project including the work of key project personnel. Include preliminary data/information pertinent to the proposed project. In addition, this section should include in-depth information on the following, when applicable:

a. Estimates of the magnitude of the issues and their relevance to stakeholders and to on-going state and federal food and agricultural research, education and extension programs.

b. The role of stakeholders in problem identification, planning, implementation, and evaluation, as appropriate;

c. Reasons for performing the work at the proposing institution.

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

3) Methods: Explicitly state the procedures or methodology you will apply to the proposed effort. This section should include, but not necessarily be limited to, descriptions of:

a. Stakeholder involvement in problem identification, planning and implementation;

b. Proposed project activities, listed sequentially;

c. Techniques to be employed including feasibility and rationale;

d. Expected results;

e. How the activities will be evaluated;

f. How data will be analyzed or interpreted;

g. Plans to communicate results to stakeholders and the public;

h. Pitfalls that might be encountered; and

i. Limitations that might be encountered and how they will be addressed.

4) Project Timetable: The proposal should outline all important phases as a function of time, year to year, for the entire project.

5) Evaluation Plan: All RIIA projects must have an Evaluation Plan that includes both a strategy for monitoring the project as it evolves (to provide feedback to guide these efforts), as well as a strategy for evaluating the effectiveness of the project. Grantees are encouraged to obtain an independent evaluator to secure appropriate documentation of the projects outcomes and impacts. As a guide, up to 10% of the grant funds may be used to support this purpose.

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.

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

• Response to Previous Review – PDF Attachment. 1 Page Limit. Title the attachment as ‘Response to Previous Review’ in the document header and save file as ‘ResponsetoPreviousReview’. This requirement only applies to “Resubmitted Applications” as described under Part II, B., “Types of Applications”. PDs must respond to the previous review panel summary on no more than one page, titled, “RESPONSE TO PREVIOUS REVIEW”. If desired, additional comments may be included in the text of the Project Narrative, subject to the page limitations of that section.

• Expected Outcomes – PDF Attachment

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

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 https://nifa.usda.gov/resource/recommended-format-submitting-expected-impacts 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 budgets for each year of the project and a cumulative budget are required along with a budget justification for each budget line item for the cumulative budget. Budgets for each year do NOT have to be the same from year to year.

Single award budgets should not exceed $150,000. Actual amounts may differ from the amounts requested in the application and that revised budgets and revised plans of work may be required by NIFA before an award is made.

NIFA does not require matching support for this program, and matching resources will not be a factor in the review process as evaluation criteria.

For further information and instructions regarding indirect costs, refer to Part V, section 7.9 of the NIFA Grants.gov Application Guide. For indirect cost funding restrictions, refer to Part IV, D. of this RFA.

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

a. Field 2. Program to which you are applying. Enter the program code name (i.e., “Resident

Instruction Grants Program for Institutions of Higher Education in Insular Areas), and the program code (i.e., “AA-Q”). The AGFEI program will share the RIIA program code for this fiscal year. 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.

The application should be checked for the following required items that might be overlooked (this is not an exclusive list):

• Logic Model (optional)

• Management Plan (optional)

• CVs, Current and Pending, Conflict of Interest Forms of all PDs and Co-PDs

• Certification of eligibility letter

• Tax and Felony Form

• Expected Impacts Table

Instructions for submitting an application are included in Part IV, Section 1.9 of the NIFA Grants.gov Application Guide.

Applications must be received by Grants.gov no later than - 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday, March 23, 2018

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.

Applications received after this deadline will normally not be considered for funding.

Exceptions are only made for delays due to natural disasters or technical problems experienced by Grants.gov that impacts the entire applicant community. Documentation to this problem will be required. Applicants who have problems with their submissions to Grants.gov must call the Grants.gov help desk to resolve the problems and keep a record of the following:

1. Grants.gov Tracking Numbers

2. Case numbers provided by Grants.gov

3. Any correspondence with Grants.gov regarding the submission problem

4. Any correspondence with SAM and Dunn and Bradstreet during the registration process

Information obtained from the case number and correspondence will be used to verify if the submission problem was due to a Grants.gov system failure that impacted the entire applicant community or due to a problem with the applicant. This information will be used to determine the final decision to accept or not accept a late application.

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. 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.

If your institution does not have, or cannot obtain, a negotiated rate, you must calculate an indirect cost rate in order to request indirect costs. You should calculate an indirect cost rate based on actual costs for the entire organization for the most recently completed accounting year.

If no prior cost history exists, you should use budgeted costs for the entire organization. You should follow the example(s) found at: http://nifa.usda.gov/business/indirect_cost_process.html for information regarding this process. You may elect to charge indirect costs and, instead, use all grant funds for direct costs. If indirect costs are not charged, the phase “None requested” should be written in this space.

The use of grant funds to plan, acquire, or construct a building or facility is not allowed under the RIIA program. With prior approval, and in accordance with the cost principles set forth in 2 CFR part 220, some RIIA grant funds may be used for minor alterations, renovations or repairs deemed necessary to retrofit existing teaching or research spaces in order to carry out a funded project. However, requests to use grant funds for such purposes must demonstrate that the work is essential to achieving the major purpose of the project. Grant funds may not be used for endowment funding.

Statutory language or agency policy limits the maximum potential funding period (including any awards transferred from another institution or organization) to five years in duration. The funding period will commence on the effective date cited in the award notification. Any such limitation also applies to subcontracts made under awards subject to a funding period limitation.

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 Grants.gov Application Guide.

http://nifa.usda.gov/business/indirect_cost_process.html

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 and needs:

• 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;

• Expertise from various areas of specialization within relevant scientific, education, or extension fields;

• 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;

• 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;

• Maintain a balanced composition with regard to race and gender representation; and

• Include reviewers who can judge the effectiveness of each proposed project to producers and the target audience.

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

RIIA and AGFEI program staff reserve the right to negotiate with the PD/PI and/or with the submitting 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. Potential for Advancing Quality of Education/Significance of the Problem (30 points). This criterion is used to assess the likelihood that the project will have an impact upon and advance the quality of FANH sciences by strengthening institutional capacities to meet clearly delineated needs. Elements considered include institutional medium-range goals, identification of a problem or opportunity to be addressed, justification for the project, innovation, advancing educational equity, multidisciplinary and/or problem-based focus, and potential for adoption by other institutions.

2. Proposed Approach and Cooperative Linkages (25 points).

The soundness of the proposed approach including objectives, methodology, plan of operation, timetable, expected products and results, evaluation, and dissemination plans. Emphasis is placed on the quality of educational or research support provided to the applicant institution through its inter-collegial engagement.

3. Institutional Capability and Capacity Building (20 points).

The institution's capability to perform the project and the degree to which the project will strengthen its teaching or research capacity. Elements include the institution’s commitment to the project, the adequacy of institutional resources (administrative, facilities, equipment, and/or materials) available to carry out the project, potential for academic or research enhancement, and plans for project continuation or expansion beyond the period of USDA support.

4. Key Personnel (15 points).

The adequacy of the number and qualifications of key persons who will develop and carry out the project, and the qualifications of project personnel who will provide for the assessment of project results and impacts of these findings.

5. Budget and Cost-Effectiveness (10 points).

The extent to which the total budget adequately supports the project and is cost effective.

Elements considered include the necessity and reasonableness of costs to carry out project activities and achieve project objectives; the appropriateness of budget allocations between the applicant and any collaborating inter-institutional sources and necessary outside collaborators;

the adequacy of time committed to the project by key project personnel; and the degree to which the project maximizes the use of limited resources, optimizes educational value for the dollar, achieves economies of scale, leverages additional funds, and focuses expertise and activity on high-priority educational or research need areas.

In addition, AGFEI applications should discuss the following topics:

a. Within the ‘Potential for Advancing Quality of Education/Significance of the Problem’ evaluation criterion section, the advantage that will be gained from the proposed construction, renovation, or acquisition of laboratory equipment.