FY22-AFRI-EWD-RFA-508-MOD2.pdf

REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS

Agriculture and Food Research Initiative

Competitive Grants Program Education and Workforce Development Program

Modifications: pages 4, 10, 14, 15, 16, 22, 24, 28, 29, 31, 32, 33, and 37

FUNDING YEAR: Fiscal Year 2022

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Varies by Program Area (see Part I § C)

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY NUMBER: USDA-NIFA-AFRI-009041

ASSISTANCE LISTING NUMBER: 10.310

LETTER OF INTENT DEADLINE: Not Required

INITIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

National Institute of Food and Agriculture United States Department of Agriculture

Assistance Listing: The AFRI Education and Workforce Development RFA is listed in the Assistance Listings under number 10.310.

Table 1: Key Dates and Deadlines Task Description Deadline

Application: 5:00 P.M. Eastern, on the 2022 deadline dates indicated in Part I § C

Letter of Intent: Not Required

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

Advancing Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility. NIFA recognizes research, education, and extension efforts will have the greatest impacts when equity is grounded in the programs. NIFA is committed to enhancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility of programs and encourages individuals, institutions, and organizations from underserved communities to apply to funding opportunities as lead, co-lead, or subaward recipient(s), and to engage as leaders in the peer panel review process to support the development of strong networks and collaborations. NIFA encourages applications that engage diverse communities and have broad impacts through research, education, extension, and integrated activities to address current and future challenges.

Stakeholder Input. The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) seeks comments on all request for applications (RFAs) so it can deliver programs efficiently, effectively, with integrity, and with a focus on customer service. NIFA considers comments, to the extent possible when developing RFAs and use comments to help meet the requirements of Section 103(c)(2) of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7613(c)(2)).

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

Please use the following subject line: Response to the AFRI Education and Workforce Development RFA.

Centers of Excellence. Applicants are encouraged to visit the NIFA’s Centers of Excellence (COE) for information on COE designation process, including COE criteria, and a list of programs offering COE opportunities. A recording of COE outreach and COE implementation webinars are also available.

Commodity Board Co-Funding Topics. NIFA solicits proposed topics for Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) RFAs from eligible state and national commodity boards on an ongoing basis. Topics must relate to the established AFRI six priority areas. Topics submitted by the commodity boards that align with NIFA priorities are chosen for inclusion in selected program areas of AFRI RFAs. Details on general information and topic submission resources for inclusion in future AFRI RFAs can be found at NIFA's Commodity Board Provision website.

None of the topics submitted by commodity boards were included in this RFA because the topics did not fit the subject matter of this RFA.

https://nifa.usda.gov/resource/agricultural-research-extension-and-education-reform-act-1998 https://nifa.usda.gov/resource/agricultural-research-extension-and-education-reform-act-1998 https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(title:7%20section:7613%20edition:prelim)%20OR%20(granuleid:USC-prelim-title7-section7613)&f=treesort&edition=prelim&num=0&jumpTo=true mailto:Policy@usda.gov https://nifa.usda.gov/centers-excellence https://nifa.usda.gov/centers-excellence https://nifa.usda.gov/program/agriculture-and-food-research-initiative-afri https://nifa.usda.gov/program/agriculture-and-food-research-initiative-afri https://nifa.usda.gov/commodity-boards

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This notice identifies the objectives for AFRI Education and Workforce Development (EWD) program projects, deadlines, funding information, eligibility criteria for projects and applicants, and application forms and associated instructions.

The Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) is America’s flagship competitive grants program that provides funding for fundamental and applied research, education, and extension projects in the food and agricultural sciences. In 2022, the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) requests applications for the AFRI’s Education and Workforce Development program areas to support:

1. professional development opportunities for K-14 educational professionals;

2. non-formal education that cultivates food and agricultural interest in youth;

3. workforce training at community, junior, and technical colleges;

4. training of undergraduate students in research and extension;

5. fellowships for predoctoral candidates and postdoctoral scholars; and

6. special workforce development topics

The anticipated amount available for new grants for the 2022 deadlines in this Education and Workforce Development RFA is $68 million in AFRI funding. Additional projects submitted under this RFA will be considered should additional funding become available beyond the amount listed above.

This RFA is being released prior to the passage of appropriation acts for FY 2022 and FY 2023.

Enactment of additional continuing resolutions or an appropriations act may affect the availability or level of funding for this program.

This RFA solicits Standard Grants and Food and Agricultural Science Enhancement (FASE) Grants, whereas project types solicited in this RFA are Research, Extension and Integrated Research, Education and/or Extension projects. Grant types and project types solicited vary by program area priority and not all grant types are solicited within each program area priority. See Part I § C (Program Area Descriptions) for grant and project types solicited by each specific program area priority, and Part II § C for a description of each individual grant type and project type.

Table 2: Program Area Priorities and Deadlines The deadlines under this RFA are summarized as follows:

Program Area 2022 Review Cycle

Deadlines1

1. Professional Development for Agricultural Literacy (A7501) September 1, 2022

2. Agricultural Workforce Training at Community Colleges (A7601) September 15, 2022

3. Food and Agricultural Non-formal Education (A7801) August 4, 2022

March 30, 2023

4. Research and Extension Experiences for Undergraduates (A7401) August 18, 2022

5. Predoctoral Fellowships (A7101) October 27, 2022

6. Postdoctoral Fellowships (A7201) September 8, 2022

7. Special Workforce Development Topics

7a. National Extension Clearinghouse for Industry and the Workforce (A7704)

October 13, 2022

7b. Youth Innovators Empowering Agriculture Across America (A7703)

June 30, 2022 August 4, 2022

7c. Meat and Poultry Processing - Agricultural Workforce Training (A7602)

September 22, 2022

1 All applications must be received by 5 p.m. EST on the deadline date.

2022 UPDATES

1. This RFA covers the FY 2022 grant review cycle. For the FY 2022 review cycle, funding from FY 2022 and FY 2023 budgets will be used.

2. Removal of CEEY, ALE and OPCD priority areas

TABLE OF CONTENTS

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

2022 UPDATES

TABLE OF CONTENTS

TABLE OF TABLES

PART I. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

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

1. Professional Development for Agricultural Literacy (PDAL)

2. Agricultural Workforce Training at Community Colleges (AWT)

3. Food and Agricultural Non-Formal Education (FANE)

4. Research and Extension Experiences for Undergraduates (REEU)

5. Predoctoral Fellowships

6. Postdoctoral Fellowships

7. Special Workforce Development Topics

PART II. AWARD INFORMATION

A. Available Funding B. Application Restrictions C. Project and Grant Types D. Ethical Conduct of Funded Projects

PART III. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

A. Eligibility Requirements B. Request for Determination of Status C. Cost Sharing or Matching D. Center of Excellence

PART IV. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION

A. Letter of Intent B. Method of Application C. Content and Form of the Application D. Funding Restrictions

PART V. APPLICATION REVIEW REQUIREMENTS

A. NIFA’s Evaluation Process B. Evaluation Criteria C. Centers of Excellence D. Organizational Management Information E. Application Disposition

PART VI. AWARD ADMINISTRATION

A. General B. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

PART VII. OTHER INFORMATION

A. Use of Funds and Changes in Budget B. Confidential Aspects of Applications and Awards C. Regulatory Information

APPENDIX I: AGENCY CONTACT

APPENDIX II: GLOSSARY OF TERMS

APPENDIX III: DEFINITIONS

APPENDIX IV: OTHER AFRI RESOURCES

TABLE OF TABLES

Table 1: Key Dates and Deadlines Table 2: Program Area Priorities and Deadlines Table 3: Professional Development for Agricultural Literacy (PDAL) Key Information Table 4: Agricultural Workforce Training at Community Colleges Key Information Table 5: Food and Agricultural Non-Formal Education Key Information Table 6: Research and Extension Experiences for Undergraduates (REEU) Key Information ... 18 Table 7: Predoctoral Fellowships Key Information Table 8: Postdoctoral Fellowships Key Information Table 9: National Extension Clearinghouse for Industry and the Workforce Key Information ... 26 Table 10: Youth Innovators Empowering Agriculture Across America (YEA) Key Information28 Table 12: Steps to Obtain Application Materials Table 13: Help and Resources Table 14: Key Application Instructions

PART I. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

A. Legislative Authority Section 2(b) of the Competitive, Special, and Facilities Research Grant Act (hereafter referred to as the Act) (7 U.S.C. 3157), as amended, authorizes the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI), a competitive grant program to provide funding for fundamental and applied research, education, and extension to address food and agricultural sciences in the following six priority areas:

1. Plant health and production and plant products;

2. Animal health and production and animal products;

3. Food safety, nutrition, and health;

4. Bioenergy, natural resources, and environment;

5. Agriculture systems and technology; and

6. Agriculture economics and rural communities.

To the maximum extent practicable, NIFA, in coordination with the Under Secretary for Research, Education, and Economics (REE), will make grants for high priority research, education, and extension, taking into consideration, when available, the determinations made by the National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and Economics Advisory Board (NAREEEAB) pursuant to the Competitive, Special, and Facilities Research Grant Act (7 U.S.C.

3157). The Secretary delegates the authority to the Under Secretary in 7 CFR 2.21, and the Under Secretary delegates that authority to NIFA.

B. Purpose and Priorities The purpose of AFRI (listed in the Assistance Listings under number 10.310) is to support research, education, and extension projects that address key problems of local, regional, national, and global importance in sustaining conventional, organic, urban food, and agricultural and natural systems. These include farm and ranch production efficiency, profitability, and sustainability; bioenergy and bio-based products; forestry; aquaculture; rural communities and entrepreneurship; human nutrition; mitigating impacts of biotic and abiotic constraints on food production; food safety; mitigating food waste and food loss; physical and social sciences; rural human ecology; development of circular/regenerative economies, and genetic improvement of plant and animals. In addition, the economic sustainability of food systems is an overarching priority for the projects funded in response to this RFA; therefore, projects focusing on plant or animal species or commodities that are important to underserved communities, farmers, ranchers, or small- or medium-sized farms or ranches are also encouraged. Through this support, AFRI advances knowledge in both fundamental and applied sciences important to agriculture. It also allows AFRI to support education and extension activities that deliver science-based knowledge to end users, allowing them to make informed, practical decisions. This AFRI EWD RFA provides funding for research-only, education-only, extension-only, and/or integrated research, education, and/or extension projects addressing the six priorities identified in Part I § A. Each program area priority within this RFA may offer all or some of these project types.

Food and agricultural systems face ever-growing constraints including growing populations;

pressure on natural resources; challenges of climate variability and change; and complex demands of ensuring nutritional security and food safety in a global economy. Addressing these challenges requires research, education, extension, and integrated programs in concert with https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(title:7%20section:3157%20edition:prelim)%20OR%20(granuleid:USC-prelim-title7-section3157)&f=treesort&edition=prelim&num=0&jumpTo=true https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(title:7%20section:3157%20edition:prelim)%20OR%20(granuleid:USC-prelim-title7-section3157)&f=treesort&edition=prelim&num=0&jumpTo=true https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(title:7%20section:3157%20edition:prelim)%20OR%20(granuleid:USC-prelim-title7-section3157)&f=treesort&edition=prelim&num=0&jumpTo=true https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=fb71e0bdd8201139683f371c33f35d70&mc=true&node=se7.1.2_121&rgn=div8 science-based approaches that increase agricultural and natural resource sustainability. The term 'sustainable agriculture' (7 U.S.C. 3103) means a combined system of plant and animal production practices relevant to site-specific application that will achieve the following long-term goals:

1. Satisfy human food and fiber needs;

2. Enhance environmental quality and the natural resource base upon which the agricultural economy depends;

3. Make the most efficient use of nonrenewable resources and on-farm resources and integrate, where appropriate, natural biological cycles and controls;

4. Sustain the economic viability of farm operations; and

5. Enhance the quality of life for farmers and society as a whole.

Extension Foundation (formerly eXtension). AFRI encourages (but does not require) projects that develop content suitable for delivery through Extension Foundation.

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

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

Therefore, although application to this RFA is limited to eligible U.S. institutions, applicants may collaborate with international partners, to include subcontracts to international partners or other institutions. Applications must clearly demonstrate benefits to the United States. Additional guidance on including international activities is provided on the AFRI International Partnerships website.

Stakeholder Input The AFRI Stakeholder Feedback page has information on AFRI-related stakeholder input.

Background AFRI is NIFA’s flagship competitive grants programs for food and agricultural sciences, and funding is offered through the Foundational and Applied Science, Sustainable Agricultural Systems, and Education and Workforce Development Requests for Applications for addressing critical societal issues.

NIFA supports research, education, and extension projects that address key problems of local, regional, national, and global importance. As such, AFRI encourages projects that enhance the food and agricultural sciences and their role in human diversity, equity and inclusion, agricultural practices that provide for adaptation to ecological perturbation and mitigate climate change, rural economic development and post-pandemic economic revitalization, nutritional security, open and competitive markets, and other topics responsive to current and emerging needs impacting the U.S. Agriculture.

The AFRI Education and Workforce Development RFA is aligned with the following USDA Strategic Goals:

1. Strategic Goal 2: Maximize the Ability of American Agricultural Producers to Prosper by Feeding and Clothing the World;

2. Strategic Goal 3: Promote American Agricultural Products and Exports;

https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(title:7%20section:3157%20edition:prelim)%20OR%20(granuleid:USC-prelim-title7-section3103)&f=treesort&edition=prelim&num=0&jumpTo=true http://www.extension.org/ https://extension.org/ https://nifa.usda.gov/resource/afri-international-partnerships https://nifa.usda.gov/resource/afri-international-partnerships https://nifa.usda.gov/resource/afri-stakeholder-feedback https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/usda-strategic-plan-2018-2022.pdf https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/usda-strategic-plan-2018-2022.pdf

3. Strategic Goal 4: Facilitate Rural Prosperity and Economic Development;

4. Strategic Goal 5: Strengthen the Stewardship of Private Lands Through Technology and

Research;

5. Strategic Goal 6: Ensure Productive and Sustainable Use of Our National Forest System

Lands; and

6. Strategic Goal 7: Provide All Americans Access to a Safe, Nutritious, and Secure Food

Supply

Additional requirements on expected performance goals, indicators and targets may be required as a condition of an award issued per this RFA.

C. Program Area Description The AFRI EWD RFA addresses projected shortfalls of qualified graduates in the agricultural, food, and renewable natural resources sectors of the U.S. economy (Employment Opportunities for College Graduates). This RFA seeks applications for education and training grants that focus on further enhancing the distinct components of the pipeline for developing the workforce in the food and agricultural sciences. Thus, the AFRI EWD has four overarching goals:

1. Growing Agricultural Literacy and Workforce Development for the Future offers institutional grants to provide K-14 teachers and administrators with increased knowledge of the food and agricultural sciences and help them develop improved curricula to train the agricultural workforce for the future. See Program Area Description in Part I § C.1 for “Professional Development for Agricultural Literacy” (Program Code A7501).

2. Training or Retraining of Agricultural Workers provides institutional training grants to develop a technology- and data-savvy workforce, ready for the field and industrial jobs. See Program Area Description in Part I § C.2 for “Agricultural Workforce Training Grants at Community Colleges” (Program Code A7601 and A7602).

3. Developing Pathways via grant mechanism that provide formal or non-formal education experiential learning for students to enter or gain skills applicable to the food and agriculture fields. This RFA seeks to support the development of non-formal education activities that cultivate interest and build public confidence in the safe and enhanced use of technology in food and agricultural sciences. See Program Area Description in Part I § C.3 for “Food and Agricultural Non-formal Education” (Program Code A7801). This RFA also offers institutional grants that propose experiential learning for undergraduates in food, agriculture, or allied disciplines, and helps them learn the technical and leadership skills required for employment in the food and agricultural sectors or in graduate programs. See Program Area Description in Part I § C.4 for “Research and Extension Experiences for Undergraduates” (Program Code A7401). In addition, this RFA may fund grants intended to catalyze innovative mechanisms that address critical challenges and opportunities and will rapidly propel workforce availability or adoption by end-users. See Program Area Description in Part I § C.7 for “Special Workforce Development Topics” (Program Code A7703 and A7704) https://www.purdue.edu/usda/employment/ https://www.purdue.edu/usda/employment/

4. Advancing Science supports graduate and post-graduate education in food and agriculture disciplines. See Program Area Description in Part I § C.5 and Part I § C.6 for “Predoctoral Fellowships” (Program Code A7101) and “Postdoctoral Fellowships” (Program Code A7201), respectively.

Total EWD Program Funds – Approximately $68 million-Additional projects submitted under this RFA will be considered should additional funding become available beyond the amount listed above.

Key Information Applicable to all EWD Program Areas:

1. All applications must adhere to the requirements in Part IV.

2. All applications to the AFRI EWD program areas must be aligned with at least one of the six AFRI Farm Bill priorities (Part I § A) and must address the stated Program Area Priorities described subsequently.

3. All AFRI EWD projects are required to provide opportunities for development of leadership skills, which are necessary for preparing project participants for agriculture-related careers in the private sector, government, and academia. Projects must demonstrably incorporate a leadership development component through competencies such as critical thinking, problem-solving, teamwork, communication skills, and training in ethics and professionalism.

4. The AFRI EWD program areas anticipate funding projects with measurable outcomes/objectives. These may include but are not limited to: 1) number and duration of students and participants that are supported directly or undertaking internships, externships, certifications, and other experiential learning opportunities; 2) number of K- 14 teachers, educational professionals, and/or students who indirectly benefit from the projects 3) number of international experiences; 4) number of publications, patents, and workshops; 5) quality of developed curricula materials, or academic programs; 6) success of recruitment and retention programs, especially for underrepresented groups; 7) quality of collaborations developed among institutions; 8) measurable changes in student learning or engagement; and 9) measurable changes in the number of graduates, especially underrepresented individuals, in food and agricultural science disciplines.

5. Applications from, and collaborations with, minority-serving institutions, small to mid-sized institutions, and/or institutions in Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) states are encouraged to apply to these program areas. Applications that include collaborations with international partners are also welcome. For information on NIFA international partnerships that may be of interest to applicants, see the AFRI International Partnerships website.

6. Indigenous traditional ecological knowledge is considered an acceptable topic of research, education or extension for projects funded by this RFA, in pursuit of the priorities, goals, and objectives of each program priority area.

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Applications are solicited in the following seven Program Area Priorities:

1. Professional Development for Agricultural Literacy (PDAL)

2. Agricultural Workforce Training at Community Colleges (AWT)

3. Food and Agricultural Non-Formal Education (FANE)

4. Research and Extension Experiences for Undergraduates (REEU)

5. Predoctoral Fellowships

6. Postdoctoral Fellowships

7. Special Workforce Development Topics

1. Professional Development for Agricultural Literacy (PDAL) Table 3: Professional Development for Agricultural Literacy (PDAL) Key Information

Title Description Program Code: A7501 Program Code

Name:

Professional Development for Agricultural Literacy (PDAL)

CFDA Number 10.310 Project Type(s): Education, Extension, or Integrated Projects only Grant Type(s): a. Standard Grants and FASE (Strengthening Standard) Grants only

b. See Part II § C.2 for requirements specific to FASE Grant applications.

Application Deadline

2022: Thursday, September 1, 2022 (5:00 p.m. Eastern Time)

Grant Duration: 36-48 months Maximum Award

Amount(s):

a. Including indirect costs: $500,000

b. A minimum of 50% of project direct costs requested must be for participant support

c. Each review cycle may award up to two grants per lead institution.

Program Area Priority Contact(s):

Dr. Carlos Ortiz, (202) 445-5594 or carlos.ortiz@usda.gov

Program Area Priority:

The PDAL program area seeks to increase the number of K-14 educational professionals trained in the food and agricultural sciences. Participants (teachers, post-baccalaureate pre-service teachers, counselors, administrators) are expected to develop and apply skills necessary for integrating food and agricultural science concepts in their classes; explore the opportunities available in food and agricultural science career paths; and/or forge mentorships with professional and business leaders, and faculty at four-year institutions.

Education, Extension, or Integrated Projects must:

a. Promote faculty expertise and encourage widespread implementation of educational innovation at K-14 levels in the food and agricultural sciences. This includes topics that contain elements of the human sciences (e.g., disciplines that address issues challenging individuals, youth, families, and communities).

b. Provide immersive learning experiences (hands-on research, experiential learning training, etc.) and curriculum development and teaching training for K-14 education professionals (teachers, counselors, administrators, etc.) and post-baccalaureate pre-mailto:carlos.ortiz@usda.gov service teachers to create and replicate best practices to improve student success outcomes within the food and agricultural sciences.

c. Non-exhaustive examples of projects include:

1) Developing self-sustaining models for professional development that better prepare education professionals to provide outstanding teaching, guidance, institutional structures, etc., that enhance student outcomes in the food and agricultural sciences.

2) Changing instructional approaches to effectively identify skill gaps and address conceptual areas particularly challenging to students.

3) Integrating innovations in science and pedagogy into existing professional development programs (e.g., through hands-on research and extension experiences with partner institutions and laboratories).

4) Exploring self-sustaining web-based approaches for professional development for education professionals.

5) Develop improved curricula to train or retrain agricultural workforce for the future.

6) Other methods to fill the existing gap of professional development in advanced food and agricultural sciences for education professionals at the K-14 education level.

Program Area Priority Additional Information:

a. Requests exceeding budgetary guidelines will not be reviewed. Unless otherwise stated, grants are not renewable.

b. See Part IV § C for the REQUIRED Project Summary and Project Narrative format.

Proposals that do not comply with these instructions may be excluded from review and consideration of funding.

c. Projects that target elementary and middle school education are encouraged.

d. A minimum of 50% of project direct costs for PDAL projects must be for participant support, including items such as participant stipends, cost of subsistence (housing, meals) for immersive experiences, reasonable travel, classroom materials and teaching kits, and laboratory use fees.

e. Projects are encouraged to integrate participant social-emotional skill development activities and training for effective in-person and/or virtual teaching.

f. Projects that involve participation from industry and nonprofit organizations through collaborating mentors and/or that connect education professionals, particularly those from schools with limited resources, to existing USDA and Federal resources (e.g., USDA Agricultural Research Service, Forest Service, Federal laboratories, open data resources) to enhance student outcomes in the food and agricultural sciences are encouraged.

g. As applicable, if the majority of project activities are taking place off-site, off-campus indirect cost rates should be charged.

h. If organized by the program, the Project Director (PD) will be required to attend one NIFA AFRI EWD PD meeting during the performance period of the award. Reasonable travel expenses must be included as part of the project budget. While budgets should account for this travel, NIFA may consider virtual, or hybrid meetings based on local and national pandemic conditions.

i. This program area accepts new and resubmitted applications only. Renewal applications are not accepted in this program area.

j. Reasonable costs for evaluation and hiring of evaluation professionals may be included.

2. Agricultural Workforce Training at Community Colleges (AWT) Table 4: Agricultural Workforce Training at Community Colleges Key Information

Title Description Program Code: A7601 Program Code

Name:

Agricultural Workforce Training Grants

CFDA Number 10.310 Project Type(s): Education Projects

a. Education Projects only for Standard Grants and Strengthening Standard Grants

Grant Type(s): a. Standard Grants, and FASE (Strengthening Standard) Grants only

b. See Part II § C.2 for requirements specific to FASE Grant applications.

Application

Deadline 2022: Thursday, September 15, 2022 (5:00 p.m. Eastern Time)

Grant Duration: a. 12-24 months for Design Projects Standard Grants and Strengthening Standard Grants

b. 36-48 months for Implementation Projects Standard Grants and Strengthening Standard Grants

Maximum Award Amount(s):

a. Including indirect costs: $250,000 for Design Project Standard Grants and Strengthening Standard Grants

b. Including indirect costs: $650,000 for Implementation Project Standard Grants and Strengthening Standard Grants

c. Each review cycle may award up to two grants, in any project type combination, per lead institution

Program Area

The AWT program area seeks to develop a workforce ready for the field as well as industry jobs in the food and agricultural sector. Through the development of new workforce training programs, or the expansion, improvement, or renewal of existing workforce training programs at community, junior, and technical colleges/institutes, this program will expand job-based, experiential learning opportunities, acquisition of industry-accepted credentials and occupational competencies for students to enable a work-ready labor force for the 21st century. Proposals aimed towards developing baccalaureate or graduate degree programs or pathways towards these degrees are not supported under this program area priority.

Design Projects must address the following:

a. Be developed and carried out by community/junior/technical colleges or institutes with active partnership of employers or other community partners.

b. Design and develop new workforce training programs or stackable-credential frameworks in the food and agricultural sciences at community, junior, and technical colleges or /institutes aimed at developing a workforce ready for field and industrial jobs.

c. How the project Programs or frameworks may link high school and community college education to enable participants to gain credentials to join, rejoin or advance in the workforce.

d. Description of the type and relevance of the industry-accepted credential the workforce training program will provide to target participants.

e. Description of the type and relevance of experiential learning opportunities that will allow participants to gain on-the-job training, and exposure to work environments

f. Timeline and plan for the develop program or credential to be recognized by cognizant institutions.

g. Applications must articulate benefits accrued from the design project formal planning activities and provide evidence of a high likelihood that quality future implementation applications will be submitted.

Implementation Projects must address the following:

a. Expand and improve existing workforce training programs in the food and agricultural sciences at community, junior, and technical colleges/institutes to develop a workforce ready for field and industrial jobs.

b. Be developed by or in active partnership with community/junior/technical colleges/ institutes and their industry partners. All applications to this program area must demonstrate committed and active partnership with and relevance to industry.

c. Description of the type and relevance of industry-accepted credential the workforce training program will provide to target participants.

d. Provide students the skills and tools necessary to secure industry-accepted credentials to join the workforce upon participation completion.

e. AWT implementation projects must allocate a reasonable portion of the funds to student support, including items such as participant stipends, course enrollment, hands-on training, laboratory use fees, credential testing fees, and other costs that will allow the participant to attain the credential they are being trained for.

f. Applicants need not have applied or received a Design Project grant to be eligible for an Implementation Project grant.

g. Non-exhaustive examples of projects include:

1. Industry-based training programs/apprenticeships allowing students to earn while they learn;

2. Job-based, experiential learning opportunities that allow students more time working in job simulation or ‘on-the-job’ training environments;

3. Refreshing existing workforce development curriculum or development of stackable credential frameworks to meet the needs of 21st century agricultural industry

4. Opportunities for students to utilize appropriate cutting-edge technology and advanced data skills in their learning experiences

Program Area Priority Additional Information:

a. Requests exceeding budgetary guidelines will not be reviewed. Unless otherwise stated, grants are not renewable.

b. See Part IV § C for the REQUIRED Project Summary and Project Narrative format.

Proposals that do not comply with these instructions may be excluded from review and consideration of funding.

c. Funds requested may include but are not limited to support for participant stipends and travel; costs of course enrollment; provider personnel salaries; software; and curricula.

d. Curriculum for workforce training developed, expanded, or improved under this program area must lead participants to earn a technical certificate, stackable credential, 2-year associates or technical degree or other industry accepted credential. (Certificates, training or coursework for/part of baccalaureate or post-graduate degrees or training ARE NOT supported under this program area priority).

e. Projects that involve partnerships with local government, economic development organizations, and workforce-focused nonprofit organizations are encouraged.

f. Workforce training includes, and is not limited to, the creation of new curriculum and instructional delivery systems, pilot testing/implementation of curriculum and delivery methods, development of assessment tools, and evaluation.

g. Applications that target high-unemployment geographic areas or underrepresented groups are encouraged.

h. Applications should include the substantial mentoring of program participants.

i. Self-sustaining projects that will continue after grants funds expire are encouraged.

j. As applicable, if the majority of project activities are taking place off-site, off-campus indirect cost rates should be charged.

k. If organized by the program, the Project Director (PD) will be required to attend one

NIFA AFRI EWD PD meeting during the performance period of the award. Reasonable travel expenses must be included as part of the project budget. While budgets should account for this travel, NIFA may consider virtual, or hybrid meetings based on local and national pandemic conditions.

l. This program area accepts new and resubmitted applications only. Renewal applications are not accepted in this program area.

m. Reasonable costs for evaluation and hiring of evaluation professionals may be included.

3. Food and Agricultural Non-Formal Education (FANE) Table 5: Food and Agricultural Non-Formal Education Key Information

Title Description Program Code: A7801 Program Code

Name:

Food and Agricultural Non-Formal Education

CFDA Number 10.310 Project Type(s): Extension, Education, or Integrated Projects only Grant Type(s): a. Standard and FASE (Strengthening Standard) Grants only

b. See Part II § C.2 for requirements specific to FASE Grant applications.

Application Deadline

2022: Thursday, August 4, 2022 March 30, 2023 (5:00 p.m. Eastern Time)

Grant Duration: 36-48 months Maximum Award

Amount(s):

a. Including indirect costs: $750,000

b. Funds requested may include but are not limited to support of participant stipends and travel; provider personnel salaries;

software; and curricula.

Program Area Priority Contact(s):

a. Dr. Jeff Sallee, (816) 814-4746 or jeffrey.sallee@usda.gov mailto:Jeffrey.sallee@usda.gov mailto:Jeffrey.sallee@usda.gov

Major advances in agricultural productivity and rural prosperity in the past have resulted from transformative technologies such as breeding tools and strategies, mechanization, and prudent use of agrochemicals. There are several emerging technologies that hold a similar promise. This program area priority will support content development and activities for non-formal education to foster development of technology-savvy youth. Projects must develop activities that cultivate interest and competencies in STEM and in food and agricultural sciences supported by the six Farm Bill Priority areas of AFRI. Data science, including artificial intelligence, automation, and robotics as well as gene editing, and biotechnology will be supported in this program area priority.

Food and Agricultural Non-formal Education (FANE) applications must address the following:

a. Develop content and activities to enhance youth’s understanding of gene editing, biotechnology, data science, artificial intelligence, robotics, automation, and other technologies that enhance the food and agricultural enterprise and prepares them to help meet the needs of the future workforce through enhanced non-formal education modules.

b. Develop outreach materials that clearly communicate the demonstrated benefits of agricultural technologies and biotechnology.

c. Should complement and build upon programs that have successfully demonstrated positive youth development strategies and outcomes (i.e., 4-H programming, Agriculture in the Classroom, FDA’s Agricultural Biotechnology Education and Outreach Initiative, etc.).

d. Involve youth in the design, execution, and evaluation of activities that lead to the development of consumer-friendly content that builds public confidence in the safe use of biotechnology in agriculture and the food system.

grants are not renewable.

b. See Part IV § C for the REQUIRED Project Summary and Project Narrative format.

Proposals that do not comply with these instructions will be excluded from review and consideration of funding.

c. Projects that enhance access and interest in innovative agricultural technology (i.e., data science and artificial intelligence, robotics and automation, and gene editing and biotechnology) education for communities underrepresented in STEM education and utilize a whole-child approach to promote learning about biotechnology in food and agriculture are encouraged.

d. Projects that promote team, active learning, and resiliency skills are encouraged.

e. Projects must institute an ongoing and innovative system to evaluate participant learning and outcome quality.

f. Projects that involve participation from industry and nonprofit organizations through collaborating mentors and/or that connect education professionals, particularly those from low-resource schools to existing USDA and Federal resources (e.g., USDA Agricultural Research Service, Forest Service, Federal laboratories, open data resources) to enhance student outcomes in the food and agricultural sciences are encouraged.

g. As applicable, if the majority of project activities are taking place off-site, off-campus indirect cost rates should be charged.

h. If organized by the program, the Project Director (PD) will be required to attend one

NIFA AFRI PD meeting during the performance period of the award. Reasonable travel expenses must be included as part of the project budget. While budgets should account for this travel, NIFA may consider virtual, or hybrid meetings based on local and national pandemic conditions.

i. This program area accepts new applications only. Renewal applications are not accepted.

j. Reasonable costs for evaluation and hiring of evaluation professionals may be included.

4. Research and Extension Experiences for Undergraduates (REEU) Table 6: Research and Extension Experiences for Undergraduates (REEU) Key Information

Title Description Program Code: A7401 Program Code

Name:

Research and Extension Experiences for Undergraduates (REEU)

CFDA Number 10.310 Project Type(s): Integrated Projects Grant Type(s): a. Standard Grants and FASE (Strengthening Standard) Grants only

b. See Part II § C.2 for requirements specific to FASE Grant applications.

Application Deadline

2022: Thursday, August 18, 2022 (5:00 p.m. Eastern Time)

Grant Duration: a. 48 or 60 months for Research and Extension Experiences for Undergraduates (REEU) projects

b. 60 months for Education Coordinated Network for Research and Extension Experiences for Undergraduates (REEU-ECN)

Maximum Award Amount(s):

a. Including indirect costs: $600,000 for 48-month REEU projects;

$750,000 for 60-month REEU projects

1) Project costs for REEU projects must be predominantly for student support, including items such as participant stipends, housing, meals, travel, and laboratory use fees. Costs in budget categories outside Participant Support must be modest and reasonable (and may include justified support for the coordination of the program).

2) Tuition for course credit and promotional items ARE NOT allowable costs in this program.

3) Each review cycle may award up to two REEU projects per lead institution.

b. Including indirect costs: $750,000 for all REEU-ECN projects

1) Project costs for REEU-ECN projects must be reasonable and commensurate with the coordinating activities of national scope outlined below.

Program Area

Dr. Ray Ali, (816) 926-1453 or nifa-education@usda.gov mailto:nifa-education@usda.gov

The REEU program area promotes research and extension learning experiences for undergraduates such that upon graduation they may enter the agricultural workforce with exceptional skills. This initiative allows colleges and universities to provide opportunities for undergraduate students, including those from underrepresented and economically disadvantaged groups, minority-serving institutions, community colleges, and universities.

Projects must provide undergraduate students with experiential learning opportunities that include significant research and/or extension components in the food and agricultural sciences.

Also, of interest are the projects that provide experiences in innovative agricultural technologies, including Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, Robotics and Automation, and Gene Editing.

Non-exhaustive examples of experiential projects include:

a. Research and extension apprenticeships, internships, or similar participatory learning within the six AFRI Farm Bill priority areas.

b. Practicums in agricultural laboratories, farms, or Cooperative Extension Programs.

c. Externships in the private or public sector.

d. Study abroad focused on global food security issues to develop global competency skills.

In addition to the priorities listed above, Education Coordinated Network for Research and Extension Experiences for Undergraduates (REEU-ECN) applications are solicited to develop a network of REEU projects and personnel that will foster national-level coordination of opportunities for students and to enhance collaboration among projects. The REEU program will award a single grant to an institution to maintain the education-coordinated network.

Coordination education network proposals must include the acronym “REEU-ECN” in the title. REEU-ECN will only award up to one single grant.

REEU-ECN applications must address the following:

a. Provide a clearinghouse for REEU project outputs, data, and documents;

b. Create and maintain any number of collaboration spaces for REEU project directors and other key personnel to interact and share information, including but not limited to a listserv;

c. Be responsible for organizing the REEU PD meeting in collaboration with NIFA Program Leadership every 18-24 months;

d. Create and maintain a portable public facing website, to include information on all funded REEU programs and links to the program websites.

grants are not renewable.

b. See Part IV § C for the REQUIRED Project Summary and Project Narrative format.

Proposals that do not comply with these instructions may be excluded from review and consideration of funding.

c. Projects must provide opportunities to include hands-on experiences for undergraduate students at colleges and universities, especially those from underrepresented and economically disadvantaged groups, veterans, first generation college students, students at minority-serving institutions and community colleges.

d. At least 50% of the undergraduate fellows must come from outside the host institution or organization, particularly from small institutions where opportunities are not easily available for these experiences.

e. Participating students could also build their skills necessary for graduate studies; explore the opportunities available in academia, business, government, and other career paths;

and forge mentorships with professional and business leaders and faculty.

f. Applications that involve new collaborations or enhance existing partnerships with community colleges, minority-serving institutions, and other institutions where limited research and extension opportunities in mission-relevant STEM fields are encouraged.

g. Applications that involve industry participation (e.g., through collaborating mentors) and/or that target a food and agricultural science industry where there is a documented shortage of talent or lack of adequate skills preparation for the needs of the industry are encouraged.

h. Projects that will catalyze and result in the implementation of a self-sustaining model for increased/enhanced experiential learning for a diverse undergraduate student population at the host and partner institutions are encouraged.

i. Projects should develop a plan for tracking students, beyond their participation in the program that demonstrates the impacts of the program on career choices and post-graduation employment and/or enrollment in higher education.

j. If organized by the program or the coordination network, the PD will be required to attend one NIFA AFRI EWD PD meeting during the performance period of the award.

Reasonable travel expenses must be included as part of the project budget. While budgets should account for this travel, NIFA may consider virtual, or hybrid meetings based on local and national pandemic conditions.

k. Awarded projects are required to maintain a website, linked to a central REEU webpage to be hosted by the REEU Coordinated Education Network, which describes the program, eligibility for student participation, and application guidelines.

l. This program area accepts new and resubmitted applications. Renewal applications are disallowed.

m. Previously awarded REEU projects that wish to continue their program, should reapply as a new application, and include a progress report detailed in Part IV § C. These applications will be competed with new and resubmitted applications.

n. Reasonable costs for evaluation and hiring of evaluation professionals may be included.

5. Predoctoral Fellowships Table 7: Predoctoral Fellowships Key Information

Title Description Program Code: A7101 Program Code

Name:

Predoctoral Fellowships

CFDA Number 10.310 Project Type(s): Research, Education, Extension, or Integrated Projects Grant Type(s): a. Predoctoral Fellowship (FASE) Grants only

a. See Part II § C.2 for requirements specific to FASE Grant applications.

Application Deadline

2022: Thursday, October 27, 2022 (5:00 p.m. Eastern Time)

Grant Duration: Up to 36 months Maximum Award

Amount(s):

a. Including institutional allowance: $180,000 total per project and are limited to a total of $60,000 per year for the following:

1) Up to $35,000 per year stipend

2) Up to $22,000 per year tuition, fees, fringe benefits, supplies, travel, workshops, and publications

3) Up to $3,000 per year institutional allowance, in lieu of indirect costs which are not permitted on Predoctoral Fellowship Grants

4) With the exception of the stipend, awarded funds in other budget categories may be carried over from one year to other years. The stipend is capped at $35,000 per year and cannot be carried over from year one to the next.

Program Area

Dr. Ray Ali, (816) 926-1453 or nifafellows@usda.gov

The Predoctoral Fellowships program areas help to develop new scientists and professionals to enter research, education, and/or extension fields within the food and agricultural sciences within the private sector, government, or academia. The aim of these fellowships is to cultivate future leaders who can solve emerging agricultural challenges of the 21st century. NIFA is particularly interested in supporting fellows that address (1) sustainable agricultural intensification; (2) agricultural climate adaptation; (3) food and nutrition translation; (4) value-added innovation;

and (5) agricultural science policy leadership.

Research, education, extension and integrated research, education and/or extension projects must address all of the following:

a. Objectives that are aligned with one or more of the six AFRI priority areas (as described in Part I, A);

b. Well-developed…