FY22-AgrAbility-RFA-508.pdf

REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS

Assistive Technology Program for Farmers with Disabilities (AgrAbility)

FUNDING YEAR: Fiscal Year 2022

APPLICATION DEADLINE: January 13, 2022

ANTICIPATED FUNDING: $4,385,000

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY NUMBER: USDA-NIFA-SLBCD-008682

ASSISTANCE LISTING NUMBER: 10.500

LETTER OF INTENT DEADLINE: Not Required

INITIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

National Institute of Food and Agriculture United States Department of Agriculture

Assistance Listing: This program is listed in the Assistance Listings under 10.500.

Table 1: Key Dates and Deadlines

Task Description Deadline

Application: 5:00 P.M. Eastern, January 13, 2022 [Ref to Part I § C of this RFA]

Letter of Intent: Not Required

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

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

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

Please use the following subject line: Response to the AgrAbility 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.

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

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

NIFA requests applications for the Assistive Technology Program for Farmers with Disabilities through the AgrAbility program, for fiscal year (FY) 2022. The AgrAbility program works to increase the likelihood that farmers, farm workers and farm family members with disabilities, including veterans with disabilities, and their families who engage in farming, farm-related occupations, or are pursuing new farming opportunities, will experience success in agricultural production.

This RFA is being released prior to the passage of a full appropriations act for FY 2022.

Enactment of additional continuing resolutions or an appropriations act may affect the availability or level of funding for this program. The anticipated amount available for grants in FY 2022 is approximately $4.38 million. NIFA anticipates that approximately $2,5474,000 will be available for support of new State and Regional AgrAbility Projects (SRAPs). The remainder of funds will be used to support eight previously awarded SRAP awards eligible for continuation.

Applications for the continuing SRAPs are not included in this solicitation and are completed separately. This RFA is soliciting applications for new State/Regional AgrAbility projects.

This notice identifies the objectives for AgrAbility projects, deadlines, funding information, eligibility criteria for projects and applicants, and application forms and associated instructions.

Table of Contents

INITIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

PART I. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

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

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. Cost Sharing or Matching C. Centers of Excellence

PART IV. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION

A. Method of Application B. Content and Form of the Application C. 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 Administrative and National Policy Requirements A. Use of Funds and Changes in Budget B. Confidential Aspects of Applications and Awards C. Regulatory Information

APPENDIX II: GLOSSARY OF TERMS

APPENDIX III: DEFINITIONS

TABLE OF TABLES

Table 1: Key Dates and Deadlines Table 2: State and Regional AgrAbility Projects Key Information Table 3: Steps to Obtain Application Materials Table 4: Help and Resources Table 5: Key Application Instructions Table 6: Programmatic Contacts Table 7: Glossary of Terms Table 8: Definitions

PART I. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

A. Legislative Authority The Assistive Technology Program for Farmers with Disabilities (AgrAbility) is authorized at 7 U.S.C. 5933 as amended.

B. Purpose and Priorities The AgrAbility program works to increase the likelihood that individuals with disabilities, including veterans, and their families engaged in production agriculture (AgrAbility customers) will become more successful. The program supports cooperative projects in which State Cooperative Extension based at either 1862 or 1890 Land-Grant universities subcontract to private, non-profit direct service disability organizations to provide on-the-farm agricultural education and assistance directed at accommodating disability in farm operations for individuals with disabilities who are engaged in farming and farm-related occupations and their families.

Grants awarded under paragraph (1) may be used to initiate, expand, or sustain programs that:

(A) provide direct education and assistance to accommodate disability in farming to individuals with disabilities who engage in farming and farm-related occupations;

(B) provide on-the-farm technical advice concerning the design, fabrication, and use of agricultural and related equipment, machinery, and tools, and assist in the modification of farm worksites, operations, and living arrangements to accommodate individuals with disabilities who engage in farming, farm living and farm-related tasks;

(C) involve community and health care professionals, including Extension Service agents and others, in the early identification of farm and rural families that are in need of services related to the disability of an individual;

(D) provide specialized education programs to enhance the professional competencies of rural agricultural professionals, rehabilitation and health care providers, vocational counselors, and other providers of service to individuals with disabilities, and their families, who engage in farming or farm-related occupations; and

(E) mobilize rural volunteer resources, including peer counseling among farmers with disabilities and rural ingenuity networks promoting cost effective methods or accommodating disabilities in farming and farm-related activities.

The AgrAbility program supports rural communities in the United States by:

1. supporting cooperative programs between State Cooperative Extension Service agencies and private nonprofit disability organizations to provide on-the-farm agricultural education and assistance directed at accommodating disability in farm operations for individuals with disabilities who are engaged in farming and farm-related occupations and their families and

2. enabling a national private nonprofit disability organization to provide technical assistance, training, information dissemination and other activities to support community-based direct service programs of on-site rural rehabilitation and assistive technology for individuals (including veterans) with disabilities, and their families, who are engaged in farming or farm-related occupations or, in the case of veterans with disabilities, who are pursuing new farming opportunities.

https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(title:7%20section:5933%20edition:prelim)%20OR%20(granuleid:USC-prelim-title7-section5933)&f=treesort&edition=prelim&num=0&jumpTo=true

The AgrAbility program is aligned with the following FY 2018 – FY 2022 USDA Strategic Goals:

1. Strategic Goal 1: Ensure USDA Programs Are Delivered Efficiently, Effectively, With Integrity and a Focus on Customer Service;

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

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

C. Program Area Description NIFA is soliciting applications under the following AgrAbility program areas:

State and Regional AgrAbility Projects (SRAPs) To address the specialized needs of AgrAbility customers, the program builds service capacity on national, regional, state, and local levels through education and networking. The program provides direct assistance to individuals with disabilities who engage in farming and farm-related occupations. The form of assistance for the AgrAbility customer is dependent on the immediate needs that are inadequately addressed by health, farm, and government service providers.

Finally, AgrAbility projects use marketing activities to direct the public to initiatives in AgrAbility-related education, networking and assistance.

The AgrAbility program funds projects that deliver education, networking, direct assistance, and marketing activities with following elements:

1. Education

a. Within the context of production agriculture, learning objectives focus on enhancing competencies necessary to accommodate disabilities and avoid secondary injuries in persons with disabilities.

b. Audience includes farmers, rural agricultural professionals, rehabilitation and health care providers, vocational counselors, and other providers of service to individuals with disabilities and their families who engage in farming or farm-related occupations. This element applies also to veterans with disabilities and their families who engage in farming, farm-related occupations, or are pursuing new farming opportunities

c. Delivery formats include authoring or adapting printable resources, presentations delivered in person or remotely, and recorded presentations that may encourage audience interaction, and internet presence.

d. Projects must have means to appraise efficacy of AgrAbility educational efforts.

2. Networking

a. Objectives encourage the sharing of information among, and the provision of services, value, or funds from, individuals or organizations not employed by AgrAbility.

b. Partners include customers, peer support, volunteer groups, university student groups, stakeholders, non-profits, and public and private funding organizations.

c. Delivery formats include the donation of goods and services of direct benefit to AgrAbility customers.

d. Projects must have means to appraise economic value of services rendered to AgrAbility and its customers.

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. Direct Assistance

a. Objectives focus on the early identification of farm and rural families who are in need of services related to the disability of an individual and to provide individualized consultative services that increase the likelihood that AgrAbility customers and their farm operations experience success.

b. Audience includes AgrAbility customers and others working on farms, including veterans with disabilities and their families who engage in farming, farm-related occupations, or are pursuing new farming opportunities.

c. Delivery formats include product selection advice, accessibility and ergonomic recommendations, life activities and farm operations planning guidance, and advocacy to obtain service and financial aid. Assistance can occur in person or remotely.

d. Projects must have means to appraise successes experienced following intervention.

4. Marketing

a. Objectives concentrate on program and project awareness intended to make key audiences aware of SRAP efforts. This excludes information required to provide education, assistance, or facilitate networking.

b. Audience includes the general public.

c. Delivery formats include public appearances with displays and the production or distribution of program awareness materials; press releases; public service announcements; print advertisements; webinars, web pages with awareness content;

newsletters; or electronic notices.

d. Projects must have means to link their marketing activities with registration, requests for information and consultation, and networking successes.

All delivery formats, training and educational materials and products should be marketed as being part of the AgrAbility program and use the AgrAbility logo (see Fig. 1 below). Other branding on any materials produced through this grant requires consent of the NIFA program contact.

Figure 1: AgrAbility Logo

Table 2: State and Regional AgrAbility Projects Key Information Title Description

Program Code: LQ Program Code Name: AgrAbility

CFDA Number 10.500 Project Type: Extension Projects

Grant Type: Standard Grants Application Deadline January 13, 2022

Grant Duration: 48 Months Anticipated # of Awards: 14

Maximum Award Amount: Estimated at $183,840 per year

State and Regional AgrAbility Projects (SRAPs) SRAPs operate within a geographic area defined on the basis of states or regions. SRAPs within the same State may function independently of each other. States with insufficient potential clientele to merit individual AgrAbility projects or seeking to partner with 1862, 1890, and/or 1994 Land-Grant Universities, or Minority-Serving and/or Hispanic-Serving institutions outside their state, may submit regional, multi-state proposals.

The lead (i.e., primary) institution on a SRAP grant must partner and subcontract to a private, non-profit direct service disability organization.

Applicants proposing to serve remote and/or diverse customer populations may wish to form partnerships that include one or more Land-Grant Institutions, Non-Land-Grant Institutions, Hispanic-serving Institutions, or additional private non-profit organizations necessary to effectively serve the entire population eligible to receive AgrAbility services.

SRAP applicants may propose projects with budgets not to exceed $183,840 per year for a maximum project duration of four years. The project period should begin approximately July 30, 2022. It is anticipated that FY 2022 appropriations will fund the awarded project’s first-year budget. Each project may submit a request for up to $183,840 per year for each year of requested funding.

Funding levels will be adjusted based on technical review of the projects and budget constraints.

Multi-year funding will depend on the availability of funds and the demonstration of satisfactory annual progress.

In addition to delivering education, networking, direct assistance, and marketing activities, SRAP commitments must include:

1. Attending annual AgrAbility National Training Workshops with at least one representative from each of the lead university and one non-profit disability organization partner;

2. Participating in efforts to collect project outcome and impact data across AgrAbility projects; and

3. Submitting annual and final reports to NIFA (see Part VI, D).

SRAP applicants may request, within their proposed budgets and budget justification, funds to pay for these commitments.

All delivery formats, training, and educational programs should be marketed as an AgrAbility project and use the AgrAbility logo shown in Figure 1. Other branding on any materials produced through this grant requires consent of the NIFA program contact.

All SRAPs receive technical assistance and networking support from the National AgrAbility Project (NAP). SRAPs also submit cumulative client demographics data and monthly activities reports to NAP. NIFA views the relationship between the SRAPs and the NAP as critical to the success of the AgrAbility program overall. Because SRAPs symbiotically interact with NAP, failure to comply with NAP’s operating, documentation, and reporting requirements will result in NAP suspending service and NIFA suspending funding to the non-compliant SRAP. Hence, prior to applying for AgrAbility funding from NIFA, applicants should contact the current NAP for information concerning standard operating procedures, best field practices, and access to the NAP’s library of AgrAbility-related materials. Since FY 2008, NAP has been housed with and led by Purdue University (renewed in 2021). Applicants may contact NAP at:

National AgrAbility Project; c/o Purdue University; Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering; 225 S. University St.; West Lafayette, IN 47907-2093 Voice/TT

(800) 825-4264; Fax: (765) 496-1356; Web: www.agrability.org.

The program encourages collaborations among 1862 and 1890 Land-Grant Institutions within or across state lines on joint, single grant applications, as well as with Land-Grant Institutions not eligible to apply as lead institutions (such is the case with 1994 Land-Grants), within or across state lines. Furthermore, the program encourages proposals from 1890 Land-Grant Institutions as lead institutions.

All applications must show that Land-Grant Institutions collaborating on a joint SRAP proposal have a substantial and equitable involvement in the project throughout the life of the project. The lead applicant on a proposal must collaborate on the project with, and subcontract part of work to, a private, non-profit organization providing direct service to individuals with disabilities.

Projects are encouraged to explore possible coordination with existing assistive technology institutions and programs in their state/region in order to tap into, expand, and/or enhance prospective clients’ access to already available state-wide assistive technology resources.

http://www.agrability.org/

PART II. AWARD INFORMATION

A. Available Funding This RFA is being released prior to the passage of a full appropriations act for FY 2022.

Enactment of additional continuing resolutions or an appropriations act may affect the availability or level of funding for this program. The anticipated amount available for grants in FY 2022 is approximately $4.38 million. NIFA anticipates that approximately $2.57 million will be available to support new SRAPs.

The remainder of funds will be used to support eight previously awarded NAP and SRAP awards eligible for continuation funding. Applications for the continuing SRAPs will be solicited via a separate request.

USDA is not committed to fund any particular application or to make a specific number of awards. The Automated Standard Application for Payments, operated by the Department of Treasury, Bureau of Fiscal Service, is the designated payment system for awards resulting from this RFA.

B. Application Restrictions NIFA will evaluate applications using the criteria described in Part V of this RFA. Applications for FY 2022 is limited to the following applications types:

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

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

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

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

C. Project and Grant Types The AgrAbility program supports two Extension project types: State and Regional AgrAbility Projects (SRAPs) and the National AgrAbility Project (NAP). NIFA is soliciting applications for SRAP projects for FY 2022.

Grant Types Applicants for SRAPs must select Standard Grants only.

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

D. Ethical Conduct of Funded Projects In accordance with sections 2, 3, and 8 of 2 CFR Part 422, institutions that conduct USDA-funded extramural research must foster an atmosphere conducive to research integrity, bear primary responsibility for prevention and detection of research misconduct, and maintain and effectively communicate and train their staff regarding policies and procedures. In the event an application to NIFA results in an award, the Authorized Representative (AR) assures, through acceptance of the award that the institution will comply with the above requirements. Award recipients must, upon request, make available to NIFA the policies, procedures, and documentation to support the conduct of the training. See Responsible and Ethical Conduct of Research for further information.

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-B/chapter-IV/part-422?toc=1 https://nifa.usda.gov/responsible-and-ethical-conduct-research https://nifa.usda.gov/responsible-and-ethical-conduct-research

PART III. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

A. Eligibility Requirements Applications may be submitted only by Cooperative Extension at 1862 and 1890 Land-Grant Colleges and Universities including the University of the District of Columbia, Tuskegee University, West Virginia State University, and Central State University.

Applicants must partner on their projects with private non-profit organizations providing direct service to individuals with disabilities. Applications must include commitment letters from non-profit partner organizations.

Failure to meet an eligibility criterion by the application deadline may result in the application being excluded from consideration or, even though an application may be reviewed, will preclude NIFA from making an award.

Award recipients may subcontract to organizations not eligible to apply (such as 1994 Land- Grant Colleges, Hispanic-Serving Institutions) provided such organizations are necessary for the conduct of the project. Also, the 1862 and 1890 Land-Grant Institutions may partner with each other and/or other Land-Grant Institutions (e.g., 1994 Land-Grants) and Non-Land-Grant Institutions within their state or their region on joint proposals. Applications proposing such partnerships must include commitment letters from all partnering organizations.

Applicants for the AgrAbility program must meet all the requirements discussed in this RFA.

Failure to meet the eligibility criteria by the application deadline may result in exclusion from consideration or, preclude NIFA from making an award. For those new to Federal financial assistance, NIFA’s Grants Overview provides highly recommended information about grants and other resources to help understand the Federal awards process.

Duplicate or Multiple Submissions – duplicate or multiple submissions is not allowed. NIFA will disqualify both applications if an applicant submits duplicate or multiple submissions. For those new to Federal financial assistance, NIFA’s Grants Overview provides highly recommended information about grants and other resources to help understand the Federal awards process.

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

C. Centers of Excellence Pursuant to Section 7214 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (Pub. L. 113-79), NIFA will recognize and prioritize Center of Excellence (COE) applicants that carry out research, extension, and education activities that relate to the food and agricultural sciences. A COE is composed of one or more of the following entities that provide financial or in-kind support to the COE.

1. State agricultural experiment stations.

2. Colleges and universities.

3. University research foundations.

4. Other research institutions and organizations.

https://nifa.usda.gov/resource/grants-overview https://nifa.usda.gov/resource/grants-overview https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/PLAW-113publ79/html/PLAW-113publ79.htm

5. Federal agencies.

6. National laboratories.

7. Private organizations, foundations, or corporations.

8. Individuals; or

9. Any group consisting of two or more of the entities described in (1) through (8).

PART IV. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION

A. Method of Application Applicants must apply to this RFA electronically; no other method or response is accepted. The electronic application for this RFA and additional resources are available on Grants.gov and Grants 101. Table 3 provides instructions on how to obtain an electronic application. Part II § 1 of the NIFA Grants.gov Application Guide (Application Guide) contains detailed information regarding the Grants.gov registration process.

Table 3: Steps to Obtain Application Materials

Steps Action

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

Step Two:

Download Adobe

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

Step Three: Find Application

Using this Funding Opportunity Number, USDA-NIFA-SLBCD-008682, search for application here: Opportunity Package.

Step Four: Assess Readiness

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

Table 4: Help and Resources

Grants.gov Support NIFA Support Grants.gov Online Support Telephone support: 800-518-4726 Toll- Free or 606-545-5035

Email support: support@grants.gov Self-service customer based support:

Grants.gov iPortal

Key Information: Customer service business Hours 24/7, except federal holidays.

Email: grantapplicationquestions@usda.gov

Key Information: Business hours: Monday thru Friday, 7a.m. – 5p.m. ET, except federal holidays

B. Content and Form of the Application

The Application Guide is part of the corresponding application package for this RFA. The RFA overrides the Application Guide if there is a discrepancy between the two documents. NIFA will accept subsequent submissions to an application until the application deadline. However, applicants that do not meet the application requirements, to include partial applications, risk being excluded from NIFA’s review. NIFA will assign a proposal number to all applications that https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/learn-grants/grants-101/pre-award-phase.html/ https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/opportunities/instructions/PKG00249520-instructions.pdf https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/register.html https://get.adobe.com/reader/ https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/adobe-software-compatibility.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/search-opportunity-package.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/support.html mailto:support@grants.gov https://grants-portal.psc.gov/Welcome.aspx?pt=Grants https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/snow-dismissal-procedures/federal-holidays/ https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/snow-dismissal-procedures/federal-holidays/ mailto:grantapplicationquestions@usda.gov https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/opportunities/instructions/PKG00249520-instructions.pdf meet the requirements of this RFA. Applicants must refer to the proposal number when corresponding with NIFA. Table 5 outlines other key instructions for applicants.

Table 5: Key Application Instructions

Instruction References (All references are to the

Application Guide)

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

Part IV

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

Part IV

Conduct an administrative review of the application before submission.

Part IV

Follow the submission instructions. Part V

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

Part V

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

N/A

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

N/A

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

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

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

Field 7. Project Summary (PS)/Abstract. The PS must show how the project goals align with the project goals of the AgrAbility Program. See Part V of the Application Guide for instructions and suggested templates. Project Summary must provide the following information, in the order listed below:

1. Project title;

2. List of Project Directors (PDs) and Co-PDs and their institutions/organizations;

3. List of other collaborating institutions/organizations/farmer groups;

4. Concise (250 words or less) description of the project;

5. Funding amount requested, per year (2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025) and in total;

6. List of any previous or current AgrAbility projects that PD or co-PD(s) have led in the past

(list project director and award number; 20XX-41590-XXXXX); and

7. Proposal type (New, Resubmission, or Renewal).

Please include a one-page Table of Contents in the project narrative, which will not count towards the narrative’s page limitation.

https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/opportunities/instructions/PKG00249520-instructions.pdf https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/support.html https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/opportunities/instructions/PKG00249520-instructions.pdf https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/opportunities/instructions/PKG00249520-instructions.pdf

Field 8. Project Narrative (PN) for State and Regional AgrAbility Projects.

The PN must not exceed [20] 1.5 spaced pages of written text and up to [4] 1.5 spaced additional pages for figures and tables (the font size for tables should be no smaller than 11 points, Times New Roman). The response to previous review must not exceed [1] 1.5 spaced page. This does not count towards the page limit for the PN. The page limits outlined here ensure fair and equitable competition. Appendices to the PN are allowed if they are directly germane to the proposed project. Do not add appendices to circumvent the page limit. In developing the Project Narrative section of your application, indicate the Section letter and number in your response, e.g., type “A.1”, “A.2”, etc., before your response to each question. Please do not combine two or more questions or refer to another section of the Project Narrative in your response, such as indicating that the response for B.2 is in C.7. The PN must include all the following:

Section A: Introduction - Statement of Need and Significance of the Proposed SRAP Describe the nature and magnitude of the issue your SRAP is seeking to address. Provide the most recent relevant data for the State/Region in which your proposed SRAP will be implemented, including data on the incidence of injuries and health issues among the farming population. Provide references for data. Explain and substantiate any assumptions made.

1. Briefly describe ongoing or recently completed programs available to farmers with disabilities in the state(s) in which your proposed SRAP will operate.

2. Describe how your proposed SRAP fits within the context of those other State-level activities. Will your SRAP be duplicating/adding to/enhancing any existing/completed efforts with farmers? What is the expected public value/state or regional significance of what you are proposing to do?

3. Prior AgrAbility Accomplishments: If the Project Director (PD) and/or Co-PDs are involved/have been involved in leading SRAPs currently/previously funded by NIFA’s AgrAbility program, add to the Introduction section a subheading “Prior AgrAbility Accomplishments” and in no more than two (2) pages provide the following:

a) A brief description of the project(s), focusing on project accomplishments in the areas of direct assistance, education, marketing, and networking.

b) Provide a brief description of what was learned from the past project(s), what can be improved upon, and how those lessons and improvements are being incorporated into the current application to make the project more effective and successful at meeting program goals.

c) Description of efforts to contribute to NAP-led national evaluation of SRAPs’ outcomes and impacts (specifically client demographics data and Quality of Life Survey). If the SRAP was not able to make such contributions to date, briefly describe challenges faced and how those challenges will be addressed should your proposal be recommended for funding in FY 2022.

d) If your SRAP had a gap in funding from NIFA, explain how and at what level the SRAP was sustained since it last received funding from NIFA.

Section B: Proposed Approach

1. Clearly identify farming population(s) your proposed SRAP will reach out to and serve. In addition to farmers with disabilities in general, indicate if your SRAP will seek to serve specific farmer groups such as aging farmers, beginning farmers with disabilities, farmer veterans with disabilities, women farmers with disabilities, ethnic/racial and/or linguistic minority farmers with disabilities, etc.). Support for identifying these specific groups must be clearly reflected in the data and estimates provided for the state(s) in which the proposed SRAP will operate.

2. Provide an estimate for how many new and how many returning farmers with disabilities you expect to serve directly during each year of the proposed project. Indicate what percentage of your SRAP clients, per year, will be from minority farmer groups you identified in Section B.1.

3. How will farmers with disabilities be identified and how will they be recruited to receive direct assistance from your SRAP?

4. If proposing to work with specific minority/historically underserved farmer groups, describe prior experience your SRAP team has had in addressing the needs of that target audience. Describe your team’s ability and readiness to provide appropriate (i.e., ethnically-, racially-, linguistically- and socio- economically-sensitive) education, training, and outreach for such an audience(s). For example, if you will be serving Spanish-speaking farmers or Native American communities, how will you ensure that your outreach and services are culturally appropriate, linguistically accurate, and literacy-level appropriate?

5. Provide a clear description of the activities you are proposing to undertake for each of the four (4) program objectives addressed in Part 1, Section B of the RFA (i.e., Direct Assistance, Education, Networking, and Marketing). All activities listed under an objective must be grouped by project year (FY 2022, FY 2023, FY 2024, and FY 2025) in a sequence in which the activities are to be performed. The sum of activities under each objective must lead to completion of that objective within the 4-year maximum project duration. In addition, for each activity, indicate the following:

a) Which target audience is the intended beneficiary;

b) What are expected/desired result(s)/outcome(s) of the activity;

c) Means (e.g. tools) by which results/outcomes will be monitored, captured and measured;

d) How results will be used and by whom; and

e) Possible Limitations to the proposed procedures and how you plan to mitigate them.

Please keep in mind that, and as indicated on pages 5-6 of this RFA, all SRAP proposals must show how they will appraise: efficacy of projects’ educational efforts, successes experienced following intervention, economic value of services rendered to AgrAbility and its customers;

and link between marketing activities and projects’ successes with registration, requests for information and consultation, and networking.

Make sure this section of your proposal reflects activities your SRAP will be undertaking under the guidance from NAP, such as: 1) Submitting client demographics data so that we may assess national outreach of the AgrAbility program; 2) Contributing to monthly AgrAbility e-Note Newsletter; 3) Participating, if feasible, in Quality of Life Survey; and 4) Attending annual AgrAbility National Training Workshop.

Section C: Project Performance Assessment Plan Project performance assessment plans allow projects to annually review outcomes achieved and to use results to inform, refine and adjust future project plans as needed. Applicants to the AgrAbility program need to submit a plan for monitoring and measuring performance of their SRAPs. The plan must include the following elements:

1. A logic model, a theory of change or alternative schematic that illustrates the causal linkages between planned activities and desired outcomes. An example of a logic model template and explanation of its components can be found at:

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

2. A Timeline to demonstrate the duration and the sequence of project activities, as well as division of labor (as noted in the next section of this RFA). Each objective might have multiple activities. Chart against a quarterly scale, so that the Timeline depicts 4 years and 16 quarters.

3. Indicate who on the team will provide the project performance assessment oversight.

NIFA does not require but it does encourage SRAPs to include on their team’s project performance measurement expert or an evaluator who can help develop the monitoring plan and conduct outcomes reporting.

4. Data management – Describe planned interface with the non-profit disability organization partner around client demographics data and with NAP around SRAP client demographics data and, if participating, around the Quality of Life Survey.

5. Indicate the amount of funding that will be set aside for monitoring, performance measurement, and outcomes reporting.

Section D: Institutional Capacity, Division of Labor and Management Plan

1. Identify your non-profit direct service disability organization partner. Provide justification for selection of the non-profit disability organization partner. Clearly state the organization’s previous and current work that make it a good fit for the proposed project.

If the non-profit organization has worked with/served farming communities in the past, in general, and farmers with disabilities, in particular, please indicate so and describe how the organization’s past experiences and successes will be used to ensure quality service for your SRAP customers.

2. Briefly describe your institution’s and team’s ability to meet the gaps and limitations in services by detailing your accomplishments from similar projects and your experience serving the identified farmer audience. If the project involves collaboration between Land-Grant Institutions, clearly identify each institution’s relevant previous work that speaks to its ability to successfully participate on the proposed SRAP.

3. Clearly identify any other partners on the proposed project and briefly indicate how the organization’s past experiences and successes will contribute to the success of your proposed SRAP.

4. Describe the fiscal and administrative oversight to be provided by the Land-Grant Institution(s) and the non-profit disability organization partner.

5. Provide a brief summary of key staff that will manage the proposed SRAP, their individual roles on the project, and percent of time they will be dedicating to the project. If the percentages are expected to change in Years 2, 3, or 4 of the proposed project, please indicate so and provide a brief explanation.

6. Describe how the relationship between the State Cooperative Extension System and the https://nifa.usda.gov/resource/integrated-programs-logic-model-planning-process non-profit disability organization partner will be managed. If the proposed SRAP represents a collaboration between two or more Land-Grant Institutions, provide an explanation for how the relationship between the agencies will be managed, as well as the relationship of each agency to the non-profit disability organization partner.

Section E: Project Sustainability Plan

1. Describe steps you will undertake during the course of the proposed SRAP activities to ensure project’s sustainability beyond the life of the NIFA AgrAbility grant. Include your proposed project sustainability activities in the proposal timeline.

2. Identify opportunities (e.g., resources, trainings, collaborations) you plan to tap-into/develop/enhance during the life of the proposed project that will help you sustain program operations after NIFA funding has expired.

3. Describe how you plan to track your project sustainability planning efforts during the course of the proposed SRAP implementation.

Section F: Center of Excellence Justification (if applicable) For consideration as a COE, you must provide a brief justification statement, as part of your Project Narrative and within the page limits provided, which describes how you meet the standards of a COE, based on the following criteria:

1. The ability of the COE to ensure coordination and cost effectiveness by reducing unnecessarily duplicative efforts in the research, teaching, and extension activities outlined in this application;

2. In addition to any applicable matching requirements, the ability of the COE to leverage available resources by using public-private partnerships among agricultural industry groups, institutions of higher education, and the federal government in the proposed research and/or extension activities outlined in this application. Resources leveraged be commensurate with the size of the award;

3. The planned scope and capability of the COE to implement teaching initiatives that increase awareness and effectively disseminate solutions to target audiences through extension activities of the proposed research and/or extension activity outlined in this application; and

4. The ability or capacity of the COE to increase the economic returns to rural communities by identifying, attracting, and directing funds to high-priority agricultural issues in support of and as a result of the implementation of the proposed research and/or extension activity outlined in this application.

Additionally, where practicable (not required), COE applicants should describe proposed efforts to improve teaching capacity and infrastructure at colleges and universities (including Land-Grant colleges and universities, cooperating forestry schools, certified Non-Land-Grant Colleges of Agriculture (NLGCA) (list of certified NLGCA is available at www.nifa.usda.gov/funding/pdfs/nlgca_colleges.pdf), and schools of veterinary medicine.

Field 12, Add Other Attachments. See Part V § 4.12 of the Application Guide.

R&R Senior/Key Person Profile (Expanded). See Part V § 5 of the Application Guide for profile requirements, details about the biographical sketch, and suggested support templates.

http://www.nifa.usda.gov/funding/pdfs/nlgca_colleges.pdf

R&R Personal Data. This information is voluntary and is not a precondition of award (see Part V § 6 of the Application Guide).

R&R Budget. See Part V § 7 of the Application Guide.

1. Match – No Match Required: The AgrAbility program has NO matching requirement.

NIFA will not factor matching resources into the review process as an evaluation criterion.

2. Indirect costs (IDC) – Not allowed.

3. Data Management Plan. A DMP is required for this program. Applicants should clearly articulate how the project director (PD) and co-PDs plan to manage and disseminate the data generated by the project. The DMP will be considered during the merit review process (see Part V § B of this RFA, Part III § 3.1 of the Application Guide and NIFA’s Data Management Plan).

Supplemental Information Form. See Part VI § 1 of the Application Guide.

1. Field 2. Program to which the applicant is applying. Enter the program name AgrAbility and the program code LQ. Accurate entry is critical.

2. Field 8. Conflict of Interest List. See Part VI § 1.8 of the Application Guide.

Representations Regarding Felony Conviction and Tax Delinquent Status for Corporate Applicants. This is required for corporate applicants. See Part VI § 2 of the Application Guide for a description of the term, “corporation.”

C. Funding Restrictions Successful applicants must not use grant funds awarded under the authority of this RFA to renovate or refurbish research, education, or extension space; purchase or install fixed equipment in such space; or to plan, repair, rehabilitate, acquire, or construct buildings or facilities.

No Indirect Cost (IDC). IDC is not authorized for this RFA.

https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/opportunities/instructions/PKG00249520-instructions.pdf https://nifa.usda.gov/resource/data-management-plan-nifa-funded-research-projects https://nifa.usda.gov/resource/data-management-plan-nifa-funded-research-projects https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/opportunities/instructions/PKG00249520-instructions.pdf

PART V. APPLICATION REVIEW REQUIREMENTS

A. NIFA’s Evaluation Process NIFA evaluates each application in a two-part process. First, we screen each application to ensure that it meets the administrative requirements set forth in this RFA. All administrative requirements must be met in order for the application to proceed to the next level of review.

Second, a scientific peer-review process will be used to technically evaluate applications that have met the administrative requirements using a review panel (see NIFA Peer Review Process).

Scientific Peer Review Process:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

https://nifa.usda.gov/sites/default/files/resource/NIFA-Peer-Review-Process-for-Competitive-Grant-Applications_0.pdf https://nifa.usda.gov/sites/default/files/resource/NIFA-Peer-Review-Process-for-Competitive-Grant-Applications_0.pdf https://nifa.usda.gov/resource/nifa-peer-review-process-competitive-grant-applications

B. Evaluation Criteria NIFA will use the following criteria to evaluate this RFA:

A reviewer’s written evaluation entails two levels of assessment. First, the reviewer summarizes how well the application addressed each evaluation criterion. After the application has been assessed for strengths and weaknesses of each criterion, the reviewer then evaluates the overall likelihood that the project will have significant outcomes. These written reviews are used to begin panel discussions with other reviewers serving on the peer review panel. Through these discussions, peer review panelists come to consensus on the final rating and ranking of proposals. A complete description of NIFA’s peer review process can be found at the NIFA website: https://nifa.usda.gov/resource/nifa-peer-review-process-competitive-grant-applications.

NIFA will use the evaluation criteria below to review applications submitted in response to the State and Regional AgrAbility Project (SRAP) area in this RFA. Your application will be reviewed and scored according to the quality of your response to the requirements in Sections A- F detailed in the project narrative. The SRAP evaluation criteria are listed below and in priority order of importance:

1. Statement of Need and Significance of the Proposed SRAP This criterion is used to assess the likelihood that the project will have an impact upon and advance the quality of life for farmers with disabilities and how the proposed project is of public value and significance, how it helps to…