FY22-HEC-RFA-508.pdf

REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS

Higher Education Challenge

Grants Program

FUNDING YEAR: Fiscal Year 2022 and FY 2023

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Fiscal Year 2022 June 6, 2022

Fiscal Year 2023 April 18, 2023

ANTICIPATED FUNDING: $4,500,000

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY NUMBER: USDA-NIFA-CGP-009106

ASSISTANCE LISTING NUMBER: 10.217

LETTER OF INTENT DEADLINE: Not Required

INITIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

National Institute of Food and Agriculture United States Department of Agriculture

Assistance Listing: The Higher Education Challenge Grants Program (HEC) is listed in the Assistance Listings under number 10.217.

Table 1: Key Dates and Deadlines Task Description Deadline

Application: Fiscal Year 2022:5:00 P.M. Eastern, June 6, 2022 [Refer to Part I § C of this RFA] Fiscal Year 2023: April 18, 2023

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 Higher Education Challenge Grant Program 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

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This notice identifies the objectives for HEC/Higher Education Challenge Grants Program projects, deadlines, funding information, eligibility criteria for projects and applicants, and application forms and associated instructions. NIFA requests applications for the Higher Education Challenge (HEC) Grants Program for FY 2022 to enable colleges and universities to provide the quality of education necessary to produce baccalaureate or higher degree level graduates capable of strengthening the nation’s food and agricultural scientific and professional workforce. The anticipated amount available for grants in FY 2022 is $4.5 million. The anticipated amount available for grants in FY 2023 is $4.5 million.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

TABLE OF CONTENTS

TABLE OF TABLES

PART I. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

A. Legislative Authority B. Purpose and Priorities

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

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. Organizational Management Information D. Application Disposition

PART VI. AWARD ADMINISTRATION

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

PART VII. OTHER INFORMATION

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

APPENDIX I: AGENCY CONTACT

APPENDIX II: GLOSSARY OF TERMS

APPENDIX III: DEFINITIONS

TABLE OF TABLES

Table 1: Key Dates and Deadlines Table 2: Program Key Information Table 3: Steps to Obtain Application Materials Table 4: Help and Resources Table 5: Key Application Instructions Table 6: Academic Codes and Disciplines Table 7: Expected Outcomes

PART I. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

A. Legislative Authority Section 1405 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (NARETPA), as amended, (7 U.S.C. 3121) designates the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) as the lead Federal agency for agriculture research, extension, and teaching in the food, agricultural, natural resources, and human sciences. Authority for this program is contained in section 1417(b)(1) of NARETPA (7 U.S.C. 3152(b)(1)).

Section 1417 of NARETPA (7 U.S.C. 3152) authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture, who has delegated the authority to the Director of NIFA, to make competitive grants to land-grant colleges and universities, to colleges and universities having significant minority enrollments and a demonstrable capacity to carry out the teaching of food and agricultural sciences, for a period not to exceed 5 years, to administer and conduct programs to respond to identified State, regional, national, or international educational needs in the food and agricultural sciences.

Additional topic areas can include: natural resources, forestry, veterinary medicine, and family and consumer sciences disciplines closely allied to the food and agricultural system, and rural economic, community and business development.

B. Purpose and Priorities The purpose of the Higher Education Challenge Grants Program, under assistance listing 10.217, is to strengthen institutional capacities, including curriculum, faculty, scientific instrumentation, instruction delivery systems, and student recruitment and retention, to respond to identified state, regional, national, or international educational needs in the food and agricultural sciences, or in rural economic, community, and business development.

Specifically, applications submitted to this grants program must state how the funded project will address the HEC Program Goals:

1. To strengthen institutional capacities, including curriculum, faculty, scientific instrumentation, instruction delivery systems, and student recruitment and retention, to respond to identified State, regional, national, or international educational needs in the food and agricultural sciences, or in rural economic, community, and business development;

2. To attract and support undergraduate and graduate students in order to educate the students in national need areas of the food and agricultural sciences, or in rural economic, community, and business development;

3. To facilitate cooperative initiatives between two or more eligible institutions, or between eligible institutions and units of State government or organizations in the private sector, to maximize the development and use of resources such as faculty, facilities, and equipment to improve food and agricultural sciences teaching programs, or teaching programs emphasizing rural economic, community, and business development;

4. To design and implement food and agricultural programs, or programs emphasizing rural economic, community, and business development, to build teaching, research, and extension capacity at colleges and universities having significant minority enrollments;

5. To conduct undergraduate scholarship programs to meet national and international needs for training food and agricultural scientists and professionals, or professionals in rural economic, community, and business development; and

6. To increase the number and diversity of students who will pursue and complete a https://nifa.usda.gov/sites/default/files/resource/nar77.pdf https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(title:7%20section:3121%20edition:prelim)%20OR%20(granuleid:USC-prelim-title7-section3121)&f=treesort&edition=prelim&num=0&jumpTo=true https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(title%3A7%20section%3A3152%20edition%3Aprelim)%20OR%20(granuleid%3AUSC-prelim-title7-section3152)&f=treesort&edition=prelim&num=0&jumpTo=true https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(title%3A7%20section%3A3152%20edition%3Aprelim)%20OR%20(granuleid%3AUSC-prelim-title7-section3152)&f=treesort&edition=prelim&num=0&jumpTo=true postsecondary degree in the food and agricultural sciences.

7. To enhance the quality of instruction for baccalaureate degrees, master’s degrees, and first professional degrees in veterinary sciences, in order to help meet current and future workforce needs in the food and agricultural sciences.

8. To conduct graduate and postdoctoral fellowship programs to attract highly promising individuals to research or teaching careers in the food and agricultural sciences.

HEC is a NIFA-administered competitive grants program focused on improving formal, baccalaureate, or master’s degree level food and agricultural sciences education, and first professional degree-level education in veterinary medicine (DVM). HEC projects provide funding to eligible applicants to help ensure a competent, qualified, and diverse workforce will exist to serve the food and agricultural sciences system. At the same time, HEC-funded projects improve the economic health and viability of communities through the development of degree programs emphasizing new and emerging employment opportunities. Finally, HEC projects address the national challenge to increase the number and diversity of students entering the food and agricultural sciences (i.e., having a food and agricultural sciences workforce representative of the nation’s population).

The HEC projects are expected to: (a) produce measurable impacts aligned with HEC program goals, (b) promote innovative, educational practices within the food and agricultural sciences that improve how students learn, and (c) include a rigorous evaluation component to assess that project outcomes are met. Institutions must demonstrate capacity for, and a significant ongoing commitment to, the teaching of food, agricultural and human sciences generally, and to the specific need and/or discipline(s) for which a grant is requested. Projects should encourage academic institutions, in partnership with organizations and employers, to work collectively to identify and address a state or regional challenge or opportunity facing the food and agricultural sciences education and workforce community. Additionally, projects should encourage broad participation of students traditionally underrepresented in the food and agricultural sciences. An application must convince a peer panel of a compelling educational challenge; clearly indicate how the methodology is both unique and with merit; offer significant promise of adoption by others; and include a plan for how the project impacts will be sustained once grant funds end.

The HEC program is aligned with the following USDA Strategic Goal #2: Ensure America’s Agricultural System is Equitable, Resilient, and Prosperous; Objective 2.3: Foster Agricultural Innovation. The USDA Strategic Plan found at https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/usda-fy-2022-2026-strategic-plan.pdf.

Traditional ecological knowledge is considered an acceptable topic of research, education, and extension for projects funded by this RFA, in pursuit of the aforementioned priorities, goals, and objectives.

NIFA welcomes (but does not require) applicants to work with the Extension Foundation for the development and delivery of content for the public and for Extension professionals nationwide through Connect Extension, or a National Cooperative Extension Project website. NIFA encourages virtual education and extension techniques that broaden the reach and access to audiences in its integrated projects.

https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/usda-fy-2022-2026-strategic-plan.pdf https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fextension.org%2F&data=04%7C01%7C%7Ca20ab3b70b594250729308d9b8d16d39%7Ced5b36e701ee4ebc867ee03cfa0d4697%7C0%7C0%7C637744031880128218%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&sdata=O1FPITwYnPL9bUoa6KlWT3HGCAodXoe4WabAWYMPwUs%3D&reserved=0 https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fconnect.extension.org%2F&data=04%7C01%7C%7Ca20ab3b70b594250729308d9b8d16d39%7Ced5b36e701ee4ebc867ee03cfa0d4697%7C0%7C0%7C637744031880128218%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&sdata=BvJWf0GqWsEOZBxeTIFyE0pVGEuxR95tkXzOccIQKeA%3D&reserved=0 https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fextension.org%2Fnational-cooperative-extension-projects%2F&data=04%7C01%7C%7Ca20ab3b70b594250729308d9b8d16d39%7Ced5b36e701ee4ebc867ee03cfa0d4697%7C0%7C0%7C637744031880128218%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&sdata=%2BNLyg2ocosC8NESorX3VwJSeDDNnw9IturIgC2JMlNk%3D&reserved=0

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

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

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

Leadership Skills Development. The development of leadership skills, knowledge, and qualities are necessary to prepare students for agricultural and related careers in the private sector, government, and academia. HEC teaching applications must demonstrably incorporate a leadership development component to equip students with technical and leadership abilities upon graduation. Specific activities may include:

1. Developing practical applications to increase understanding of leadership roles, including critical thinking, problem solving, and communication skills; ethics and professionalism;

and working in teams.

2. Connecting the academic classroom experience with daily leadership roles and organizational activities.

3. Providing opportunities for mentoring and shadowing; and

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

For a program informational webinar please visit the NIFA calendar for dates, event registration, and link.

Social and Behavioral Sciences. HEC supports social and behavioral science disciplines.

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

https://nifa.usda.gov/calendar

Table 2: Program Key Information Title Description

Program Code: ER Program Code Name: Higher Education Challenge Grants Program (CGP)

CFDA Number 10.217 Project Type: Education/Teaching Grant Type: Planning Activity; Standard Grant; Collaborative Grant Type 1

(CG1); Collaborative Grant Type 2 (CG2) Application Deadline FY 2022: June 6, 2022

FY 2023: April 18, 2023 Grant Duration: Planning Activity – Up to 36 months; Standard – 36 to 48 months; Collaborative 1 (CG1) – 36 to 48 months;

Collaborative 2 (CG2) – 36 to 48 months

Anticipated # of Awards: 2 total grants for Planning Activity, Standard, and Collaborative (CG1); 2 Collaborative 2 Grant (CG2), and 1 other HEC grant type

Maximum Award Amount: Planning Activity – Approx. $30,000; Standard – Approx.

$150,000; Collaborative 1 (CG1) – Approx. $300,000;

Collaborative 2 (CG2) – Approx.$750,000

Additional information:

1. The total number of grants awarded by this grant program will depend on the number and type of meritorious applications submitted in response to this notice. There is no predetermined number of proposals that may be awarded in any grant cycle.

2. Based on the project scope and budget of all applications selected for awards, the actual, individual grant amounts awarded by NIFA under this grants program may differ from the funds requested by the applicant. In such cases, revised budgets and revised plans of work may be required by NIFA before an award is made.

3. There is no limit on the number of applications that may be submitted by an applicant institution. However, a successful applicant institution/organization will only be awarded a maximum of two grants per year under this program. No more than one CG2 grant will be awarded to an institution/organization in any one, annual HEC grants program competition, and generally, an individual academic (or other) unit (a college, school of agriculture, etc.) within the institution/organization may only have one active, CG2 grant in effect at any time.

4. There are no limits on the total grant program funds that may be awarded to any one institution/organization in successive years of this competition. Successful award recipients may apply for additional awards in subsequent years either as a lead applicant or collaborator.

Projects must primarily focus on baccalaureate, masters, or DVM level education. However, a project may also include an ancillary, target impact on either secondary, or two-year postsecondary students. Projects with a primary target audience of K-14 students or teachers should consider the Secondary Education, Two-Year Postsecondary Education and Agriculture in the K-12 Classroom (SPECA) Grants Program offered through NIFA.

PART II. AWARD INFORMATION

A. Available Funding The anticipated amount available for HEC/Higher Education Challenge Grant Program in FY 2022 is $4,500,000. The anticipated amount available for HEC/Higher Education Challenge Grants Program in FY 2023 is $4,500,000. 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 application types (Applications for FY 2023 will likely be similarly limited):

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

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

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

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

1. Project Types. Applicants must propose Education/Teaching Projects An education or teaching project must develop human capital in order to help meet current and future national food and agricultural sciences workplace needs.

HEC projects must focus on one or more of the Need Areas listed below. Please note that at least one of these Need Areas must be indicated on the Project Summary (See Part IV, B.). Need Areas for FY 2022 are defined below (At this time, need areas for FY 2023 are expected to be similar):

Educational Need Areas:

Projects must engage more than a single course or an individual instructor when addressing at least one of the three Educational Need Areas listed below. The rationale for selecting the Educational Need Area(s) must be explained in the context of how the project can contribute to the development of a cadre of students who will either pursue higher degrees in the food and agricultural sciences or be prepared to enter the food and agricultural sciences workforce.

Educational Need Areas are as follows:

a. Curriculum Development, Instructional Delivery Systems and Expanding Student

Career Opportunities:

Projects should promote new and improved curricula and materials to increase the quality of, and continuously renew, the nation's academic programs in the food and https://www.fiscal.treasury.gov/fsservices/gov/pmt/asap/asap_home.htm agricultural sciences. Additionally, projects should stimulate the development, and facilitate the use, of exemplary education models and materials that incorporate the most recent advances in subject matter research, research on teaching and learning theory, and instructional technology.

Examples of eligible projects in this Need Area include:

i. Development of courses of study, degree programs, and instructional materials;

ii. Use of new approaches to the study of traditional subjects;

iii. Introduction of new subjects, or new applications of knowledge, pertaining to the food and agricultural sciences;

iv. Hands-on learning experiences and methods to extend learning beyond the classroom and provide students with opportunities to solve complex problems in the context of real-world situations; or

v. Opportunities for students to complete apprenticeships, internships, career mentoring experiences, or other participatory learning experiences.

Projects are to develop students’ analytical, interpersonal, leadership, communications, problem-solving, computational, and decision-making skills and abilities. Projects that focus on integrated, multidisciplinary, learner-centered instruction should be considered. Furthermore, projects are expected to reach large audiences efficiently and effectively; reinforce recent research on how to motivate students to learn, retain, apply, and transfer knowledge, skills, and competencies; and integrate and synthesize knowledge from several disciplines.

b. Faculty Preparation and Enhancement for Teaching:

Projects should advance faculty development in the areas of teaching competency, subject matter expertise, pedagogy, responsiveness to changes in student demographic composition and learning styles, and student recruitment and advising skills. Training of faculty must be relevant to the identified educational needs of students. Any individual recipient of federal funds must be an "eligible participant" as defined in the definitions section of this RFA (Appendix III).

Examples of eligible projects in this Need Area include activities that enable teaching faculty to:

i. Develop a self-sustaining model for faculty professional development that better prepares new faculty for teaching careers, or provides retraining for experienced faculty;

ii. Gain experience with recent developments or innovative technology relevant to their teaching responsibilities;

iii. Work with scientists or professionals in government, industry, or other colleges or universities to learn new applications in a field;

iv. Expand competence with new methods of information delivery;

v. Create assessments that document student learning outcomes or that identify conceptual areas or skills particularly challenging to students, followed by appropriate changes in instructional approaches to effectively address these issues;

or

vi. Increase utilization of teaching methods that address the special needs of non-traditional students or students from groups that are underrepresented in the food and agricultural sciences workforce.

2. Grant Types. Applicants must select the appropriate grant type from below:

Planning Activity:

Planning Activity Grants support meetings that bring together food and agricultural educators to identify education/teaching needs, update information, or advance an area of education/teaching. Support for a limited number of meetings covering subject matter encompassed by this solicitation will be considered for partial or, if modest, total support.

Individual planning activity grants must not exceed $30,000 for up to three years and are not renewable. Indirect costs are not permitted on Planning Activity grant awards.

Planning Activity Grants may be used to facilitate strategic planning session(s) required of faculty, industry, professional association, community leaders, or other necessary participants for the specific purpose of developing a formal plan leading to a subsequent submission of a Collaborative Grant as described herein. A Planning Activity grant application may not be submitted in the same year for which a Collaborative Grant application for the same project is also submitted.

Standard Grant:

Standard Grants support targeted original education/teaching projects. An eligible, individual institution, independent branch campus, or branch institution of a State system may submit a grant application for project activities to be undertaken principally on behalf of its own students or faculty, and to be managed primarily by its own personnel.

The applicant executes the project without the requirement of sharing grant funds with other project partners. Applicants may request up to $150,000 (total, not per year) for a Standard Grant application.

Collaborative Grants:

Collaborative Grants support projects with at least one additional partner or a multi-partner approach to enhance education/teaching programs. Collaborative Grants should build linkages to generate a critical mass of expertise, skill, and technology to address education/teaching programs related to the food and agricultural sciences. Grants can reduce duplication of efforts and/or build capacity and should be organized and led by a strong applicant with documented project management knowledge and skills to organize and carry out the initiative.

Collaborative Grant Type 1 (CG1) (Applicant + One Partner): Applicants may request up to $300,000 (total, not per year) for a CG1 project. In this type of project, the applicant executes the project with assistance from one additional partner. The partners must share grant funds. Specifically, the applicant institution will transfer at least one- half of the awarded funds to the other institution participating in the project.

Collaborative Grant Type 2 (CG2) (Applicant + Two or more Partners): Applicants may request up to $750,000 (total, not per year) for a CG2 project. The applicant executes the project with assistance from at least two additional partners. The additional partners must share grant funds. The applicant institution/organization submitting a CG2 proposal must retain at least 30 per cent, but not more than 70 percent of the awarded funds and no cooperating entity may receive less than 10 percent of awarded funds. A CG2 project differs from a CG1 in project scope and impact. CG2 projects must support a multi-partner approach to solving a major state or regional challenge in food and agricultural sciences education at the baccalaureate, masters or DVM level. CG2 projects are characterized by multiple partners (each providing a specific expertise) organized and led by a strong applicant with documented project management knowledge and skills to organize and carry out the initiative.

Reported impacts of CG2 projects must include (but are not limited to) the following:

a. Assessment of significant progress toward addressing the national challenge of increasing the number and diversity of food and agricultural sciences baccalaureate or higher degree graduates, while addressing the specific state or regional opportunity defined in the grant application;

b. Documented enhanced retention rates of students in food and agricultural majors exposed to CG2 Project activities;

c. A comprehensive project evaluation, using the indicators and methods defined in this

RFA, that informs the baccalaureate, masters or DVM food and agricultural sciences community and others about the effectiveness of this CG2 Project through the dissemination of results via publications, blogs, conferences/meetings, etc.;

d. A description of completed or ongoing activities supported by this CG2 Project accompanied with a description of those same activities that will be sustained once grant funds end; and

e. A description of any related activities expected to occur as an outgrowth of this funded project.

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 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=3f96ab05cf1fc2d2713e5e46755e7696&mc=true&node=pt2.1.422&rgn=div5#se2.1.422_12 documentation to support the conduct of the training. See Responsible and Ethical Conduct of Research for further information.

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

PART III. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

A. Eligibility Requirements Applicants for the Higher Education Challenge Grant Program (HEC) must meet all the requirements discussed in this RFA. Failure to meet the eligibility criteria by the application deadline may result in exclusion from consideration or, preclude NIFA from making an award.

For those new to Federal financial assistance, NIFA’s Grants Overview provides highly recommended information about grants and other resources to help understand the Federal awards process.

Applications may be submitted by:

1. U.S. public or private nonprofit colleges and universities offering a baccalaureate or first professional degree in at least one discipline or area of the food and agricultural sciences;

2. land-grant colleges and universities, (including land-grant institutions in the Insular Areas);

3. colleges and universities having significant minority enrollments and a demonstrable capacity to carry out the teaching of food and agricultural sciences; and

4. other colleges and universities having a demonstrable capacity to carry out the teaching of food and agricultural sciences.

An applicant also must meet the definition of an Eligible Institution/Organization as stated in this RFA (see Appendix III). For the purposes of this program, the individual branches of a state university or other system of higher education that are separately accredited as degree-granting institutions are treated as separate institutions and are therefore eligible for HEC awards.

Separate branches or campuses of a college or university that are not individually accredited as degree-granting institutions are not treated as separate institutions. An institution eligible to receive an award under this program includes a research foundation maintained by an eligible college or university. Accreditation must be by an agency or association recognized by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education.

United States citizenship is not required of faculty that wish to serve as PD, co-PD, or key personnel on a HEC grant. Any individual (eligible participant) receiving Federal funds (for developmental activities) must be a citizen or national of the United States, as defined in this RFA (see Appendix III). Failure to meet an eligibility criterion by the time of application deadline may result in the application being excluded from consideration or, even though an application may be reviewed, will preclude NIFA from making an award.

The following applies to CG1 and CG2 applicants only: The applicant institution must meet the definition of “eligible institution” as specified in §3405.2(i); the other institutions participating in a CG1 and CG2 project proposals are not required to meet the definition of “eligible institution” as specified in §3405.2(i), nor required to meet the definition of “college” or “university” as specified in §3405.2(f).

Award recipients may subcontract to organizations not eligible to apply, provided such organizations are necessary for the conduct of the project. 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 https://nifa.usda.gov/resource/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 additional information or clarification please contact the NIFA contact identified in this RFA.

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 Higher Education Challenge Grant Program (HEC) has NO matching requirement. NIFA will not factor matching resources into the review process as an evaluation criterion.

PART IV. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION

A. Method of Application Applicants must apply to this RFA electronically; no other method or response is accepted. The electronic application for this RFA and additional resources are available on Grants.gov and Grants 101. Table 3 provides instructions on how to obtain an electronic application. Part III of the NIFA Grants Application Guide contains detailed information regarding the Grants.gov registration process. The NIFA Grants Application Guide is contained in the specific funding opportunity package or a sample of the guide can be found here. When applying for a NIFA award, it is important to reference the version of the guide that is included in the specific funding opportunity application package.

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-CGP-009106 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 iPortalgrantapplicationquestions@usda.gov 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 https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/learn-grants/grants-101/pre-award-phase.html/ https://www.grants.gov/ https://nifa.usda.gov/resource/nifa-grantsgov-application-guide 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://grants-portal.psc.gov/Welcome.aspx?pt=Grants mailto:grantapplicationquestions@usda.gov 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://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/snow-dismissal-procedures/federal-holidays/ https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/opportunities/instructions/PKG00249520-instructions.pdf being excluded from NIFA’s review. NIFA will assign a proposal number to all applications that 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 receive correspondence from NIFA regarding an application within 30 days of the application deadline.

N/A

SF 424 R&R Cover Sheet. See Part V 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.

1. Field 7. Project Summary (PS)/Abstract. The PS must show how the project goals align with the project goals of the Higher Education Challenge Grant Program (HEC). The PS is limited to 250 words. A PS that exceeds this limit will not be considered for review.

See Part V of the Application Guide for instructions and suggested templates.

2. Field 8. Project Narrative (PN). The PN must not exceed 20 double-spaced pages of written text (12 font) and up to 5 double-spaced additional pages for figures and tables (the font size for tables should be no smaller than 11 points, Times New Roman). Figures and tables may come after the 20 pages of text, or be intertwined with the text (but they must not exceed 5 pages). The page limits outlined here ensure fair and equitable competition. Appendices to the PN are allowed if these are directly germane to the proposed project. Do not add appendices to circumvent the https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/support.html page limit. The PN must include all the following:

Response to Previous Review This requirement only applies to resubmitted applications as described in II, B. The Project Narrative attachment is to include two components: 1) a one-page response to the previous review (containing the previous proposal number in the first line) titled “Response to Previous Review” as the first page of the attachment and 2) the 25-page Project Narrative, as required (see Part IV, B. above).

The one-page “Response to Previous Review” does not count against the 25-page limit of the Project Narrative. In resubmitted applications, the response to previous review should come before the narrative cover page (which is discussed below).

The narrative cover page (first page of the Project Narrative) must include the information below and will not count towards the page limit of the Project Narrative:

a. Project Title;

b. Project Director (and any) Co-Project Director(s) (include institutional affiliation for each);

c. Educational Need Area: (Part II, C.);

d. Projected number of students or faculty to be served by the project during the project period (i.e., using a new curriculum, instructional delivery system, student career opportunity; benefitting from a partnership between institutions; etc.);

e. Primary Discipline Code/Academic Discipline: (Select one from the list below);

f. Grant Type: Planning Activity, Standard, CG1, or CG2. (See ‘Definitions’, Appendix III);

g. Total Funds Requested: (List total Federal funds requested for this application. If this project is a CG1 Or CG2 Project Proposal, also list each partner’s total funds requested next to the institution/organization’s name); and

h. Partners: If CG1 or CG2 Project Proposal, list all partner institutions/organizations that will share grant funding

i. Data management plan (DMP);

j. Response to previous review: The response to previous review must not exceed one double-spaced page. This does not count towards the page limit for the PN.

Prepare the application using a standard size (8 1/2” x 11”) page, one-inch margins, no type smaller than 12-point font, and double line spacing. Use an easily readable font face (e.g., Arial, Times New Roman). Information may not be appended to an application to circumvent page limitations prescribed for the Project Narrative.

In new applications, the narrative cover page should come before the table of contents. In resubmitted applications, please use this order: 1) response to previous review, 2) narrative cover page, 3) table of contents.

The Project Narrative must include all the following:

1. Potential for Advancing the Quality of Education; Significance of the Problem

a. Identification of Educational Problem and Project Impact: Briefly state: (1) the specific instructional problem/challenge (or opportunity) to be addressed; (2) the anticipated project audience; and (3) the project’s target objectives (what change in education is proposed?) and its anticipated, overall impact on improving the quality of food and agricultural sciences education.

b. Project Justification: Summarize the body of knowledge justifying the need for the proposed project. Discuss how the project’s Educational Need Area (Part II, C.) will be of value at the state, regional, national, or international level(s). Where applicable, explain how it will improve the food and agricultural science capabilities of students.

Describe any previously funded projects that are ongoing or recently completed that are related to the proposed project.

c. Institutional long-range Goals: Explain how the project will help satisfy the institution/organization's high-priority objectives, or how the project is linked to and supported by the institution/organization's strategic plan.

d. Innovation: Describe the proposal’s creative approach to improving the quality of food and agricultural sciences education, solving an educational problem, or promoting programs that advance equal opportunity for all students. Support your choice, with actual experiences or literature.

e. Multidisciplinary and/or Problem-based Focus: Indicate how the project is relevant to multiple disciplines in food and agricultural sciences education and how the project will enhance students’ understanding of complex agricultural systems. Also, discuss whether the project may be adapted by or serve as a model for other institutions.

2. Proposed Approach and Cooperative Linkages

a. Plan of Operation and Methodology: Describe procedures for accomplishing the objectives of the project. Describe plans for management of the project to ensure its proper and efficient administration. Describe the way in which resources and personnel will be used to conduct the project.

b. Timetable: Identify all important project milestones (performance targets that indicate when project goals will be met) and dates as they relate to project start-up, execution, evaluation, dissemination, and closeout.

c. Evaluation Plans: State the methodologies to be used in assessing the accomplishment of stated products, results, and measurable impacts from the project. Discuss the strategies and metrics for evaluating progress toward meeting the two HEC goals from Part I, B. Describe any data to be collected and analyzed. Demonstrate how the project will improve education. This section must clearly indicate how you plan to measure impacts. This is optional for Planning Activity grant applications. The following guidance will assist you with developing your evaluation plan:

i. The evaluation may also include assessment of other outcomes, particularly if the project aims to change organizational structures, create cost- efficiencies, or achieve other ends. Explain the data gathering procedures that will be used to monitor and assess progress toward intended project goals. When describing the measurement instruments, you plan to use (surveys, interviews, focus groups, assessments of e-portfolios or capstone projects, measures of class performance, scores on standardized tests, cost- benefit analyses, etc.), be sure to mention why these are appropriate to gauging success.

ii. The evaluation plan section should make a convincing case to reviewers that at the conclusion of the grant, the grantee could report the extent to which learning and engagement outcomes, professional development goals, and/or organizational outcomes have been achieved. Reviewers will be looking for evidence that the applicant thought about how to measure both successes and failures and what adjustments could be made to enhance program outcomes in the future. Collection of this evidence is critical to achieving HEC’s goal of making data about educational improvements and innovation available to the education community.

iii. The project budget should contain funding to either hire an outside project evaluator, or to present convincing evidence that an appropriate evaluator is already on staff and available to provide assistance with assessment and evaluation throughout the life of the project. As a guide, up to 10 percent of grant funds may be used to support this purpose. Be mindful if you chose this option to avoid conflicts of interest.

d. Dissemination Plans: The application must document how project accomplishments (products, results, and impacts, etc.) will be published or otherwise disseminated to the broadest extent throughout the academic community. This may include educational journals or other professional discipline publications, and presentations at regional or national conferences and workshops, including the HEC Project Directors’ Meeting.

Discuss the institution/organization’s commitment to disseminate project results and products and the potential for institutionalization. Identify target audiences and explain methods of communication. This is optional for Planning Activity grant applications.

e. Partnerships and Collaborative Efforts: Explain how the project will maximize partnership and collaborative efforts to strengthen food and agricultural sciences education (e.g., involvement of faculty in related disciplines at the same institution, CG1 or CG2 projects with other educational institution/organizations, or cooperative activities with business or industry). Provide evidence, via letters from the parties involved in the partnership or collaborative arrangement.

f. Potential Pitfalls, Limitations, and Alternatives (if applicable): Identify and explain any potential challenges that might impede progress during the duration of the project.

Additionally, describe any potential strategies or alternatives that might be implemented to address such challenges. This section is optional for all applications and therefore, it will not count against the applicant during the evaluation process.

3. Institutional Capability and Capacity Building

a. Institutional/organizational Commitment and Capability: Demonstrate that the program administration is committed to this project and has the capability to ensure its completion.

b. Institutional/organizational Resources: Document the necessary institutional/organizational resources (administrative, facilities, equipment, and/or materials), and other appropriate resources, that will be made available to the project.

Demonstrate how these resources, when combined with the support requested from USDA, will be adequate to carry out the activities of the project.

c. Academic Enhancement: Document how this project will improve and strengthen teaching at the institution (including any partner institutions/organizations). Include how any project performance target(s) identified above (2.b., Timetable) will be incorporated into academic instruction at the institution. Discuss how the benefits to be derived from the project will transcend the applicant institution/organization or the grant period.

d. Continuation Plans: Discuss the likelihood of, or specific plans for, continuation or expansion of the project beyond the period of USDA support. Describe how the institutions/organization's long-range budget or academic plan provides for the realistic continuation or expansion of the initiative undertaken by this project after the grant period ends. Explain the plans for eventual self-support built into the project, and the plans to institutionalize the program if it is successful. Describe any indications of other continuing non-federal support.