FY24-ORG-RFA-P.pdf

REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS

Integrated Research, Education, and Extension

Competitive Grants Program – Organic Transitions

FUNDING YEAR: Fiscal Year (FY) 2024

APPLICATION DEADLINE: FY2024 March 7, 2024 FY2025 March 6, 2025

ANTICIPATED FUNDING: FY2024 $7,500,000

FY2025 $7,500,000

AVERAGE AWARD RANGE: $20,000 – $1,000,000

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY NUMBER: USDA-NIFA-ICGP-010290

ASSISTANCE LISTING NUMBER: 10.303

LETTER OF INTENT DEADLINE: N/A

INITIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

National Institute of Food and Agriculture United States Department of Agriculture

Assistance Listing Number (ALN): The Integrated Research, Education, and Extension Competitive Grants Program – Organic Transitions (ORG) is listed in the Assistance Listings under number 10.303.

1. Key Dates and Deadlines

• Application Deadline: 5:00 P.M. Eastern Time, March 7, 2024, and March 6, 2025

• Letter of Intent: Not Applicable

• Applicants Comments Deadline: 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 (DEIA). National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) recognizes research, education, and extension efforts will have the greatest impacts when programs are grounded in DEIA. 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. NIFA seeks comments on all Request for Applications (RFA) 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 uses 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. Please use the following subject line: Response to the ORG RFA.

Centers of Excellence. Applicants are encouraged to visit the NIFA’s Centers of Excellence (COE) web page for information on the 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://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

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

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

This RFA is being released prior to the passage of a full appropriations act for FY 2024 and FY 2025. Enactment of a continuing resolution, appropriations act, or other authorizing legislation may affect the availability or level of funding for this program.

NIFA requests applications for the Integrated Research, Education, and Extension Competitive Grants Program – ORG for FY 2024 and 2025 funding cycles, to solve critical organic agriculture issues, priorities, or problems. Applicants considering applying should check the Organic Transitions Web Page to access the RFA and check for updates. The amount available for grants in FY 2024 and 2025 is approximately $7,500,000 each fiscal year.

Starting in 2024, all applications are required to address: i) The relevance to organic agriculture stakeholder needs and ii) The USDA organic certification status of the fields or facilities to be used for the research.

https://www.nifa.usda.gov/grants/funding-opportunities/integrated-research-education-extension-competitive-grants-program-0

TABLE OF CONTENTS

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

TABLE OF CONTENTS

KEY INFORMATION

PART I. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

A. Legislative Authority B. Purpose and Priorities C. Priority Areas for FY 2024:

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 B. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

PART VII. OTHER INFORMATION

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

APPENDIX I: AGENCY CONTACT

APPENDIX II: GLOSSARY OF TERMS

APPENDIX III: DEFINITIONS

KEY INFORMATION

1. Key Dates and Deadlines 2: Program Key Information

3. Steps to Obtain Application Materials

4. Help and Resources

5. Key Application Instructions

PART I. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

A. Legislative Authority The Integrated Research, Education, and Extension Competitive Grants Program – Organic Transitions (ORG), authorized under Section 406 of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7626), enables the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a competitive grants program that provides funding for integrated, multifunctional agricultural research, extension, and education activities.

The RFA will be developed every two fiscal years based on these established priorities and approaches to solving critical agricultural issues.

B. Purpose and Priorities

The overall goal of the ORG program is to support the development and implementation of research, extension, and higher education programs to improve the competitiveness of U.S.

organic livestock and crop producers, as well as those who are adopting organic practices.

1. Subject to the availability of appropriations to carry out this program, the Secretary may award grants to colleges and universities [as defined by section 1404 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (NARETPA) (7 U.S.C. 3103)], as amended, on a competitive basis for projects that address priorities in United States agriculture and involve integrated research, education, and extension activities, as determined by the Secretary in consultation with the National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and Economics Advisory Board (NAREEEAB).

2. One of the primary goals and objectives of the ORG program is to address practices and systems particularly associated with organic crops, organic animal production, and organic systems that integrate crop and animal production.

3. ORG strongly encourages applicants to develop partnerships that include collaboration with small- or mid-sized, accredited colleges and universities; 1890 Land-Grant Institutions, 1994 Land-Grant Institutions, Hispanic-serving institutions, and/or other institutions that serve high-risk, under-served, or hard-to-reach audiences as well as Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) that are engaged in organic agriculture research, education, and outreach.

4. International partnerships, linkages, and exchanges that contribute to solving or solve critical organic agriculture issues, priorities, or problems in the United States are also welcome.

5. Applications are expected to contain descriptions of stakeholder involvement in the research process from problem identification, planning, implementation, transfer of knowledge and technology, and evaluation. Applicants are strongly encouraged to assemble project teams that include those with expertise in research, education, extension, and evaluation, and to utilize a systems approach. Projects should plan to deliver applied production information to producers, students, or their information providers, such as extension agents/educators, agricultural consultants and other service providers, or college teaching faculty.

6. Organic agricultural systems and practices provide many ecosystem services, and natural resources stewardship is a key principle in organic farming. For example, the https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=7+U.S.C.+7626&f=treesort&fq=true&num=3&hl=true&edition=prelim&granuleId=USC-prelim-title7-section7626 https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(title:7%20section:3103%20edition:prelim)%20OR%20(granuleid:USC-prelim-title7-section3103)&f=treesort&edition=prelim&num=0&jumpTo=true https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(title:7%20section:3103%20edition:prelim)%20OR%20(granuleid:USC-prelim-title7-section3103)&f=treesort&edition=prelim&num=0&jumpTo=true use of cover crops, crop rotations, and erosion control measures; proper manure management practices; and humane livestock operation guidelines are cross-compliant with many Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) practice standards. How specific practices and combinations of practices interact in organic systems—including their contributions to conservation outcomes and climate change mitigation and adaptation potential—is neither well documented nor understood, especially in the case of long-term soil management under organic production conditions.

7. The most meaningful metrics or models to quantify these services in organic systems are also not clear. A better understanding is needed, and documentation of these outcomes will allow for the adjustment of organic practices to optimize ecosystem services and to quantify and document those services in the areas of conservation practices, pollinator health, and climate adaptation, including the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. This information will help farmers better assess the financial benefits and costs of their practices and improve their ability to qualify effects for current and possible future incentives in conservation program payments and climate change markets, and sustainability labeling premiums. This process will also help justify consumer expectations that organically grown and certified food, feed, fiber, or other value-added organic products are produced using the most environmentally sound and sustainable production practices possible.

8. To be successful, organic agriculture also needs to contribute toward essential ecosystem processes and components, such as biodiversity. This requires better understanding and assessment of the contribution of organic agricultural systems to maintain biodiversity. However, for organic agriculture to provide these ecosystem benefits, producers need economically viable crop and livestock management tools. The National Organic Program (NOP) maintains a list of management tools for certified organic producers. Recommendation for removal of certain tools from the NOP also creates the need for research-based alternatives.

9. The NOP has specifically requested research directed to finding replacements for listed prohibited substances that are critical for many segments of the industry - for producers already certified for organic production to those in transition or considering transition. 7 CFR Part 205 defines the National Organic Program and lists the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances (see National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances).

10. The National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) maintains a list of research priorities that is updated annually. The NOSB Research priorities can be accessed here:

https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/MSDDResearchPriorities.pdf

11. Research findings will not have their intended impact on the organic agriculture industry unless they reach and are adopted by producers. Effective extension or other outreach efforts are required. Because few extension tools and other information resources are available to organic farmers and ranchers, producers and their advisors have cited the need for these to help guide transitioning during this critical period.

12. Projects that use indigenous traditional ecological knowledge are appropriate for this program.

C. Priority Areas for FY 2024:

Proposals consistent with the Legislative Authority (see Part I, A of this RFA) will be accepted https://www.ams.usda.gov/about-ams/programs-offices/national-organic-program https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-7/subtitle-B/chapter-I/subchapter-M/part-205 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-7/subtitle-B/chapter-I/subchapter-M/part-205 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-7/subtitle-B/chapter-I/subchapter-M/part-205/subpart-G/subject-group-ECFR0ebc5d139b750cd https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-7/subtitle-B/chapter-I/subchapter-M/part-205/subpart-G/subject-group-ECFR0ebc5d139b750cd https://www.ams.usda.gov/rules-regulations/organic/nosb https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/MSDDResearchPriorities.pdf for the competitive peer review process involving an external panel of experts. NIFA is soliciting applications for ORG in the following areas (not listed in order of importance):

1. Priority 1: Document and understand the effects of organic practices on soil health and fertility; greenhouse gas mitigation; enhanced biodiversity; and understanding of weeds, pests and diseases dynamics for better management to help systems adapt to climate change, build resilience of the organic farming system, protect water and other resources, and provide other ecosystem services. These practices include but are not limited to crop rotation; livestock feeding and management; livestock-crop system integration; organic manure, mulch, and/or compost additions; cover crops; and reduced or conservation tillage.

2. Priority 2: Develop improved technologies, methods, models, and metrics to document, describe, and optimize the ecosystem services and the climate change adaptation and mitigation ability of organic crop, livestock, and integrated crop-livestock production systems.

3. Priority 3: Develop cultural practices and other allowable alternatives to substances recommended for removal from NOP’s National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances. This may include effective substitutes or new technologies, cultural practices, cultivars, or breeds that render the NOP-cited substance in question less limiting to production under organic standards. Studies of alternatives should include evaluation of efficacy based on resulting productivity, profitability, climate change adaptation, and natural resources stewardship effects. We encourage a sustainable whole-systems approach but will also consider proposals that are narrower in scope.

4. Priority 4: Overcome barriers to organic transition. Projects under this priority should address major barriers that limit the transition to organic agriculture in a specific region, crop, or animal production system and develop practical information and tools for producer use. These can include, but are not limited to, production challenges during the transition period, local and regional infrastructure constraints, marketplace challenges, disruptive conditions like the COVID-19 pandemic, and administrative or policy barriers. Any constraint must be acknowledged by growers and other stakeholders. Proposals to improve organic animal or crop production management strategies and production systems should be submitted to the Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative (OREI). Lobbying and advocacy activities are not allowed.

Important Notes for All Priorities:

1. All fieldwork on organic practices must be done on USDA certified organic land and/or in USDA certified organic facilities. Refer to the USDA National Organic Program for organic production standards. However, as appropriate to project objectives, comparisons can include land and facilities in transition to organic certification and land not managed using organic practices. If the entire project is hosted by operations whose gross income from organic sales totals $5,000 or less, the certification requirement might be waived. A request for wavier, with justification, should be included in the proposal. If land or facilities in transition are to be used, documentation should be provided from the certifying agent confirming a transition plan has been developed and is in progress. In addition, the use of conventional https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-7/section-205.600 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-7/section-205.600 https://www.ams.usda.gov/about-ams/programs-offices/national-organic-program https://www.ams.usda.gov/about-ams/programs-offices/national-organic-program production technologies (including the use of Genetically Modified Organisms or GMOs) for comparative purposes or proof of concept is permissible, if cross-contamination with the organic and transitional treatments is prevented.

2. Projects must use combinations of research plus education and/or extension activities and describe expected outcomes and impacts. A hybrid of hands on and virtual Cooperative Extension techniques that increase the impact, reach and diversity of integrated projects are encouraged.

3. Topics that are relevant to small or minority farmers (e.g., scale neutral and affordable technologies, crops, and farm animals most used by ethnic minorities, culturally compatible food systems, etc.) are encouraged.

4. All projects must develop and implement an evaluation plan that captures project outcomes and demonstrates the impact of the project. The evaluation section must describe how the project evaluator or evaluation team will determine whether project goals have been met and their impacts. Evaluation must be based on benchmarks, indicators, or expected outcomes related to project goals and activities.

5. Project goals are expected to be related to immediate, short-term, and intermediate term expected changes that result from the project activities and measured outputs, outcomes, and impacts. The budget must include adequate resources for project evaluation, and evaluation procedures must be adequately described in the methods section.

6. Studies designed to compare organic production systems with conventional production systems are not appropriate for this RFA. Those applications could be submitted to other NIFA programs, where appropriate. Please check the NIFA website for additional funding opportunities including the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI), Specialty Crops Research Initiative (SCRI), or Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE).

7. When working with growers and/or processors, sufficient funds should be requested and allocated for their compensation. These funds could include but are not limited to participation at project meetings, hosting of project activities, compensation for certified land or facility use, and compensation for crop destruction or sampling.

Applicants must not submit proposals with significant overlap in objectives and scope to both ORG and OREI programs. If proposals with significant overlap are submitted to both ORG and OREI, both proposals will be rejected. Additional information on the scope of OREI and ORG is available at NIFA Organic Agriculture under: “Program Specific Resources.”

The ORG program is aligned with the following:

USDA Strategic Plan FY 2022-2026 goals:

https://www.nifa.usda.gov/grants/programs/agriculture-food-research-initiative-afri https://www.nifa.usda.gov/grants/programs/agriculture-food-research-initiative-afri https://www.nifa.usda.gov/grants/programs/specialty-crop-research-initiative-scri https://www.nifa.usda.gov/grants/programs/sustainable-agriculture-programs https://nifa.usda.gov/program/organic-agriculture-program https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/usda-fy-2022-2026-strategic-plan.pdf

Goal 1 - Combat Climate Change to Support America’s Working Lands, Natural Resources and Communities

Goal 2 - Ensure America’s Agricultural System is Equitable, Resilient, and Prosperous Goal 3 - Foster an Equitable and Competitive Marketplace for All Agricultural Producers Goal 5 - Expand Opportunities for Economic Development and Improve Quality of Life in Rural and Tribal Communities

USDA Science and Research Strategy, 2023- 2026 priorities:

Priority 1: Accelerating Innovative Technologies and Practices Priority 2: Driving Climate-Smart Solutions Priority 4: Cultivating Resilient Ecosystems Priority 5: Translating Research Into Action

Table 2: Program Key Information Title Description

Program Code: 112.E Program Code Name: Organic Transitions

ALN: 10.303

Project Type: Integrated Grant Type: Standard

Application Deadline FY 2024 5:00 P.M. Eastern Time March 7, 2024, and FY 2025 5:00 P.M. Eastern Time March 6, Grant Duration: Up to 4 years Anticipated # of Awards: 8

Maximum Award Amount: $1,000,000 https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/usda-science-research-strategy.pdf

PART II. AWARD INFORMATION

A. Available Funding This RFA is being released prior to the passage of a full appropriations act for FY 2024 and FY 2025. Enactment of a continuing resolution, appropriations act, or other authorizing legislation may affect the availability or level of funding for this program.

The amount available for ORG in FY 2024 and 2025 is approximately $7,500,000 each fiscal year. 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. Application for FY 2024 and 2025 is limited to the following application 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 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:

ORG anticipates funding Integrated Research, Education, and Extension projects as Standard grants with a project period of 2 to 4 years. The budgets that applicants provide may not exceed $400,000 per year with the total amount budgeted per award not to exceed $1,000,000. NIFA expects to make a total of eight awards in FY 2024 and eight awards in FY 2025.

Integrated projects aim to resolve problems through the application of science-based knowledge and address needs identified by stakeholders. Integrated projects clearly identify anticipated outcomes and have a plan for evaluating and documenting the success of the project. ORG projects should include research and at least one of the other two functions of the agricultural knowledge system (Extension, and Education) focused on a problem or issue. However, single-function projects with sufficient justification will be considered. The functions addressed in the project should be interwoven throughout the life of the project; complement and reinforce each other; and be interdependent and necessary for the success of the project. Integrated projects must include a data management plan that clearly describes how the data will be disseminated and accessible to the public.

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 https://www.fiscal.treasury.gov/fsservices/gov/pmt/asap/asap_home.htm https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=3f96ab05cf1fc2d2713e5e46755e7696&mc=true&node=pt2.1.422&rgn=div5#se2.1.422_12 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://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 ORG 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 only be submitted by colleges and universities, as defined in 7 U.S.C. 3103, 1994 Institutions, and Hispanic-serving agricultural colleges and universities.

Award recipients may subcontract to organizations not eligible to apply provided such organizations are necessary for the conduct of the project. Failure to meet an eligibility criterion by the 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.

Duplicate or Multiple Submissions – Duplicate, essentially duplicate, or predominantly overlapping applications submitted simultaneously to both ORG and another NIFA program, such as OREI, in the same fiscal year is not allowed and will not be reviewed. NIFA will disqualify both applications if an applicant submits duplicate or predominantly overlapping submissions.

B. Cost Sharing or Matching Match Required – Applicants MUST provide non-Federal matching contributions on a dollar-for-dollar basis for all Federal funds awarded. Non-Federal matching funds may include in-kind support.

NIFA may waive the matching funds requirement for a grant if one of the following applies:

1. The results of the project, while of particular benefit to a specific agricultural commodity, are likely to be applicable to agricultural commodities generally; or

2. The project involves a minor commodity, the project deals with scientifically important research, and the grant recipient is unable to satisfy the matching funds requirement.

C. Centers of Excellence Pursuant to Section 7214 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (Pub. L. 113-79), NIFA will recognize and prioritize 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.

5. Federal agencies.

6. National laboratories.

7. Private organizations, foundations, or corporations.

https://nifa.usda.gov/resource/grants-overview https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(title:7%20section:3103%20edition:prelim)%20OR%20(granuleid:USC-prelim-title7-section3103)&f=treesort&edition=prelim&num=0&jumpTo=true https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/PLAW-113publ79/html/PLAW-113publ79.htm

8. Individuals; or

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

A full explanation, including the process for requesting Center of Excellence designation can be found here: Centers of Excellence (COE)

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. Steps to Obtain Application Materials 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; 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.

3. Steps to Obtain Application Materials

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 (FY2024), USDA-NIFA-ICGP-010290, 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.

4. Help and Resources

a. Grants.gov 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.

b. NIFA Support 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 NIFA Grants Application Guide is part of the corresponding application package for this RFA. The RFA overrides the NIFA Grants Application Guide if there is a discrepancy between the two documents. Applicants that do not meet the application requirements, to include partial https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/learn-grants/grants-101/ https://www.nifa.usda.gov/nifa-22-001-nifa-grants-application-guide https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.nifa.usda.gov/nifa-22-001-nifa-grants-application-guide https://nifa.usda.gov/resource/nifa-grantsgov-application-guide https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/register 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/ mailto:grantapplicationquestions@usda.gov https://www.nifa.usda.gov/nifa-22-001-nifa-grants-application-guide applications, risk 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. Key Application Instructions below outlines other key instructions for applicants.

5. Key Application Instructions

All references are to the NIFA Grants Application Guide:

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

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

(Part IV)

c. Conduct an administrative review of the application before submission. (Part IV)

d. Follow the submission instructions. (Part IV)

e. Provide an accurate email address, where designated, on the SF-424 R&R. (Part V)

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

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

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

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

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

1. Field 7. Project Summary (PS)/Abstract. The PS must show how the project goals align with the project goals of ORG. See Part V of the NIFA Grants Application Guide for instructions and suggested templates.

2. Field 8. Project Narrative (PN). The PN must not exceed 21 pages of written text including figures and tables. Applications exceeding these page limits will not be accepted for review. Use font no smaller than 12-point, regardless of line spacing for written text (the font size for tables and figures should be no smaller than 11 points, Times New Roman). 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. The PN must include all the following:

a. Response to previous review: This requirement only applies to Resubmitted

Applications as described in Part II, B. A three-page maximum response to the previous review (containing the previous proposal number in the first line) titled “Response to Previous Review” as the first page. The three-page maximum “Response to Previous Review” does not count against the 21-page limit of the PN.

b. Introduction: Include a clear statement of the long-term goals and supporting objectives of the proposed activities: describe ongoing or recently completed significant activities related to the proposed activity, including the work of key project personnel. Include preliminary data/information pertinent to the proposed https://www.nifa.usda.gov/nifa-22-001-nifa-grants-application-guide https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/support.html https://www.nifa.usda.gov/nifa-22-001-nifa-grants-application-guide https://www.nifa.usda.gov/nifa-22-001-nifa-grants-application-guide https://www.nifa.usda.gov/nifa-22-001-nifa-grants-application-guide project. In addition, include in-depth information on the following, when applicable:

estimates of the magnitude of the issues and their relevance to stakeholders and to ongoing state-federal food and agricultural Research, Education, and Extension programs; description of the role stakeholders, including end users, have in problem identification, planning, and implementation and evaluation as appropriate; and reasons for performing the work at the proposing institution.

c. Objectives: Include clear, concise, complete, and logically arranged statements of specific aims of the proposed effort, including the suitability of scale and transferability of project results or developed materials beyond the project scale.

Projects must include specific objectives for Research, Education, and Extension functions (as appropriate); include evidence of necessary involvement from interdisciplinary teams; and demonstrate the extent to which partnerships with other institutions (federal, state, other) are developed.

d. Approach: Explicitly state the procedures or methods to be applied to the proposed effort. Include, but do not necessarily limit to:

i. Description of how the project will solicit and use stakeholder involvement;

ii. Description of the proposed project activities and the sequence in which they are to be carried out;

iii. Review of Co-Project Director (Co-PD) roles will be included in project review.

Please be clear about Co-PDs vs sub-contractors.

iv. Techniques and methodology to be employed in the project, including their feasibility and rationale;

v. Results expected within a reasonable time frame;

vi. How you will monitor and evaluate (as appropriate) Research, Extension, and

Education activities;

vii. How you will analyze and interpret data;

viii. Limitations to proposed procedures;

ix. Pitfalls that might be encountered;

x. Suitability of scale and transferability of project results or developed materials beyond the project scale;

xi. Details of plans to communicate results to stakeholders and the public; and

xii. Plan to sustain activities beyond this funding period

e. Project timeline: Outline all important phases as a function of time, year-by-year, for the entire project, including periods beyond the grant funding period. Include specific, measurable goals or projected accomplishments for each year of ORG funding and expected impacts or outcomes of the work.

f. Centers of Excellence Justification: For consideration as a COE, you must provide a brief justification statement, as part of your PN 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). A full explanation, including the process for requesting Center of Excellence designation can be found here: Centers of Excellence (COE).

3. Field 12. Add Other Attachments. See Part V of the NIFA Grants Application Guide.

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

1. Biographical Sketch - The following are additional instructions of information to include:

a. Author identifier (ORCID) of the researcher if available.

b. Digital Object Identifier (DOI) of all publications where possible. You may also include a list of data publications or published data products relevant to the proposed project, following recommended data citation format.

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

R&R Budget. See Part V of the NIFA Grants Application Guide.

1. Match – If an applicant concludes that the matching requirements described under Part

III, B of this RFA is not applicable to them; the applicant must include an explanation of their conclusion in the budget justification. NIFA will consider this justification when determining final matching requirements or if required matching can be waived. NIFA retains the right to make final determinations regarding matching requirements.

Grants that require matching funds as specified under Part III, B of this RFA must list in their budget justification the matching sources, the identification of the entity(ies) providing the match, and the total pledged amount. A written verification of commitments of matching support (a pledge agreement) is not required. However, applicants are subject to the documentation, valuing and reporting requirements, as specified in 2 CFR Part 200, “Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (the Uniform Guidance),” and 7 CFR 3430, https://nifa.usda.gov/centers-excellence https://www.nifa.usda.gov/nifa-22-001-nifa-grants-application-guide https://www.nifa.usda.gov/nifa-22-001-nifa-grants-application-guide https://orcid.org/ https://www.nifa.usda.gov/nifa-22-001-nifa-grants-application-guide https://www.nifa.usda.gov/nifa-22-001-nifa-grants-application-guide https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=39448527cdd5ebd0a063b91b8b44f0f5&mc=true&node=pt2.1.200&rgn=div5 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=39448527cdd5ebd0a063b91b8b44f0f5&mc=true&node=pt2.1.200&rgn=div5 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=1a74011311d649ff6313ca273791b131&mc=true&node=pt7.15.3430&rgn=div5

“Competitive and Noncompetitive Non-Formula Federal Assistance Programs – General Award Administrative Provisions.”

2. Indirect costs (IDC) – See Part IV, C of this RFA for funding restrictions regarding indirect cost, and Part V of the NIFA Grants Application Guide for additional information.

3. Additional Budget Information Use September 1st as the start date for the project. Applicants may request funds to attend at least two Project Director’s workshops during the term of their project. Sufficient funds should be requested and reserved during the course of the project for the PD to attend the workshops in the metropolitan Washington, DC area or Kansas City. In the early years of a multiyear project, participation could be in the form of a poster presentation and submission of an abstract. In the final year of the project, an oral presentation should be made, along with the submission of a written report. The request for these travel funds should be clearly indicated in the Budget Justification (Field K. of the R&R Budget).

Data Management Plan. A DMP is required for this program. Applicants should clearly articulate how 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, NIFA’s Data Management Plan).

Mentoring Plan (MP). A MP is strongly recommended if the proposal requests funding for student or postdoctoral support, including scholarships or fellowships. If various tiers of students or scholars are represented in the proposal, please provide separate MPs for each educational or professional level targeted (e.g., high school students, undergraduate students, graduate students, postdoctoral fellows). The MP should not exceed a maximum of two pages for each educational level and for all recipients (including subawards). The MP will not count against the 21-page limit of the PN. The MP should incorporate the following as appropriate: a.) the roles and responsibilities of the Project Director and Co-Project Directors in managing the mentoring process; b.) training for and/or credentials of individuals who will serve as mentors (i.e., mentor training). Mentors may be experienced mentors from academia, industry, or government, or student peers at various levels who are expected to provide guidance, cultural support, and sense of community with the activities and facilitate the amplification of program-specific perspectives and accomplishments of the mentees; c.) a description of mentoring activities that may include, but are not limited to, peer mentoring or layered mentoring, whereby a set of mentees are progressively mentored by others at a higher level in their careers; d.) a description of processes to ensure reasonable accommodations for program participants with disabilities or challenges with accessing program activities.

Please incorporate mentoring activities into the overall project timeline. Scholarship programs should also include plans to accommodate scholarship recipients who find it necessary to interrupt their program of study because of health, personal, or other reasonable non-academic and non-disciplinary cause(s).

https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=1a74011311d649ff6313ca273791b131&mc=true&node=pt7.15.3430&rgn=div5 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=1a74011311d649ff6313ca273791b131&mc=true&node=pt7.15.3430&rgn=div5 https://www.nifa.usda.gov/nifa-22-001-nifa-grants-application-guide https://nifa.usda.gov/resource/data-management-plan-nifa-funded-research-projects https://nifa.usda.gov/resource/data-management-plan-nifa-funded-research-projects

Supplemental Information Form. See Part V of the NIFA Grants Application Guide.

1. Field 2. Program to which the applicant is applying. Enter the program name (ORG) and the program code (112.E). Accurate entry is critical.

2. Field 8. Conflict of Interest List. See Part V of the NIFA Grants Application Guide.

C. Funding Restrictions

Indirect Cost (IDC) not to exceed 30 percent of Total Federal Funds Awarded (TFFA).

Section 1462(a) and (c) of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (NARETPA) limits IDC for the overall award to 30 percent of Total Federal Funds Awarded under a research, education, or extension grant. The maximum IDC rate allowed under the award is determined by calculating the amount of IDC using:

1. the sum of an institution’s negotiated indirect cost rate and the indirect cost rate charged by sub-awardees, if any; or

2. 30 percent of TFFA.

The maximum allowable IDC rate under the award, including the IDC charged by the sub-awardee(s), if any, is the lesser of the two rates.

If the result of number one is the lesser of the two rates, the grant recipient is allowed to charge the negotiated IDC rate on the prime award and the sub-award(s), if any. Any sub-awards would be subject to the sub-awardee’s negotiated IDC rate. The sub-awardee may charge its negotiated IDC rate on its portion of the award, provided the sum of the IDC rate charged under the award by the prime awardee and the sub-awardee(s) does not exceed 30 percent of the TFFA.

If the result of number two is the lesser of the two rates, then the maximum IDC rate allowed for the overall award, including any sub-award(s), is limited to 30 percent of the TFFA. That is, the IDC of the prime awardee plus the sum of the IDC charged by the sub-awardee(s), if any, may not exceed 30 percent of the TFFA.

In the event of an award, the prime awardee is responsible for ensuring the maximum indirect cost allowed for the award is not exceeded when combining IDC for the Federal portion (i.e., prime and sub-awardee(s)) and any applicable cost-sharing. Amounts exceeding the maximum allowable IDC are considered unallowable. See sections 408 and 410 of 2 CFR 200.

If the applicant does not have a negotiated rate and NIFA is the cognizant agency, the applicant must calculate an IDC rate in order to request IDC. Applicants are not required to complete the IDC package during the application process. Applicants need only to calculate an IDC rate to serve as a basis for requesting IDC. If awarded, the applicant will be required to submit a complete IDC proposal package to obtain a negotiated rate.

Organizations that do not have a current negotiated (including provisional) rate, may elect the De Minimis rate (2 CFR 200.414). The Uniform Guidance offers the option of electing to charge a de Minimis rate of 10 percent of modified total indirect costs (MTDC) which may be used indefinitely. As described above and in 2 CFR 200.403, costs must be charged consistently as either indirect or direct costs but may not be double charged or inconsistently charged as both. If https://www.nifa.usda.gov/nifa-22-001-nifa-grants-application-guide https://www.nifa.usda.gov/nifa-22-001-nifa-grants-application-guide https://nifa.usda.gov/sites/default/files/resource/nar77.pdf https://nifa.usda.gov/sites/default/files/resource/nar77.pdf https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=99b0d2f1cf782a71783f992ece47bb5a&mc=true&node=pt2.1.200&rgn=div5#se2.1.200_1408 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=99b0d2f1cf782a71783f992ece47bb5a&mc=true&node=pt2.1.200&rgn=div5#se2.1.200_1410 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=99b0d2f1cf782a71783f992ece47bb5a&mc=true&node=pt2.1.200&rgn=div5 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-E/subject-group-ECFRd93f2a98b1f6455/section-200.414 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-E/subject-group-ECFRea20080eff2ea53/section-200.403 elected, this methodology must be used consistently for all Federal awards until such time as a non-Federal entity chooses to negotiate for a rate, which it may do at any time.

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…