FY24-SPECA-RFA-P.pdf

REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS

Secondary Education, Two-Year Postsecondary

Education, and Agriculture in the K-12 Classroom Challenge Grants Program

FUNDING YEAR: Fiscal Year (FY) 2024

APPLICATION DEADLINE: March 8, 2024

ANTICIPATED FUNDING: $900,000

AVERAGE AWARD RANGE: $50,000 - $150,000

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY NUMBER: USDA-NIFA-SAECP-010339

ASSISTANCE LISTING NUMBER: 10.226

INITIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

National Institute of Food and Agriculture United States Department of Agriculture

Assistance Listing Number (ALN): The Secondary Education, Two-Year Postsecondary Education, and Agriculture in the K-12 Classroom Challenge Grants Program (SPECA) is listed in the Assistance Listings under number 10.226.

Table 1: Key Dates and Deadlines Task Description Deadline

Application: FY 2024: 5:00 P.M. Eastern Time, March 8, 2024

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 (DEIA). The 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 (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 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 (email is for comments only). Please use the following subject line: Response to the [Insert RFA Name] 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 the Secondary Education, Two-Year Postsecondary Education, and Agriculture in the K-12 Classroom Challenge Grants Program (SPECA) projects, deadlines, funding information, eligibility criteria for projects and applicants, and application forms and associated instructions. NIFA requests applications for the SPECA program to promote and strengthen food and agricultural science education.

NIFA requests applications for the SPECA program for FY 2024. The amount available for grants in FY 2024 is approximately $900,000.

This RFA is being released prior to the passage of a full appropriations act for FY 2024.

Enactment of a continuing resolution, appropriations act, or other authorizing legislation may affect the availability or level of funding for this program.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

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 D. Limited English Proficiency

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

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 and agricultural sciences. Authority for this program is contained in Section 1417(j) of NARETPA (7 U.S.C. 3152(j)).

B. Purpose and Priorities The purpose of the Secondary Education, Two-Year Postsecondary Education, and Agriculture in the K-12 Classroom Challenge Grants (SPECA) program is to award grants to:

1. Enhance curricula in agricultural education

2. Increase faculty teaching competencies

3. Interest young people in pursuing higher education in order to prepare for scientific and professional careers in the food and agricultural sciences

4. Promote the incorporation of agriscience and agribusiness subject matter into other instructional programs, particularly classes in science, business, and consumer education

5. Facilitate joint initiatives by the grant recipient with other secondary schools, institutions of higher education that award an associate degree, and institutions of higher education that award a bachelor's degree to maximize the development and use of resources, such as faculty, facilities, and equipment, to improve agriscience and agribusiness education

6. Support other initiatives designed to meet local, State, regional, or national needs related to promoting excellence in agriscience and agribusiness education

7. Support current agriculture in the classroom programs for grades K–12

SPECA-funded projects encourage academic institutions, in partnership with organizations and employers to identify and address challenges facing the food and agricultural sciences education and workforce community. As noted in the 2016 National Academies (NAS) Press Report, Barriers and Opportunities for 2-Year and 4- Year STEM Degrees and the 2016 NAS workshop on Creating the Future Workforce in Food, Agriculture, and Natural Resources, the talent pipeline for the agriculture workforce begins well before college admission and a focus on secondary programs holds tremendous potential to increase not only the number, but the diversity of students entering baccalaureate programs, a requisite for the innovation needed in the food and agricultural sciences.

Accordingly, SPECA-funded project activities support the creation, adaptation, and adoption of learning materials and teaching strategies to operationalize what we know about how students learn. Many of these concepts are identified in the National Research Council’s publication: How People Learn. SPECA-funded projects shall also focus on imparting both technical knowledge as well as professional skills such as communication, teamwork, and problem solving, as these are abilities expected by employers. These concepts may be found in the publication Comparative Analysis of Soft Skills: What is Important for New Graduates?

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:7%20section:3152%20edition:prelim)%20OR%20(granuleid:USC-prelim-title7-section3152)&f=treesort&edition=prelim&num=0&jumpTo=true https://www.nap.edu/catalog/21739/barriers-and-opportunities-for-2-year-and-4-year-stem-degrees https://www.nap.edu/catalog/21739/barriers-and-opportunities-for-2-year-and-4-year-stem-degrees https://nifa.usda.gov/resource/creating-future-workforce-food-agriculture-and-natural-resources https://nifa.usda.gov/resource/creating-future-workforce-food-agriculture-and-natural-resources https://www.nap.edu/catalog/9853/how-people-learn-brain-mind-experience-and-school-expanded-edition https://www.nap.edu/catalog/9853/how-people-learn-brain-mind-experience-and-school-expanded-edition https://www.aplu.org/members/commissions/food-environment-and-renewable-resources/CFERR_Library/comparative-analysis-of-soft-skills-what-is-important-for-new-graduates https://www.aplu.org/members/commissions/food-environment-and-renewable-resources/CFERR_Library/comparative-analysis-of-soft-skills-what-is-important-for-new-graduates

Indigenous 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.

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

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

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

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. SPECA 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.

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

For a program informational webinar please visit the NIFA calendar for dates, event registration, and link. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in any of the informational webinars listed, please contact the event host listed no later than 10 days prior to the event.

Incorporation of Social Sciences and Enhancing Impacts. The SPECA program supports social and behavioral science disciplines. SPECA projects that integrate social and biological sciences to provide experiential learning opportunities for students in applied research and related community development programs are encouraged. Incorporation of social and behavioral sciences is important for addressing many of the challenges facing agriculture and rural communities, such as increasing global demand for food production in the face of limited natural resources; improving health and reducing obesity by engaging in heathy lifestyles and consuming heathy diets; and alleviating poverty by fostering economic opportunity.

The SPECA program is aligned with the following USDA Strategic Plan FY 2022-2026 goals:

1. Strategic Goal 5: Expand Opportunities for Economic Development and Improve

Quality of Life in Rural and Tribal Communities

2. Strategic Goal 6: Attract, Inspire, and Retain an Engaged and Motivated Workforce that’s Proud to Represent USDA

The SPECA program is aligned with the following USDA Science and Research Strategy, 2023- 2026 priorities:

1. Priority 5: Translating Research into Action https://nifa.usda.gov/calendar https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/usda-fy-2022-2026-strategic-plan.pdf https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/usda-science-research-strategy.pdf https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/usda-science-research-strategy.pdf

Table 2: Program Key Information Title Description

Program Code: SPECA Program Code Name: Secondary and Two-Year Postsecondary Education

Challenge ALN Number 10.226 Project Type: Education/Teaching Projects Grant Type: Regular and Collaboration grants ONLY

Application Deadline FY2024: March 8, 2024 Grant Duration: 24-36 months

Anticipated # of Awards: 6-8 Maximum Award Amount: Regular Grant: $50,000

Collaborative Type 1 Grant: $150,000

Project Category. Each project must support academic instruction with a primary focus in at least one of the following three K-14 Grade Levels:

1. K-8 grade levels: Projects with a specific focus on any of the academic grades Kindergarten through eight.

2. Secondary School: Projects with a specific focus on any of the academic grades 9 through 12.

3. Junior or Community College: Projects with a specific focus on associate degree level (2-year postsecondary) activities.

All SPECA proposals submitted will be reviewed using the same evaluation criteria and may receive separate funding considerations based on the project categories described above.

SPECA-funded project must focus on any of the K-14 grade levels. Projects with a target audience of baccalaureate, higher-level students or professional development of teachers should, instead, refer to other Education Grant Programs offered through NIFA that are supportive of such activities.

Educational Need Areas. When preparing a SPECA-funded project, the rationale for choosing a particular Educational Need Area below 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 for the SPECA program are:

1. Curriculum Development, Instructional Delivery Systems, and Expanding Student Career Opportunities. To promote new and improved curricula and materials to increase the quality of, and continuously renew, the Nation's K-14 academic programs in the food and agricultural sciences. 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. Projects must include strategies for the adoption and integration of curricula, materials and other products generated.

Examples of eligible projects in this Need Area may include, but are not limited to, the following strategies:

https://nifa.usda.gov/resource/nifa-reinforces-agricultural-education-pipeline

a. The development of innovative course content, including innovative ways to integrate scientific research experiences into K-14 curricula such as STEM labs, school gardens or other activities that provide experiential learning activities to students.

b. The use of new approaches to the study of traditional subjects or the introduction of new food and agricultural sciences subjects.

c. 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.

d. Opportunities for students to complete apprenticeships, internships, career mentoring experiences, or other participatory learning experiences. Targeted summer programs providing a bridge to 4-year food and agricultural sciences degrees for underrepresented high-school students are encouraged.

e. Creating career placement or higher education academic counseling activities to encourage graduates to pursue postsecondary food and agricultural sciences degrees.

2. Facilitating Interaction with other Academic Institutions. To promote K-14 focused activities that form linkages between secondary, 2-year postsecondary, and baccalaureate degree-granting institutions to maximize the use of resources supporting outstanding education in the food and agricultural sciences. Activities should focus on ensuring completion of secondary degrees, enrollment into postsecondary programs and/or transfer to a 4-year institution. Partnerships, collaborative arrangements, and shared resources between institutions (including course credit sharing arrangements) are encouraged.

Examples of projects strategies include:

a. Development and use of articulation agreements, 2+2 or 2+2+2 arrangements (policies and programs designed to foster credit transfer between high schools, community colleges, and four-year institutions), advanced placement credit transfer, or the sharing of faculty and facilities.

b. A project that focuses on developing and implementing comprehensive, multi-institutional practices proven to recruit and retain K-14 level students with a focus on cultivating those students to pursue a postsecondary food and agricultural sciences degree.

c. A project that will result in establishing and implementing programs or procedures (articulation agreements, electronic exchange of coursework, etc.) to disseminate curricula, instructional methods, or training practices to faculty across the state or region.

Additional Information

1. SPECA- funded projects must engage more than a single course or an individual instructor.

2. Applicants are encouraged to collaborate with an agency or research facility, including a

USDA agency, to leverage grant funds and/or contribute towards overall goals and objectives. USDA agencies may be found at Agencies.

3. If organized by the program, the Project Director (PD) will be required to attend one NIFA SPECA PD meeting during the performance period of the award. Reasonable travel expenses must be included as part of the project budget. While budgets should https://www.usda.gov/our-agency/agencies account for this travel, NIFA may consider virtual, or hybrid meetings based on local and national pandemic conditions.

PART II. AWARD INFORMATION

A. Available Funding The amount available for SPECA in FY 2024 is approximately $900,000. 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 are 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 a 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 one of three types of projects: Regular, or Collaborative Type 1.

a. Regular Project

i. Applicants may request up to $50,000 (total, not per year) for a Regular Grant.

ii. Applicant executes the project without the requirement of sharing grant funds with other project partners.

b. Collaboration Project (Applicant + One or more Partners)

i. Applicants may request up to $150,000 (total, not per year) for a Collaboration

Project.

ii. Applicant executes the project with assistance from at least one additional partner. The partners must share grant funds (see explanation of required fund distribution percentage among partners in the definition of a Collaboration Project in Appendix III).

Documented Impacts of Collaboration Projects must include, but are not limited to the following:

1. An assessment of significant progress toward addressing the regional or national challenge of increasing the number and diversity of food and agricultural sciences graduates.

2. Expansion of the number of students who enroll in postsecondary courses in food and agricultural sciences.

3. Enhanced retention rates of students exposed to project activities.

4. An informed food and agricultural sciences community and others about the effectiveness of this project through a comprehensive project https://www.fiscal.treasury.gov/fsservices/gov/pmt/asap/asap_home.htm evaluation, using the indicators and methods defined in this grants program.

Collaboration projects must include both the R&R Fed and Non-Fed Budget and the R&R Fed and Non-Fed Subaward Budget Attachment Forms. The forms should clearly identify the total grant funding anticipated for the applicant and each partner to demonstrate the required sharing percentage. All expenditures for the applicant and all partners should be further itemized in the Budget Justification. Funds do not have to be divided equally among project years.

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

https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=b012f255d3ee33abc0aed38e1b51b36e&mc=true&node=pt2.1.422&rgn=div5 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 SPECA must meet all the requirements discussed in this RFA. Applications may only be submitted by: (1) public secondary schools 20 U.S.C. 7801(45), (2) public or private nonprofit junior and community colleges, (3) institutions of higher education (20 U.S.C.

1001), or (4) nonprofit organizations (Attach IRS 501(c)(3) status under R&R ‘Other Project Information’ Field 12 Other Attachments). 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.

School boards are not eligible as legal recipients of the award.

Duplicate or Multiple Submissions – submissions of duplicate or predominantly overlapping applications is not allowed. An eligible applicant may submit multiple applications on behalf of multiple institution’s project directors as long as they are not essentially duplications of the same project or portions of the same project to multiple programs.

For additional information or clarification please contact the NIFA POC listed in this RFA.

NIFA will disqualify both applications if an applicant submits duplicate or multiple submissions.

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

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

https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(title:20%20section:1001%20edition:prelim)%20OR%20(granuleid:USC-prelim-title20-section1001)&f=treesort&num=0&edition=prelim https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(title:20%20section:1001%20edition:prelim)%20OR%20(granuleid:USC-prelim-title20-section1001)&f=treesort&num=0&edition=prelim https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(title:20%20section:1001%20edition:prelim)%20OR%20(granuleid:USC-prelim-title20-section1001)&f=treesort&num=0&edition=prelim https://nifa.usda.gov/resource/grants-overview https://nifa.usda.gov/resource/grants-overview

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-SAECP- 010339, search for application here: Opportunity Package.

Step Four: Assess Readiness

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

Table 4: Help and Resources

Grants.gov Support NIFA Support Grants.gov Online Support Telephone support: 800-518-4726 Toll-Free or 606-545-5035 Email support: support@grants.gov Self-service customer-based support:

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

Email: grantapplicationquestions@usda.gov

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

B. Content and Form of the Application The 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 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. Table 5 outlines other key instructions for applicants.

https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/learn-grants/grants-101/pre-award-phase.html/ https://nifa.usda.gov/resource/nifa-grantsgov-application-guide https://www.grants.gov/ 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.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/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.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/snow-dismissal-procedures/federal-holidays/ https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/snow-dismissal-procedures/federal-holidays/ https://www.nifa.usda.gov/nifa-22-001-nifa-grants-application-guide

Table 5: Key Application Instructions Instruction References

(All references are to the NIFA Grants 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 IV

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

Part V

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

N/A

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

N/A

SF 424 R&R Cover Sheet. See Part V of the 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. Project Summary (PS)/Abstract. The PS must show how the project goals align with the project goals of the SPECA. Application will not be accepted for review if the project summary/abstract is not included, missing information, or not in PDF format. See Part V of the NIFA Grants Application Guide for instructions and suggested templates

Include the following information:

a. Project Title

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

c. Project Category: (see Part I)

d. Educational Need Area: (Part I)

e. 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.).

f. Primary Discipline Code/Academic Discipline (see Table 6 below)

g. Grant Type: Regular or Collaborative Project 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.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

h. Total Funds Requested: List total Federal funds requested for this application. (If this project is a collaborative project, also list each partner’s total funds requested next to the institution/organization’s name)

i. Partners: If a collaborative proposal, list all partner institutions/organizations that will share grant funding. (Note: Each Partner so identified needs to have their budget information submitted on a separate subaward budget attachment)

j. Summary Text: Provide a very concise (max. 250 word) summary of your project.

Table 6: Academic Codes and Disciplines

C Animal Sciences B Related Biological Sciences (includes General/Basic Biotechnology, Biochemistry and

Microbiology) C Conservation and Renewable Natural Resources (includes Forestry) E Agriscience (includes Agricultural/Biological Engineering) F Food Science/Technology and Manufacturing G General Food, Agriculture and Human Sciences (includes multidisciplinary problems) H Human Sciences/ Family and Consumer Sciences I International Education/Research (enhancement of US programs) J Entomology - Animal L Environmental Sciences/ Management M Agribusiness (includes Management, Marketing, and Agricultural Economics) N Human Nutrition P Plant Sciences and Horticulture Q Aquaculture S Agricultural Social Sciences (includes Agricultural Education, Agricultural Communications and Rural Sociology) T Entomology - Plant W Water Science O Other (please include the discipline supported)

Application will be excluded from review if the summary text exceeds 250 words.

Summary text should include the following:

a. Purpose: What is the major problem your project will address?

b. Audience: Who are the intended beneficiaries? Who will be impacted?

c. Products: What will be produced?

d. Outcome/Impact: What is the intended result (consequence) of your project?

2. Project Narrative (PN). The PN must not exceed 10 single-spaced pages (up to 46 lines of text per page) including all figures and tables. The font size should be no smaller than 12 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. Applications will not be accepted for review if the project narrative is not included, exceeds 10 single-spaced pages, or is not in PDF format. The PN must include all the following:

a. Potential for Advancing the Quality of Education; Significance of the Problem:

i. 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 (The impact shall be a change you can measure at the project’s conclusion.). Clearly identify and explain how the proposed project will address your Educational Need Area described in Part I.

ii. Project Justification: Summarize the body of knowledge justifying the need for the proposed project. Describe any ongoing or recently completed, significant activities related to the proposed project for which funding was received under a previous SPECA award.

iii. Institutional Goals: Demonstrate how the institution/organization attributes a high priority to the project; discuss how the project will: (1) contribute to the achievement of the institution/organizations’ long-term (five- to ten-year) goals;

(2) help satisfy the institution’s high-priority objectives; and (3) be linked to/supported by the institution's strategic plan.

iv. Innovation: Describe the proposal’s creative approach to improving the quality of food and agricultural sciences education, solving an education problem, or promoting programs that advance equal opportunity for all students. Using either actual experiences or literature background information, show why you selected this approach.

b. Proposed Approach and Cooperative Linkages;

i. 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.

ii. 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.

iii. Products, Results, and Measurable Outcomes: Outline the expected products/results and their outcome and impact on strengthening food and agricultural sciences education in the United States. Make sure to differentiate among the three terms:

1) “Products” may be actual items or services acquired with funds, e.g., “…developed three, new Web-based courses”.

2) “Results” are accomplishments related to the products, e.g., “...additional course materials now available online to reinforce student learning during non-classroom hours”.

3) “Impacts” are the benefits to your audience. Impacts are the consequences of your project and the most critical elements in your Evaluation Plan. They are a measure of the results by comparison to what might have happened in the absence of the funded project, e.g., “…an observed, overall increase in student learning based upon 8% higher average test scores of those students who both attended class and used the supplemental, Web-based course materials”.

iv. 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 SPECA program goals from Part I. Describe any data to be collected and analyzed. Demonstrate how the project will improve education.

This section shall clearly indicate how you plan to measure impacts.

v. 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 community.

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.

vi. Partnerships and Collaborative Efforts: Explain how the project will maximize partnership and collaborative efforts to strengthen food and agricultural sciences education. Provide evidence, via letters from the parties involved in the partnership or collaborative arrangement.

c. Institutional Capability and Capacity Building;

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

ii. Institutional/Organizational Resources: Document that necessary institutional/ organizational resources (administrative, facilities, equipment, and/or materials), and other appropriate resources, will be made available to the project. Demonstrate how the institutional/organizational resources to be made available to the project, when combined with the support requested from USDA, will be adequate to carry out the activities of the project.

iii. Continuation Plans: Discuss the likelihood of, or specific plans for, continuation or expansion of the project beyond the period of USDA support. For example, does the institution’s/organization's long-range budget or academic plan provide for the realistic continuation or expansion of the initiative undertaken by this project after the grant period ends, are plans for eventual self- support built into the project, are plans being made to institutionalize the program if it meets with success, and are there indications of other continuing non-Federal support?

iv. Key Personnel: Discuss the adequacy and specific attributes and project responsibilities of each key person associated with the project. Also include the background and qualifications of those personnel who will be responsible for assessing project results and administering the project evaluation and reporting process.

d. Budget and Cost-effectiveness;

i. Budget: In addition to the separate, required budget forms and budget justification, discuss how the budget specifically supports the proposed project activities. Explain how such budget items as professional or technical staff time and salary, travel, equipment, etc., are necessary and reasonable to achieve project objectives. If applicable, justify that the total budget is allocated adequately between the applicant and any collaborating institution/ organization(s) and will be appropriate to carry out the activities of the project.

ii. Cost-effectiveness: Justify the project's cost-effectiveness. Show how the project maximizes the use of limited resources, optimizes educational value for the dollar, achieves economies of scale, or leverages additional funds.

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

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

Appendices to Project Narrative – PDF Attachment. Title the attachment as ‘Appendices’ in the document header and save file as ‘Appendices’. Appendices to the Project Narrative are allowed if they are directly germane to the proposed project. The addition of appendices should not be used to circumvent the text and/or figures and tables page limitations.

Collaborative Arrangements – PDF Attachment. Title the attachment as ‘Collaborative Arrangements’ in the document header and save file as ‘Collaborative Arrangement’. If it is necessary to enter into formal consulting or collaborative arrangements with others, such arrangements should be fully explained and justified. If the consultant(s) or collaborator(s) are known at the time of the application, a vitae or resume should be provided. In addition, evidence (e.g., letter of support signed by the AR of the consultant/collaborating organization) should be provided that the collaborators involved have agreed to render these services. The applicant also will be required to provide additional information on consultants and collaborators in the budget portion of the application.

Mentoring Plan (MP) – PDF Attachment, An MP is strongly recommended if the proposal requests funding for student support, including scholarships or fellowships. If various tiers of students or scholars are represented in the proposal. Please provide separate MP for each educational or professional level targeted (e.g., high school students, undergraduate students, graduate students). 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 limit of the project narrative. 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).

IRS 501(c)(3) Status – PDF Attachment. Title the attachment as ‘IRS 501 (c)(3) Status’ in the document header and save file as ‘IRS501(c)(3) Status’.

Expected Outcomes – PDF Attachment. Title the attachment “Expected Outcomes” in the document header and name the file to be saved as “Expected Outcomes”. Please use a format, similar to what is provided below, to submit expected impacts and attach it as the last page of the application.

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.

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

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

2. 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 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.

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

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.

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

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 Secondary and Two-Year Postsecondary Education Challenge and the program code-SPECA.

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) of the recipient. 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 (TFFA) under a research, education, or extension grant. The maximum IDC rate allowed under the award is determined by calculating the amount of IDC using:

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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 above.

If the result of number one above 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 number two above 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 (see 7 CFR 3430.52(b)). 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 may request an IDC rate. Applicants are not required to complete the IDC package during the application process and need only to calculate a 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 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.

See NIFA Indirect Costs for information including additional resources and NIFA Indirect Cost Guidance Chart.

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