USDA-NIFA-CSPECA-32938-Full-Announcement.html

NOTICE OF FUNDING OPPORTUNITY

BASIC INFORMATION

FEDERAL AGENCY:

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA)

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY TITLE:

Secondary Education, Two-Year Postsecondary Education, and Agriculture in the K-12 Classroom Challenge Grants Program

ANNOUNCEMENT TYPE:

Initial Announcement

FUNDING YEAR:

Fiscal Year (FY) 2026

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY NUMBER:

USDA-NIFA-CSPECA-32938

ASSISTANCE LISTING NUMBER:

10.226

FUNDING DETAILS (ANTICIPATED):

Available Funding: $750,000 Award Range: $10,000 - $150,000 Number of Awards: 8

LETTER OF INTENT DEADLINE:

A Letter of Intent is not requested for this funding opportunity announcement.

APPLICATION DEADLINE:

5:00 P.M. Eastern Time, 07/27/2026

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

This notice identifies the objectives for the Secondary Education, Two-Year Postsecondary Education, and Agriculture in the K-12 Classroom Challenge Grants (SPECA) Program 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. The amount available for grants in FY2026 is approximately $750,000.

AGENCY CONTACT:

See Appendix I.

RELATED ANNOUNCEMENTS:

No Related Announcements

The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) is committed to advancing these principles and encourages applicants to actively engage farmers, ranchers, and foresters when applying for funding opportunities to ensure relevancy and adherence to them. NIFA also encourages agricultural leaders to engage in the peer review panel process to ensure American producers are better served through research, education, and extension activities.

Stakeholder Input:

NIFA seeks comments on all NOFOs 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.

Table of Contents

NOTICE OF FUNDING OPPORTUNITY

BASIC INFORMATION

PART I. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

A. Legislative Authority B. Purpose and Priorities C. Program Key Information

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 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. Language Access Services

APPENDIX I: AGENCY CONTACT

APPENDIX II: GLOSSARY OF TERMS

APPENDIX III: DEFINITIONS

PART I. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

A. Legislative Authority

Section 1417(j) of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (NARETPA), as amended (7 U.S.C. 3152(j)), authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to promote and strengthen secondary education and 2-year postsecondary education to help ensure the existence of a qualified workforce to serve the food and agricultural sciences system and promote complementary and synergistic linkages among secondary, 2-year postsecondary, and higher education programs in the food and agricultural sciences to promote excellence in education and encourage more young Americans to pursue and complete a baccalaureate or higher degree in the food and agricultural sciences..

B. Purpose and Priorities

Priorities:

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. Projects with a target audience of baccalaureate, graduate, doctoral students, or professional development of teachers should 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:

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:

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 opportunities to students.

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

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.

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 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

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. Teaching applications must demonstrably incorporate a leadership development component to equip students with technical and leadership abilities upon graduation. Specific activities may include:

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

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

3. Providing opportunities for mentoring and shadowing; and

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

C. Program Key Information

The following key program information only pertains to the funding year for FY 2026.

PROGRAM NAME:

Secondary Education, Two-Year Postsecondary Education, and Agriculture in the K-12 Classroom Challenge Grants Program

PROGRAM ACRONYM:

SPECA

PROGRAM CLASSIFICATION CODE (PCC):

CSPECA

PROJECT TYPE:

Education Project

GRANT TYPE:

Standard Grants

AWARD DURATION:

24 - 36 Months

MINIMUM AWARD AMOUNT:

$10,000

MAXIMUM AWARD AMOUNT:

$150,000

PART II. AWARD INFORMATION

A. Available Funding

The amount available for SPECA in FY 2026 is approximately $750,000. 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 NOFO.

B. Application Restrictions

NIFA will evaluate applications using the criteria described in Part V of this NOFO. Applications for FY 2026 is limited to the following application types:

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

Resubmitted Application: Resubmitted applications must be submitted as a New proposal. Applicants must include their responses to the previous review panel summary within the Narrative document, even when submitting as New. After submitting a Resubmission, applicants must notify NIFA Program staff by email and provide the following information: 1. Application Title, 2. New grant number, and 3. Previous grant number. NIFA Program staff contact information can be found under the Program Contacts section in Appendix I: Agency Contact.

C. Project and Grant Types

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

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.

PART III. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

A. Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must meet all the requirements discussed in this NOFO. 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 About Grants provides highly recommended information about grants and other resources to help understand the Federal awards process.

Eligibility Type:

The following entity(ies) may apply to this NOFO: Organizations.

Eligibility Requirements 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).

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

USDA will not accept applications for grants and cooperative agreements submitted for dangerous gain-of-function research, as defined in Section 8 of E.O. 14292.

Duplicate or Multiple Submissions:

Submissions of duplicate or predominantly overlapping applications are not allowed. An eligible applicant may submit multiple applications on behalf of multiple institution's project directors whereas 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 SPECA Program inbox at sm.if.speca@usda.gov . 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

Match Required:

This funding opportunity announcement has no matching requirement. NIFA will not factor matching resources into the review process as an evaluation criterion. While not required, cost share is encouraged.

PART IV. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION

A. Method of Application Applicants must apply to this NOFO electronically; no other method or response is accepted. The electronic application for this NOFO 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. 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.

Steps to Obtain Application Materials:

Step One: Register

Applicant Organizations: To be eligible to apply for or receive a federal award, applicant organizations must complete and maintain the following registrations:

Important Note: Registration can take six weeks or longer, so begin the process as early as possible. All registrations must be completed before submitting your application Project Directors (PD(s)): All PD(s) must have an active eRA Commons account.

If a PD also serves as the Signing Official, they must have two separate eRA Commons accounts, one for each role.

Important Note: Creating an eRA Commons account can take up to two weeks.

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-CSPECA-32938, search for application here.

Step Four: Assess Readiness

Contact an Authorized Representative (AR) prior to starting an application to assess the organization's readiness to submit an electronic application.

Help and Resources:

NIFA Support

Email: grantapplicationquestions@usda.gov Business hours: Monday thru Friday, 7 A.M. – 5 P.M. ET, except Federal holidays.

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 Customer service business Hours 24/7, except Federal holidays.

eRA Service Desk

Questions regarding eRA Commons and post-submission questions and inquiries Finding help online and submitting web tickets: https://www.era.nih.gov/need-help (preferred method of contact) Telephone: 301-402-7469 or 866-504-9552 (Toll Free) Business Hours: Monday - Friday, 7 A.M. - 8 P.M. ET except Federal holidays

B. Content and Form of Application The NIFA Grants Application Guide is part of the corresponding application package for this NOFO. The NOFO 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 NOFO. Applicants must refer to the proposal number when corresponding with NIFA. Key Application Instructions outlines key instructions for applicants.

Key Application Instructions:

Portable Document Format (PDF):

Attachments must be in Portable Document Format (PDF). Refer to Part IV of the NIFA Grants Application Guide for additional information.

Attachments:

Check the manifest of submitted files to verify that attachments are in the correct format. Refer to Part IV of the NIFA Grants Application Guide for additional information.

Administrative Review:

Conduct an administrative review of the application before submission. Refer to Part IV of the NIFA Grants Application Guide for additional information.

Submission Instructions:

Follow the submission instructions. Refer to Part IV of the NIFA Grants Application Guide for additional information.

Email Address:

Provide an accurate email address, where designated, on the SF-424 R&R. Refer to Part V of the NIFA Grants Application Guide for additional information.

SF 424 R&R Cover Sheet:

See Part V of the NIFA Grants Application Guide for the required certifications and assurances.

Grants.gov Support Center:

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

eRA Service Desk:

Contact the eRA Service Desk for questions related to eRA Commons, application errors and warnings, and post-submission inquiries.

Correspondence:

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

SF 424 R&R Project/Performance Site Location(s):

See Part V of the NIFA Grants Application Guide.

R&R Other Project Information Form:

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

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

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 template.

Include the following information:

Project Title

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

Project Category: (see Part I)

Educational Need Area: (Part I)

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; benefiting from a partnership between institutions; etc.).

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

Application Type: Regular or Collaborative Proposal

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

Partners: For 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)

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

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

Summary text should include the following:

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

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

Products: What will be produced?

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

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 competition. 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:

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

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 must be a measurable change at the project's conclusion.) Clearly identify and explain how the proposed project will address your Educational Need Area described in Part I.

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.

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/organization's 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.

Innovation: Describe the proposal's creative approach to improving the quality of food and agricultural sciences education, or solving an education problem. Using either actual experiences or literature background information, show why you selected this approach.

Proposed Approach and Cooperative Linkages:

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.

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.

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:

"Products" may be actual items or services acquired with funds, e.g., "...developed three new Web-based courses".

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

"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".

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.

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.

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.

Institutional Capability and Capacity Building:

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

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.

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?

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.

Budget and Cost-Effectiveness;

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.

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.

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, 2 Page Limit for each educational level. 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., K-8 students, high school students, community college students). 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 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'. Applications from nonprofit organizations must provide proof that the IRS recognizes the organization as a tax-exempt entity under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Expected Outcomes – PDF Attachment. 1 page Limit. 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.

Table 6. Academic Codes and Disciplines

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.

All Senior/Key Persons need an eRA Commons account.

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 - Match:

This funding opportunity announcement does not have matching requirement.

R&R Budget - IDC:

See Part IV, C of this NOFO for funding restrictions regarding IDC, and Part V of the NIFA Grants Application Guide for additional information.

C. Funding Restrictions

Indirect Cost (IDC) is not to exceed 30 percent of the recipient's Total Federal Funds Awarded (TFFA) 7 U.S.C. 3310 limits the recovery of IDC for the overall award to 30 percent of the TFFA under a research, education, or extension grant. The maximum allowable IDC amount recoverable under the award, including the IDC charged by the subawardee(s), if any, is the lesser of the following and is determined by calculating the amount of IDC using:

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

If the result of number two is the lesser of the two amounts, then the maximum IDC allowed for the overall award, including any subaward(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 subawardee(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 subawardee(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 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(f)). The Uniform Guidance offers the option of electing to charge a de minimis rate of 15 percent of modified total direct 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.

Authorizing Legislation:

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

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 NOFO. 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:

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

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

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

Conflicts of Interest:

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

B. Evaluation Criteria

Evaluation Criteria:

NIFA will use the following criteria to evaluate and score applications to this funding opportunity.

Evaluation Criteria #1

Maximum Points: 25

Potential for Advancing Quality of Education/Significance of the Problem. This criterion is used to assess the extent to which the project will have an impact upon and advance the quality of food and agricultural sciences by strengthening institutional capacities to meet clearly delineated needs. Elements considered include institutional long-range goals, identification of a problem or opportunity to be addressed, justification for the project, innovation, multidisciplinary and/or problem-based focus, and potential for adoption by other institutions/organizations. The proposed project must also show its relevance to the goals of the SPECA Program of increasing the skills and availability of individuals entering the food and agricultural sciences workforce. Potential project impacts must be stated clearly.

Evaluation Criteria #2

Maximum Points: 25

Proposed Approach and Cooperative Linkages. This criterion relates to the soundness of the proposed approach including objectives, methodology, plan of operation, timetable, expected products and results, evaluation, and dissemination plans. The project evaluation plan must state the methodologies to be used in assessing the accomplishment of stated products, results, and measurable impacts from the project. The approach must be based on sound research concepts and educational principles and may be documented through background literature or actual institutional data. Emphasis is placed on the quality of educational or research support provided to the applicant institution/organization through its partnerships and collaborative initiatives, and on the potential cooperative linkages likely to evolve as a result of this project. Any perceived pitfalls and alternative strategies or approaches are addressed.

Evaluation Criteria #3

Maximum Points: 15

Institutional Capability and Capacity Building. This criterion relates to the institution's capability to perform the project and the degree to which the project will strengthen its teaching or research capacity. Elements include the institution's commitment to the project, the adequacy of institutional resources (administrative, facilities, management of generated data, equipment, and/or materials) available to carry out the project, potential for academic or research enhancement, and plans for project continuation or expansion beyond the period of USDA support. Include institutional data (i.e., financial, personnel and physical resources available to support the project could all be potential data provided by the applicant, depending upon the particular Need Area) to show the institution's ability to support the proposed project.

Evaluation Criteria #4

Maximum Points: 15

Key Personnel. This criterion relates to the adequacy of the number, qualifications and expertise of key persons who will develop and carry out the project, and the qualifications of project personnel who will provide for the assessment of project results and impacts and the dissemination of these findings. Specific roles for each key personnel must be defined to ensure appropriate project leadership and to avoid any duplication of effort.

Evaluation Criteria #5

Maximum Points: 20

Budget and Cost-Effectiveness. This criterion relates to the extent to which the total budget adequately supports the project and is cost-effective. Elements considered include the necessity and reasonableness of costs to carry out project activities and achieve project objectives; the appropriateness of budget allocations between the applicant and any collaborating institution(s); the adequacy of time committed to the project by key project personnel; and the degree to which the project maximizes the use of limited resources, optimizes educational value for the dollar, achieves economies of scale, leverages additional funds, and focuses expertise and activity on high-priority educational or research need areas.

C. Organizational Management Information Applicants must submit specific management information prior to an award and update the information as needed. Applicants may only need to provide an update if there was a change in previously provided information under this or another NIFA program. NIFA provides the requisite forms during the pre-award process. Although an applicant may be eligible for award under this program, there are factors that may exclude an applicant from receiving Federal financial and nonfinancial assistance and benefits under this program (e.g., debarment or suspension of an individual, or a determination that an applicant is not responsible).

D. Application Disposition Applicants may withdraw at any time before NIFA makes a final funding decision. NIFA will retain all applications, including withdrawn applications and unfunded applications.

PART VI. AWARD ADMINISTRATION

A. General Within the limit of funds authorized, the NIFA awarding official will make grants to responsible and eligible applicants whose applications are judged most meritorious under the procedures set forth in this NOFO. The date specified by the NIFA awarding official as the effective date of the grant must be no later than September 30 of the federal fiscal year in which the project is approved for support and funds are appropriated for such purpose, unless otherwise permitted by law.