Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative

Consistent with 7 U.S.C. 5925b, OREI has eight goals: 1.) Facilitating the development and improvement of organic agriculture production, breeding, and processing methods; 2.) Evaluating the potential economic benefits of organic agricultural product

The Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative (OREI) seeks to solve critical organic agricultural issues, priorities, or problems through the integration of research, education, and Extension/outreach activities. The purpose of this program is to fund high priority integrated projects that will enhance the ability of producers and processors who have already adopted organic standards to grow and market high quality organic agricultural products, build resilience of the organic farming system, and protect water and other resources.

Applications may only be submitted by the following entities: 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; 8.) Individuals who are United States citizens or nationals; or 9.) A group consisting of two or more of the entities described in subparagraphs(1) through (8).

The Integrated Organic Program is particularly interested in proposed projects that emphasize research and outreach that assist farmers and ranchers with whole farm planning and ecosystem integration. Projects should plan to deliver applied production information to producers. Fieldwork for both program areas must be done on certified organic land or on land in transition to organic certification, as appropriate to project goals and objectives. Refer to the USDA National Organic Program (http://www.ams.usda.gov/nop) for organic production standards.

In accordance with statutory time limits, project periods, including no-cost extensions of time, are not to exceed five (5) years. Further details are provided in the Award document Form NIFA-2009 and the NIFA General Terms and Conditions Grants and Cooperative Agreements. Please refer to the Competitive Request for Applications (RFAs) for specific and pertinent details.

All NOFOs are published on the Agency's website and Grants.gov. Applicants must complete the Grants.gov registration process.

Within guidelines established for the program as described in the Competitive Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). The most current RFAs are available via: https://nifa.usda.gov/funding-opportunity/organic-agriculture-research-and-extension-initiative

Applications are subjected to a system of peer and merit review in accordance with section 103 of the Agricultural Research, Extension and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7613) by a panel of qualified scientists and other appropriate persons who are specialists in the field covered by the proposal. Within the limit of funds available for such purpose, the NIFA Authorized Departmental Officer (ADO) shall make grants to those responsible, eligible applicants whose applications are judged most meritorious under the procedures set forth in the NOFO. Reviewers will be selected based upon training and experience in relevant scientific, extension, or education fields, taking into account the following factors: (a) 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; (b) the need to include as reviewers experts from various areas of specialization within relevant scientific, education, or extension fields; (c) the need to include as reviewers other experts (e.g., producers, range or forest managers/operators, and consumers) who can assess relevance of the applications to targeted audiences and to program needs; (d) the need to include as reviewers experts from a variety of organizational types (e.g., colleges, universities, industry, state and Federal agencies, private profit and non-profit organizations) and geographic locations; (e) the need to maintain a balanced composition of reviewers with regard to minority and female representation and an equitable age distribution; and (f) the need to include reviewers who can judge the effective usefulness to producers and the general public of each application. Evaluation Criteria will be delineated in the Competitive Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).

From 30 to 60 days. Contact the National Program Leader (NPL) regarding dates for specific deadlines, start and end dates, and range of approval/disapproval time.