Equipment Grants Program (EGP)

The Equipment Grants Program (EGP) serves to increase access to shared-use special purpose equipment/instruments for fundamental and applied research for use in the food and agricultural sciences programs at institutions of higher education, includin

EGP is designed to strengthen the fundamental and/or applied research capacity (Extension) of institutions by funding the purchase of one shared-use piece of equipment that may be too costly and/or not appropriate for support through other NIFA grant programs. An instrument acquired with support from EGP is expected to be fully operational by the conclusion of the first year of the project. Proposals to the EGP are for the acquisition of a single, well-integrated piece of equipment/instrument. Well-integrated research instrument means that the ensemble of equipment that defines the instrument enables specific fundamental or applied research experiments in the food and agricultural sciences, including data science and data systems. It also means that separating or removing an element or component of such an integrated instrument would preclude any experiments from occurring or succeeding.

Colleges, Universities or State Cooperative Institution, as defined in 7 U.S.C. § 3103. Including: 1862 and 1890 Land-grant institutions; State-certified Schools of Forestry as stipulated in accordance with 16 U.S.C.582a et seq. (the McIntire-Stennis Act of 1962); State Agricultural Experiment Stations located in the 50 States, the District of Columbia and the Insular Areas in accordance with 7 U.S. C. 361a et seq. (the Hatch Act of 1887); "Cooperative extension services" meaning the organizations established at the Land-grant Colleges and Universities under the Smith-Lever Act of May 8, 1914 (38 Stat. 372-374, as amended; 7 U.S.C. 341-349), and section 209(b) of the Act of October 26, 1974 (88 Stat. 1428, as amended; D.C. Code, sec. 31-1719(b)); Accredited schools or colleges of veterinary medicine or State agricultural experiment stations that conduct animal health and disease research in accordance with section 1433(c) of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977; Hispanic-serving institutions as defined in section 1101a of title 20; Eligible institutions in insular areas including, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; Guam; American Samoa; the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands; the Federated States of Micronesia; the Republic of the Marshall Islands; the Republic of Palau; and the Virgin Islands of the United States.

Same as applicant.

a. Fundamental research is research that increases knowledge or understanding of the fundamental aspects of phenomena and has the potential for broad application and has an effect on agriculture, food, nutrition, or the environment. b. Applied research is research that includes expansion of the findings of fundamental research to uncover practical ways in which new knowledge can be advanced to benefit individuals and society.

No Indirect Cost (IDC). IDC is not authorized for the EGP program. Also, applicants should note that the cost of acquisition or depreciation of equipment purchased with a grant under this section shall not be- (1) charged as an indirect cost against another Federal grant; or (2) included as part of the indirect cost pool for purposes of calculating the indirect cost rate of an eligible institution

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.