Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NIFA AFRI 006609
The Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) Foundational and Applied Science Program is a competitive grant opportunity run by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) that funds projects intended to move U.S. agriculture forward through both fundamental (foundational) and practical (applied) science. The program is designed to support work that builds new knowledge, tests that knowledge in real-world conditions, and ultimately improves agricultural productivity, sustainability, resilience, and economic outcomes. It is structured around USDA AFRI priority areas, meaning applicants are expected to align their proposed work with one of the major topic areas spelled out in the Request for Applications (RFA), and to clearly explain how their project addresses the program goals.
The opportunity covers six broad AFRI priority areas. First, Plant Health and Production and Plant Products focuses on issues like crop improvement, pest and disease management, production practices, and traits that affect quality and market value. Second, Animal Health and Production and Animal Products supports research and related activities that improve animal health, welfare, productivity, and the safety and quality of animal-derived products. Third, Food Safety, Nutrition, and Health targets foodborne hazards, food processing and handling, dietary impacts on health, and strategies to improve nutrition outcomes. Fourth, Bioenergy, Natural Resources, and Environment supports work connected to renewable energy from agricultural sources as well as stewardship of soil, water, air, climate, and ecosystems. Fifth, Agriculture Systems and Technology includes engineering, data, automation, precision agriculture, and systems-level approaches that improve efficiency and decision-making. Sixth, Agriculture Economics and Rural Communities funds efforts to understand and strengthen farm and food economies, markets, policy impacts, rural development, and community well-being.
A notable feature of the program is that it solicits multiple project types, not just traditional lab or field research. Applicants may propose research-only projects, extension-only projects, or integrated projects that combine research with education and/or extension. Integrated projects are generally expected to show strong coordination among components (for example, generating new findings, translating them into outreach materials or training, and demonstrating adoption or impact), and the RFA notes that additional restrictions can apply to who may lead or participate in integrated proposals. Because of those differences, applicants are directed to the current RFA for the specific program area priorities, the allowed project types under each area, and any special requirements tied to each type of proposal.
Eligibility is broad but not universal, and the listing provided in the announcement is explicitly described as abbreviated. Examples of eligible applicant categories include the 1862, 1890, and 1994 Land-Grant Institutions; State Agricultural Experiment Stations; state-controlled and private institutions of higher education; Hispanic-Serving Institutions; certain nonprofit organizations (including 501(c)(3) and some without 501(c)(3) status, with limitations noted); small businesses and other for-profit entities (with distinctions made between small businesses and other for-profits); individuals; and certain Native American tribal organizations that are not federally recognized tribal governments. However, eligibility can vary depending on the specific program area and project type, and the announcement emphasizes that applicants must consult Part III, A of the Foundational and Applied Science RFA for the definitive eligibility rules. It also states that applications from ineligible institutions will not be reviewed, which makes confirming eligibility early a critical step.
From an administrative standpoint, this opportunity is a discretionary federal grant with CFDA number 10.310. The funding opportunity title is "Agriculture and Food Research Initiative - Foundational and Applied Science," and the funding opportunity number is USDA NIFA AFRI 006609. The agency is the National Institute of Food and Agriculture. The original closing date listed for this specific posting was April 10, 2019, and the maximum award amount (award ceiling) is shown as $1,000,000. The posting was created on May 29, 2018. While the summary information provides the headline details, applicants are repeatedly directed back to the full Foundational and Applied Science RFA for the exact requirements, topic-specific expectations, project type rules, and up-to-date instructions for preparing and submitting a compliant application.Apply for USDA NIFA AFRI 006609
- The National Institute of Food and Agriculture in the agriculture sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Agriculture and Food Research Initiative - Foundational and Applied Science" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.310.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2018-05-29.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2019-04-10. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $1,000,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1) What is the AFRI Foundational and Applied Science Program?
The Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) Foundational and Applied Science Program is a competitive grant opportunity run by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). It funds projects intended to move U.S. agriculture forward through both foundational (fundamental) and applied (practical) science, with an emphasis on building new knowledge, testing it in real-world conditions, and improving productivity, sustainability, resilience, and economic outcomes.
2) Who administers this funding opportunity?
The program is administered by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), a federal agency within USDA.
3) Is this a competitive grant program?
Yes. The program is described as a competitive grant opportunity, meaning proposals are reviewed and funded based on merit and alignment with program requirements.
4) What types of projects does the program fund?
The program solicits multiple project types, not only traditional research. Applicants may propose:
- Research-only projects
- Extension-only projects
- Integrated projects that combine research with education and/or extension
5) What is an integrated project under this program?
An integrated project combines research with education and/or extension. These proposals are generally expected to show strong coordination across components, such as generating new findings, translating them into outreach or training materials, and demonstrating adoption or impact.
6) Are there special rules for integrated proposals?
Yes. The information provided notes that additional restrictions can apply to who may lead or participate in integrated proposals. Applicants are directed to the current Request for Applications (RFA) for the specific restrictions and requirements.
7) What are the main topic areas (priority areas) supported by this opportunity?
The opportunity is structured around USDA AFRI priority areas. The six broad priority areas listed are:
- Plant Health and Production and Plant Products
- Animal Health and Production and Animal Products
- Food Safety, Nutrition, and Health
- Bioenergy, Natural Resources, and Environment
- Agriculture Systems and Technology
- Agriculture Economics and Rural Communities
8) What kinds of projects fit under Plant Health and Production and Plant Products?
This area focuses on topics such as crop improvement, pest and disease management, production practices, and crop traits that affect quality and market value.
9) What kinds of projects fit under Animal Health and Production and Animal Products?
This area supports research and related activities intended to improve animal health, welfare, productivity, and the safety and quality of animal-derived products.
10) What kinds of projects fit under Food Safety, Nutrition, and Health?
This area targets foodborne hazards, food processing and handling, dietary impacts on health, and strategies to improve nutrition outcomes.
11) What kinds of projects fit under Bioenergy, Natural Resources, and Environment?
This area supports work related to renewable energy from agricultural sources as well as stewardship of soil, water, air, climate, and ecosystems.
12) What kinds of projects fit under Agriculture Systems and Technology?
This area includes engineering, data, automation, precision agriculture, and systems-level approaches that improve efficiency and decision-making.
13) What kinds of projects fit under Agriculture Economics and Rural Communities?
This area funds efforts to understand and strengthen farm and food economies, markets, policy impacts, rural development, and community well-being.
14) Do applicants need to align with a specific AFRI priority area?
Yes. Applicants are expected to align their proposed work with one of the major topic areas spelled out in the RFA and clearly explain how the project addresses program goals.
15) Where can applicants find the definitive requirements for each priority area?
Applicants are repeatedly directed to the full Foundational and Applied Science Request for Applications (RFA) for exact requirements, topic-specific expectations, allowed project types, and instructions for preparing and submitting a compliant application.
16) Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is described as broad but not universal, and the listing in the announcement is explicitly abbreviated. Examples of eligible applicant categories include:
- 1862, 1890, and 1994 Land-Grant Institutions
- State Agricultural Experiment Stations
- State-controlled and private institutions of higher education
- Hispanic-Serving Institutions
- Certain nonprofit organizations (including 501(c)(3) and some without 501(c)(3) status, with limitations noted)
- Small businesses and other for-profit entities (with distinctions made between small businesses and other for-profits)
- Individuals
- Certain Native American tribal organizations that are not federally recognized tribal governments
17) Is eligibility the same for every program area and project type?
No. Eligibility can vary depending on the specific program area and project type. Applicants must consult Part III, A of the Foundational and Applied Science RFA for the definitive eligibility rules.
18) What happens if an ineligible institution applies?
The announcement states that applications from ineligible institutions will not be reviewed. Confirming eligibility early is emphasized as a critical step.
19) What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?
The CFDA number listed is 10.310.
20) What is the official funding opportunity title?
The funding opportunity title is "Agriculture and Food Research Initiative - Foundational and Applied Science."
21) What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number is USDA NIFA AFRI 006609.
22) What type of federal award is this?
This is described as a discretionary federal grant.
23) What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The maximum award amount (award ceiling) shown is $1,000,000.
24) What was the closing date listed for this specific posting?
The original closing date listed for this specific posting was April 10, 2019.
25) When was this posting created?
The posting was created on May 29, 2018.
26) Why does the announcement keep directing applicants to the RFA?
The summary provides headline details, but the announcement emphasizes that the full Foundational and Applied Science RFA contains the exact requirements, topic-specific expectations, project type rules, definitive eligibility criteria, and up-to-date instructions needed to submit a compliant application.
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