4 NIFA Institutes1. Institute of food production &
sustainability2. Institute of food safety & nutrition3. Institute of bioenergy, climate, &
environment4. Institute for youth, family,
communities 1 CenterCenter for International
Programs
Institute of Food
Production and Sustainability
Division of
Animal Systems
Division of Plant Systems -
Protection
Division of Plant Systems -
Production
Division of Agricultural
Systems
Institute of Bioenergy,
Climate, and Environment
Division of Bioenergy
Division of Global Climate
Change
Division of Environmental
Systems
Institute of Food Safety
and Nutrition
Division of Nutrition
Division of Food Safety
Institute of Youth, Family,
and Community
Division of Community and
Education
Division of Youth and 4-H
Division of Family and Consumer Sciences
Office of Grants and Financial
Management
Awards Management
Division
Policy and Oversight
Division
Financial Operations
Division
Office of
Information Technology
Applications Division
Operations and Administrative Systems Division
Information Policy, Planning, and
Training Division
Equal Opportunity
Staff
Budget Staff
Communications Staff
Planning, Accountability, & Reporting Staff
Center for International
Programs
NIFA Director (Acting)
Chavonda Jacobs-Young
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
(NIFA) established by the 2008 Farm Bill• Research enables us to develop the knowledge
needed to solve many of the issues facing our nation
• Education strengthens schools and universities to train the next generation of scientists, educators, producers, and citizens
• Extension brings the knowledge gained through research and education to the people who need it most – in the United States and around the world
Tom VilsackSecretary, USDA
Dr. Chavonda Jacobs-Young Acting Director, NIFA
Dr. Cathie WotekiUnder Secretary Research, Education, and Economics (REE) mission area, and the Department's Chief Scientist
Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI)
Agriculture and Food Research Initiative
• Authorized for appropriation of $700 million for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2012
• FY 2010 funding = $262 million• FY 2011 funding = $264 million• Indirect costs capped at 22%• No less than 30% of funds will be
made available for integrated programs
Agriculture and Food Research Initiative
Of funds allocated for research:• No less than 40% made available for
applied research• No less than 60% made available for
fundamental research– No less than 30% for multi-disciplinary
teams– No less than 2% for equipment grants
Agriculture and Food Research Initiative
FY 2011/2012 Challenge Area RFAs1. Childhood Obesity Prevention2. Climate Change3. Global Food Security4. Food Safety5. Sustainable Bioenergy
Agriculture and Food Research Initiative
FY 2011/12 Challenge Area RFAs• Significant focus on achieving
measurable outcomes• Offers funding for research, education,
extension, and integrated projects• Most grants made as continuation
awards• Range of award sizes; some as large at
$2 million per year
Agriculture and Food Research InitiativeFoundational Program RFA
• Plant Health and Production and Plant Products
• Animal Health and Production and Animal Products
• Food Safety, Nutrition, and Health• Renewable Energy, Natural Resources,
and Environment• Agriculture Systems and Technology• Agriculture Economics and Rural
Communities
Agriculture and Food Research Initiative
Foundational Program RFA• Building a foundation of knowledge
critical for solving current and future societal challenges
• Offers funding for research projects only• Grants generally $500,000 or less each
in total
Agriculture and Food Research InitiativeNIFA Fellowships Program RFA
1. Offering individual fellowships for pre- and postdoctoral students – NIFA Fellows
2. Projects to focus on the broad Challenge Areas3. Pre-doctoral fellowships: $75,000 for two years of
support (stipend, tuition, fees, fringe, travel)4. Post-doctoral fellowships: $130,000 for two years
of support (primarily salary; also supplies, travel, etc.)
Project Types and Eligibility• Research Projects – basic and
applied, multidisciplinary• Education Projects• Extension Projects
The broader AFRI Eligibility applies to these single-function project types
AFRI Eligibility1. State agricultural experiment stations2. Colleges and universities (including junior colleges
offering associate degrees or higher)3. University research foundations4. Other research institutions and organizations5. Federal agencies and national laboratories6. Private organizations or corporations7. U.S. Citizens, nationals, or permanent residents8. Eligible institutions do not include foreign and
international organizations
Project Types and Eligibility• Integrated Projects – integration of
research, education and extension (at least two of three, or all three when specified in the RFA)
The 406 or Integrated Eligibility applies to this multi-functional project type
406 or Integrated Eligibility1. Colleges and universities2. 1994 Land-Grant Institutions3. Hispanic-serving agricultural colleges
and universities
Grant Types• Standard Grant• Coordinated Agricultural Project
(CAP) Grant• Conference Grant• Food and Agricultural Science
Enhancement (FASE) Grant
FASE Grants• Improve research, education, and
extension capabilities of:– institutions in EPSCoR states– faculty from small, mid-sized, and
minority-serving institutions (with limited success)
– single or co-investigators beginning research, education, or extension careers
– pre-doctoral students and post-doctoral scientists
FASE Grants• Pre-doctoral Fellowship Grants• Postdoctoral Fellowship Grants• New Investigator Grants• Strengthening Grants
– Sabbatical Grants– Equipment Grants– Seed Grants– Strengthening Standard
An Overview of Integrated Research, Education, and
Extension Programs
ntegratedResearch
Education
Extension
To bring the three functions of the agricultural knowledge system around a problem area or issue
I
NIFA’s Integrated ProgramsThe three functions should:• Be interwoven throughout the life of
the project• Complement and reinforce one
another• Be interdependent and necessary for
the success of the project
NIFA’s Integrated Programs• Agriculture and Food Research Initiative• Section 406 Integrated, Research, Education,
and Extension Competitive Grants Program• Specialty Crop Research Initiative• Organic Agriculture Research and Extension
Initiative• Regional Integrated Pest Management• International Science and Education
Competitive Grants Program
Agriculture and FoodResearch Initiative (AFRI)
AFRI Integrated Programs
• Fundamental and applied research
• Education
• Extension
• Integrated research, extension, and/or education
AFRI Integrated Programs
Authorized for appropriation of $700 million for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2012
No less than 30% will be made available for integrated programs
AFRI Integrated Eligibility
Colleges and universities,1994 land-grant institutions, and Hispanic-serving agricultural colleges and universities
AFRI Grant Types• Standard Grants• Coordinated Agricultural Project Grants• Planning/Coordination Grants• Conference Grants• Food and Agricultural Science Enhancement
Grants (FASE)– Pre- and Postdoctoral Fellowship Grants– New Investigator Grants– Strengthening Grants
Key Points for AFRI Integrated Projects• Must include two of the three functions
(research, education, and/or extension per the RFA!)
• Applications must contain objectives for each function in the project
• Must budget sufficient resources to carry out the set of research, education, and/or extension activities – No more than 2/3 on a single function
Key Points for AFRI Integrated Projects• Applications must provide the elements of a
logic model (e.g., activities, outputs, and outcomes) in narrative form or logic model chart
• Must include individuals on the project team with significant expertise in each component of the project
• Applications must contain a clearly articulated management plan to ensure efficient functioning of the team
AFRI Integrated Program Areas• Childhood Obesity Prevention
Challenge Area• Climate Change Challenge Area• Global Food Security Challenge Area• Food Safety Challenge Area• Sustainable Bioenergy Challenge
Area• Foundational Program
Integrated Research, Education, and Extension Competitive Grants
Program (Section 406)
Section 406
Authorized in Section 406 of the Agricultural Research, Extension and Education Reform Act of 1998 (AREERA)
Provides funding for integrated, multifunctional agricultural research, education, and extension activities
Section 406 Appropriations
2000 $39.54 M2001 41.85 M2002 42.85 M2003 44.23 M2004 39.55 M2005 43.06 M
2006 $42.29 M2007 42.29 M2008 41.99 M2009 41.99 M2010 45.15 M2011 45.15M
Section 406 Eligibility
Colleges and universities,1994 land-grant institutions, and Hispanic-serving agricultural colleges and universities
Section 406 Program Areas• National Integrated Food Safety
Initiative• National Integrated Water Quality
Program• Organic Transitions Program
Section 406 Program Areas• Integrated Pest Management
– Regional Pest Management Centers– Crops at Risk– Risk Avoidance & Mitigation
• Methyl Bromide Transitions
Specialty Crop Research Initiative (SCRI)
Specialty Crop Research InitiativeSupports research and extension that takes a systems-based, trans-disciplinary approach to solving critical specialty crop issues, priorities or problems
SCRI EligibilityFederal agencies, national laboratories, colleges and universities, research institutions and organizations, private organizations or corporations, State agricultural experiment stations, individuals, or groups consisting of two or more of these entities
SCRI Program AreasProjects must address at least one of five focus areas:
• Plant breeding, genetics, and genomics to improve crop characteristics
• Identification and addressing threats from pests and diseases, including threats to specialty crop pollinators
SCRI Program Areas• Improvement of production efficiency,
productivity, and profitability over the long term• New innovations and technology, including
improved mechanization and technologies that delay or inhibit ripening
• Methods to prevent, detect, monitor, control, and respond to potential food safety hazards in production and processing of specialty crops
Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative(OREI)
Supports 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
OREI Eligibility
State agricultural experiment stations, colleges and universities, university research foundations, other research institutions and organizations, Federal agencies, national laboratories, private organizations or corporations, individuals who are United States citizens or national, or a group consisting of two or more of these entities
OREI Program Characteristics• OREI is particularly interested in
projects that emphasize research and outreach that assist farmers and ranchers with whole farm planning and ecosystem integration
• Fieldwork must be done on certified organic land or on land in transition to organic certification, as appropriate to project goals and objectives
OREI Program Characteristics• Projects should plan to deliver applied
production information to producers• Priority concerns include biological,
physical, and social sciences, including economics
International Science and Education Program
Support research, extension, and teaching activities that will enhance the capabilities of American colleges and universities to conduct international collaborative research, extension, and teaching
Even More Competitive Programs…
Other Competitive Programs• Biotechnology Risk Assessment• Renewable Resource Extension Act -National Focus Funds• Rangeland Research• Biomass Research and Development• Beginning Farmers and Ranchers Development• Small Business Innovation Research• Sustainable Agricultural Research and Education
Understanding the Review Processat the
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Overview of the Competitive Grant Proposal Process
• Application Process
• Review Process
• Awards and Declines
• Post-Panel Administration
Application ProcessRequest for Application (RFA)• Posted to the NIFA website
www.nifa.usda.gov link to “Grants” page RFA defines the program… do not rely on third party or
web based summaries! The RFA may include several sub programs with
different requirements and deadlines. Read the RFA carefully.
Application ProcessRequest for Application (RFA)• Are you ready to submit?
DUNS Number? Has you CCR expired?
Application ProcessRequest for Application (RFA)• Project Directors submit Letter of Intent (LOI)
When applicable – not required for all programs. HOWEVER, if required and this is missed this will preclude submission of a full application
Requirements provided in RFA Submission at the LOI deadline in advance of proposal
deadline
Application Process• Develop proposal following:
Specific program goals, priorities and published deadline and guidelines provided in RFA
• Submit proposal electronically (www.grants.gov)
Highly recommend submitting at least 72 hr before deadline (especially fro larger more complicated applications)
Late applications are NOT accepted!
• Contact NPL if you do not receive an e-mail within 4 weeks acknowledging receipt of your proposal
• Keep program updated of changes in address, phone number, status of other pending proposals, and COI status
• Wait for notification of funding decisionbased on initial NPL e-mail received that also overviewed anticipated timeline (contact NPL if deadline passes !)
During the Review Process
Competitive Peer Review Process• Reviewed and rated highly by the NRC• Designed to be scholarly & fair:
Review by peers & other experts
Provide written & verbal evaluations
• Understand the review process for your specific program
(research; education; extension; integrated) to prepare a
competitive proposal
Program-dependent evaluation factors are
critical to the success of an application
Panel Member Selection• Active in Research, Education or Extension• Balanced to represent breadth of proposals and
applicants:– Discipline– Geography– Institution Size and Type– Professional Rank – Gender & Ethnicity
• Continuity: experience in the review process
• Review up to 20 proposals; # depends on program
• Provide scientific, constructive & fair evaluation
• Protect confidentiality
• Avoid Conflict of Interest
Role of Panelists
• Proposal content and identity of applicant
• Reviewer identity
• Reviews (shared with PD only)
• Panel proceedings
Protecting Confidentiality
• Advisors and advisees (lifetime)• Collaborators and co-authors (3 years)• Institutional• Anyone who stands to
materially profit from an award decision
• Other personal reasons defined by the reviewer
Avoiding Conflicts of Interest
• Applies to NPL, Panel Manager, panelists and ad hoc reviewers
• May not participate in any aspect of evaluation
• May not participate in decision regarding budget, project scope, or project duration
Avoiding Conflicts of Interest (cont.)
Reviewer Evaluation of ProposalsReviewers prepare written reviews
• Use RFA evaluation criteria• Address strengths and weaknesses• Make suggestions for improvement
Reviewers provide individual summary rating• Excellent• Very Good• Good• Fair• Poor
Evaluation Criteria(e.g., AFRI research proposals)
1. Scientific merit
2. Qualifications of project personnel, adequacy of facilities, and project management
3. Relevance and importance of topic to US Agriculture as articulated by the program’s priorities
• Interactive Panel discussion• Panel consensus and categorizing
• Outstanding• High Priority• Medium Priority• Low Priority• Do Not Fund• Triage
• Prepare panel summary
Review Panel Meeting
Preparation of the Panel Summary
• POSITIVE Aspects
• NEGATIVE Aspects
• SYNTHESIS
Panel Meeting: Final Day
Re-rank of proposals:
• Re-visit all categories
• Numerical ranking - usually only proposals ranked in top ~25%
Funding of ranked applications• Budgets may be adjusted as recommended by the
panel
• NPL and PM make decisions to fund eligible projects “below the line” from set aside funds ( AFRI Strengthening and New Investigator grants)
• NPL and Panel Manager prepare funding list according to panel ranking for review and approval by Division Director and Assistant Director
• E-mail and/or letter to the PD from National Program Leader
• Return of:• Written reviews• Panel summary• Relative ranking
Post-panel: Declined Proposals
• Phone Call• Return of:
– reviews– panel summary– relative ranking (categorical ranking)
• Complete award paperwork
Post-panel: Recommended Awards
• NPL Approved Budget and determines recommended award amount Collects and prepares paperwork (with program staff) including
assurance statements, Current Research Information System initial report
Feedback and consultation on declined proposals Reporting performance, summaries, success stories & highlights
(USDA, Congress, White House - OSTP, OMB, others) Program communication including outreach & promotion Meets annually with all funded Project Directors
Post-panel
• OGFM Reviews all award materials (Terms and conditions, assurance
statements, reviews, etc.) Reviews Budget for compliance (indirect rates, match if required,
etc.) Makes payments using ASAP system Withholds payments for inadequate progress and failure to meet
terms and conditions requirements Conducts financial audits
Post-panel
Thank you!
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