Extension Funding Opportunity in AFRI

by Rick Koelsch

Buried in NIFA's Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) Foundation Program (traditionally a research based funding opportunity) is a new CARE initiative ripe for Extension-led proposals.  The Request for Proposals is found at http://www.nifa.usda.gov/funding/rfas/pdfs/14_afri_foundation_mod.pdf. 

The CARE (Critical Agricultural Research and Extension) program is described on pages 31-32 of the RFA as a $5 million program designed to address high profile regional and national concerns limiting our food production systems.  It was added to the Foundation Program in 2014 by NIFA for the first time at the request of multiple agricultural organizations.

Several phrases within this call for proposals make it particularly appealing to application focused research, including on-farm research, and extension including the following ...

"Projects will focus on critical problems faced by producers, including those implementing innovative production methods."Address "critical problems that require partnership and close coordination among researchers, extension experts, and producers."
"Funded projects will quickly yield solutions or practices that can be rapidly implemented."
"Producers and/or producer group engagement is required."
"Priority will be given to applications that demonstrate collaboration with recognized stakeholder groups."

As I review this language, the opportunity appears tailor-made for 1) applied research moving from research sites to field application and for 2) stakeholder identified challenges for which we have practices or technologies that need evaluation on commercial farms under a broader range of field conditions. The work being done by Extension teams leading our Soybean Management Field Days, On-Farm Research Program, GMO resistant weed field days, crop residue utilization for beef systems, and our Ag Water Management Network are examples of effort that are a solid fit for the criteria of this RFA.  A well done proposal on any of these or similar topics that includes a strong stakeholder role should compete well for these funds.

If you have an idea for a proposal, I might suggest that you assemble a short summary of your idea and share with with the NIFA program leader, Dr. Martin Draper at (202) 401-1990 or mdraper@nifa.usda.gov.  Marty is an individual who has a solid understanding of applied research and extension needs and of the production related challenges faced by agricultural producers.  I would also be willing to visit with you further if I can be of assistance. 

Please note that proposals will have a limit of $150,000 and letters of intent are due on June 4 with invited proposals due on August 7.
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Language pulled from 2014 Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) Foundation Program, page 31-32  ...  http://www.nifa.usda.gov/funding/rfas/pdfs/14_afri_foundation_mod.pdf 

1.     Critical Agricultural Research and Extension (CARE)

Background

Despite prior investments in basic and applied research, critical problems continue to impede the efficient production and protection of agriculturally-important plants and animals. These problems may be local, regional, or national, and may call for work focused on one or more scientific disciplines. However, all need immediate attention to meet producer needs. Finding and implementing solutions to these critical problems require partnership and close coordination among researchers, extension experts, and producers. Funded projects will quickly yield solutions or practices that can be rapidly implemented by producers.

The CARE program area addresses the following priorities of the 2008 Farm Bill: A. Plant Health and Production and Plant Products; B. Animal Health and Production and Animal Products; C. Food Safety, Nutrition and Health; D. Renewable Energy, Natural Resources, and Environment; E. Agriculture, Systems and Technology; and F. Agriculture Economics and Rural Communities

The AFRI CARE program area directly aligns with the Research, Education, and Economics Action Plan (www.ree.usda.gov/ree/news/USDA_REE_Action_Plan_02-2012_2.pd and specifically addresses: Goal 1 – Local and Global Food Supply and Security; Goal 2 - Responding to Climate and Energy Needs; Goal 3 – Sustainable Use of Natural Resources; Goal 5 – Food Safety; Goal 6 – Education and Science Literacy; and Goal 7 – Rural-Urban Interdependence and Prosperity.

In FY 2014, AFRI invites Integrated research and extension applications for Standard and FASE Grant types relevant to the priority of the CARE Program Area described below.

Letter of Intent Deadline – June 4, 2014 (5:00 p.m. ET); see Part IV, A for instructions

Program Area e-mail for Submission of Letter of Intent– CriticalAg@nifa.usda.gov

Application Deadline – August 7, 2014 (5:00 p.m. ET)

Total Program Funds – Approximately $5 million

Proposed Budget Requests -

·   Standard Grants must not exceed $150,000 total (including indirect costs) for project periods of up to 3 years and are not renewable.
·   Food and Agricultural Science Enhancement (FASE) Grants must adhere to the guidelines outlined beginning in Part II, D. 3.
·   Requests exceeding the budgetary guidelines will not be reviewed.

Program Area Priorities – Each application must address the following Program Area Priority:

1.     CARE

Program Area Priority Code – A1701
Program Area Priority Contact – Dr. Martin Draper (202) 401-1990 or mdraper@nifa.usda.gov

Develop and implement solutions to critical producer problems associated with animal and crop production, protection, or product quality. Emphasis will be placed on achieving results that can be applied by the producer as quickly as possible following project completion. Applications should include justification of why the issue is critical and how project outcomes will rapidly impact the stakeholder community. The project must include stakeholders.

Other Program Area Requirements:

• Producers and/or producer group engagement is required during development of the application to ensure that funded projects are designed to provide solutions to stakeholder needs. Further, these stakeholders should also be involved in the implementation of the project.
• Strict focus on a short to medium-term application of results is an important component of this program area. Projects must demonstrate outcomes within the project period.
• Projects will focus on critical problems faced by producers, including those implementing innovative production methods.
• Projects must have a high degree of coordination between research and extension components. Both functions should be engaged from inception through implementation of the project.  
• Project applicants must identify if their project is extension-led or research-led.
• All applications must include a logic model detailing the activities, outputs, and outcomes of the proposed project. See Part IV C.3g for details on how to create a logic model and how to attach this information to your application.
• Project budgets should reflect how the research and extension activities will be achieved, including how they are integrated.
• Priority will be given to applications that demonstrate collaboration with recognized stakeholder groups and submitted by investigator(s) with experience in using local, regional, or national resources and in conducting time-critical research and extension.
• All applications must adhere to the requirements beginning in Part IV.
• Applications from, and collaborations with, small to mid-sized institutions, minority-serving institutions, and/or EPSCoR states are strongly encouraged.

SPECIAL NOTE: Applications to this program should uniquely fit into this program and should not be eligible for submission to other existing AFRI program areas or priority areas.