- Author: Kendra T Rose
Dear Colleagues,
USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) has release two requests for applications related to organic agriculture.
1) Integrated Research, Education, and Extension Competitive Grants Program – Organic Transitions (ORG) for fiscal year (FY) 2025. This program aims to support the development and implementation of research, extension, and higher education programs to improve the competitiveness of organic livestock and crop producers, as well as those adopting organic practices.
Eligibility and Project Priorities
This funding opportunity focuses on environmental services provided by organic farming systems, including soil conservation, pollinator health, and climate change mitigation (e.g., greenhouse gas reduction). It also supports the development of educational tools for Cooperative Extension personnel and other agricultural professionals advising producers on organic practices. Additionally, the program encourages the development of cultural practices and allowable alternatives to substances recommended for removal from the National Organic Program's National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances. Proposals should integrate research, education, and extension activities as appropriate to project goals, ensuring impact in at least two of these areas.
Projects should emphasize:
- Soil Conservation: Innovative methods to conserve and improve soil health.
- Pollinator Health: Practices to support and sustain pollinator populations.
- Climate Change Mitigation: Strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from organic farming systems.
- Educational Tools: Resources for Cooperative Extension personnel to better support organic producers.
- Alternatives to Prohibited Substances: Development of cultural practices and alternatives to substances removed from the National List.
Key Details
- Maximum Award Amount: $1,000,000
- Matching Requirement: 100% Match required (waivable; see RFA for details)
- Proposal Deadline: Thursday, March 6, 2025
How to Apply
Visit the NIFA website to learn more about this funding opportunity and access the full Request for Applications (RFA).
2) Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative (OREI) for fiscal year (FY) 2025. This program seeks to solve critical organic agriculture issues, priorities, or problems through the integration of research, education, and extension activities. The purpose of this program is to fund projects that enhance the ability of producers and processors who have already adopted organic standards to grow and market high-quality organic agricultural products.
Eligibility and Project Priorities
This funding opportunity focuses on addressing biological, physical, and social sciences, including economics, and emphasizes research, education, and outreach that assist farmers and ranchers with whole farm planning. Projects should deliver practical, research-based, and applied production information to producers. Fieldwork must be conducted on certified organic land or land transitioning to organic certification, as appropriate to project goals. Proposals should align with USDA National Organic Program standards for organic production.
The OREI program seeks proposals for the following types of projects:
- Tier 1 Integrated Proposal: Comprehensive projects addressing significant organic agriculture challenges. Maximum Award Amount: $3,500,000
- Tier 2 Integrated Proposal: Focused projects addressing regional or targeted issues. Maximum Award Amount: $2,000,000
- Tier 3 Integrated Proposal: Smaller-scale projects with localized impacts. Maximum Award Amount: $1,000,000
- Curriculum Development Proposal: Creation of educational materials and tools for organic agriculture. Maximum Award Amount: $750,000
- Conference Proposal: Organizing conferences to support organic agriculture goals. Maximum Award Amount: $75,000
- Planning Proposal: Development of strategic plans for future organic agriculture projects. Maximum Award Amount: $50,000
Key Details
- Matching Requirement: 100% Match required (waivable; see RFA for details)
- Proposal Deadline: Thursday, February 13, 2025
How to Apply
Visit the NIFA website to learn more about this funding opportunity and access the full Request for Applications (RFA).
Thank you,
Kendra Rose, Associate Director, ANR Proposal Development Services
- Author: Kendra T Rose
Dear Colleagues,
The Unified Grant Management for Viticulture & Enology (UGMVE) is hosting requests for research proposals for FY 2025-2026 on behalf of five entities. Each agency has its own RFP that specifically explains their priorities and criteria:
- American Vineyard Foundation (AVF)
- California Grape Rootstock Improvement Commission (CGRIC)
- California Grape Rootstock Research Foundation (CGRRF)
- Oregon Wine Board (OWB)
- CDFA Pierce's Disease and Glassy-Winged Sharpshooter Board (PD/GWSS)
Submissions to AVF, CGRIC, CGRRF, OWB, and PD/GWSS should be made via the Unified Grant Management for Viticulture & Enology (UGMVE) website.
Proposal Deadline: January 31, 2025.
For more information on submitting a research proposal and to access the full Request for Proposals (RFPs), visit the Unified Grant Management for Viticulture & Enology (UGMVE) website.
Thank you,
Kendra Rose, Associate Director, ANR Proposal Development Services
- Author: Kendra T Rose
Dear Colleagues,
FFAR and Danone North America invite applications for the Impacts of Hub Farms on Regenerative Agriculture Adoption Competitive Grants Program. This initiative supports socio-economic research on large and small dairy farms to enhance understanding of Hub Farm resources' impacts on expanding regenerative agriculture practices. The program aims to encourage the replication of best management practices across diverse farm environments, promote increased cover crop acreage, and facilitate the acquisition of necessary equipment and infrastructure to scale regenerative agriculture.
Eligibility and Project Priorities
This opportunity seeks projects that (1) advance the replication of best practices across various farm types and (2) support middle adopters in increasing and sustaining cover crop acreage while obtaining the tools and infrastructure needed to implement regenerative practices effectively. FFAR will prioritize research that delivers broader benefits across geographies and production systems while ensuring mutual benefit for the U.S. and other nations. The program priorities include:
- Cultivating Thriving Production Systems: Support research that helps producers manage their operations efficiently and profitably through better practices.
- Sustaining Vibrant Agroecosystems: Provide tools and models for producers to maintain healthy, productive agroecosystems in a changing climate.
- Bolstering Healthy Food Systems: Help food processors, distributors, and retailers create sustainable, efficient supply chains for nutritious food.
- Promote Regenerative Agriculture Adoption: Research the social and economic factors influencing the adoption of regenerative agriculture.
- Promote Replication Across Different Farm Environments: Encourage the replication of successful practices across various farm settings to broaden impact.
- Uphold Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI): Engage diverse stakeholders to ensure research outcomes benefit all communities involved in agricultural sustainability.
Key Details
- Duration: 24 months
- Number of awards: two
- Award range: $225,000 - $450,000
- Required match: None
- Proposal Deadline: February 5, 2025, by 2 p.m.
Visit the FFAR website to learn more about this funding opportunity and access the full Request for Applications (RFA).
Thank you,
Kendra Rose, Associate Director, ANR Proposal Development Services
- Author: Kendra T Rose
Dear Colleagues,
USDA NIFA invites applications for the Smith-Lever Special Needs Competitive Grants Program (SLSNCGP). This program enables the Cooperative Extension System (CES) to assist communities in preparing for, responding to, recovering from, and mitigating disasters and disaster threats. The SLSNCGP will fund the development of educational programs, resource deliverables, and demonstration activities that focus on disaster preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation.
SLSNCGP projects must address at least one of these Topical Areas:
- Agriculture: Includes but is not limited to row crop and forage health and production; livestock health and production; aquaculture; fruit and vegetable production; food loss and waste; farm and agribusiness management; economics; urban agriculture; farm safety; and agricultural biosecurity.
- Natural Resources: Includes but is not limited to water; forestry; wood sciences; range; waste management; energy, wildlife; recreation; and environmental education.
- Community and Economic Development: Includes but is not limited to small business; workforce development; community planning; placemaking; revitalization; tourism; visioning and strategic planning; leadership development; housing; homeowner education; civic engagement; volunteerism; broadband; and rural life.
- Family and Consumer Sciences: Includes but is not limited to nutrition; food safety; food loss and waste; nutrition security; health management and wellness; health equity; well-being; mental health; personal and family finance; child development; early childhood education; individual and family relationships; textiles; and hospitality.
- 4-H and Youth Development: Includes but is not limited to youth development; career exploration; civic engagement; STEM education; and volunteerism.
SLSNCGP projects must address at least one of the Strategies as detailed in the solicitation:
- Program and Resource Development
- Exercise and Training
- Communications
- Disaster Planning
- Professional Development and Capacity Building
Key Details:
Grant Types:
- Extension Standard Projects: Duration: 12–36 months; Maximum Award: $115,000
- Extension Planning Projects: Duration: 12 months; Maximum Award: $30,000
Required match: 1:1 match required
Proposal Deadline: February 13, 2025
Visit the NIFA website to learn more about this funding opportunity and access the full Request for Applications (RFA).
Thank you,
Kendra Rose, Associate Director, ANR Proposal Development Services
- Author: Kendra T Rose
Dear Colleagues,
The Swine Health Information Center (SHIC), in collaboration with the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR) and the Pork Checkoff, has launched a $4 million research initiative to strengthen the U.S. swine industry's capabilities in prevention, preparedness, mitigation, and response for H5N1 influenza. With ongoing H5N1 outbreaks in poultry and rising cases across diverse mammalian species, the disease has become a priority for the pork industry. The recent discovery of H5N1 in a dairy herd and a backyard pig in Oregon highlights the urgent need for a deeper understanding of the virus and proactive risk management.
Eligibility and Project Priorities
All projects should strive to address the H5N1 risk to swine research priorities, aiming for high impact, industry-wide benefit, and clear value to pork producers. Collaborative projects involving the pork industry, allied sectors, dairy or poultry industries, academic institutions, or public/private partnerships are strongly encouraged. Proposals that focus on the most urgent priorities and provide significant value to pork producers will be prioritized for funding. The program priorities include:
- Vaccines: Develop and assess H5N1 vaccines.
- Clinical Presentation: Study H5N1 symptoms and transmission.
- Mammary Transmission: Examine virus transmission from sows to piglets via milk.
- Surveillance: Identify effective sampling and testing for early detection.
- Transmission Risks: Assess potential H5N1 entry points from livestock and wildlife.
- Caretaker Protection: Define PPE and practices to prevent zoonotic transmission.
- Biosecurity: Create protocols to prevent H5N1 spread on farms.
- Pork Safety: Ensure safe handling and assess H5N1 presence in pork products.
- Production Impact: Develop strategies to limit spread and production losses.
- Business Continuity: Manage swine movement from exposed herds with safety measures
Key Details
- Award ceiling: $250,000 per award
- Required match: None
- Performance Period: 12 – 18 months
- Proposal Deadline: 5 p.m. CST on December 31, 2024.
For more information and to access the proposal template, visit Swine Health Information Center website.
Thank you.
Kendra Rose, Associate Director, ANR Proposal Development Services
