- Author: Kathleen P Nolan
1) Specialty Crop Research Initiative
Pre Application Due Date(s): 5:00 pm ET on March 30, 2015
Application Due Date(s): 5:00 p.m. ET on July 2, 2015, by invite only.
Purpose
Addresses the critical needs of the specialty crop industry by awarding grants to support research and extension that address key challenges of national, regional, and multi-state importance in sustaining all components of food and agriculture. Projects must address at least one of five focus areas:
- Research in plant breeding, genetics, genomics, and other methods to improve crop characteristics;
- Efforts to identify and address threats from pests and diseases, including threats to specialty crop pollinators;
- Efforts to improve production efficiency, handling and processing, productivity, and profitability over the long term (including specialty crop policy and marketing);
- new innovations and technology, including improved mechanization and technologies that delay or inhibit ripening;
- and methods to prevent, detect, monitor, control, and respond to potential food safety hazards in the production efficiency, handling and processing of specialty crops. More…
2) Organic Transitions
Letter of Intent Due Date(s): 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on March 26, 2015
Application Due Date(s): 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on April 16, 2015
Purpose
Supports 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 who are adopting organic practices.
Priorities:
- Environmental services provided by organic farming systems in the area of soil conservation and climate change mitigation, including greenhouse gases;
- Development of educational tools for Cooperative Extension personnel and other agricultural professionals who advise producers on organic practices; and
- Development of cultural practices and other allowable alternatives to substances recommended for removal from the National Organic Programs National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances. More…
3) Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative
Letter of Intent Due Date(s): 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on April 1, 2015
Application Due Date(s): 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on April 30, 2015
Purpose
The purpose of this program is to fund 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. Priority concerns include biological, physical, and social sciences, including economics. The OREI is particularly interested in projects that emphasize research, education and outreach that assist farmers and ranchers with whole farm planning by delivering practical research-based information. More…
This announcement is intended to highlight only a few of the exciting new funding opportunities that are coming up. Please visit our Funding Opportunities Calendar for more upcoming funding opportunities. New opportunities will be posted to this calendar frequently. You can also sign up for the RSS feed to get automatic notices when new opportunities are added. Please remember this calendar is not exhaustive and we encourage you to seek out other opportunities as applicable to your program/research.
Thank you.
Kathleen Nolan, Director, ANR Office of Contracts & Grants (OCG)