Dear Colleagues,

USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture is soliciting proposals for their Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) Education and Workforce Development (EWD) program which addresses projected shortfalls of qualified graduates in the agricultural, food, and renewable natural resources sectors of the U.S. economy (Employment Opportunities for College Graduates). This RFA seeks applications for education and training grants that focus on further enhancing the distinct components of the pipeline for developing the workforce in the food and agricultural sciences.

There are six AFRI priority areas:
1. Plant health and production and plant products;
2. Animal health and production and animal products;
3. Food safety, nutrition, and health;
4. Bioenergy, natural resources, and environment;
5. Agriculture systems and technology;
6. Agriculture economics and rural communities

The programs and deadlines under this RFA are summarized as follows:

Professional Development for Agricultural Literacy; Program Code: A7501
The PDAL Program Area Priority seeks to increase the number of K-14 educational professionals trained in the food and agricultural sciences. Participants (teachers, post- baccalaureate pre-service teachers, counselors, administrators) are expected to develop and apply skills necessary for integrating food and agricultural science concepts in their classes; explore the opportunities available in food and agricultural science career paths; and/or forge mentorships with professional and business leaders, and faculty at four-year institutions.
Applications Due: September 12, 2024
Maximum Grant Amount: $500,000 

Agricultural Workforce Training at Community Colleges (AWT); Program Code: A7601
The AWT Program Area Priority seeks to develop a workforce ready for the field as well as industry jobs in the food and agricultural sector. Through the development of new workforce training programs, or the expansion, improvement, or renewal of existing workforce training programs at community, junior, and technical colleges/institutes, this program will expand job-based experiential learning opportunities, acquisition of industry-accepted credentials and occupational competencies for students to enable a work-ready labor force for the 21st century. Proposals aimed towards developing baccalaureate or graduate degree programs or pathways towards these degrees are not supported under this Program Area Priority.
Applications Due: September 19, 2024
Maximum Grant Amount: $250,000 for Design Projects and $650,000 for Implementation Projects

Food and Agricultural Non-Formal Education (FANE); Program Code: A7801
Major advances in agricultural productivity and rural prosperity in the past have resulted from transformative technologies, such as breeding tools and strategies, mechanization, and prudent use of agrochemicals. There are several emerging technologies that hold a similar promise. This Program Area priority will support content development and activities for non-formal education to foster development of technology-savvy youth. Projects must adopt or develop curriculum and activities to cultivate interest and competencies in STEM and in food and agricultural sciences supported by the six Farm Bill Priority areas of AFRI. Data science, including artificial intelligence, automation, robotics, gene editing, biotechnology and other projects involving emerging technologies will be supported in this Program Area Priority.
Applications Due: December 5, 2024
Maximum Grant Amount: $750,000

Research and Extension Experiences for Undergraduates (REEU); Program Code: A7401
The REEU Program Area Priority promotes research and extension learning experiences for undergraduates such that upon graduation they may enter the agricultural workforce with exceptional skills. This initiative allows colleges and universities to provide opportunities for undergraduate students, including those from underrepresented and economically disadvantaged groups, minority-serving institutions, community colleges, and universities.
Applications Due: August 15, 2024
Maximum Grant Amount: $750,000

Predoctoral Fellowships; Program Code: A7101
The Predoctoral Fellowships Program Area Priority help develop new scientists and professionals to enter research, education, and/or extension fields within the food and agricultural sciences within the private sector, government, or academia. The aim of these fellowships is to cultivate future leaders who can solve emerging agricultural challenges of the 21st century. NIFA is particularly interested in supporting fellows that address (1) sustainable agricultural intensification; (2) agricultural climate adaptation; (3) food and nutrition translation; (4) value-added innovation; and (5) agricultural science policy leadership.
Applications Due: October 24, 2024
Maximum Grant Amount: $180,000

Postdoctoral Fellowships; Program Code: A7201
The Postdoctoral Fellowships Program Area Priority helps to develop new scientists and professionals to enter research, education, and/or extension fields within the food and agricultural sciences within the private sector, government, or academia. The aim of these fellowships is to cultivate future leaders who can solve emerging agricultural challenges of the 21st century. NIFA is particularly interested in supporting fellows that address (1) sustainable agricultural intensification; (2) agricultural climate adaptation; (3) food and nutrition translation; (4) value-added innovation; and (5) agricultural science policy leadership.
Applications Due: September 5, 2024
Maximum Grant Amount: $225,000

For all program codes, match is not required if the applied research or integrated project with an applied research component is not commodity specific or is national in scope, then no match is required.

Please see the RFA for specific details https://www.nifa.usda.gov/grants/funding-opportunities/agriculture-food-research-initiative-education-workforce-development

Thank you.

Kathleen Nolan, Director, ANR Office of Contracts & Grants (OCG)

Dear Colleagues,

CalFire is soliciting proposals for their Urban and Community Forestry Grants program. The mission of this program is to advance the development of sustainable and accessible urban and community forests in California. CAL FIRE envisions urban and community forests that are healthy, extensive, and well-managed, providing a wide array of optimal benefits to all Californians. Grant Types include 1) Urban Forest Expansion and Improvement; 2) Urban forest Management Activities; 3) Urban Forestry and Education Workforce Development; 4) Urban Forestry Regional or Statewide Impact; 5) Urban Forest Equity Capacity Building. Note: applications are closed for the Green Schoolyards grants per sponsor's website.

Visit the program web page at https://www.fire.ca.gov/what-we-do/grants/urban-and-community-forestry-grants for more information on this funding opportunity.

Applications Due: May 30, 2024

Maximum Grant Amount: $1,500,000.

The Native American Agriculture Funds is soliciting proposals thatsupport planning activities to regionalize/localize food systems supporting Native communities; economic analysis to determine impacts to and solutions for the food system as a result of national disruptions; resiliency and contingency planning for emergency/disaster situations; response plans for coordinated food production and distribution; intertribal agriculture infrastructure planning projects; and other projects aiming to boost Native food systems. NAAF strongly believes in the importance of Tribal food sovereignty which increases and improves Tribal authority over its food system, from farm to fork.

Programs Open to Educational Institutions*

• Special Focus Areas: Climate and Regenerative Agricultural Practices provides support for climate and regenerative agricultural practices and disaster mitigation. Funding in this area will be allocated towards re-grants, direct support, technical assistance, and education. Additionally, this funding can be used to assist producers or communities affected by climate-related disasters, both natural and manmade, that impact their engagement in agricultural or community food system work.
• General Focus: Business Assistance, Agricultural Education, Technical Support and/or Advocacy Services provides support for food and agriculture-related classroom training, classroom education programs, agriculture programs and/or professional or certificate programs in ag law, veterinary, engineering, or related areas; scholarships; curriculum development; and applied research in topics important to the success of Native farmers and ranchers, including career technical training.
• Youth Programming: provides support for youth engagement in agriculture through activities including, but not limited to, classroom activities, community youth gardens, 4-H, youth food summits, participation in training programs.

*Educational organizations that are not recognized as Native-serving institutions must provide clear evidence as to their history of serving Native farmers and ranchers by discussing their experience in providing business assistance, agricultural education, technical support, or advocacy services to and for Native farmers and ranchers.

Visit the program web page at https://nativeamericanagriculturefund.org/2024-rfa/ for more information on this funding opportunity.

Applications Due: May 1, 2024

Grant Amount: request capped at $150,000 or $200,000 dependent upon program.

Match: encouraged but not required

Thank you.

Kathleen Nolan, Director, ANR Office of Contracts & Grants (OCG)

Dear Colleagues,

USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture is soliciting proposals for their Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) Sustainable Agricultural Systems (SAS) program which provides funding for fundamental and applied research, education, and extension projects in the food and agricultural sciences. The long-term purpose of the SAS is to help transform the U.S. food and agricultural system to increase agricultural production while also reducing its environmental footprint. Achieving these goals will require transdisciplinary approaches to address current and future food and agricultural challenges within the context of the economic, societal, and environmental attributes of sustainability.

Visit the program web page at https://www.nifa.usda.gov/grants/funding-opportunities/agriculture-food-research-initiative-sustainable-agricultural-systems  for more information on this funding opportunity.
Applications Due: June 6, 2024
Maximum Grant Amount: $10,000,000.
Required Match: Match not required if the applied research or integrated project with an applied research component is not commodity specific or is national in scope, then no match is required.

USDA Agricultural Marketing Service is soliciting proposals for their Local Food Promotion Program, Farmers Market Promotion Program, and Regional Food System Partnerships program.

Local Food Promotion Program (LFPP) supports the development, coordination, and expansion of local and regional food business enterprises that engage as intermediaries in indirect producer-to-consumer marketing to increase access to and availability of locally and regionally produced agricultural products. The program focuses on:
• Supporting the processing, aggregation, distribution, and storage of local and regional food products that are marketed locally or regionally, including value-added agricultural products;
• Encouraging the development of value-added agricultural products;
• Assisting with business development plans and feasibility studies;
• Developing marketing strategies for producers of local food and value-added products;
• Facilitating regional food chain coordination and mid-tier value chain development;
• Promoting new business opportunities and marketing strategies to reduce on-farm food waste;
• Responding to changing technology needs in indirect producer-to-consumer marketing; and
• Covering expenses related to cost incurred in obtaining food safety certification and improvements to food safety practices and equipment.

Visit the program web page at https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/grants/lfpp for more information on this funding opportunity.
Applications Due: May 14, 2024
Grant Amount: Planning projects: $25,000 to $100,000; implementation projects: $100,000 to $500,000. Turnkey Marketing/Promotion and Recruitment/Training projects: $50,000 and $100,000.
Required Match: 25% match

Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP) funds projects that develop, coordinate, and expand direct producer-to-consumer markets to help increase access to and availability of locally and regionally produced agricultural products. The program focuses on:
• Supporting and promoting domestic direct producer-to-consumer (including direct producer-to-retail, direct producer-to-restaurant, and direct producer-to-institutional marketing) marketing such as farmers markets, roadside stands, agritourism activities, community-supported agriculture (CSA) programs, or online sales;
• Encouraging the development of value-added agricultural products;
• Developing marketing strategies for producers of local food and value-added products;
• Facilitating regional food chain coordination development;
• Promoting new business opportunities and marketing strategies to reduce on-farm food waste;
• Responding to changing technology needs in direct producer-to-consumer marketing; and
• Covering expenses related to costs incurred in obtaining food safety certification and improvements to food safety practices and equipment.

Visit the program web page at https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/grants/fmpp for more information on this funding opportunity.
Applications Due: May 14, 2024
Grant Amount: Capacity Building projects: $50,000 to $250,000; Community Development Training and Technical Assistance projects: $100,000 to $500,000; Turnkey Marketing/Promotion projects and Recruitment/Training projects: $50,000 and $100,000.
Required Match: 25% match

Regional Food System Partnerships (RFSP) program:
Eligibility Note: ANR is ineligible to be a lead applicant on a 2024 application as we have an active RFSP award.
RFSP supports partnerships that connect public and private resources to plan and develop local or regional food systems. The RFSP focuses on building and strengthening the viability and resilience of the local or regional food economy. Applicants must partner to promote the development of local or regional food systems. Applicants will coordinate efforts within the partnership to set priorities, connect resources and services, and measure progress towards common goals.
Partnerships receiving a grant may:
• Determine the size and scope of the local or regional food system in which the project's goals, outreach objectives, and eligible activities are to be carried out.
• Coordinate with AMS to receive technical assistance; and
• Conduct outreach and education for potential participation in the partnership agreement and eligible activities.

Visit the program web page at https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/grants/rfsp for more information on this funding opportunity.
Applications Due: May 14, 2024
Grant Amount: $100,000 to $1,000,000
Required Match: 25% cash match

Thank you.

Kathleen Nolan, Director, ANR Office of Contracts & Grants (OCG)

Dear Colleagues,

Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research is soliciting pre-proposals for their Seeding Solutions grant program. Seeding Solutions encourages the development of unique partnerships that support innovative and transformative research focused on one of our Research Priority Areas.

Projects should:

1) Contribute to the goal of sustainable food and agriculture.

2) Accelerate innovation within FFAR's Priority Areas (Innovation includes: Development of new technologies, Application and validation of new or emerging technologies, processes, or management strategies, Adaptation of existing technologies, processes, or management strategies for entirely new agricultural applications)

3) Fit within FFAR's Research Priority Areas:

• Cultivating Thriving Production Systems: supports research that equips producers with information and tools to manage their enterprises efficiently and profitably, including animal and crop management practices
• Sustaining Vibrant Agroecosystems: supports research that provides tools, technologies and integrative models at scales that allow producers to build and maintain healthy, productive agroecosystems under a changing climate
• Bolstering Healthy Food Systems: supports research that provides food processors, distributors and retailers with the information and technology needed to create efficient and sustainable supply chains that deliver nutritious food to consumers

4) Demonstrate fully integrated partnerships with different sectors so research outcomes may be scalable and applicable to food and agriculture systems. The development of public-private partnerships is central to FFAR's vision and core mission.

5) Uphold FFAR's commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) by seeking unique perspectives through participatory stakeholder engagement and developing results to serve the diverse stakeholders committed to addressing challenges related to food supply and agricultural sustainability.

6) Serve the public good by making data open and accessible, creating unique economic development opportunities, or contributing to food and agriculture workforce development.

Visit the program web page at https://foundationfar.org/grants-funding/opportunities/seeding-solutions-request-for-applications/ for more information on this funding opportunity.

To see their full list of open funding opportunities please visit: https://foundationfar.org/grants-funding/open-opportunities/

Pre-proposals Due: April 3, 2024 2pm PT

Recommended Grant Amount: $300,000 to $1,000,000

Required Match: 1:1 match required. (Of that amount, the cash match portion must be at least 50%. Personnel effort is considered cash match per their guidelines.)

Thank you.

Kathleen Nolan, Director, ANR Office of Contracts & Grants (OCG)