Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NIFA AFRI 009003
The Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) Foundational and Applied Science Program is a competitive grant opportunity run by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) that funds work aimed at strengthening U.S. agriculture through both fundamental (foundational) research and practical, problem-solving (applied) science. The program is designed to move agricultural knowledge forward in ways that can translate into better production practices, improved products, stronger environmental outcomes, and healthier people and communities. It is issued as a discretionary federal funding opportunity and uses a grant mechanism under CFDA number 10.310.
The program organizes its funding around six AFRI priority areas, which together cover the major scientific and societal challenges tied to agriculture and food systems. Those areas are: (1) Plant Health and Production and Plant Products, supporting advances in crop health, resilience, productivity, and plant-based products; (2) Animal Health and Production and Animal Products, targeting animal health, welfare, productivity, and animal-derived foods and materials; (3) Food Safety, Nutrition, and Health, addressing the safety of the food supply as well as connections between diet, nutrition, and human health; (4) Bioenergy, Natural Resources, and Environment, focusing on renewable energy from biological sources and the stewardship of land, water, climate, and other natural resources; (5) Agriculture Systems and Technology, emphasizing innovations in agricultural systems, engineering, data, and technology that improve efficiency and sustainability; and (6) Agriculture Economics and Rural Communities, supporting economic analysis, policy-relevant work, and research that benefits rural prosperity and community resilience.
A notable feature of this opportunity is the range of project formats it will consider. Applicants can propose research-only projects, extension-only projects, or integrated projects that combine research with education and/or extension activities. This structure allows proposals that generate new scientific knowledge, proposals that focus on delivering existing knowledge and best practices to producers and communities, and proposals that intentionally link discovery with training and real-world adoption. The specific expectations, required components, and topic details for each priority area are laid out in the official Foundational and Applied Science Request for Applications (RFA), which applicants are expected to follow closely.
Eligibility is a central requirement and is not treated casually in this program. Applications may only be submitted by entities that meet NIFA's eligibility rules, and those rules can vary depending on the type of project being proposed (research, extension, or integrated). The notice emphasizes that failing to meet an eligibility criterion by the application deadline can result in the application being excluded from consideration. Even if an ineligible application is reviewed, NIFA will not make an award, so confirming eligibility early and matching it to the intended project type is essential.
From the published opportunity data, this funding opportunity is titled "Agriculture and Food Research Initiative - Foundational and Applied Science Program" with opportunity number USDA NIFA AFRI 009003. It is categorized as a discretionary grant opportunity in the agriculture activity category. The agency is the National Institute of Food and Agriculture. The listing shows an original closing date of 2023-02-03, a stated award ceiling of up to $15,000,000, and an expected awards field that is not specified in the provided source data. The opportunity record was created on 2022-03-09. For any applicant, the most important next step beyond this summary is to consult the specific RFA to identify the exact program area priorities, budget rules, matching requirements (if any), evaluation criteria, and eligibility conditions tied to the chosen project type.Apply for USDA NIFA AFRI 009003
- The National Institute of Food and Agriculture in the agriculture sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Agriculture and Food Research Initiative - Foundational and Applied Science Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.310.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2022-03-09.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2023-02-03. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $15,000,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
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