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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FAQs: AFRI Foundational and Applied Science Program (USDA NIFA)
What is the AFRI Foundational and Applied Science Program?
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). It funds projects intended to strengthen U.S. agriculture through both foundational (fundamental) research and applied, problem-solving science.
What is the official title of this funding opportunity?
The published opportunity title is "Agriculture and Food Research Initiative - Foundational and Applied Science Program."
What is the opportunity number?
The opportunity number listed is USDA NIFA AFRI 009003.
Which federal agency administers this grant?
The administering agency is the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA).
Is this a competitive grant?
Yes. The program is described as a competitive grant opportunity.
What kind of funding opportunity is it (discretionary or mandatory)?
This is issued as a discretionary federal funding opportunity.
What is the CFDA number for this program?
The grant mechanism is listed under CFDA number 10.310.
What general outcomes is the program trying to support?
The program is designed to advance agricultural knowledge in ways that can translate into better production practices, improved products, stronger environmental outcomes, and healthier people and communities.
How is the program organized?
Funding is organized around six AFRI priority areas that address major scientific and societal challenges tied to agriculture and food systems.
What are the six AFRI priority areas?
The six priority areas listed are:
- Plant Health and Production and Plant Products
- Animal Health and Production and Animal Products
- Food Safety, Nutrition, and Health
- Bioenergy, Natural Resources, and Environment
- Agriculture Systems and Technology
- Agriculture Economics and Rural Communities
What types of topics fit under Plant Health and Production and Plant Products?
This area supports advances in crop health, resilience, productivity, and plant-based products.
What types of topics fit under Animal Health and Production and Animal Products?
This area targets animal health, welfare, productivity, and animal-derived foods and materials.
What types of topics fit under Food Safety, Nutrition, and Health?
This area addresses the safety of the food supply and the connections between diet, nutrition, and human health.
What types of topics fit under Bioenergy, Natural Resources, and Environment?
This area focuses on renewable energy from biological sources and stewardship of land, water, climate, and other natural resources.
What types of topics fit under Agriculture Systems and Technology?
This area emphasizes innovations in agricultural systems, engineering, data, and technology that improve efficiency and sustainability.
What types of topics fit under Agriculture Economics and Rural Communities?
This area supports economic analysis, policy-relevant work, and research that benefits rural prosperity and community resilience.
What project formats does this opportunity allow?
The opportunity considers research-only projects, extension-only projects, and integrated projects that combine research with education and/or extension activities.
What is an integrated project in this program?
An integrated project is a proposal that combines research with education and/or extension activities, intentionally linking discovery with training and real-world adoption.
Can a proposal focus only on research?
Yes. Research-only projects are explicitly listed as an allowable project format.
Can a proposal focus only on extension activities?
Yes. Extension-only projects are explicitly listed as an allowable project format.
Where are the specific requirements and topic details described?
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), and applicants are expected to follow it closely.
Why is eligibility emphasized for this program?
Eligibility is described as a central requirement. The notice warns that failing to meet an eligibility criterion by the application deadline can result in the application being excluded from consideration.
Does eligibility depend on the type of project being proposed?
Yes. The eligibility rules can vary depending on whether the project is research, extension, or integrated.
What happens if an applicant is not eligible?
The notice states that an application may be excluded from consideration if eligibility criteria are not met by the deadline. It also states that even if an ineligible application is reviewed, NIFA will not make an award.
What is the award ceiling listed for this opportunity?
The stated award ceiling in the published opportunity data is up to $15,000,000.
How many awards are expected?
The "expected awards" field is not specified in the provided source data.
What is the original closing date shown in the opportunity record?
The listing shows an original closing date of 2023-02-03.
When was the opportunity record created?
The opportunity record was created on 2022-03-09.
What activity category is this opportunity listed under?
It is categorized in the agriculture activity category.
What is the most important next step for an applicant after reading a summary?
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.
Does the summary provide details like matching requirements, evaluation criteria, or budget rules?
No. The summary indicates that these details (including any matching requirements) are contained in the RFA and should be reviewed there.
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