USDA/NIFA: Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Competitive Grants Program 2024 - fundsforNGOs

The Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Foundational and Applied Science Program supports grants in six AFRI priority areas to advance knowledge in both fundamental and applied sciences important to agriculture.

Donor Name: National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA)

State: All States

County: All Counties

Type of Grant: Grant

Deadline: 12/31/2024

Size of the Grant: $500,000 to $1 million

Grant Duration: 5 Years

Details:

The purpose of AFRI is to support research, education, and extension projects that address key problems of local, regional, national, and global importance in sustaining conventional, organic, urban food, and agricultural and natural systems. These include farm and ranch production efficiency, profitability, and sustainability; bioenergy and bio-based products; forestry; aquaculture; rural communities and entrepreneurship; human nutrition; mitigating impacts of biotic and abiotic constraints on food production; food safety; mitigating food waste and food loss; physical and social sciences; rural human ecology; development of circular/regenerative economies, and genetic improvement of plant and animals.

In addition, the economic sustainability of food systems is an overarching priority for the projects funded in response to this RFA; therefore, projects focusing on plant or animal species or commodities that are important to underserved communities, farmers, ranchers, or small- or medium-sized farms or ranches are also welcome. Through this support, AFRI advances knowledge in both fundamental and applied sciences important to agriculture. Additionally, AFRI supports work in education and extension activities that deliver science based knowledge to end users, allowing them to make informed, practical decisions.

In 2024, applications are sought in the following priority areas:

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; and
Agriculture economics and rural communities.

NIFA is soliciting applications under seven AFRI program areas. The program areas and their respective approximate available funding amounts include:

Plant health and production and plant products ($61 million)
Animal health and production and animal products ($56 million)
Food safety, nutrition, and health ($38 million)
Bioenergy, natural resources, and environment ($37 million)
Agriculture systems and technology ($36 million)
Agriculture economics and rural communities ($30 million)
Crosscutting programs ($36 million)

Funding Information

The amount available for programs included in the 2024 AFRI Foundational and Applied Science (FAS) RFA is approximately $300,000,000. Funding from 2025 appropriations will be used for the programs solicited in this RFA. The amount available to support the AFRI program is anticipated to be approximately $407,000,000, of which $300 million will be used to support AFRI FAS programs.

Plant health and production and plant products ($61 million)

Foundational Knowledge of Agricultural Production Systems
- Maximum Award Amount(s):
  - Including indirect costs: $650,000 for Research Projects
  - Including indirect costs: $750,000 for Integrated Projects
  - Including indirect costs: $300,000 for all Seed Grants
  - $50,000 for Conference and Equipment Grants
- Grant Duration:
  - 36-60 months for Standard Grants, Strengthening Standard Grants, and New Investigator Standard Grants
  - Up to 24 months for all Seed Grants
  - Up to 12 months for Sabbatical Grants
  - Up to 60 months for Conference Grants.
Foundational Knowledge of Plant Products
- Maximum Award Amount(s):
  - Including indirect costs: $650,000 for Standard Grants, Strengthening Standard Grants, and New Investigator Standard Grants
  - Including indirect costs: $300,000 for all Seed Grants
  - $50,000 for Conference and Equipment Grants
- Grant Duration:
  - 36-48 months for Standard Grants, Strengthening Standard Grants, and New Investigator Standard Grants
  - Up to 24 months for all Seed Grants
  - Up to 12 months for Sabbatical Grants
  - Up to 60 months for Conference Grants
Pests and Beneficial Species in Agricultural Production Systems
- Maximum Award Amount(s):
  - Including indirect costs: $750,000 for Standard Grants, Strengthening Standard Grants, and New Investigator Standard Grants; $900,000 with specific partnerships
  - Including indirect costs: $300,000 for all Seed Grants
  - $50,000 for Conference and Equipment Grants
- Grant Duration:
  - 36-60 months for Standard Grants, Strengthening Standard Grants, and New Investigator Standard Grants
  - Up to 24 months for all Seed Grants
  - Up to 12 months for Sabbatical Grants
  - Up to 60 months for Conference Grants
Physiology of Agricultural Plants
- Maximum Award Amount(s):
  - Including indirect costs: $650,000 for Standard Grants, Strengthening Standard Grants, and New Investigator Standard Grants; $800,000 with specific partnerships
  - Including indirect costs: $300,000 for all Seed Grants
  - $50,000 for Conference and Equipment Grants
- Grant Duration:
  - 36-60 months for Standard Grants, Strengthening Standard Grants, and New Investigator Grants
  - Up to 24 months for all Seed Grants
  - Up to 12 months for Sabbatical Grants
  - Up to 60 months for Conference Grants
Plant Breeding for Agricultural Production
- Maximum Award Amount(s):
  - Including indirect costs: $650,000 for Plant Breeding Projects; $800,000 with specific partnerships b. Including indirect costs: $1,000,000 for Coordination Innovation Networks; $1,150,000 with specific partnerships
  - Including indirect costs: $300,000 for all Seed Grants
  - $50,000 for Conference and Equipment Grants
- Grant Duration:
  - 36-48 months for Plant Breeding
  - Up to 60 months for Coordination Innovation Networks
  - Up to 24 months for all Seed Grants
  - Up to 12 months for Sabbatical Grants
  - Up to 60 months for Conference Grants
Pollinator Health: Research and Applications
- Maximum Award Amount(s):
  - Including indirect costs: $750,000 for Standard Grants, Strengthening Standard Grants, and New Investigator Standard Grants; $900,000 with specific partnerships
  - Including indirect costs: $300,000 for all Seed Grants
  - $50,000 for Conference and Equipment Grants
- Grant Duration:
  - 36-60 months for Standard Grants, Strengthening Standard Grants, and New Investigator Standard Grants
  - Up to 24 months for all Seed Grants
  - Up to 12 months for Sabbatical Grants
  - Up to 60 months for Conference Grants
Conventional Plant Breeding for Cultivar Development
- Maximum Award Amount(s):
  - Including indirect costs: $500,000 for Standard Grants, Strengthening Standard Grants, and New Investigator Standard Grants
  - Including indirect costs: $300,000 for all Seed Grants
  - $50,000 for Conference and Equipment Grants
- Grant Duration:
- 36-48 months for Plant Breeding
- Up to 60 months for Coordination Innovation Networks
- Up to 24 months for all Seed Grants
- Up to 12 months for Sabbatical Grants
- Up to 60 months for Conference Grants

Animal health and production and animal products ($56 million)

Animal Reproduction
- Maximum Award Amount(s):
  - Including indirect costs: $650,000 for Standard Grants, Strengthening Standard Grants, and New Investigator Standard Grants
  - Including indirect costs: $300,000 for all Seed Grants
  - $50,000 for Conference and Equipment Grants
- Grant Duration:
  - 36-60 months for Standard Grants, Strengthening Standard Grants, and New Investigator Standard Grants
  - Up to 24 months for all Seed Grants
  - Up to 12 months for Sabbatical Grants
  - Up to 60 months for Conference Grants
Animal Nutrition, Growth and Lactation
- Maximum Award Amount(s):
  - Including indirect costs: $650,000 for Standard Grants, Strengthening Standard Grants, and New Investigator Standard Grants
  - Including indirect costs: $300,000 for all Seed Grants
  - $50,000 for Conference and Equipment Grants
- Grant Duration:
  - 36-60 months for Standard Grants, Strengthening Standard Grants, and New Investigator Standard Grants
  - Up to 24 months for all Seed Grants
  - Up to 12 months for Sabbatical Grants
  - Up to 60 months for Conference Grants
Welfare of Agricultural Animals
- Maximum Award Amount(s):
  - Including indirect costs: $650,000 for Standard Grants, Strengthening Standard Grants, and New Investigator Standard Grants; $800,000 with specific partnerships
  - Including indirect costs: $300,000 for all Seed Grants
  - $50,000 for Conference and Equipment Grants
- Grant Duration:
  - 36-60 months for Standard Grants, Strengthening Standard Grants, and New Investigator Standard Grants
  - Up to 24 months for all Seed Grants
  - Up to 12 months for Sabbatical Grants
  - Up to 60 months for Conference Grants
Diseases of Agricultural Animals
- Maximum Award Amount(s):
  - Including indirect costs: $650,000 for Standard Grants, Strengthening Standard Grants, and New Investigator Standard Grants; $800,000 with specific partnerships
  - Including indirect costs: $300,000 for all Seed Grants
  - $50,000 for Conference and Equipment Grants
- Grant Duration:
  - 36-60 months for Standard Grants, Strengthening Standard Grants, and New Investigator Standard Grants
  - Up to 24 months for all Seed Grants
  - Up to 12 months for Sabbatical Grants
  - Up to 60 months for Conference Grants
Animal Breeding, Genetics, and Genomics
- Maximum Award Amount(s):
  - Including indirect costs: $650,000 for Standard Grants, Strengthening Standard Grants and Standard New
  - Investigator Grants; $800,000 with specific partnerships
  - Including indirect costs: $800,000 for USDA Animal Genome Blueprint projects
  - Including indirect costs: $300,000 for all Seed Grants
  - $50,000 for Conference and Equipment Grants
- Grant Duration:
  - 36-60 months for Standard Grants, Strengthening Standard Grants and New Investigator Standard Grants
  - 36-48 months for USDA Animal Genome Blueprint projects
  - Up to 24 months for all Seed Grants
  - Up to 12 months for Sabbatical Grants
  - Up to 60 months for Conference Grants

Food Safety, Nutrition, and Health ($38 million)

Food Safety and Defense
- Maximum Award Amount(s):
  - Including indirect costs: $650,000 for Standard Grants, Strengthening Standard Grants and New Investigator Standard Grants; $800,000 with specific partnerships
  - Including indirect costs: $300,000 for all Seed Grants
  - $50,000 for Conference and Equipment Grants
- Grant Duration:
  - 36-60 months for Standard Grants, Strengthening Standard Grants and New Investigator Standard Grants
  - Up to 24 months for all Seed Grants
  - Up to 12 months for Sabbatical Grants
  - Up to 60 months for Conference Grants
Novel Foods and Innovative Manufacturing Technologies
- Maximum Award Amount(s):
  - Including indirect costs: $650,000 for Standard Grants, Strengthening Standard Grants and New Investigator Standard Grants; $800,000 with specific partnerships
  - Including indirect costs: $300,000 for all Seed Grants
  - $50,000 for Conference and Equipment Grants
- Grant Duration:
  - 36-60 months for Standard Grants, Strengthening Standard Grants and New Investigator Standard Grants
  - Up to 24 months for all Seed Grants
  - Up to 12 months for Sabbatical Grants
  - Up to 60 months for Conference Grants
Diet, Nutrition and the Prevention of Chronic Diseases
- Maximum Award Amount(s):
  - Including indirect costs: $1,000,000 for Standard Grants, Strengthening Standard Grants and New Investigator Standard Grants; $1,150,000 with specific partnerships
  - Including indirect costs: $300,000 for all Seed Grants
  - $50,000 for Conference and Equipment Grants
- Grant Duration:
  - 36-60 months for Standard Grants, Strengthening Standard Grants and New Investigator Standard Grants
  - Up to 24 months for all Seed Grants
  - Up to 12 months for Sabbatical Grants
  - Up to 60 months for Conference Grants
Food and Human Health
- Maximum Award Amount(s):
  - Including indirect costs: $650,000 for Standard Grants, Strengthening Standard Grants and New Investigator Standard Grants; $800,000 with specific partnerships
  - Including indirect costs: $300,000 for all Seed Grants
  - $50,000 for Conference and Equipment Grants
- Grant Duration:
  - 36-60 months for Standard Grants, Strengthening Standard Grants and New Investigator Standard Grants
  - Up to 24 months for all Seed Grants
  - Up to 12 months for Sabbatical Grants
  - Up to 60 months for Conference Grants
Mitigating Antimicrobial Resistance Across the Food Chain
- Maximum Award Amount(s):
  - Including indirect costs: $1,000,000 for Standard Grants, Strengthening Standard Grants and New Investigator Standard Grants
  - Including indirect costs: $300,000 for all Seed Grants
  - $50,000 for Conference and Equipment Grants
- Grant Duration:
  - Up to 60 months for Standard Grants, Strengthening Standard Grants and New Investigator Standard Grants
  - Up to 24 months for all Seed Grants
  - Up to 12 months for Sabbatical Grants
  - Up to 60 months for Conference Grants

Bioenergy, Natural Resources, and Environment ($37 million)

Soil Health
- Maximum Award
  - Including indirect costs: $750,000 for Standard Grants, Strengthening Standard Grants and New Investigator Standard Grants; $900,000 with specific partnerships
  - Including indirect costs: $300,000 for all Seed Grants
  - $50,000 for Conference and Equipment Grants
- Grant Duration:
  - 36-48 months for Standard Grants, Strengthening Standard Grants and New Investigator Standard Grants
  - Up to 24 months for all Seed Grants
  - Up to 12 months for Sabbatical Grants
  - Up to 60 months for Conference Grants
Water Quantity and Quality
- Maximum Award Amount(s):
  - Including indirect costs: $650,000 for research projects only, and $750,000 for integrated projects only for Standard Grants, Strengthening Standard Grants and New Investigator Standard Grants; $800,000 for research only projects and $900,000 for integrated projects with specific partnerships
  - Including indirect costs: $300,000 for all Seed Grants
  - $50,000 for Conference and Equipment Grants
- Grant Duration:
  - 36-60 months for Standard Grants, Strengthening Standard Grants and New Investigator Standard Grants
  - Up to 24 months for all Seed Grants
  - Up to 12 months for Sabbatical Grants
  - Up to 60 months for Conference Grants
Sustainable Bioeconomy through Biobased Products
- Maximum Award Amount(s):
  - Including indirect costs: $1,000,000 for Standard Grants, Strengthening Standard Grants and New Investigator Standard Grants
  - Including indirect costs: $300,000 for all Seed Grants
  - $50,000 for Conference and Equipment Grants
- Grant Duration:
  - Up to 48 months for Standard Grants, Strengthening Standard Grants and New Investigator Standard Grants
  - Up to 24 months for all Seed Grants
  - Up to 12 months for Sabbatical Grants
  - Up to 60 months for Conference Grants
Sustainable Agroecosystems
- Maximum Award Amount(s):
  - Including indirect costs: $750,000 for Standard Grants, Strengthening Standard Grants and New Investigator Standard Grants; $900,000 with specific partnerships
  - Including indirect costs: $300,000 for all Seed Grants $50,000 for Conference and Equipment Grants
- Grant Duration:
  - 36-48 months for Standard Grants, Strengthening Standard Grants and New Investigator Standard Grants
  - Up to 24 months for all Seed Grants
  - Up to 12 months for Sabbatical Grants
  - Up to 60 months for Conference Grants
Environmental Justice
- Maximum Award Amount(s):
  - Including indirect costs: $1,000,000 for Standard Grants, Strengthening Standard Grants, and New Investigator Standard Grants. $50,000 for Conference Grants
- Grant Duration:
  - 48-60 months for Standard Grants, Strengthening Standard Grants, and New Investigator Standard Grants
  - Up to 60 months for Conference Grants

Agriculture Systems and Technology ($36 million)

Engineering for Agricultural Production and Processing
- Maximum Award Amount(s):
  - Including indirect costs: $650,000 for Standard Grants, Strengthening Standard Grants and New Investigator Standard Grants; $800,000 with specific partnerships
  - Including indirect costs: $300,000 for all Seed Grants $50,000 for Conference and Equipment Grants
- Grant Duration:
  - 36-48 months for Standard Grants, Strengthening Standard Grants and New Investigator Standard Grants
  - Up to 24 months for all Seed Grants
  - Up to 12 months for Sabbatical Grants
  - Up to 60 months for Conference Grants
Biorefining and Biomanufacturing
- Maximum Award Amount(s):
  - Including indirect costs: $650,000 for Standard Grants, Strengthening Standard Grants and New Investigator Standard Grants; $800,000 with specific partnerships
  - Including indirect costs: $300,000 for all Seed Grants
  - $50,000 for Conference and Equipment Grants
- Grant Duration:
  - 36-48 months for Standard Grants, Strengthening Standard Grants and New Investigator Standard Grants
  - Up to 24 months for all Seed Grants
  - Up to 12 months for Sabbatical Grants
  - Up to 60 months for Conference Grants
Nanotechnology for Agricultural and Food Systems
- Maximum Award Amount(s):
  - Including indirect costs: $650,000 for Standard Grants, Strengthening Standard Grants and New Investigator Standard Grants; $800,000 with specific partnerships
  - Including indirect costs: $300,000 for all Seed Grants $50,000 for Conference and Equipment Grants
- Grant Duration:
  - 36-48 months for Standard Grants, Strengthening Standard Grants and New Investigator Standard Grants
  - Up to 24 months for all Seed Grants
  - Up to 12 months for Sabbatical Grants
  - Up to 60 months for Conference Grants
Engineering for Precision Crop and Water Management
- Maximum Award Amount(s):
  - Including indirect costs: $650,000 for Standard Grants, Strengthening Standard Grants and New Investigator Standard Grants; $800,000 with specific partnerships
  - Including indirect costs: $300,000 for all Seed Grants
  - $50,000 for Conference and Equipment Grants
- Grant Duration:
  - 36-48 months for Standard Grants, Strengthening Standard Grants and New Investigator Standard Grants
  - Up to 24 months for all Seed Grants
  - Up to 12 months for Sabbatical Grants
  - Up to 60 months for Conference Grants

Agriculture Economics and Rural Communities ($30 million)

Small and Medium-Sized Farms
- Maximum Award Amount(s):
  - Including indirect costs: $650,000 for Standard Grants, Strengthening Standard Grants and New Investigator Standard Grants
  - Including indirect costs: $300,000 for all Seed Grants
  - $50,000 for Conference and Equipment Grants
- Grant Duration:
  - 36-60 months for Standard Grants, Strengthening Standard Grants and New Investigator Standard Grants
  - Up to 24 months for all Seed Grants
  - Up to 12 months for Sabbatical Grants
  - Up to 60 months for Conference Grants
Economics, Markets and Trade
- Maximum Award Amount(s):
  - Including indirect costs: $650,000 for Standard Grants, Strengthening Standard Grants and New Investigator Standard Grants; $800,000 with specific partnerships
  - Including indirect costs: $300,000 for all Seed Grants
  - $50,000 for Conference and Equipment Grants
- Grant Duration:
  - 36-60 months for Standard Grants, Strengthening Standard Grants and New Investigator Standard Grants
  - Up to 24 months for all Seed Grants
  - Up to 12 months for Sabbatical Grants
  - Up to 60 months for Conference Grants
Social Implications of Food and Agricultural Technologies
- Maximum Award Amount(s):
  - Including indirect costs: $650,000 for Standard Grants, Strengthening Standard Grants and New Investigator Standard Grants
  - Including indirect costs: $300,000 for all Seed Grants
  - $50,000 for Conference and Equipment Grants
- Grant Duration:
  - 36-60 months for Standard Grants, Strengthening Standard Grants and New Investigator Standard Grants
  - Up to 24 months for all Seed Grants
  - Up to 12 months for Sabbatical Grants
  - Up to 60 months for Conference Grants
Rural Economic Development
- Maximum Award Amount(s):
  - Including indirect costs: $650,000 for Standard Grants, Strengthening Standard Grants and New Investigator Standard Grants
  - Including indirect costs: $300,000 for all Seed Grants
  - $50,000 for Conference and Equipment Grants
- Grant Duration:
  - 36-60 months for Standard Grants, Strengthening Standard Grants and New Investigator Standard Grants
  - Up to 24 months for all Seed Grants
  - Up to 12 months for Sabbatical Grants
  - Up to 60 months for Conference Grants
Environmental and Natural Resource Economics
- Maximum Award Amount(s):
  - Including indirect costs: $650,000 for Standard Grants, Strengthening Standard Grants and New Investigator Standard Grants; $800,000 with specific partnerships
  - Including indirect costs: $300,000 for all Seed Grants
  - $50,000 for Conference and Equipment Grants
- Grant Duration:
  - 36-60 months for Standard Grants, Strengthening Standard Grants and New Investigator Standard Grants
  - Up to 24 months for all Seed Grants
  - Up to 12 months for Sabbatical Grants
  - Up to 60 months for Conference Grants

Crosscutting Programs ($36 million)

Agricultural Microbiomes in Plant Systems and Natural Resources
- Maximum Award Amount(s):
  - Including indirect costs: $850,000 for Standard Grants, Strengthening Standard Grants, and New Investigator Standard Grants
  - Including indirect costs: $300,000 for all Seed Grants $50,000 for Conference and Equipment Grants
- Grant Duration:
  - Up to 60 months for Standard Grants, Strengthening Standard Grants, and New Investigator Standard Grants
  - Up to 24 months for all Seed Grants
  - Up to 12 months for Sabbatical Grants
  - Up to 60 months for Conference Grants
Critical Agricultural Research and Extension (CARE)
- Maximum Award Amount(s): Including indirect costs: $300,000
- Grant Duration: 12-36 months
Data Science for Food and Agricultural Systems (DSFAS)
- Maximum Award Amount(s):
  - Including indirect costs: $650,000 for regular DSFAS Projects; $800,000 with specific partnerships
  - Including indirect costs: $1,000,000 for Coordinated Innovation Networks Projects; $1,150,000 with specific partnerships
  - Including indirect costs: $3,000,000 for Coordinated Innovation Networks Climate/Food Supply Modeling Projects; $3,150,000 with specific partnerships
  - Including indirect costs: $300,000 for all Seed Grants
  - $50,000 for Conference and Equipment Grants
- Grant Duration:
  - 36-60 months for Standard Grants, Strengthening Standard Grants, and New Investigator Standard Grants
  - Up to 24 months for all Seed Grants
  - Up to 12 months for Sabbatical Grants
  - Up to 60 months for Conference Grants
Inter-Disciplinary Engagement in Animal Systems (IDEAS)
- Maximum Award Amount(s):
  - Including indirect costs: $1,000,000 for Standard Grants, Strengthening Standard Grants, and New Investigator Standard Grants; $1,150,000 with specific partnerships
  - Including indirect costs: $300,000 for all Seed Grants
  - $50,000 for Conference and Equipment Grants
- Grant Duration:
  - Up to 60 months for Standard Grants, Strengthening Standard Grants, and New Investigator Grants
  - Up to 24 months for all Seed Grants
  - Up to 12 months for Sabbatical Grants
  - Up to 60 months for Conference Grants
Agricultural Biosecurity
- Maximum Award Amount(s):
  - Including indirect costs: $650,000 for single-function Agricultural Biosecurity projects; $800,000 with specific partnerships
  - Including indirect costs: $1,000,000 for integrated Agricultural Biosecurity projects; $1,150,000 with specific partnerships
  - Including indirect costs: $1,000,000 for Agricultural Biosecurity Coordination Network Projects; $1,150,000 with specific partnerships
  - Including indirect costs: $300,000 for all Seed Grants $50,000 for Conference and Equipment Grants
- Grant Duration:
  - 36-60 months for Standard Grants, Strengthening Standard Grants, and New Investigator Standard Grants
  - Up to 24 months for all Seed Grants
  - Up to 12 months for Sabbatical Grants
  - Up to 60 months for Conference Grants
Extension, Education & USDA Climate Hubs Partnership
- Maximum Award Amount(s):
  - Including indirect costs: $1,000,000 for Standard Grants and
  - Strengthening Standard Grants and New Investigator Standard Grants
- Grant Duration: 36-60 months for Standard Grants and Strengthening Standard Grants
AFRI Commodity Board Co-funding Topics
- Maximum Award Amount(s):
  - Including indirect costs: must not exceed the amount listed for the specific topic below and are not renewable.
- Grant Duration: 36-48 months or 36-60 months.

Eligibility Criteria

Research, Education or Extension Projects

Eligible applicants for single-function Research, Education or Extension Projects include:

State Agricultural Experiment Station;
colleges and universities (including junior colleges offering associate degrees or higher);
university research foundations;
other research institutions and organizations;
Federal agencies;
national laboratories;
private organizations or corporations;
individuals who are U.S. citizens, nationals, or permanent residents; and
any group consisting of two or more entities identified in a) through h).

Eligible applicants for Integrated Projects include: