The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) is accepting applications for its Supplemental and Alternative Crops (SAC) to support projects that lead to expanded adaptation and increased acreage in the United States of canola grown for oil and industrial hemp grown for value added products.
Donor Name: National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA)
State: Selected States
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 04/06/2023
Size of the Grant: $250,000
Grant Duration: 48 months
Details:
The purpose of this integrated research and extension program is to adapt these multiple-purpose crops to diverse growing regions in the United States, so that domestic canola oil and industrial hemp production can be significantly increased and be profitable nationwide. Such efforts require strategically designed, region-based research approaches and effective communication of useful information and transfer of technologies to users as rapidly as possible. SAC supports research and Extension in conventional and organic production systems.
The SAC program encourages applicants to establish and work through region-based, multi-state research networks to address priority national or regional science needs of the canola and industrial hemp industries. The SAC program seeks to accelerate the development and use of superior varieties and practices adapted to regional conditions that produce benefits to growers and allied industries. By bringing together expertise across multiple university, federal agency, and industry organizations and states, the SAC program seeks to enhance the effectiveness of limited state, federal, and industry resources to produce greater impacts. Research results, information, and technology developed are expected to be rapidly transferred to producers and other users through effective extension outreach and other engagement efforts. Virtual methods of outreach are encouraged to expand potential audience reach.
The SAC program is aligned with the following strategic goals outlined in the USDA’s FY2022- 2026 strategic plan USDA Strategic Plan:
- Strategic Goal 1: Ensure America’s Agricultural System is Equitable, Resilient, and Prosperous
- Strategic Goal 2: Foster an Equitable and Competitive Marketplace for All Agricultural Producers
- Strategic Goal 3: Provide All Americans Safe, Nutritious Food
- Strategic Goal 4: Expand Opportunities for Economic Development and Improve Quality of Life in Rural and Tribal Communities
NIFA is soliciting applications for the FY 2023 SAC under the following two areas:
Canola:
- Testing germplasm and breeding to develop superior performing canola varieties that increase productivity, profitability, and adaptation to an expanded range of U.S. growing environments;
- Conducting fundamental and applied research and extension activities to develop innovative planting, cultivating, harvesting methods for use in production systems that include superior performing canola varieties to improve input cost efficiencies and reduce producer and other supply chain participant risks;
- Conducting fundamental and applied research and extension activities to develop canola production practices that enhance the use of canola as a pollinator friendly crop.
Industrial Hemp:
- Fundamental and applied research to develop production systems for hemp grown for grain or fiber with a THC content of 0.3% or less, including cultivar evaluation and development, plant spacing and harvesting techniques.
- Economic research and extension that lead to expanded development of markets for industrial hemp grown for grain or fiber, including the current size of the markets, the potential for market increases, prices that can be expected by growers, and potential bottlenecks in the supply chain.
Proposals must include stakeholder input in priority setting, project development, and implementation, and pursue regional coordination of canola-or industrial hemp-related research and extension activities. Applicants are required to provide evidence as appropriate of interdisciplinary, multi-regional cooperation, and use the expertise and resources of land grant and other colleges and universities, Federal agencies, and private industry.
Funding Information
- Estimated Total Program Funding: $938,000
- Award Ceiling: $250,000
- Award Floor: $50,000
Project Period
24-48 Months
Project and Grant Types
For Canola, NIFA will recognize two types of projects:
- Regional Integrated Research and Extension Projects (RIREP):
- North Central: Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Eastern Montana
- Great Plains: Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, Wyoming
- Pacific Northwest: Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Western Montana
- Projects in Other States (POS)
- There is strong potential for canola production to expand into states other than those where canola has traditionally been grown. Projects in these states should lead to results that will help expand the range of profitable canola production.
Eligibility Requirements
Colleges and universities , other Federal agencies, and private sector entities are eligible to submit applications. Award recipients may subcontract to organizations not eligible to apply provided such organizations are necessary for the conduct of the project. Applicants for SAC must meet one of the requirements listed above. Failure to meet the eligibility criteria by the application deadline may result in exclusion from review or, if reviewed, preclude NIFA from making an award. For those new to Federal financial assistance, NIFA’s Grants Overview provides highly recommended information about grants and other resources to help understand the Federal awards process.
For more information, visit Grants.gov.
