7 CFR Part 3430, Competitive and Noncompetitive Non-formula Grant Programs General Grant Administrative Provisions and Program-Specific Administrative Provisions; 7 CFR Part 3015, USDA Uniform Federal Assistance Regulations; 7 CFR Part 3017, Government wide Debarment and Suspension (Nonprocurement); 7 CFR Part 3018, New Restrictions on Lobbying; 7 CFR Part 3019, Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Agreements with Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, and Other Non-profit Organizations; and 7 CFR Part 3021 USDA implementation of Governmentwide Requirements for Drug-free Workplace (Financial Assistance). Regional or Local Office: None. Headquarters Office: USDA, NIFA, National Program Leader, Center for International Programs, http://www.nifa.usda.gov/ RELATED PROGRAMS: 10.001 Agricultural Research_Basic and Applied Research; 10.200 Grants for Agricultural Research, Special Research Grants; 10.202 Cooperative Forestry Research; 10.203 Payments to Agricultural Experiment Stations Under the Hatch Act; 10.205 Payments to 1890 Land-Grant Colleges and Tuskegee University; 10.207 Animal Health and Disease Research; 10.210 Food and Agricultural Sciences National Needs Graduate Fellowship Grants; 10.216 1890 Institution Capacity Building Grants; 10.219 Biotechnology Risk Assessment Research; 10.226 Secondary and Two-Year Postsecondary Agriculture Education Challenge Grants; 10.250 Agricultural and Rural Economic Research; 10.652 Forestry Research EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS: Fiscal Year 2011: Enhance student understanding of the global dimensions of climate change adaptation in agriculture, improve the capability of Rutgers graduate students and faculty to conduct collaborative research in China, and improve U.S. agricultural performance in response to future climate change. The project aims to attain the following objectives: Education - Fortify the international content of existing Forestry undergraduate and graduate curriculum to incorporate complex dimensions of forest management, multifunctionality and opportunities for entrepreneurship based on forest resources into existing and new courses. Research - Solidify existing institutional cooperation to establish continuous collaborative research projects in NIFA's focus areas with scientists at CATIE and incorporate international experiences into formal Doctorial research experiences for underrepresented groups. Extension - Adopt lessons from outreach programs at EARTH University into existing University of Missouri and Lincoln University extension models to maximize benefits to forest-dependent communities, underserved groups and the forest industry by developing new courses and extension models. The Global IQ Project will establish a trilateral collaboration between universities, non-profits and food processing industry in the US, Mozambique and South Africa with the overarching goal of enhancing the global intelligence quotient of U.S. students, and building the capacity of the U.S. universities and industry to participate in the growth potential that exists in the Southern African region. Project Objectives: 1) create awareness of challenges to food security and agricultural value-addition; 2) develop and transfer of appropriate technologies to small and medium scale enterprises; and 3) increase the competitiveness of U.S. agribusiness exports. Fiscal Year 2012: Effective Fiscal Year 2012, this program is no longer being funded. Fiscal Year 2013: N/A program is not in the Presidents FY 2013 budget. CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS: Within guidelines established for the program as described in the Request for Application (RFA). 10.306 BIODIESEL (Biodiesel Fuel Education Program) FEDERAL AGENCY: National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Department of Agriculture Section 9006 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (Public Law 110-246), amended the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8101 et seq.) to re-establish the Biodiesel Fuel Education Program which requires that the Secretary make competitive grants to eligible entities to educate governmental and private entities that operate vehicle fleets, other interested entities (as determined by the Secretary), and the public about the benefits of biodiesel fuel use. The Secretary delegated this authority to the Chief Economist, who in turn delegated this authority to the Director of the Office of Energy Policy and New Uses (OEPNU). OEPNU has joined with NIFA for assistance in administering Biodiesel Education under the authorities found in the Economy Act (31 U.S.C. 1535) and Section 1472 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3318). Specific Biodiesel Education administrative provisions are found in 7 CFR 2903., 7 U.S.C 3318. OBJECTIVES: The goals of the Biodiesel Fuel Education Program as originally established in Section 9004 of the Farm Security Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8104) were to stimulate biodiesel consumption and to stimulate the development of a biodiesel infrastructure. The information and outreach activities to raise awareness of the benefits of biodiesel fuel use complemented the incentives provided by the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct) (Public Law 109-58), and the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (Public Law 110-140). As a result of increased awareness and consumption of biodiesel over the past 5 years, the FY 2008 Biodiesel Education program will focus on educational programs which will support advances in infrastructure, technology transfer, fuel quality, fuel safety and increasing feedstock production. TYPES OF ASSISTANCE: Project Grants USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS: This funding is used for education and outreach activities. Program funds may not be used for renovation or refurbishment or research space; the purchase or installation of fixed equipment in such space; or the planning, repair, rehabilitation, acquisition or construction of buildings or facilities. Grant funds must be used for allowable costs necessary to conduct approved research and extension objectives. Funds may not be used for any purposes other than those approved in the grant award documents. Section 720 of the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2012 (Pub.L. No. 112-55) limits indirect costs to 30 percent of the total Federal funds provided under each award. Therefore, when preparing budgets, applicants should limit their requests for recovery of indirect costs to the lesser of their institutions official negotiated indirect cost rate or the equivalent of 30 percent of total Federal funds awarded. Funds made available under Biodiesel Education shall not be used for the construction of a new building or facility or the acquisition, expansion, remodeling, or alteration of an existing building or facility (including site grading and improvement, and architect fees). Applicant Eligibility: Eligibility is restricted to nonprofit organizations or institution of higher education (as defined in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001)). Beneficiary Eligibility: Nonprofit organizations or institutions of higher education (as defined in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001)). Credentials/Documentation: No Credentials or documentation are required. OMB Circular No. A-87 applies to this program. Preapplication Coordination: All RFAs are published on the Agencys website and Grants.gov. Applicants must complete the Grants.gov registration process. Please see the following Grants.gov link for more information: http://www.grants.gov/applicants/get_registered.jsp. An environmental impact statement is required for this program. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372. Application Procedures: OMB Circular No. A-102 applies to this program. OMB Circular No. A-110 applies to this program. Applications should be submitted as outlined in the RFA. Applications must follow the instructions provided per Grants.Gov and in the Agency guide to submitting applications via Grants.gov. Award Procedure: Applications are subjected to a system of peer and merit review in accordance with section 103 of the Agricultural Research, Extension and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 1613) by a panel of qualified scientists and other appropriate persons who are specialists in the field covered by the proposal. Within the limit of funds available for such purpose, the NIFA Authorized Departmental Officer (ADO) shall make grants to those responsible, eligible applicants whose applications are judged most meritorious under the procedures set forth in the RFA. Reviewers will be selected based upon training and experience in relevant scientific, extension, or education fields, taking into account the following factors: (a) The level of relevant formal scientific, technical education, or extension experience of the individual, as well as the extent to which an individual is engaged in relevant research, education, or extension activities; (b) the need to include as reviewers experts from various areas of specialization within relevant scientific, education, or extension fields; (c) the need to include as reviewers other experts (e.g., producers, range or forest managers/operators, and consumers) who can assess relevance of the applications to targeted audiences and to program needs; (d) the need to include as reviewers experts from a variety of organizational types (e.g., colleges, universities, industry, state and Federal agencies, private profit and non-profit organizations) and geographic locations; (e) the need to maintain a balanced composition of reviewers with regard to minority and female representation and an equitable age distribution; and (f) the need to include reviewers who can judge the effective usefulness to producers and the general public of each application. Evaluation Criteria will be delineated in the RFA. Contact the headquarters or regional office, as appropriate, for application deadlines. Range of Approval/Disapproval Time: Section :094 - Deadlines: Dates for specific deadlines are announced in the RFA each fiscal year. Information is also available via our website and may be obtained via the Grants.gov website. Respective links are provided below: http://www.nifa.usda.gov/ http://www.grants.gov Section :095 - Range of Approval/Disapproval Time: From 30 to 180 days. Appeals: Not Applicable. Renewals: Awards are made as continuation grants, and subsequent annual funding is provided based on demonstrated progress. Specific details are provided in the Request for Applications (RFA) each fiscal year. Formula and Matching Requirements: Statutory formulas are not applicable to this program. This program has no matching requirements. Funds are awarded competitively. No formula grants are awarded under Subtitle K of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 [7 U.S.C. 3319e]. NIFA does not require matching or cost sharing support for this program. MOE requirements are not applicable to this program. Length and Time Phasing of Assistance: The term of a competitive grant under this authority may not exceed five (5) years. Same level of funding for five years. Method of awarding/releasing assistance: by letter of credit. Reports: Grantees are to submit initial project information and annual summary reports to NIFAS electronic, Web-based inventory system that facilitates both grantee submissions of project outcomes and public access to information on Federally-funded projects. The details of the reporting requirements are included in the award terms and conditions. NIFA uses the SF-425, Federal Financial Report to monitor cash. Grantees are to submit initial project information and annual summary reports to NIFAs electronic, Web-based inventory system that facilitates both grantee submissions of project outcomes and public access to information on Federally-funded projects. The details of the reporting requirements are included in the award terms and conditions. A final Financial Status Report (SF-269) or Federal Financial Report (SF-425) is due within 90 days of the expiration date of the grant and should be submitted to the Awards Management Branch, Office of Extramural Programs at the address listed below, in accordance with instructions contained in 2 CFR 3430.55 (also refer to Section 3015.82 of the Uniform Federal Assistance Regulations). Awards Management Division (AMD) Office of Grants and Financial Management (OGFM) 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Telephone: (202) 401-4986. Grantees are to submit initial project information and annual summary reports to NIFAS electronic, Web-based inventory system that facilitates both grantee submissions of project outcomes and public access to information on Federally-funded projects. The details of the reporting requirements are included in the award terms and conditions. Audits: In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $500,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133. Audits will be conducted in accordance with guidelines established in the revised OMB Circular No. A-133, Audits of States, Local Governments, and Nonprofit Organizations, and implemented in 7 CFR 3052. This program is also subject to audit by the cognizant Federal audit agency and the USDA Office of Inspector General. Records: In accordance with the Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Agreements with Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, and other Non-profit Organizations [2 CFR 215, Subpart C, Section 215.53, (OMB Circular A-110)] grantees shall maintain separate records for each grant to ensure that funds are used for authorized purposes. Grant-related records are subject to inspection during the life of the grant and must be retained at least three (3) years. Records must be retained beyond the three-year period if litigation is pending or audit findings have not been resolved. Account Identification: 12-1500-0-1-352. Obligations: (Project Grants) FY 11 $960,000; FY 12 est $960,000; and FY 13 est $0 - The difference between the appropriation and obligation numbers reflects legislative authorized set-asides deducted as appropriate, and in some cases the availability of obligational authority from prior years. Range and Average of Financial Assistance: If minimum or maximum amounts of funding per competitive project grant or cooperative agreement are established, these will be announced in the annual program announcement or Request for Application (RFA). PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Fiscal Year 2011: This competitive grant program made two awards in FY 2008. The awards were made as continuation grants through FY 2012 pending satisfactory annual progress as determined by an inter-agency oversight committee. The program is funded annually at $1M. This education and outreach program has increased consumer awareness from 27% in 2003 to 86% in 2012. Much progress has been made in garnering auto, engine and equipment manufacturers support for the use of biodiesel. Nearly 60% of U.S. engine manufacturers now support the use of biodiesel blends. Fiscal Year 2012: Proposals for the last year of continuation grants are pending. Fiscal Year 2013: Subject to authorization in the next Farm Bill, pertinent details to be provided by Program at a future date. REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE: 7 CFR Part 3430, Competitive and Noncompetitive Non-formula Grant Programs General Grant Administrative Provisions and Program-Specific Administrative Provisions; 7 CFR Part 3015, USDA Uniform Federal Assistance Regulations; 7 CFR Part 3017, Government wide Debarment and Suspension (Nonprocurement); 7 CFR Part 3018, New Restrictions on Lobbying; 7 CFR Part 3019, Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Agreements with Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, and Other Non-profit Organizations; and 7 CFR Part 3021 USDA implementation of Governmentwide Requirements for Drug-free Workplace (Financial Assistance). Regional or Local Office: None. Headquarters Office: USDA, NIFA, National Program Leader, Institute of Bioenergy, Climate, and Environment, Division of Bioenergy, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., STOP 2210, Washington, District of Columbia 20250-2210 Phone: (202) 401-5244 Fax: (202) 401-2653. Website Address: http://www.nifa.usda.gov/ RELATED PROGRAMS: Not Applicable. EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS: Fiscal Year 2011: Awards were made to the National Biodiesel Board and the current University. Education materials have been developed, including biodiesel technical reports to help users better understand the fuel properties of biodiesel, e.g., lower greenhouse gas emissions compared with petroleum biodiesel. The current grantees have become information clearing houses for biodiesel and have national reputations in providing expert guidance on producing biodiesel, maintaining fuel quality and ensuring fuel safety. Fiscal Year 2012: Awards to the National Biodiesel Board and the current University. Fiscal Year 2013: Subject to authorization in the next Farm Bill, pertinent details to be provided by Program at a future date. CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS: Within guidelines established for the program as described in the Request for Application (RFA). 10.307 ORGANIC AGRICULTURE RESEARCH AND EXTENSION INITIATIVE ORGANIC AGRICULTURE RESEARCH AND EXTENSION INITIATIVE (OREI) FEDERAL AGENCY: National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Department of Agriculture Section 7206 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (FCEA) Facilitate the development of organic agriculture production, breeding, and processing methods. Functionally identify soil microbial communities and ways to manage microbial dynamics to enhance nutrient cycling and disease suppression; Develop systemic approaches to weed, insect and disease management; Prevent, control, and treat internal and external parasites in various livestock species; and Breed crops for disease and insect resistance, good yield in a biologically diverse system, compatibility with intercrops, good response to organic fertility sources, horizontal resistance (traits determined by multiple genes). Evaluate the potential economic benefits to producers and processors who use organic methods. Analyze potential economic costs, returns and risks of organic production systems; Use environmental valuation tools to quantify externalities of producing food, and compare externalities of producing organic and conventional food; - Analyze price and market structures, including ability of small, medium-, and large-scale growers to access different markets, in order to frame policies that minimize concentration within the industry; and Analyze marketing channels to document how organic food is distributed, what share of the organic food dollar is returned to the farmer, and the implications of large-scale manufacturers entering the organic market. Explore international trade opportunities for organically grown and processed agricultural commodities. Compare compatibility of certification standards used in different parts of the world, with the ultimate goal of harmonization and reciprocity; Undertake marketing studies of international consumer demand for U.S. produced organic goods; and Perform Welfare analyses (quantified gains and losses for producers and consumers) of trade policies affecting international competitiveness, including implementation of the National Organic Program, domestic support programs such as the Conservation Security Act, country of origin labeling, GMO labeling, etc. Determine desirable traits for organic commodities. Examine relationships between nutrients in the soil and nutrients in the food grown on that soil, including long-term soil nutrient and crop nutrient profiles under conventional and organic management; Perform comparisons of nutrient levels between organic and conventional crops and relationship, if any, between taste and nutrient profile; Investigate the role of post-harvest handling and treatment in the maintenance of quality in fresh market organic products; and Determine the reasons for consumer preferences for organic goods. Identify marketing and policy constraints on the expansion of organic agriculture. Analyze opportunities and constraints to organic agriculture resulting from provisions of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002; Investigate specific barriers to markets, such as scale-based regulations that restrict family farm access to processors and/or markets; Study negative lender perception of organic farming and ways to change this; and Analyze regulatory barriers, such as lack of access to Federal farm programs, and developing solutions to these challenges. Conduct advanced on-farm research and development that emphasizes observation of, experimentation with, and innovation for working organic farms, including research relating to production and marketing and to socioeconomic conditions. (Note: Many topics from other goal areas can be conducted on working farms.) Develop rigorous on-farm systems research designs; and Conduct long-term, interdisciplinary systems research. TYPES OF ASSISTANCE: Project Grants USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS: The Integrated Organic Program is particularly interested in proposed projects that emphasize research and outreach that assist farmers and ranchers with whole farm planning and ecosystem integration. Projects should plan to deliver applied production information to producers. Fieldwork for both program areas must be done on certified organic land or on land in transition to organic certification, as appropriate to project goals and objectives. Refer to the USDA National Organic Program (http://www.ams.usda.gov/nop) for organic production standards. NIFA has determined that grant funds awarded under this authority may not be used for the renovation or refurbishment of research, education, or extension space; the purchase or installation of fixed equipment in such space; or the planning, repair, rehabilitation, acquisition, or construction of buildings or facilities. Section 7132 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act amended section 1462 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3310), increasing the limit on recovery of indirect costs from 19 percent to 22 percent of total Federal funds provided under the award. Therefore, the recovery of indirect costs on awards made by NIFA under this program area may not exceed the lesser of the institution's official negotiated indirect cost rate or the equivalent of 22 percent of total Federal funds awarded. **Special Note on Indirect Costs as in-kind matching contributions. Indirect costs may be claimed under the Federal portion of the award budget or, alternatively, indirect costs may be claimed as a matching contribution (if no indirect costs are requested under the Federal portion of the award budget). However, unless explicitly authorized in the RFA, indirect costs may not be claimed on both the Federal portion of the award budget and as a matching contribution, unless the total claimed on both the Federal portion of the award budget and as a matching contribution does not exceed the maximum allowed indirect costs or the institutions negotiated indirect cost rate, whichever is less. An awardee may split the allocation between the Federal and non-Federal portions of the budget only if the total amount of indirect costs charged to the project does not exceed the maximum allowed indirect costs or the institutions negotiated indirect cost rate, whichever is less. For example, if an awardees' indirect costs are capped at 22 percent pursuant to section 1462(a) of NARETPA (7 U.S.C. 3310(a)), the awardee may request 11 percent of the indirect costs on both the Federal portion of the award and as a matching contribution. Or, the awardee may request any similar percentage that, when combined, does not exceed the maximum indirect cost rate of 22 percent. Applicant Eligibility: Applications may be submitted by State agricultural experiment stations, all colleges and universities, other research institutions and organizations, Federal agencies, national laboratories, private organizations or corporations, and individuals. For both ORG and OREI, all award recipients may subcontract to organizations not eligible to apply provided such organizations are necessary for the conduct of the project. Beneficiary Eligibility: State agricultural experiment stations, all colleges and universities, other research institutions and organizations, Federal agencies, national laboratories, private organizations or corporations, and individuals. Credentials/Documentation: No Credentials or documentation are required. OMB Circular No. A-87 applies to this program. Preapplication Coordination: All RFAs are published on the Agencys website and Grants.gov. Applicants must complete the Grants.gov registration process. Please see the following Grants.gov link for more information: http://www.grants.gov/applicants/get_registered.jsp. An environmental impact statement is required for this program. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372. Application Procedures: OMB Circular No. A-102 applies to this program. OMB Circular No. A-110 applies to this program. Applications should be submitted as outlined in the RFA. Applications must follow the instructions Award Procedure: Applications are subjected to a system of peer and merit review in accordance with section 103 of the Agricultural Research, Extension and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 1613) by a panel of qualified scientists and other appropriate persons who are specialists in the field covered by the proposal. Within the limit of funds available for such purpose, the NIFA Authorized Departmental Officer (ADO) shall make grants to those responsible, eligible applicants whose applications are judged most meritorious under the procedures set forth in the RFA. Reviewers will be selected based upon training and experience in relevant scientific, extension, or education fields, taking into account the following factors: (a) The level of relevant formal scientific, technical education, or extension experience of the individual, as well as the extent to which an individual is engaged in relevant research, education, or extension activities; (b) the need to include as reviewers experts from various areas of specialization within relevant scientific, education, or extension fields; (c) the need to include as reviewers other experts (e.g., producers, range or forest managers/operators, and consumers) who can assess relevance of the applications to targeted audiences and to program needs; (d) the need to include as reviewers experts from a variety of organizational types (e.g., colleges, universities, industry, state and Federal agencies, private profit and non-profit organizations) and geographic locations; (e) the need to maintain a balanced composition of reviewers with regard to minority and female representation and an equitable age distribution; and (f) the need to include reviewers who can judge the effective usefulness to producers and the general public of each application. Evaluation Criteria will be delineated in the RFA. Contact the headquarters or regional office, as appropriate, for application Range of Approval/Disapproval Time: Section :094 Deadlines: Dates for specific deadlines are announced in the RFA each fiscal year. Information is also available via our website and may be obtained via the Grants.gov website. Respective links are provided below: http://www.nifa.usda.gov/ http://www.grants.gov Section :095 Range of Approval/Disapproval Time: From 30 to 180 days. Appeals: Not Applicable. Renewals: Specific details are provided in the Request for Applications (RFA) each fiscal year. Formula and Matching Requirements: Statutory formulas are not applicable to this program. Matching Requirements: Percent: 100.%. Funds are awarded competitively. No formula grants are awarded under Subtitle K of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 [7 U.S.C. 3319e]. Cost Sharing or Matching: (1) General Requirement The Secretary shall require the recipient of a grant under this section to provide funds or in-kind support from non-Federal sources in an amount at least equal to the amount provided by the Federal Government. See R&R Budget section regarding matching funds Part IV, B., 6.of this RFA for more details. (2) Waiver NIFA may waive the matching funds requirement specified in the above paragraph for a grant if NIFA determines that: (a) the results of the project, while of particular benefit to a specific agricultural commodity, are likely to be applicable to agricultural commodities generally; or (b) the project involves a minor commodity, the project deals with scientifically important research, and the grant recipient is unable to satisfy the matching funds requirement. MOE requirements are not applicable to this program. Length and Time Phasing of Assistance: The term of a competitive grant under this authority may not exceed five (5) years. Method of awarding/releasing assistance: by letter of credit. Reports: Grantees are to submit initial project information and annual summary reports to NIFAs electronic, Web-based inventory system that facilitates both grantee submissions of project outcomes and public access to information on Federally-funded projects. The details of the reporting requirements are included in the award terms and conditions.. NIFA uses the SF-425, Federal Financial Report to monitor cash. Grantees are to submit initial project information and annual summary reports to NIFAs electronic, Web-based inventory system that facilitates both grantee submissions of project outcomes and public access to information on Federally-funded projects. The details of the reporting requirements are included in the award terms and conditions. A final Financial Status Report (SF-269) or Federal Financial Report (SF-425) is due within 90 days of the expiration date of the grant and should be submitted to the address listed below, in accordance with instructions contained in 2 CFR 3430.55 (also refer to Section 3015.82 of the Uniform Federal Assistance Regulations). Awards Management Division (AMD) Office of Grants and Financial Management (OGFM) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) Department of Agriculture (USDA) STOP 2271 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, DC 20250-2271 Telephone: (202) 401-4986. Grantees are to submit initial project information and annual summary reports to NIFAS electronic, Web-based inventory system that facilitates both grantee submissions of project outcomes and public access to information on Federally-funded projects. The details of the reporting requirements are included in the award terms and conditions. Audits: In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $500,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133. Audits will be conducted in accordance with guidelines established in the revised OMB Circular No. A-133, Audits of States, Local Governments, and Nonprofit Organizations, and implemented in 7 CFR 3052. This program is also subject to audit by the cognizant Federal audit agency and the USDA Office of Inspector General. Records: Grantees shall maintain separate records for each grant to ensure that funds are used for authorized purposes. Grant-related records must be retained at least three years; records must be retained beyond the three-year period if litigation is pending or audit findings have not been resolved. Account Identification: 12-1502-0-1-352. Obligations: (Project Grants) FY 11 $19,112,049; FY 12 est $19,146,540; and FY 13 est $0 The difference between the appropriation and obligation numbers reflects legislative authorized set-asides deducted as appropriate, and in some cases the availability of obligational authority from prior years. Range and Average of Financial Assistance: If minimum or maximum amounts of funding per competitive project grant or cooperative agreement are established, these will be announced in the annual program announcement or Request for Application (RFA). PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Fiscal Year 2011: For the FY 2011 award cycle, $19,112,049 was available for project grant awards after subtracting administrative costs. A total of 76 applications requesting a total of $100,525,186 were received in this years competition. In May 2011, a 21-member peer review panel evaluated these applications. The peer panel included faculty from land grant universities, staff from non-profit organizations and organic producers. Funds were available to support a total of 18 new awards. The funding ratio for this program in FY11 was 23%. Funded projects seek to solve critical organic agricultural issues, priorities, or problems through the integration of research and extension activities. They include high priority research and extension projects that will enhance the ability of producers and processors who have already adopted organic standards to grow and market high quality organic agricultural products. Priority concerns include biological, physical, and social sciences, including economics. Fiscal Year 2012: For the FY 2012 award cycle, $19,146,540 was available for project grant awards after subtracting administrative costs. A total of 97 applications, requesting a total of $119,839,234, were received in this years competition. In June 2012, a 22-member peer review panel evaluated these applications. The peer panel included faculty from land grant universities and staff from non-profit organic organizations. Funds were available to support a total of 8 new awards. The funding ratio for this program in FY11 was 8.2%. Funded projects seek to solve critical organic agricultural issues, priorities, or problems through the integration of research and extension activities. They include high priority research and extension projects that will enhance the ability of producers and processors who have already adopted organic standards to grow and market high quality organic agricultural products. Priority concerns include biological, physical, and social sciences, including economics. Fiscal Year 2013: Pertinent data to be provided by Program at a future date. REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE: 7 CFR Part 3430, Competitive and Noncompetitive Non-formula Grant Programs General Grant Administrative Provisions and Program-Specific Administrative Provisions; 7 CFR Part 3015, USDA Uniform Federal Assistance Regulations; 7 CFR Part 3017, Government wide Debarment and Suspension (Nonprocurement); 7 CFR Part 3018, New Restrictions on Lobbying; 7 CFR Part 3019, Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Agreements with Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, and Other Non-profit Organizations; and 7 CFR Part 3021 USDA implementation of Governmentwide Requirements for Drug-free Workplace (Financial Assistance). Regional or Local Office: None. Headquarters Office: USDA, NIFA, National Program Leader, Institute of Food Production and Sustainablity, Division of Animal Systems, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., STOP 2240, Washington, District of Columbia 20250-2240 Phone: (202) 401-6134 Fax: (202) 401-1602 Website Address: http://www.nifa.usda.gov/ RELATED PROGRAMS: Not Applicable. EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS: Fiscal Year 2011: On-farm research to assist organic producers to meet the |