Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance

to address system-wide challenges related to new variety development and adoption. Areas of emphasis include research in potato breeding and genetics to improve potato quality, appearance, texture and taste to processor and end user specifications; identifying potato varieties that will reduce health concerns related to acrylamide in the production and processing of potatoes; and economic analysis focused on improving production efficiency, and profitability for growers and processors over the long term.

One of the most significant obstacles to sustainability in the container specialty crops industry is the nearly universal reliance of present systems on containers (pots) made from non-renewable petroleum-based plastics. Materials scientists and engineers will create prototypes of specialty crop containers for evaluation of container-crop performance, container storage stability, biodegradation rate, and environmental and economic impact. Evaluations will include prototypes constructed from all suitable emerging bioplastics and existing non-petroleum alternative containers. The bioplastic containers and practices developed and released through this project will provide viable alternatives for replacing non-sustainable petroleum-based container systems and will initiate a shift of resource revenue from foreign petroleum to domestic biorenewables while eliminating the harmful environmental effects of petroleum-based plastic containers.

Consumption of wholesome foods is increasing as more people recognize the need for a healthful lifestyle. For these reasons, a considerable amount of research has characterized the nutrients and bioactives found in almonds, which has given marketers a valuable tool to describe the healthfulness of this tree nut. Consumers have taken note, resulting in increased sales of almonds and almond-containing products. Similar data are lacking for the benefits of pecans. Applying the most advanced techniques available to profile the phenolic constituents and to characterize the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-glycation capacities of US pecan cultivars will take the research into an important direction where information is lacking, consumer interest is high, and potential impact (both from health and economic perspectives) is great. This project will provide consumers with a better understanding of the nutrients as well as the phytonutrients of US pecan cultivars. Data from this study will furnish stakeholders with scientific and economic information to allow the industry to increase per capita consumption of pecans through targeted marketing efforts. Fiscal Year 2012: Most fruit, nut, and vegetable crops require insect-mediated pollination for optimal yields. While honey bees provide the majority of crop pollination, they are at risk from colony collapse disorder, diseases, and mites. Unmanaged native bees are proposed as managed pollinators, thereby diversifying pollinator sources and improving long-term crop yields. This project will integrate entomology, pollination biology, sociology, economics, and extension approaches to develop region- and crop-specific Integrated Crop Pollination strategies for diversifying pollination sources for consistent crop yields. Field studies will be replicated across major U.S. production regions to compare the contribution of honey bees and native bees in fields receiving standard pollination practices and in fields augmented with bee habitat or alternative managed bees. This project will estimate the value of native bees and honey bees for U.S. specialty crops, identify farming practices that affect bee abundance and pollination levels, evaluate habitat management practices for enhancing bees and crop pollination, and test alternative species as managed pollinators. ICP approaches will be integrated into extension programs and regional and crop-specific recommendations will be distributed electronically. This project will support sustainability of U.S. agriculture by enhancing specialty crop producers ability to manage their farms for improved pollination and yield.

Lawns and grass areas define urban landscapes in the United States. The challenge is breeding cultivars that respond to market demands for viable specialty products, consumer demand for low-input products, and government leaders demand for effective and efficient vegetation that supports their mandate to protect the public good as well as new initiatives to create sustainable cities. This project supports the use of low-input fescue cultivars in sustainable landscapes. To achieve that end, it: (1) evaluates the motivations and barriers public land managers would have for converting to low-input fescue cultivars; (2) explores the role public officials could play in supporting resident conversion to low-input fescue; (3) evaluates homeowners assessment of diverse grass traits, their grass seed purchasing behaviors, and message

delivery technologies; and, (4) based on the preceding findings, develops new fescue cultivars that blend desired existing traits with enhanced potential to withstand wear, heat, and important turfgrass diseases, and designs effective outreach and message delivery technologies for consumers. The ultimate outcome of this project will be enhancement of long-term environmental, economic, and societal benefits resulting from reduced use of inputs such as water, fertilizer, pesticide, and labor.

Improved efficiency, productivity, and profitability for the vegetable production and processing industry require an improved understanding of the role of consumer markets. Movement toward this outcome will require addressing shorter-term objectives, beginning with an empirical demand assessment to identify specific attributes that resonate within a consumer market for sustainably labeled sweet corn and green beans. Next is the development of regionally-appropriate, whole-farm, and crop specific sustainability metrics, while also giving attention to potential barriers to grower adoption of these tools. On-farm trials and field research will test credibility for sustainability claims relative to environmental and economic impacts in several regions of the U.S. Traditional outreach techniques will be integrated with innovative media favored by growers and the processing industry. Examples include a grower workbook to accompany assessment tools, and a conference designed for growers and the vegetable processing industry to showcase and document lessons learned. We anticipate this project will serve as a model for other crops or production regions that want to pursue metric-driven sustainability, based on an increased understanding of the consumer market.

Dormant pruning is a vital practice in specialty crop production, but is also very costly. In addition, the continued availability of labor is uncertain, adding considerably to the risk of fruit production. Replacing the current labor‐intensive pruning operations, which heavily rely on a large seasonal workforce, with more mechanized and automated techniques is critically needed for the U.S. specialty crop industry to remain competitive in the global market. This project will develop technologies to automate dormant pruning of specialty crops using modern sensors, computers, and robotic manipulators. Research will focus on automating dormant pruning of two major specialty cropsgrape, and appleby carrying out four integrative project goals to: 1) formulate and evaluate rules that describe optimal pruning in terms of measurable physical attributes of canopy structure; 2) develop 3D imaging, decision system, and robot control technologies for automating dormant pruning operations; 3) determine social and economic impacts of the proposed autonomous pruning system; and 4) communicate results and involve growers and industry groups, so they can adopt these technologies and incorporate the knowledge gained into their orchards, vineyards, and businesses.

Developing alternative disease and pest control tactics away from the few remaining pesticides is critical to ensuring the mushroom industrys long-term economic viability. Similarly, understanding the role of substrate (compost) conditions in the development of fungal diseases and the flies that spread disease will help growers to better manage this pest/disease complex. Our objective is to transition the management of fungal pathogens and flies that vector these pathogens from short-term reliance on a dwindling number of pesticides to more sustainable strategies. Two major goals have been identified: (1) transition the management of fungal pathogens and flies beyond short-term reliance on pesticides by enhancing epidemiological and bio-rational tactics and (2) synergize information developed in this project with existing knowledge to provide the extension tools needed to encourage changes in grower practices. The primary outcomes are the identification of substrate characteristics that influence the incidence and severity of a major disease, Trichoderma Green Mold and the identification of alternative biopesticides that can be developed to help control fungal pathogens and insects. Fiscal Year 2013: Program is subject to Farm Bill reauthorization in FY 2012. Based on current Congressional drafts, the agency anticipates $25 million in available funds. Pertinent data 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 applications.

10.310 AGRICULTURE AND FOOD RESEARCH INITIATIVE (AFRI)

AFRI

FEDERAL AGENCY:

National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Department of Agriculture
AUTHORIZATION:

Competitive, Special and Facilities Research Grant Act, Section 2(2)(b), [7
U.S.C. 450i]., 7 U.S.C 450i.

OBJECTIVES:

To establish a new competitive grant program to provide funding for fundamental and applied research, extension, and education to address food and agricultural sciences.

TYPES OF ASSISTANCE:
Project Grants

USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS:

Grant funds must be used for allowable costs necessary to conduct approved fundamental and applied research, extension and education objectives to address food and agricultural sciences. The competitive grants program shall address the following areas:

A) Plant health and production and plant products;

B) Animal health and production and animal products;

C) Food safety, nutrition, and health;

D) Renewable energy, natural resources, and environment;

E) Agriculture systems and technology; and

F) Agriculture economics and rural communities.

Funds 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). Funds may not be used for any purposes other than those approved in the grant award documents. Funds 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).

Funds may not be used for any purposes other than those approved in the grant award documents.

Indirect cost is not allowable if awarded as an equipment, conference, or post-doc fellowship grant.

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.

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 30 percent pursuant to FY 2012 appropriated funds, Section 720 of the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2012 (Division A of Pub. L. 112-55), the awardee may request 15 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 30 percent. Fully discretionary.

Applicant Eligibility:

This initiative supports integrated and non-integrated programs. Please refer to Part III, A of the current Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Request for Applications for the complete eligibility requirements.

Beneficiary Eligibility:

This initiative supports integrated and non-integrated programs. Please refer to Part III, A of the current Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) Request for Applications (RFA) for the complete eligibility requirements. 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. This information collection is approved under OMB Control No. 0524-0039, CSREES Application Kit for Research and Extension Programs. 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. 7613) 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. This information collection is approved under OMB Control No. 0524-0039, CSREES Application Kit for Research and Extension Programs.

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. Deadlines:

Contact the headquarters or regional office, as appropriate, for application deadlines.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time:

:094 Deadlines:

Dates for specific deadlines are announced in the RFA each fiscal year.

:095 Range of Approval/Disapproval Time:

From 30 to 180 days.

Appeals:

Not Applicable.

Renewals:

Not Applicable.

Formula and Matching Requirements:

This program has no statutory formula.

Matching Requirements: Percent: 50.%. Funds are awarded competitively. No formula grants are awarded under this authority.

For equipment grants Unless criteria is met to qualify for waiver by the Secretary, matching shall not exceed 50 percent of the cost of the special research equipment or other equipment acquired using funds from the grant.

For applied research if the grant is commodity-specific; and not of national scope, the grant recipient is required to match USDA funds awarded on a dollar-for-dollar basis from non-Federal sources with cash and/or in-kind contributions.

This program does not have MOE requirements.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance:

The term of a competitive grant under this program may not exceed ten (10) 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. Quarterly Reports of Federal Cash Transactions (SF-272) are required by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) (www.dpm.psc.gov) and are submitted online through the DHHS Payment Management System (PMS) website. If you become delinquent in these reports, you will not be able to access your funds.

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)

U.S. 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 Non-profit 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 $244,109,220; FY 12 est $244,022,058; and FY 13 est $301,369,660 - 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.

This program represents no year funds. Represents new 2012 funds only. Does not include carryover.

These funds are no-year.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance:

Minimum and maximum amounts of funding per grant are established by the annual program announcement or RFA.

PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

Fiscal Year 2011: (A) Agricultural and Natural Resources Science for Climate Variability and Change:

For FY 2011, there was no Request for Applications published and no new awards were made. Funds totaling $59,538,026 were provided by AFRI to fund continuation awards made in 2010. Of this total $28,503,494 was provided by AFRI to fully fund all sustainable bioenergy standard research continuation awards; $1,925,034 was provided by AFRI to fund the 2nd year of two education awards; and $29,109,498 was provided by AFRI to fund the 2nd year of 6 sustainable bioenergy coordinated agriculture projects (CAPs), and one for the National Loblolly Pine Genome Sequencing CAP.

(B) Food Security:

N/A - No projects were awarded.

For the FY 2011 award cycle, $31,438,128 was available for funding both continuation and standard grant awards in the AFRI Food Safety Challenge Area program. However, both FY2011 and FY2012 funds were used to fund these grants. Details on which FY funds were used are detailed below.

FY2010 Food Safety Challenge Area continuation awards were funded in FY2011 using FY2011 funds. The programs that were funded include: program codes: A4101 (1 award, total funds dispersed: $4,999,638), A4141 (5 awards, total funds dispersed: $5,203,271), A4111 (3 awards, total funds dispersed: $4,373,514), A4131 (3 awards, total funds dispersed $2,999,384), A4151 (1 award, total funds dispersed: $1,963,436) and A4121 (1 award, total funds dispersed: $4,992,558). A total of 14 continuation awards were funded for a total of $24,538,881.

Two program areas were solicited in the FY2011 Food Safety Challenge Area RFA: 1) Addressing Critical and Emerging Food Safety Issues (Program Code A4141), and 2) Prevention and Control of Salmonella and Campylobacter in

Poultry Flocks and Poultry Products, including Eggs (Program Code A4161). Program A4141 awarded standard research grants and program A4161 awarded integrated continuation grants (up to 5 years of funds for up to $500,000 per year; limit of $2,500,000 per continuation award). FY2012 funds were used for the award of all grants in these two programs. A total of 17 awards were recommended for funding between these two programs for a total of $6,899,247.

1) For program A4141, a total of 78 proposals were received in this years competition. In February 2012, a 16-member peer review panel evaluated these proposals for scientific merit, fit to the program priority, and importance to U.S. agriculture. The peer panel included faculty from land grant and non-land grant colleges and universities, including 1890 schools, and scientists from the federal government and industry.

Funds were available to support a total of 11 awards in the following Project Types: 9 research grants for a total of $4,489,860 and 2 strengthening grants for a total of $164,937. The overall amount requested for this program was $4,654,797.00.The funding ratio for this program was 14%

2) For program A4161, a total of 33 proposals were received in this years competition. In February 2012, a 13 member peer review panel evaluated these proposals for scientific merit, fit to the program priority, and importance to U.S. agriculture. The peer panel included faculty from land grant and non-land grant colleges and universities, including 1890 schools, and scientists from the federal government and industry.

A total of 6 awards were recommended for funding based on the peer panel review and included the following project types: 4 integrated continuation grants for a total of $1,945,579 and 2 strengthening grants for a total of $298,873. The overall amount requested for this program was $2,244,452. The funding ratio for this program was 9%.

(D) Sustainable Bioenergy:

For FY 2011, there was no Request for Applications published and no new awards were made. Funds totaling $59,538,026 were provided by AFRI to fund continuation awards made in 2010. Of this total $28,503,494 was provided by AFRI to fully fund all sustainable bioenergy standard research continuation awards; $1,925,034 was provided by AFRI to fund the 2nd year of two education awards; and $29,109,498 was provided by AFRI to fund the 2nd year of 6 sustainable bioenergy coordinated agriculture projects (CAPS), and one for the National Loblolly Pine Genome Sequencing CAP.

(E) NIFA Fellowship Grant Program:

NOTE: The FY 2011 competition and FY 2012 competition were combined in FY 2012.

(F) Childhood Obesity Prevention:

Number of Proposals 99

Number Recommended for Award 14 (including one conference)
Success rate 13% (not including conference grant)

Average Award Size - $2.2M. Fiscal Year 2012: (A) Agricultural and
Natural Resources Science for Climate Variability and Change:

For FY 2012, a Request for Applications (RFA) was published on September 21, 2011 with a proposal submission deadline of December 15, 2011. Funds totaling $10,000,000 were provided by AFRI for new awards and $2,000,000 for Interagency Programs. Delays in the release of the AFRI budget delayed the panel reviews and decisions. Decisions for awards are forthcoming and will include 21 standard research awards, 2 conference grants and one seed grant totaling $8,000,000; one coordinated agricultural project totaling $2,000,000; and two grants for the related interagency program, Plant Feedstock Genomics for Bioenergy. Funds totaling $1,948,733 were provided by AFRI to fund the 3rd year of continuation for the 2010 Education Awards.

where appropriate, align with existing Regional Bioenergy Coordinated Agricultural Projects (CAP) to promote NIFAS goal and mission of economic, environmental, and rural community sustainability.

Demand for biomass continues to increase as additional targets for heat, transportation fuels, power, and biobased products are realized. Current policies are designed to provide agricultural support, rural enhancement, reduced dependence on foreign sources of energy, climate change mitigation/adaptation, and environmental sustainability. Policy developments often are identified as drivers of production decisions in the biofuels and bioenergy industries. New policies will need to take into full account associated risks/uncertainties and unintended consequences of feedstock production systems on natural resource and ecosystem service sustainability. Research is not well developed around the implications of current and alternative regulatory policies, fuel and portfolio standards, market distorting and other production subsidies, tax credits, and agricultural assistance programs on both bioenergy and agricultural markets and production decisions, which are subject to further evaluations of environmental and other indirect effects.

To meet these identified needs, the long-term outcome for this program is to implement regional systems that materially deliver liquid transportation biofuels to help meet the Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) of 2007 goal of 36 billion gallons/year of biofuels by 2022 and reduce the National dependence on foreign oil and, as appropriate, produce biopower and biobased products. Projects are expected to employ a systems approach to address the stated Program Area Priorities which collectively contribute to the achievement of the following goals:

1. Deployment of superior genotypes of regionally-appropriate dedicated energy crops.

2. Refinement and implementation of sustainable regional feedstock production practice.

3. Seamless feedstock logistics.

4. Scalable, sustainable conversion technologies that can accept a diverse range of feedstocks.

5. Regional marketing and distribution systems.

6. Regional sustainability analyses, data collection and management, and tools to support decision-making.

7. A well trained workforce with the capacity to fill the cross-disciplinary needs of the biofuels industry.

In FY 2010, the NIFA solicitation resulted in the establishment of five Regional Bioenergy CAPS that focus on dedicated energy crops including energy cane, perennial grasses, sorghum, woody biomass, and oil crops (oilseeds and algae). These sustainable crops serve as feedstocks for the production of advanced non-ethanol, infrastructure-compatible fuels and biobased products through a systems-oriented approach that links feedstock development, production, logistics, conversion and markets. NIFA supports programs that are trans-disciplinary and integrate genetic crop development; sustainable agronomic and silvicultural practices; pest and beneficial species management; coordinated energy-efficient logistics; flexible and scaleable sustainable conversion and refining technologies; effective marketing and distribution systems; provide sustainable ecosystem services and rural community prosperity. In FY 2012, NIFA will support one additional Regional Bioenergy CAP that focuses on the production and delivery of Regionally Sustainable Biomass Feedstocks. While the focus will be on feedstocks, competitive proposals will present their feedstock development and production concepts in the context of a complete regional supply chain.

(B) Food Security:

For the FY 2012 award cycle, approximately $1,500,000 was available for project grant awards.

Thirteen applications requesting a total of $43,352,050 were received in this years competition. In April 2012, a 7-member peer review panel (plus one ad hoc reviewer) evaluated these applications. The peer panel included faculty from land grant and non-land grant colleges and universities and one retired NIFA NPL.

Funds were available to support research, education and extension efforts for two awards that addressed the management of arthropod- and nematode-vectored plant pathogens.

The funding ratio for this program in FY12 was 15.4%.

For the FY 2012 award cycle, $5,000,000 is available for grant awards in three different program priorities. The three program priority areas are: Addressing Critical and Emerging Food Safety Issues (Program Code A4141), Effective Mitigation Strategies for Antimicrobial Resistance (Program Code A4171), and Improving the Safety of Fresh and Fresh-Cut Produce (Program Code A4181).

(D) Sustainable Bioenergy:

The AFRI Sustainable Bioenergy Program funded grants that target vital topical areas related to the development of regional systems for the sustainable production of bioenergy, biopower and biobased products. These programs will, where appropriate, align with existing Regional Bioenergy Coordinated Agricultural Projects (CAP) to promote NIFAs goal and mission of economic, environmental, and rural community sustainability.

to support decision-making.

7. A well trained workforce with the capacity to fill the cross-disciplinary needs of the biofuels industry.

(E) NIFA Fellowship Grant Program:

In FY 2012, 103 applications were received for the Predoctoral Program. The success rate was 47%. Forty-eight proposals were funded. In addition, 168 proposals were received for the Postdoctoral Program. The success rate was 36%. Sixty proposals were funded. Applications addressed the development of technical and functional competence for predoctoral students, and the research independence and teaching credentials of postdoctoral scientists in the agriculture, forestry, and food sciences that are within NIFAS challenge and foundational program areas through well-developed and highly interactive mentoring and training activities.

(F) Childhood Obesity Prevention:

No Current Data Available Fiscal Year 2012. Pertinent data to be provided by Program at a future date. Fiscal Year 2013: (A) Agricultural and Natural Resources Science for Climate Variability and Change:

For FY 2013, a Request for Applications is under development. Funding for continuation awards, including 6 Sustainable Bioenergy, and the Loblolly Pine Genome Sequencing coordinated agricultural projects are anticipated to be awarded, totaling $30,414,667.

(B) Food Security:

Pertinent data will be provided by Program at a future date.

(D) Sustainable Bioenergy:

For FY2013, a Request for Applications is under development. Funding for continuation awards, including 6 Sustainable Bioenergy, and the Loblolly Pine Genome Sequencing coordinated agricultural projects are anticipated to be awarded, totaling $30,414,667.

(E) NIFA Fellowship Grant Program:

RFA pending. Approximately 300 applications, and 50 awards are anticipated. Pertinent data to be provided by Program at a future date.

(F) Childhood Obesity Prevention:

No Current Data Available 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

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