Page images
PDF
EPUB

year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133. 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 were used for authorized purposes. Grant-related records were 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 $0; FY 12 est $0; and FY 13 est $0

Range and Average of Financial Assistance:

Minimum and maximum amounts of funding per grant were established by the annual program announcement or RFA. PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

Not Applicable.

REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE:

7 CFR Part 3430, Competitive and Noncompetitive Non-Formula Federal Assistance Programs General Award Administrative Provisions; 2 CFR Part 215, Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Agreements with Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, and other Non-profit Organizations (OMB Circular A-110); 2 CFR Part 220, Cost Principles for Educational Institutions (OMB Circular A-21); 2 CFR Part 225, Cost Principles for State, Local, and Indian Tribal Governments (OMB Circular A-87); 2 CFR Part 230, Cost Principles for Non-profit Organizations (OMB Circular A-122); 7 CFR Part 3015, USDA Uniform Federal Assistance Regulations; 7 CFR Part 3017, Government wide Debarment and Suspension (Nonprocurement) and Government wide Requirements for Drug-Free Workplace (Grants); 7 CFR Part 3018, New Restrictions on Lobbying; and 7 CFR Part 3019, Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Agreements with Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, and Other Non-profit Organizations. Regional or Local Office:

None.

Headquarters Office:

USDA, NIFA, Competitive Programs, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, District of Columbia 20250-2240 Phone: (202) 401-1782. Website Address:

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; 10.219 Biotechnology Risk Assessment Research; 10.250 Agricultural and Rural Economic Research; 10.652 Forestry Research

EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS:

Not Applicable.

CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS:

Within guidelines established for the program as described in the RFAs.

10.207 ANIMAL HEALTH AND DISEASE RESEARCH ANIMAL HEALTH AND DISEASE RESEARCH (AHDR) FEDERAL AGENCY:

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

[ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]

The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) requests applications for the FY 2009 formula grants authorized under authorized under section 1433 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (NARETPA) for the Animal Health and Disease Research (AHDR) Program. These grants are used to assist all states in carrying out a program of research activities designed to:

(1) to meet expenses of conducting animal health and disease research, publishing and disseminating the results of such research, and contributing to the retirement of employees subject to the provisions of the Act of March 4, 1940 (54 Stat. 3940, as amended; 7 U.S.C. 331);

(2) for administrative planning and direction; and

(3) to purchase equipment and supplies necessary for conducting such research.

States are eligible for funds appropriated under this Act according to the following formula: One half of the State allotment will be distributed among the States in the proportion that the value of and income to producers from domestic livestock, poultry, and commercial aquaculture species in each State bears to the total value of and income to producers from domestic livestock, poultry, and commercial aquaculture species in all the States, based on the most current inventory of all cattle, sheep, swine, horses, poultry, and commercial aquaculture species published by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The remainder of the State allotment will be distributed among the States in the proportion that the animal health and disease research capacity of the eligible institutions in each State bears to the total animal health and disease research capacity in all the States, as determined by NIFA.

Research on animal health and disease of food animals and horses conducted in eligible institutions under the following categories:

(1) Infectious diseases;

(2) internal and external parasites;

(3) noninfectious diseases, toxins, poisons, transportation losses, predators and other hazards;

(4) diseases and parasites of wildlife transmissible to food animals and horses; and

(5) diseases and parasites of animals transmissible to people. (1) Approved NIFA AHDR Projects

AHDR Federal funding must be used on AHDR approved projects.

(2) Matching

7 U.S.C. 3200 provides that No funds in excess of $100,000 shall be paid by the Federal Government to any State under this subchapter during any fiscal year in excess of the amount from non-Federal sources made available to and budgeted for expenditure by eligible institutions in the State during the same fiscal year for animal health and disease research. The Secretary is authorized to make such payments in excess of $100,000 on the certificate of the appropriate official of the eligible institution having charge of the animal health and disease research for which such payments are to be made. If any eligible institution certified for receipt of matching funds fails to make available and

budget for expenditure for animal health and disease research in any fiscal year sums at least equal to the amount for which it is certified, the difference between the Federal matching funds available and the funds made available to and budgeted for expenditure by the eligible institution shall be reapportioned by the Secretary among other eligible institutions of the same State, if there are any which qualify therefor, and, if there are none, the Secretary shall reapportion such difference among the other States.

(3) Indirect Costs and Tuition Remission

In accordance with section 1473 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3319), indirect costs and tuition remission are unallowable as AHDR formula grant expenditures. Fully discretionary.

Applicant Eligibility:

Eligibility is restricted to the following public nonprofit institutions having demonstrable capacity in animal disease research: (1) Schools and Colleges of Veterinary Medicine; and (2) State Agricultural Experiment Stations. Funds are appropriated by Congress for distribution to States and eligible State institutions according to the statutory formula stated in the Act.

Applications may be submitted by accredited State veterinary schools or
colleges or agricultural experiment stations that conduct animal health and
disease research in accordance with NARETPA section 1433(c): Auburn
University, Agricultural Experiment Station; Auburn University, School of
Veterinary Medicine; Tuskegee University, School of Veterinary Medicine;
University of Alaska, Agricultural Experiment Station; University of Arizona,
Agricultural Experiment Station; University of Arkansas, Agricultural
Experiment Station; University of California-Oakland, Agricultural Experiment
Station; University of California-Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine;
Colorado State University, Agricultural Experiment Station and College of
Veterinary Medicine; University of Connecticut-Storrs, Agricultural
Experiment Station; University of Delaware, Agricultural Experiment Station;
University of Florida, Agricultural Experiment Station; University of Florida,
College of Veterinary Medicine; University of Georgia, Agricultural
Experiment Station; University of Georgia, College of Veterinary Medicine;
University of Hawaii, Agricultural Experiment Station; University of Idaho,
Agricultural Experiment Station; University of Illinois, Agricultural Experiment
Station and College of Veterinary Medicine; Purdue University, Agricultural
Experiment Station and College of Veterinary Medicine; Iowa State University,
Agricultural and Home Economics Experiment Station; Iowa State University,
College of Veterinary Medicine; Kansas State University, Agricultural
Experiment Station and College of Veterinary Medicine; University of
Kentucky, Agricultural Experiment Station; Louisiana State University,
Agricultural Experiment Station; Louisiana State University, College of
Veterinary Medicine; University of Maine, Agricultural Experiment Station;
University of Maryland, Agricultural Experiment Station; University of
Massachusetts, Agricultural Experiment Station; Tufts University, School of
Veterinary Medicine; Michigan State University, Agricultural Experiment
Station and College of Veterinary Medicine; University of Minnesota,
Agricultural Experiment Station; University of Minnesota, College of
Veterinary Medicine; Mississippi State University, Agricultural and Forestry
Experiment Station and College of Veterinary Medicine; University of
Missouri, Agricultural Experiment Station; University of Missouri, College of
Veterinary Medicine; Montana State University, Agricultural Experiment
Station; University of Nebraska, Agricultural Experiment Station; University of
Nevada, Agricultural Experiment Station; University of New Hampshire,
Agricultural Experiment Station; Rutgers University, Agricultural Experiment
Station; New Mexico State University, Agricultural Experiment Station;
Cornell University, Agricultural Experiment Station; Cornell University,
College of Veterinary Medicine; North Carolina State University, Agricultural
Experiment Station; North Carolina State University, College of Veterinary
Medicine; North Dakota State University, Agricultural Experiment Station;
Ohio State University, Ohio Agricultural Research & Development Center;
Ohio State University, College of Veterinary Medicine; Oklahoma State
University, Agricultural Experiment Station and College of Veterinary
Medicine; Oregon State University, Agricultural Experiment Station;
Pennsylvania State University, Agricultural Experiment Station; University of
Pennsylvania, College of Veterinary Medicine; University of Puerto Rico,

Agricultural Experiment Station; University of Rhode Island, Agricultural Experiment Station; Clemson University, Agricultural Experiment Station; South Dakota State University, Agricultural Experiment Station; University of Tennessee, Agricultural Experiment Station; University of Tennessee, College of Veterinary Medicine; Texas A&M University, Agricultural Experiment Station and College of Veterinary Medicine; Utah State University, Agricultural Experiment Station; University of Vermont, Agricultural Experiment Station; Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Agricultural Experiment Station and College of Veterinary Medicine; Washington State University, Agricultural Experiment Station and College of Veterinary Medicine; West Virginia University, Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station; University of Wisconsin, Agricultural Experiment Station and College of Veterinary Medicine; and University of Wyoming, Agricultural Experiment Station.

Award recipients may subcontract to organizations not eligible to apply for funding provided that such arrangements are necessary to complete the project or activity.

Beneficiary Eligibility:

Eligibility is restricted to the following public nonprofit institutions having demonstrable capacity in animal disease research: (1) Schools and Colleges of Veterinary Medicine; and (2) State Agricultural Experiment Stations. Funds are appropriated by Congress for distribution to States and eligible State institutions according to the statutory formula stated in the Act. Credentials/Documentation:

No Credentials or documentation are required. OMB Circular No. A-87 applies to this program.

Preapplication Coordination:

All Formula Grant Opportunities (FGOs) 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 FGO. Applications must follow the instructions provided per Grants.Gov. Applicants are required to submit applications in response to both an interim FGO and a final FGO. The final FGO reflects the final formula allocations for the current fiscal year (FY).

Award Procedure:

Fund will be released on a quarterly basis to the institutions. See Appendix A of the Formula Grant Opportunity (FGO) for the specific allocation.

AHDR funds must be fully expended in the fiscal year of appropriation; no waiver requests may be considered and approved as no carryover authority is provided in the authorizing legislation.

Deadlines:

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

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time:

From 30 to 60 days. Dates for specific deadlines are announced in the FGO each fiscal year (FY).

Appeals:

Not Applicable. Renewals:

Not applicable, each year of funding is awarded as a new grant. Formula and Matching Requirements:

This program has no statutory formula.

Matching Requirements: 7 U.S.C. 3200 provides that No funds in excess of $100,000 shall be paid by the Federal Government to any State under this subchapter during any fiscal year in excess of the amount from non-Federal sources made available to and budgeted for expenditure by eligible institutions in the State during the same fiscal year for animal health and disease research.

The Secretary is authorized to make such payments in excess of $100,000 on the certificate of the appropriate official of the eligible institution having charge of the animal health and disease research for which such payments are to be made. If any eligible institution certified for receipt of matching funds fails to make available and budget for expenditure for animal health and disease research in any fiscal year sums at least equal to the amount for which it is certified, the difference between the Federal matching funds available and the funds made available to and budgeted for expenditure by the eligible institution shall be reapportioned by the Secretary among other eligible institutions of the same State, if there are any which qualify therefore, and, if there are none, the Secretary shall reapportion such difference among the other States.. MOE requirements are not applicable to this program.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance:

AHDR funds must be fully expended in the fiscal year of appropriation; no waiver requests may be considered and approved as no carryover authority is provided in the authorizing legislation. Method of awarding/releasing assistance: quarterly.

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.

Institutions are expected to submit an annual Program of Research, a listing of all approved AHDR projects for said institution. Institutions must submit a Form AD-416, Work Unit Description; Form AD-417, Project Classification; NIFA-2008, Assurance Form; and Project Proposal through the Current Research Information System prior to the initiation of each AHDR project. The project must undergo a review process and be approved before it is incorporated into the Program of Research. Each institution shall submit a CRIS Form AD-421, Accomplishments Report, annually for each eligible project. Reports from institutions reporting on a calendar year shall be submitted by April 1, 2010 for the preceding calendar year.

Reports from institutions reporting on a fiscal year shall be submitted by February 1, 2010 for the preceding fiscal year.

An Accomplishments Report, CRIS Form AD-421, shall be submitted to NIFA for each completed or terminated project. Such reports shall be submitted at the same time as are progress reports on active projects and should include a brief summary of accomplishments for the entire life of the project.

A CRIS Form AD-419, Funding and Staff Support Report, shall be submitted to NIFA annually for all projects. CRIS Form AD-419 reports are also required for expenditures on all State projects that are to be included in the non-Federal funds and matching funds computation. Reports shall be made on a fiscal year basis and are to be submitted by February 1, 2010.

Financial reporting via the SF-269, Financial Status Report, for FY 2009 is due to the OEP Formula Grants Section on December 31, 2010. The SF-272, Federal Cash Transactions Report, or ST-425, Federal Financial Report for each calendar quarter is due online at the DHHS website (www.dpm.psc.gov) usually on the 15th day of November, February, May, and August for the preceding calendar quarter. DHHS may restrict payment requests from the grantees account if the SF-272 report is not submitted on time.

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. Institutions are required to submit the SF-425, Federal Financial Report per Agency instructions. The office listed below provides agency oversight of these

reports:

Formula Grant Branch

Awards Management Division

Office of Grants and Financial Management (OGFM)
National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA)
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
STOP 2298

1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20250-2298
Telephone: (202) 401-6520
Fax: (202) 690-3002

E-mail: formulagrantquestions@nifa.usda.gov. 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 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:

(Formula Grants (Apportionments)) FY 11 $2,731,058; FY 12 est $3,719,180; 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 are established, these will be announced in the Initial and/or Final Formula Grant Opportunity (FGO). PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

Fiscal Year 2011: Capacity block grants, in amounts determined by the applicable formula, were awarded to over 65 eligible State entities (Agricultural Experiment Stations and US Veterinary Colleges). These funds were used at the discretion of authorized Deans and Directors to address local, regional or national agricultural animal health and disease research priorities of their respective states. Fiscal Year 2012: Capacity block grants, in amounts determined by the applicable formula, were awarded to over 65 eligible State entities (Agricultural Experiment Stations and US Veterinary Colleges). These funds are being used at the discretion of authorized Deans and Directors to address local, regional or national agricultural animal health and disease research priorities of their respective states. Fiscal Year 2013: Capacity block grants, in amounts determined by the applicable formula, will be awarded to over 65 eligible State entities (Agricultural Experiment Stations and US Veterinary Colleges). These funds will be used at the discretion of authorized Deans and Directors to address local, regional or national agricultural animal health and disease research priorities of their respective states. REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE:

Administrative Manual for the Continuing Animal Health and Disease Research
Program, (dated March, 2000 - Manual is currently under review); 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)
401-4952
Fax: (202) 401-1602

Website Address:

http://www.nifa.usda.gov/

RELATED PROGRAMS:

Not Applicable.

EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS:

Fiscal Year 2011: As occurs each year under this program, several dozen smaller ($1,000 to $30,000 each) projects were funded during FY-2011 Because so many smaller studies are supported annually some aspect of each of the topic areas listed below are generally represented in one or more projects each program year. In accordance with the legal authority for this program, all of the following project topic areas relate directly to health and/or disease in agriculturally relevant animals: infectious disease, metabolic disease, genetic disease, infertility, toxicoses, host-pathogen interactions, Ecology and epidemiology of disease, pathophysiology/pathogenesis of disease, prevention, diagnosis, treatment and control of disease, genetic/genomic/proteomic mechanisms of disease, strategies and resources to enhance US animal agrosecurity capacities and capabilities against high consequence foreign and endemic animal disease. Fiscal Year 2012: As occurs each year under this program, several dozen smaller ($1,000 to $30,000 each) projects were funded during FY-2012. Because so many smaller studies are supported annually some aspect of each of the topic areas listed below are generally represented in one or more projects each program year. In accordance with the legal authority for this program, all of the following project topic areas relate directly to health and/or disease in agriculturally relevant animals: infectious disease, metabolic disease, genetic disease, infertility, toxicoses, host-pathogen interactions, Ecology and epidemiology of disease, pathophysiology/pathogenesis of disease, prevention, diagnosis, treatment and control of disease,

genetic/genomic/proteomic mechanisms of disease, strategies and resources to enhance US animal agrosecurity capacities and capabilities against high consequence foreign and endemic animal disease. Fiscal Year 2013: As occurs each year under this program, it is anticipated that several dozen smaller ($1,000 to $30,000 each) projects will be funded during FY-2013. Because so many smaller studies are supported annually some aspect of each of the topic areas listed below are generally represented in one or more projects each program year. In accordance with the legal authority for this program, all of the following project topic areas relate directly to health and/or disease in agriculturally relevant animals: infectious disease, metabolic disease, genetic disease, infertility, toxicoses, host-pathogen interactions, Ecology and epidemiology of disease, pathophysiology/pathogenesis of disease, prevention, diagnosis, treatment and control of disease, genetic/genomic/proteomic mechanisms of disease, strategies and resources to enhance US animal agrosecurity capacities and capabilities against high consequence foreign and endemic animal disease.

CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS:

Within guidelines established for the program as described in the Formula
Grant Opportunity (FGO).

10.210 FOOD AND AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES NATIONAL NEEDS GRADUATE FELLOWSHIP GRANTS

National Needs Fellowship (NFF) FEDERAL AGENCY:

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

Section 7106 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act (FCEA) of 2008
(Public Law 110-246) amends the legislative authority for this program
contained in Section 1417 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension and
Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (NARETPA) (99 Stat. 1548; 7 U.S.C. 3152) to
include the University of the District of Columbia as an eligible applicant., 7
U.S.C 3152.

OBJECTIVES:

The purpose of the NNF Grants Program is to train students for Masters and/or doctoral degrees and provide additional postdoctoral training for Fellows who have completed their doctoral degrees at colleges and universities that have demonstrable teaching and research competencies in the food and agricultural sciences. Fellowships and IRTA awards are specifically intended to support traineeship programs that encourage outstanding students to pursue and complete their degrees or obtain postdoctoral training in areas where there is a national need for the development of scientific and professional expertise in the food and agricultural sciences. Fellowships and IRTA awards invest in graduate training and relevant international experiential learning for a cadre of diverse individuals who demonstrate their potential to successfully complete graduate degree programs in disciplines relevant to the mission of the USDA. TYPES OF ASSISTANCE:

PROJECT GRANTS

USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS:

Competitive annual grants providing for a limited number of graduate stipends are awarded to selected U.S. institutions of higher education so as to distribute support for graduate study to promising food and agricultural scientists and professionals. Individuals selected initially by the institution must enroll in a program leading to a graduate, master's or doctoral degree in one of the targeted national needs areas of the food and agricultural sciences. Such persons may not have been enrolled previously in the program at the same degree level. Current fellows are eligible to receive supplemental grants of $3,000 to cover travel and living expenses for special international study or thesis/dissertation research experiences. Funding for the supplemental grants will be awarded on a competitive basis using no-year funds drawn from expired fellowship grants with unspent funds remaining as set forth in the annual program guidelines. No indirect cost allowed. Institutional allowance in lieu of indirect cost.

NNF stipend funds for fellowship must be used to:

(1) support the same Fellow at the Masters degree level who maintains satisfactory progress and is eligible to receive grant support for a maximum of twenty-four (24) months during a thirty-month period, and/or

(2) support the same Fellow at the doctoral degree level who maintains satisfactory progress and is eligible to receive grant support for a maximum of thirty-six (36) months within a forty-two-month period. Institutions must use a minimum stipend of $18,500 per year for Masters Fellows and $24,500 per year for Doctoral Fellows.

If funds remain as a result of USDA Fellows completing their studies early (less than twenty-four months for a Masters degree or less than thirty-six months for a doctoral degree) or Fellowships being terminated prematurely, such funds may be used, within the time remaining on the award, to support:

(1) pursuit of a doctoral degree in a TESA in the food and agricultural sciences by a Masters degree level Fellow at the grantee institution, or (2) a Replacement Fellow.

The tenure of such a Replacement Fellow is limited to whatever time is remaining on the grant before it expires; however, an institution may not appoint a Replacement Fellow unless there is time for the student to complete at least one semester/quarter of study before the expiration date of the grant.

Replacement Fellows must meet all of the eligibility criteria and other requirements established for Fellow selection and are subject to the same provisions as other Fellows during their tenure in the program. Replacement

Fellows are entitled, during their tenure, to the same benefits that other Fellows receive from the grant award and National Needs Graduate and Postdoctoral Fellowship Grants Program. Institutions may, but are not required to, continue a Replacement Fellow's tuition and other benefits beyond the expiration date of the grant using institutional or other funds. A Fellow may not be simultaneously supported under multiple National Needs Graduate and Postdoctoral Fellowship Grants Program awards.

Remaining funds cannot be used to increase annual Fellowship stipends provided to existing Fellows. If less than one semester/quarter remains on the award, the grantee must refund unexpended monies to NIFA. Such funds cannot be used to increase the annual stipend amounts for current USDA Graduate Fellows.

Should a USDA Fellow require additional time beyond the grant period to complete his or her degree, it is expected that the grantee will consider alternatives to continue supporting the Fellow through other means.

Tuition and fees are the responsibility of the Fellow unless an institution elects to use its cost-of-education institutional allowance for this purpose or elects to pay such costs out of non-USDA monies. No dependency allowances are provided to any USDA Graduate Fellows.

Stipend payments and special international study or thesis/dissertation research travel allowances may be made to Fellows by the institution, in accordance with standard institutional procedures for graduate fellowships and assistantships.

When grants are for IRTAS that will be used by To-Be-Recruited Fellows: The IRTA funds for To-Be-Recruited fellows will be withheld until the Project Director has submitted, to the NNF Program Office, all of the required documentation for eligibility of the Graduate Fellow for the IRTA as well as the required specifics outlined in the RFA for the IRTA. The information must be submitted for approval, no less than 150 days prior to the use of the IRTA funds (see PART IV, B, 3, b, Section 1). This requirement will become a condition of the award. Fully discretionary.

Applicant Eligibility:

Proposals may be submitted by all U.S. colleges and universities that confer a master's or doctoral degree in at least one area of the food and agricultural sciences targeted for national needs fellowships. As defined in Section 1404 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977, as amended (7 U.S.C. 3103), the terms "college" and "university" mean "an educational institution in any State which: (a) Admits as regular students only persons having a certificate of graduation from a school providing secondary education, or the recognized equivalent of such a certificate; (b) is legally authorized within such State to provide a program of education beyond secondary education; (c) provides an educational program for which a bachelor's degree or any other higher degree is awarded; (d) is a public or other nonprofit institution; and (e) is accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency or association." Eligibility also applies to research foundations maintained by eligible colleges or universities.

Beneficiary Eligibility:

Funds awarded in this program are used to support the training of graduate students to obtain either a master's or doctoral degree in one of the targeted specializations of the food and agricultural sciences.

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 (EIS) (actual or potential) is not required for this program. However the NIFA Application (R&R Other Project Information Part 4.4) requires a statement to that effect. Environmental impact information is not 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.
Deadlines:

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:

Specific details are provided in the Request for Applications (RFA) each fiscal year.

Formula and Matching Requirements:

This program has no statutory formula.

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:

Grants cover a five (5) year period, however, fellows are supported for three (3) years for a doctoral degree or two (2) years for a masters during that five (5) year period. Method of awarding/releasing assistance: by letter of credit. Reports:

« PreviousContinue »