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: Regional technical committees will review, rank and prioritize proposals received from public and private organizations and make recommendations for funding to the regional administrative councils. Regional administrative councils will approve proposals for funding and associated plans of work and submit them to USDA. Research and education subcommittee on sustainable agriculture will review plans of work and the Department will give final approval. 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: 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. Funds are awarded competitively. No formula grants are awarded under this authority. 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. Cash reports are not applicable. 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 Office of Grants and Financial Management U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) 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 3 years. Records must be retained beyond the 3-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 $13,544,856; FY 12 est $13,530,964; and FY 13 est $13,517,072 - 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, $ 13,544,856 was available after subtracting agency administrative costs and the SBIR assessment. Of this amount $771,809 was used for communications, outreach and coordination activities at the national level and $12, 589,385 was distributed equally among the four SARE Regions. Each region uses these funds to support a several different types of competitive sub-awards. These include a total of 35 Research and Education grants, 137 Farmer- Rancher or Producer plus Professional Grants and 32 Graduate student grants. Fiscal Year 2012: For the FY 2012 award Cycle, $ 13,530,964 was available after subtracting agency administrative costs and the SBIR assessment. Of this amount $763,678 was used for communications, outreach and coordination activities at the national level and $12, 577,923 was distributed equally among the four SARE Regions. Each region uses these funds to support a several different types of competitive sub-awards. These include Research and Education grants, Farmer- Rancher or Producer plus Professional Grants and Graduate student grants. A comprehensive tabulation of the sub-awards by grant type is not yet available. Fiscal Year 2013: The FY 2013 Funding Levels have not been established by Congressional Appropriations. Pertinent details will 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 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; 10.250 Agricultural and Rural Economic Research; 10.500 Cooperative Extension Service; 10.652 Forestry Research EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS: Fiscal Year 2011: One example of a Farmer-Rancher grant proposal in the west LNE12-321: Education and Decision support strategy for farm-level economic and environmental assessment of dairy best management practices. Fiscal Year 2013: Projects have yet been funded with FY 2013 funds. Pertinent details will 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). 10.216 1890 INSTITUTION CAPACITY BUILDING GRANTS 1890 Capacity FEDERAL AGENCY: National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Department of Agriculture Authority for this program is contained in section 1417 (b)(4) of the National Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977, as amended (NARETPA) [7 U.S.C. 3152(b)(4)] (b)(4)), 7 U.S.C 3152(b)(4). OBJECTIVES: To build the research and teaching capacities of the 1890 land-grant institutions and Tuskegee University through cooperative programs with Federal and nonfederal entities. TYPES OF ASSISTANCE: PROJECT GRANTS USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS: For teaching grants, funds may be used in the following targeted areas: (1) Curricula design and materials development; (2) faculty preparation and enhancement for teaching; (3) instruction delivery systems; (4) scientific instrumentation for teaching; (5) student experiential learning; and (6) student recruitment and retention. For research grants, funds may be used to address high- priority research initiatives in areas where there is a present or anticipated need for increased capabilities and in which it is feasible for applicants to develop programs recognized for their excellence. Research areas include, but are not limited to: (1) Studies and experimentation in food and agricultural sciences; (2) centralized research support systems; and (3) technology delivery systems. With prior approval, in accordance with the cost principles set forth in OMB Circular No. A-21, some grant funds may be used for minor alterations, or repairs deemed necessary to retrofit existing teaching or research spaces in order to carry out a funded project. However, requests to use grant funds for such purposes must demonstrate that the alterations, or repairs are incidental to the major purpose for which a grant is issued. 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. Fully discretionary. Applicant Eligibility: The 1890 land-grant institutions and Tuskegee University. The 1890 A&M College; Tennessee State University; Virginia State University; and West Virginia State College. Beneficiary Eligibility: The seventeen 1890 land-grant institutions and Tuskegee University, non-1890 academic institutions, private industry, and the Department of Agriculture. 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. Deadlines: Not Applicable. 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 are awarded for a one (1) to three (3) year period and may receive no-cost extensions of time as appropriate up to maximum of 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. Cash reports are not applicable. 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: Awards Management Division Office of Grants and Financial Management 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 Office of Grants and Financial Management National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) 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 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 3 years. Records must be retained beyond the 3-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 $18,308,480; FY 12 est $18,263,554; and FY 13 est $18,306,217 - 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. 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 FY 2011, $18,170,550 was available for grant awards. A total of 18 institutions representing 17 states submitted 187 applications (59 teaching, 97 research, and 31 extension) requesting a combined $64,208,718. In May 2011, three peer review panels were conducted. The panels included a total of 49 experts in various disciplines within the food and agricultural sciences and comprehensive knowledge of the 1890 university system. Panelists consisted of faculty and administrators from land grant and non‐ land grant colleges and universities as well as research scientists from government and private industry. A total of 61 applications were funded, including 19 teaching awards, 29 research awards and 13 Extension awards. Funded projects should build capacity at the host institution in the areas of research, education, and/or extension. The grants are intended to address key problems of national, regional, and multi-institutional importance in sustaining all components of agriculture, including farm efficiency and profitability, ranching, renewable energy, forestry (both urban and agroforestry), aquaculture, rural communities and entrepreneurship, human nutrition, food safety, family and consumer sciences, biotechnology, and conventional breeding. Also in 2011, all projects had to address one of five Priority Areas: Global Food Security and Hunger, Climate Change, Sustainable Energy, Childhood Obesity, and Food Safety. Fiscal Year 2012: For FY 2012, $18,170,550 was available for grant awards. A total of 18 institutions representing 17 states submitted 188 applications (52 teaching, 92 research, and 44 extension). In May and June 2012, two peer review panels were conducted. The panels included approximately 60 experts in various disciplines within the food and agricultural sciences and comprehensive knowledge of the 1890 university system. Panelists consisted of faculty and administrators from land grant and non‐ land grant colleges and universities as well as research scientists from government and private industry. It is anticipated that approximately 60 applications will be funded in FY 2012. Fiscal Year 2013: Pertinent detials 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 Youth, Family, and Community, Division of Community and Education, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., STOP 2250, Washington, District of Columbia 20250-2250 Phone: (202) 720-2324 Fax: (202) 720-2030. Website Address: http://www.nifa.usda.gov/ RELATED PROGRAMS: 10.200 Grants for Agricultural Research, Special Research Grants; 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; 10.217 Higher Education Challenge Grants EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS: Fiscal Year 2011: This research project that will improve understanding of the hydrologic controls on nutrient and herbicide transport in a claypan watershed. The project will build the universitys capacity to develop water quality programs at watershed scales and strengthen collaborations with other research institutions. The proposed project will also improve the quality of teaching programs at the university by providing better class materials, experimental sites for field research experience, and excellent data for class projects. This project is concerned with the development of a sustainable and biologically based strategy to control major invasive pests of honey bees, a critical issue in commercial beekeeping and agriculture. The project will develop an environmentally friendly control strategy for the major pests (Varroa and SHB). This project will transfer technology to stakeholders through extension programs and provide experiential learning for students in research and outreach. A baccalaureate degree program in Agriculture, Food, and Environment (AFE) will be developed with options in Agricultural, Food, Environmental, and Aquaculture Systems using an interdisciplinary approach toward understanding relationships between agricultural systems and the environment. The key objectives include: 1) offer an undergraduate degree in AFE by developing 15 courses (including 8 online-courses); 2) develop recruiting tools including a website and printed materials; and 3) Involve undergraduate students in research determining effects of different fertigation regimes and row cover use on yield, safety and nutritional quality of fresh fruits and vegetables grown organically in high tunnels. A multidisciplinary team of faculty, including a biologist, three chemists, a mechanical and an electrical engineer, a microbiologist, a molecular biologist, an electron microscopist, and an information technologist, will collaborate in a nanotechnology-related project that uses food safety concepts and applications in a number of ASTEM educational settings. The targets include undergraduate major and non-major chemistry courses, two upper level undergraduate chemistry and biochemistry laboratory courses and outreach activities for K-12 students. The goal is to inspire and encourage majors and non-majors to consider future carrier opportunities in the emerging multibillion dollar field of nanotechnology The objectives of this Extension project are: 1) To develop and operationalize a 4-H Youth Development Project afterschool mentoring program to serve 100 at-risk youth ages 8-15 in grades 3 through 10; 2) To assist the families of program youth in maintaining and/or increasing parenting skills, autonomy, and integrity in meeting their child's needs; 3) To promote classroom service learning experiences for college students in family and consumer sciences and in food and agricultural sciences; 4) To plan for collaboration and networking; and 5) To coordinate a process and outcome evaluation of the project. The Project will serve as an extension enhancement by linking this extension program to teaching via development of a delivery system to enhance the needs of underserved at-risk youth on a 1890 college campus. Fiscal Year 2012: Pertinent details to be provided by Program at a future date. Fiscal Year 2013: 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). 10.217 HIGHER EDUCATION CHALLENGE GRANTS Challenge or HEC Grants FEDERAL AGENCY: National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977, To increase institutional capacities to respond to State, regional, national, or international educational needs by strengthening college and university teaching programs in the food and agricultural sciences. TYPES OF ASSISTANCE: PROJECT GRANTS USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS: Funds may be used only in targeted areas, e.g., curricula design and materials development, faculty preparation and enhancement for teaching, instruction delivery systems, scientific instrumentation for teaching, student experiential learning, and student recruitment and retention, as cited in the annual program announcement in the Federal Register. student tuition remission, room and board, fees or other financial assistance (scholarships, fellowships, etc.). Also, funds 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 to plan, repair, rehabilitate, acquire, or construct buildings or facilities (i.e., greenhouses, laboratories, or other structures). Promotional items (e.g., T-shirts and other give-a-ways) and food functions (e.g., cookouts or other social meal gatherings) are considered entertainment expenses, and are also not allowed under this grants program. Federal Cost Principles governing this grant program state that items not eligible for Federal funding may also not be used as an applicants contribution toward meeting matching requirements. 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: All U.S. public and private nonprofit colleges and universities offering a baccalaureate or first professional degree in at least one discipline or area of the food and agricultural sciences. Beneficiary Eligibility: All U.S. colleges and universities having a demonstrable capacity to teach 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 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. Formal proposals should be submitted to the Proposal Services Unit, NIFA, as outlined in the solicitation of applications. Application procedures are contained in the program regulations and required forms are contained in the Grant Application Kit. This program is subject to the regulatory provisions of USDA, 7 CFR Part 3015, et seq., and all successor regulations. Award Procedure: 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. Deadlines: Contact the headquarters or regional office, as appropriate, for application deadlines. Range of Approval/Disapproval Time: Dates for specific deadlines are announced in the RFA each fiscal year. 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. Matching Requirements: Percent: 25.%. A grant recipient is required to match 25% of the USDA funds awarded. Matching funds must come from non-Federal sources, and are not required to come in any particular amount from any one source. However, all matching funds pledged in the application must be accompanied by documentation. MOE requirements are not applicable to this program. Length and Time Phasing of Assistance: Grants are awarded for a one (1) to three (3) year period and may receive no-cost extensions as appropriate up to a maximum of 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. Cash reports are not applicable. 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 |