Agricultural; and 5) Water Science. These funds are available only to support the training of new students in targeted areas of national need as determined by the Office of Higher Education Programs, USDA, and announced in the Federal Register as part of the Program Announcement. CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS: 1. The degree to which the proposal clearly establishes that the proposed program of graduate training will result in the development of outstanding scientific/professional expertise related to the national need area and in a reasonable period of time; 2. the degree to which the proposed program of study reflects special features such as a combination-disciplinary, approach inter-disciplinary, multi-disciplinary or cross-disciplinary), a unique collateral specialization in a related discipline, experimental learning opportunities, a unique mentoring program, seminars, or a multi-university collaborative approach; 3. the degree to which the proposal establishes that the institution's faculty, facilities and equipment, instructional support resources, and other attributes are excellent for providing outstanding graduate study and research at the forefront of science and technology related to the chosen area of national need; 4. the degree to which the institution's plans and procedures for recruitment and selection of academically outstanding fellows and for monitoring and facilitating fellow's progress through a program of study reflect excellence as documented in the proposal; 5. the degree to which supporting summary data substantiate program quality in the targeted national need area; and 6. the quality of the proposal as reflected by its substantive content, organization, clarity, and accuracy; any additional evaluation criteria as cited in the annual program announcement published in the Federal Register. 10.212 SMALL BUSINESS INNOVATION RESEARCH Range of Approval/Disapproval Time: From 90 to 180 days. to provide support for doctoral fellows for 36 months and for masters fellows for 24 months. ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS: Formula and Matching Requirements: None. period, however, fellows are supported for three years for a doc- period. POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS: Reports: Documentation of fellowship appointments (Form CSRS 707) must be submitted by project directors upon request of CSRS. A graduate fellow exit report (Form CSRS-709) must be submitted by project directors for each fellow supported by a grant as soon as a fellow is: (a) Graduated; or (b) officially termi nated from the program. Audits: The program is subject to audit by the cognizant Federal audit agency and the USDA Office of Inspector General. Records: Grantees are expected to maintain separate records for each grant to insure that funds are used for the purpose for which the grant was made. Records are subject to inspection during the life of the grant and for 3 years thereafter. FINANCIAL INFORMATION: Account Identification: 12-1500-0-1-352. FY 94 est $3,489,090. amounts of funding per grant, as well as stipend levels, are estab lished by the annual program announcement. PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS: The National Needs Graduate Fellowships Program is proving to be an important part of the solution to the human capital shortages facing U.S. agriculture. Since inception in 1984, this program has supported more than 650 outstanding doctoral and masters' fellows in some seven targeted specializations. The average graduate record examination score for doctoral fellows is 1,300 and 1,050 for master's fellows. Thesis topics chosen by fellows include studies in molecular biology, plant biotechnology, animal diseases, water management, nutritional sciences, international marketing, and systems management. Program requirements for recruiting outstanding graduate students remain unchanged in the fiscal year 1993 program and will serve to attract comparable excellence. REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE: 7 CFR Part 3402 (52 FR 4712, February 13, 1987, as amended by 55 FR 2214, January 22, 1990); Application Kit for the Food and Agricultural Sciences National Needs Graduate Fellowships Grants; 7 CFR Part 3015, USDA Uniform Federal Assistance Regulations; 7 CFR Part 3017, Governmentwide Debarment and Suspension (Nonprocurement) and Governmentwide Requirements for Drug-Free Workplace (Grants); 7 CFR Part 3018, Restrictions on Lobbying. INFORMATION CONTACTS: Regional or Local Office: None. Education Programs, Department of Agriculture, Room 310-E, 1790. (Use same 7-digit number for FTS.) RELATED PROGRAMS: 10.216, 1890 Institution Capacity Building Grants; 10.217, Higher Education Challenge Grants. EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS: Approximately $3.4 million were available in fiscal year 1992 to permit the awarding of new grants to colleges and universities to support 63 newdoctoral fellows. Grants for fellowships support are awarded to colleges and universities determined through peer review to be characterized by excellence in the chosen targeted field. Targeted fields are identified annually in the program solicitation published in the Federal Register and in the past have included the following areas: 1) Food cience or Human Nutrition; 2) BiotechnologyPlant or Animal; 3) Marketing or Management-Food, Forest Products, or Agribusiness; 4) Engineering-Food, Forest, Biological, or FEDERAL AGENCY: COOPERATIVE STATE RESEARCH SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AUTHORIZATION: Small Business Innovation Development Act of 1982, Public Law 97-219, as amended, Public Law 99-443; Public Law 102-564. OBJECTIVES: To stimulate technological innovation in the private sector, strengthen the role of small businesses in meeting Federal research and development needs, increase private sector commercialization of innovations derived from USDA supported research and development efforts, and foster and encourage minorityand disadvantaged participation in technological innovation. TYPES OF ASSISTANCE: Project Grants. USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS: The selected areas for research are forests and related resources; plant production and protection; animal production and protection; air, water and soils; food science and nutrition; rural and community development; aquaculture; and industrial applications. The Small Business Innovation Research Program will be carried out in three separate phases: Phase I, USDA anticipates making awards during fiscal year 1993 to small businesses in amounts ranging up to $50,000 over periods normally not to exceed six months each. Phase I is to determine, if possible, the scientific or technical feasibility of ideas submitted by proposers on the selected research areas; Phase II, awards will be made during fiscal year 1993 to firms with approaches that appear sufficiently promising as a result of phase I studies. Only those small businesses previously receiving phase I awards in either fiscal years 1991 or 1992 are eligible to submit phase II proposals in fiscal year 1993. Phase II projects are limited to $250,000 with the average award being about $200,000, for a period not to exceed 24 months; phase III, to be conducted by the small business firm (including joint ventures or research and development partnerships), will be non-federally funded through the exercising of a follow-on funding commitment. The purpose of the phase III is to stimulate technological innovation and the national return on investment from research through the pursuit of commercial objectives resulting from the USDA supported work carried out in phases I and II. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS: profit, independently owned or operated, are not dominant in the proposed research field, have their principal places of business located in the United States, have a number of employees not exceeding 500 in all affiliated firms owned or controlled by a single parent firm, and meet the other regulatory requirements outlined in 13 CFR Part 121, as amended; (b) are at least 51 percent owned, or in the case a publicly owned business, at least 51 percent of its voting stock is owned, by U.S. citizens or lawfully admitted permanent resident aliens; (c) are the primary source of employment for the principal investigator of the proposed effort at the time of award and during the actual proposed research; (d) are the primary performer of the proposed research effort. Because this program is intended to increase the use of small business firms in Federal research or research and development, the term "primary performer" means that a minimum of two-thirds of the research or analytical work must be performed by the proposing organization under phase I grants. For phase II awards, a minimum of one-half of the research or analytical effort must be conducted by the proposing firm. Beneficiary Eligibility: Small businesses. Credentials/Documentation: Each prospective grantee organization must furnish the organizational information and assurances specified in the SBIR program solicitation. The principles to be used in determining allowable costs of activities under this program are contained in the Federal Acquisition Regulations, 48 CFR Part 31. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-87. APPLICATION AND AWARD PROCESS: Preapplication Coordination: Publication by the Small Business Ad. ministration listing all agencies participating in the program, their Small Business Innovation Research coordinators, proposed dates for their solicitations, and proposed topic areas. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-102 and E.O. 12372. Application Procedure: Formal proposal to SBIR Program, CSRS, USDA, as outlined in the SBIR program solicitation. Application procedures are contained in the SBIR program solicitation. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A 110. Award Procedure: The SBIR coordinator reviews and evaluates all proposals with the assistance and advice of a peer panel of qualified scientists and other appropriate persons who are specialists in the field covered by the proposal. Deadlines: Deadlines are announced in the Federal Register and SBIR Program Solicitation for each fiscal year. Deadlines for submission for fiscal year 1993, Phase I and Phase II proposals are September 1, 1992 and February 15, 1993, respectively. Range of Approval/Disapproval Time: Six months from application receipt to grant award. Appeals: Phase I applications may be revised and resubmitted, one time only, during a later funding cycle, provided the subject matter of the proposal is not changed, and the topic area under which the proposal was originally submitted is still listed in the solicitation. Phase I grantees may apply for a Phase II grant only once for each project funded. Renewals: None. ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS: Formula and Matching Requirements: There are no matching require ments. Length and Time Phasing of Assistance: Phase I grants are normally limited to six months. Phase II grants do not exceed two years. POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS: Reports: Final performance and final financial status reports for Phase I grants must be submitted 30 and 90 days, respectively, after the expiration date of the grant. Final performance and final financial status reports for Phase II grants must be submitted 90 days after the expiration date of the grant. Audits: Periodic audits should be made as part of the recipient's sys tems of financial management and internal control to meet the terms and conditions of grants and other agreements. This program is also subject to audit by the cognizant Federal audit agency and the USDA Office of Inspector General. Federal audits will be made in accordance with the policies of the Federal Acquisition Regulations, 48 CFR Part 42, to ensure that funds have been applied efficiently, economically, and effectively. Records: Grantees are expected to maintain separate records for each grant to ensure that funds are used for the purpose for which the grant was made. Records are subject to inspection during the life of the grant and for at least three years after the date of submis sion of the final financial status report. FINANCIAL INFORMATION: Account Identification: 12-1500-0-1-352. FY 94 est $6,644,050. $89,325. PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS: In fiscal year 1992, there were 376 proposals and 63 grants awarded, of these, 19 were Phase II grants and 44 were Phase I grants. Accomplishments include: Development of a multiphasic controlled release hormone delivery system for improved cattle reproduction management; design of a tandem phone switch that is suitable in rural areas for emergency 911 service; preparation of a highly refined grade of lesquerella oil suitable for use in cosmetics; development of computer-controlled aerial-applied fire retardants that achieve more accurate placement and coverage of fire retardants on wildfires. REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE: 7 CFR Part 3403, Small Business Innovation Research Grants Program, Administrative Provisions, pages 47882-47889, Federal Register, Vol. 56, No. 183, September 20, 1991; 7 CFR Part 3015, USDA Uniform Federal Assistance Regulations; 7 CFR Part 3017, Governmentwide Debarment and Suspension (Nonprocurement) and Governmentwide Requirements for Drug-Free Workplace (Grants); 7 CFR Part 3018, New Restrictions on Lobbying; and Program Solicitation for Small Business Innovation Research Grants Program, Office of Grants and Program Systems, Coopera tive State Research Service, USDA, July, 1991. INFORMATION CONTACTS: Regional or Local Office: None. gram Systems, Cooperative State Research Service, Department (202) 401-6852. (FTS 441-6852.) RELATED PROGRAMS: 10.240, Alternative Agricultural Research and Commercialization. EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS: Integration of Forest Growth and Yield Prediction with Geographic Information Systems; Diagnosis of Mycoplasma Pneumonia of Swine; Electrochemical Process for Destroying Pesticide Waste; Rural Integrated Technology Centers for Community Development; and Oat Oil Refining and Applications. CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS: (a) The scientific and technical quality of the proposed research plan and its relevance to the stated objectives, with special emphasis on innovativeness and originality; (b) importance of the problem or opportunity and anticipated benefits of the proposed research, if successful; (c) adequacy of the objectives to show incremental progress toward proving the feasibility of approach; (d) qualifications of the principal investigator, other key staff and consultants, and the probable adequacy of available or obtainable instrumentation and facilities to carry out the proposed work; (e) the technical, economic, and/ or social importance of the problem or opportunity and anticipated benefits if research is successful; and (1) reasonableness of the budget requested for the work proposed. Range and Average of Financial Assistance: $50,000 to each State, the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Guam, Micronesia, North ern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS: These funds are currently used by land-grant institutions to support faculty salaries, curricula de velopment, and other instructional program operating expenses. REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE: Authorizing legislation; 7 CFR Part 3015, USDA Uniform Federal Assistance Regulations; 7 CFR Part 3017, Governmentwide Debarment and Suspension (Nonprocurement) and Governmentwide Requirements for Drug-Free Workplace (Grants); 7 CFR Part 3018, Re strictions on Lobbying. INFORMATION CONTACTS: Regional or Local Office: Not applicable. Education Programs, Department of Agriculture, Room 310-E, 1790. 10.214 MORRILL-NELSON FUNDS FOR FOOD AND AGRICULTURAL HIGHER EDUCATION FEDERAL AGENCY: COOPERATIVE STATE RESEARCH SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AUTHORIZATION: Second Morrill Act of 1890, 7 U.S.C. 321 et seq, 34 Stat. 1281, 1282, Public Law 97-98, The Nelson Amendment of 1907. OBJECTIVES: Support of instruction in the food and agricultural sci ences. TYPES OF ASSISTANCE: Formula Grants. USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS: Public Law 97-98 targeted funds for support of the food and agricultural sciences. Funds may be used for instructors' salaries, program activities, or instructional equipment and supplies in the approved disciplines relating to food and agricultural sciences expertise. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS: Applicant Eligibility: States Treasurers or other designates in 57 juris dictions in the United States in which land-grant colleges are located, including States, the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Guam, Micronesia, Northern Marianas Islands, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. Beneficiary Eligibility: Land-grant colleges and universities. Credentials/Documentation: None. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-87. APPLICATION AND AWARD PROCESS: Preapplication Coordination: None. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372. Application Procedure: This program is subject to the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-102, however preapplication coordination is not required. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-110. Award Procedure: Not applicable. Deadlines: By statute, funds must be annually paid to each State Treasurer or designate on or before the thirty first day of October of each year upon the warrant of the Secretary of Agriculture. Range of Approval/Disapproval Time: Not applicable. Appeals: Not applicable. Renewals: Not applicable. ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS: Formula and Matching Requirements: $50,000 to each State, the Dis trict of Columbia, American Samoa, Guam, Micronesia, Northern Marianas Islands, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands, no match ing requirements. Length and Time Phasing of Assistance: For 12 months. POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS: Reports: Annual financial report signed at State Treasurer andUni versity levels from each State, the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Guam, Micronesia, Northern Marianas Islands, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands explaining the use of funds received each year. Due to the USDA Office of Higher Education Programs by December of the year following that in which funds were received. Audits: In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A. 128, "Audits of State and Local Governments,” State and local governments that receive financial assistance of $100,000 or more within the State's fiscal year shall have an audit made for that year. State and local governments that receive between $25,000 and $100,000 within the State's fiscal year shall have an audit made in accordance with Circular No. A-128, or in accordance with Federal laws and regulations governing the programs in which they participate. If the State fails to include the university under the A-128 audit, then the university will follow the audit provision of OMB Circular No. A-102 or A-88, when published. Records: Maintained by grantee. Records are subject to inspection during the life of the grant and for three years thereafter. FINANCIAL INFORMATION: Account Identification: 12-1500-0-1-352. FY 94 est $2,850,000. 10.215 SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE RESEARCH AND EDUCATION FEDERAL AGENCY: COOPERATIVE STATE RESEARCH SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AUTHORIZATION: National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act Amendments of 1985, Public Law 99-198, servation, and Trade Act of 1990, Section 1621, 7 U.S.C. 5811. OBJECTIVES: To facilitate and increase scientific investigation and education in order to reduce the use of chemical pesticides, fertilizers and toxic materials in agricultural production; to improve management of on-farm resources to enhance productivity, profitability and competitiveness; to promote crop, livestock and enterprise diversification and to facilitate the conduct of research projects in order to study agricultural production systems that are located, in areas that possess various soil, climatic, and physical characteristics; to study farms that have been and continue to be managed using farm production practices that optimize the use of on-farm resources and conservation practices; to take advantage of the experience and expertise of farmers and ranchers through their direct participation and leadership in projects; to transfer practical, reliable and timely information to farmers and ranchers concerning low input sustainable practices and systems; and to promote a partnership between farmers, nonprofit organizations, agribusiness and public and private research and extension institutions. TYPES OF ASSISTANCE: Project Grants. USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS: Funds may not be used to pay in direct costs or tuition. Funds may be used for transportation, per diem, salaries, office supplies, printing, and other direct costs for conducting activities approved in cooperative agreements or inter agency reimbursable transfers. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS: Applicant Eligibility: Land-grant colleges or universities, other uni versities, State agricultural experiment stations, State cooperative extension services, nonprofit organizations with demonstrable ex pertise, or Federal or State governmental entities. Beneficiary Eligibility: Land-grant colleges or universities, other uni versities, State agricultural experiment stations, State cooperative extension services, nonprofit organizations, with demonstrable ex pertise, or Federal or State governmental entities. Credentials/Documentation: Costs will be determined in accordance with OMB Circular No. A-87 for State and local governments and OMB Circular No. A-21 for educational institutions. APPLICATION AND AWARD PROCESS: Preapplication Coordination: The standard application forms as fur nished by the Federal agency and required by OMB Circular No. A-102 must be used for this program. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372. 10.203, Payments to Agricultural Experiment Stations Under Hatch Act; 10.205, Payments to 1890 Land-Grant Colleges and Tuskegee University; 10.206, Grants for Agricultural ResearchCompetitive Research Grants; 10.207, Animal Health and Disease Research; 10.240, Alternative Agricultural Research and Commercialization Program; 10.250, Agricultural and Rural Economic Research; 10.500, Cooperative Extension Service; 10.652, Forestry Research. EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS: Projects funded cover re search and education on the practical problems of low-input sustainable farming practices for field crop, horticultural, and livestock producers, to the development and delivery of educational materials for farmers. Examples: Use of cover crops to reduce soil erosion and leaching of nutrients into ground water; year round forage management through the use of intensive rotational grazing to reduce costs and herbicide use; comparisons of pest problems, soil properties, yields and profitability of low versus high input vegetable farms; ridge tillage without herbicides in midwest corn production; growing disease-free apples without fungicides; grazing sheep in orchards to control weeds; new systems of animal ag riculture waste management; and farm diversification. CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS: The primary selection process will be done by the regional technical committees and administrative councils, with subsequent approval by USDA. Criteria used at the regional level include: (1) Does the proposed work fulfill the intent of Congress and Departmental policy, as articulated in guidelines prepared by CSRS? (2) Is the subject matter highly relevant to producers in this region with regard to finding profitable low input methods and systems of production? (3) Are specific provisions made for presenting in readily usable form those findings that are directly applicable to producers? (4) Do the various categories of public and private organizations have a meaningful opportunity to participate in shaping and implementing the program? Application Procedure: This program is subject to the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-110. The standard application forms as furnished by the Federal agency and required by OMB Circular No. A-102 must be used for this program. Award Procedure: Regional technical committees will prepare plans of work based on proposals received from public and private organizations. Regional administrative councils will approve plans of work and submit them to USDA. A panel of experts will approve scientific quality of plans of work. Research and education subcommittee on alternative agriculture will review plans of work and the Department will give final approval. Deadlines: Contact the Headquarters office for application deadlines. Range of Approval/Disapproval Time: From 90 to 180 days. Appeals: None. Renewals: None. ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS: Formula and Matching Requirements: There are no statutory formula or matching requirements. Length and Time Phasing of Assistance: Agreements will be support ed for periods of one to 5 years. Agreements are released by the electronic transfer system and reimbursement by Treasury check. POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS: Reports: Standard reporting as required by OMB Circular Nos. A 102 and A-110. Audits: In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A 128, "Audits of State and Local Governments," State and local governments that receive financial assistance of $100,000 or more within the State's fiscal year shall have an audit made for that year. State and local governments that receive between $25,000 and $100,000 a year shall have an audit made in accordance with Circular A-128, or in accordance with Federal laws and regulations governing the programs in which they participate. Auditing provisions of OMB Circular No. A-110 may also apply. Records: Standard records as required in OMB Circular Nos. A-110 and A-102 and they must be maintained for 3 years. FINANCIAL INFORMATION: Account Identification: 12-1500-0-1-352. $6,425,401; and FY 94 est $6,603,115. Range and Average of Financial Assistance: $5,000 to $1,447,500; $460,122. PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS: In fiscal year 1992, CSRS awarded cooperative agreements to the Northeast, North Central, Southern, and Western regions to fund proposals submitted by teams of researchers and educators in private and public organizations and individual farmers. Three regions used a preproposal process. Some 382 preproposals were reviewed and 95 were approved for full proposal development. The four regions reviewed 181 proposals. The Technical Review Committees forwarded 62 proposals to the Regional Administrative Councils and 50 new projects were funded. These consisted of 26 competitive Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program (SARE) grants, 22 competitive Agriculture in Concert with the Environment (ACE) grants, one planning grant and one discretionary grant. REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE: Sections 1472 and 1473A of the National Agricultural Research Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977, as amended; 7 CFR Part 3015, USDA Uniform Federal Assistance Regulations; 7 CFR Part 3017, Governmentwide Debarment and Suspension (Nonprocurement) and Governmentwide Requirements for Drug-Free Workplace (Grants); 7 CFR Part 3018, New Restrictions on Lobbying. INFORMATION CONTACTS: Regional or Local Office: None. ment of Agriculture, Washington, DC 20250. Contact: Administra- FTS.) RELATED PROGRAMS: 10.001, Agricultural Research-Basic and Applied Research; 10.200, Grants for Agricultural Research, Special Research Grants; 10.202, Cooperative Forestry Research; 10.216 1890 INSTITUTION CAPACITY BUILDING GRANTS FEDERAL AGENCY: COOPERATIVE STATE RESEARCH SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AUTHORIZATION: National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977, as amended, Section 1472, Public Law 95-113, 7 U.S.C. 3318. OBJECTIVES: To build the research and teaching capacities of the 1890 land-grant institutions and Tuskegee University through co operative 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 recog. nized 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) technol ogy delivery systems. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS: Applicant Eligibility: The 1890 land-grant institutions and Tuskegee University Beneficiary Eligibility: The 1890 land-grant institutions and Tuskegee University, non-1890 academic institutions, private industry, and the Department of Agriculture. Credentials/Documentation: Each applicant must provide assurances specified in the solicitation of applications and a cooperator form from each USDA agency that has agreed to participate in the undertaking APPLICATION AND AWARD PROCESS: INFORMATION CONTACTS: Preapplication Coordination: All proposals/solicitations are published Regional or Local Office: None. in the Federal Register. This program is excluded from coverage Headquarters Office: Grant Programs Manager, Office of Higher under E.O. 12372. Education Programs, Cooperative State Research Service, U.S. Application Procedure: Formal proposals should be submitted to the Department of Agriculture, Room 310-E, Aerospace Center, Awards Management Division, OGPS, CSRS, as outlined in the Washington, DC 20250-2200. Telephone: (202) 401-1790. (Use solicitation of applications. Application procedures are contained same 7-digit number for FTS.) in the program regulations and required forms are contained in the RELATED PROGRAMS: 10.200, Grants for Agricultural Research, Grant Application Kit. This program is subject to the regulatory Special Research Grants; 10.203, Payments to Agricultural Experiprovisions of USDA's, 7 CFR Part 3015, et seq., and all successor ment Stations Under Hatch Act; 10.205, Payments to 1890 Landregulations. Grant Colleges and Tuskegee University; 10.207, Animal Health Award Procedure: Proposals are reviewed and evaluated by CSRS and Disease Research; and 10.217, Higher Education Challenge staff members with the assistance and advice of peer panels of Grants. qualified educators, scientists, administrators, and other appropri- EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS: (1) Establish telecommunicaate persons that are specialists in the fields covered by the propos- tion and distance learning programs; (2) develop curricula for new als. Proposals are supported in order of merit to the extent permit- undergraduate degree program in urban forestry; (3) conduct reted by available funds. Grant payments are made by the electronic search to improve livestockreproduction techniques; and (4) utilitransfer system. zation of remote sensing and geographic information systems Deadlines: All deadlines are announced in the Federal Register. (GIS) in the management of water sheds and forested lands. Deadline for submission of fiscal year 1993 proposals was January CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS: Proposals are evaluated 21, 1993. using the following criteria: Intrinsic merit; overall approach and Range of Approval/Disapproval Time: From 90 to 180 days. cooperative linkages; originality; personnel; institutional capacity Appeals: None. building; budget and cost effectiveness; overall quality of proposal; Renewals: None. and matching support. ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS: Formula and Matching Requirements: None. However, matching is 10.217 HIGHER EDUCATION CHALLENGE strongly encouraged and is a point of consideration in the peer GRANTS evaluation process. Length and Time Phasing of Assistance: Grants are awarded for a 1 FEDERAL AGENCY: COOPERATIVE STATE RESEARCH to 3 year period and may receive no-cost extensions of time as ap- SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. propriate up to maximum of 5 years. AUTHORIZATION: National Agricultural Research, Extension, and POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS: Teaching Policy Act of 1977, Section 1417(b)(1), as amended, Reports: Annual progress reports. Quarterly financialreports. Final Public Law 95-113, 7 U.S.C. 3152. progress and financial reports are due within 90 days after project OBJECTIVES: To increase institutional capacities to respond to State, expiration. regional, national, or international educational needs by strengthAudits: Audits will be conducted in accordance with the regulatory ening college and university teaching programs in the food and provisions of USDA's 7 CFR 3015 et seq; and all successor regu- agricultural sciences. lations. Additionally, this program is subject to audit by the cogni- TYPES OF ASSISTANCE: Project Grants. zant Federal Audit Agency and the USDA Office of Inspector USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS: Funds may be used only in targetGeneral ed areas, e.g., curricula design and materials development, faculty Records: Grantees are expected to maintain separate records for each preparation and enhancement for teaching, instruction delivery grant to ensure that funds are expended for authorized purposes. systems, scientific instrumentation for teaching, student experienGrant related records must be retained at least 3 years; records tial learning, and student recruitment and retention, as cited in the must be retained beyond the 3 year period if litigation is pending annual program announcement in the Federal Register. or audit findings have not been resolved. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS: FINANCIAL INFORMATION: Applicant Eligibility: All U.S. colleges and universities having a deAccount Identification: 12-1500-0-1-352. monstrable capacity to teach the food and agricultural sciences. Obligations: (Grants) FY 92 $9,876,070; FY 93 est $9,864,671; and Beneficiary Eligibility: All U.S. colleges and universities having a deFY 94 est $11,068,078. monstrable capacity to teach the food and agricultural sciences. Range and Average of Financial Assistance: Teaching grants: Credentials/Documentation: Each first-time recipient must furnish or $100,000 to $215,000; $184,120. Research grants: $72,000 to ganizational management information requested by the funding $345,441; $222,946. agency, and each applicant must provide assurances specified in PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS: In fiscal year 1992, 193 applica the annual solicitation of applications. tions were received and 49 awards were granted. All funds award- APPLICATION AND AWARD PROCESS: ed were matched from nonfederal sources. All projects were spon- Preapplication Coordination: All proposals/solicitations are published sored by one or more USDA agencies. The program addresses the in the Federal Register. This program is excluded from coverage need to attract more minority students into the food and agricul- under E.O. 12372. tural sciences, expand the linkages among the 1890 land-grant in- Application Procedure: Formal proposals should be submitted to the stitutions and with other colleges and universities, and strengthen Awards Management Division, OGPS, CSRS, as outlined in the the overall capacity of the 1890 institutions. solicitation of applications. Application procedures are contained REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE: 7 CFR Part in the program regulations and required forms are contained in the 3015, USDA Uniform Federal Assistance Regulations (implement- Grant Application Kit. This program is subject to the regulatory ing the provisions of OMB Circular Nos. A-21 and A-110); 7 CFR provisions of USDA's, 7 CFR Part 3015, et seq., and all successor Part 3017, Governmentwide Debarment and Suspensions (Nonpro- regulations. curement) and Governmentwide Requirements for Drug-Free Award Procedure: Proposals are reviewed and evaluated by CSRS Workplace (Grants); 7 CFR Part 3018, Restrictions on Lobbying; staff members with the assistance and advice of peer panels of 7 CFR Part 3406, 1890 Institution Capacity Building Grants Pro- qualified educators, administrators, industrialists, and other approgram, Administrative Provisions; 7 CFR 3407, Agency Procedures priate persons who are specialists in the fields covered by the proto Implement the National Environment Policy Act of 1969; posals. Proposals are supported in order of merit to the extent perannual solicitation of applications; and Grant Application Kit. mitted by available funds. Grant payments may be made by the |