OPPORTUNITY REPORT:

Agriculture and Food Research Initiative: Education and Workforce Development

Friday, May 12, 2023

Program Summary

Key information at a glance:

Opportunity Title: Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Competitive Grants Program: Education and Workforce Development
Opportunity Number: USDA-NIFA-AFRI-009842
Agency: Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Total Program Funding: $49,000,000
Award Ceiling: $750,000
Cost Match: 100%
Deadline: December 7, 2023

Looking for assistance with your application? Click here to learn how CFS can help.

Program Overview

The Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) has announced the availability of $49 million in competitive funding for the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) Education and Workforce Development Competitive Grants Program. The program funds research, education, and extension projects that address key problems in the food and agricultural sciences. Proposals for education and training grants should focus on further enhancing pathways to the workforce in these areas. Particularly, NIFA is prioritizing proposals that incorporate 1) professional development opportunities for K-14 educational professionals, 2) non-formal education that cultivates food and agricultural interest in youth, 3) workforce training at community, junior, and technical colleges, 4) training of undergraduate students in research and extension, and 5) fellowships for predoctoral candidates and postdoctoral scholars. The program aims to accomplish long-term goals of meeting human food and fiber needs, enhancing environmental quality, sustaining the economic viability of farm operations, and improving the quality of life for farmers. The RFA offers six program areas to accomplish these goals. The program areas and associated award ceilings are as follows:

Professional Development for Agricultural Literacy (PDAL) - $500,000

Agricultural Workforce Training at Community Colleges (AWT) - $650,000

Food and Agricultural Non-Formal Education (FANE) - $750,000

Research and Extension Experiences for Undergraduates (REEU) - $750,000

Predoctoral Fellowships - $180,000

Postdoctoral Fellowships - $225,000

Strategic Goals

Four overarching goals of the RFA are as follows:

Growing agricultural literacy and workforce development for the future
Training or retraining of agricultural workers
Developing pathways to the food and agriculture workforce
Advancing science supporting the food and agriculture disciplines

USDA Strategic Goals supported by this RFA are as follows:

Combat Climate Change to Support America’s Working Lands, Natural Resources, and Communities;
Ensure America’s Agricultural System is Equitable, Resilient, and Prosperous;
Foster an Equitable and Competitive Marketplace for All Agricultural Producers;
Make Safe, Nutritious Food Available to All Americans;
Expand Opportunities for Economic Development and Improve Quality of Life in Rural and Tribal Communities;
Attract, Inspire, and Retain an Engaged and Motivated Workforce that’s Proud to Represent USDA

Eligibility

Eligible applicants, depending on the program area, are as follows:

1862 Land-Grant Institutions, 1890 Land-Grant Institutions, and 1994 Land-Grant Institutions
For-profit Organizations Other Than Small Businesses
Hispanic-Serving Institutions
Individuals
Native American Tribal Orgs, not Federally recognized Tribal Governments
Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) IRS status, other than Institutions of Higher Ed
Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) IRS status, other than Institutions of Higher Ed
Small Business
State Controlled Institutions of Higher Ed