FEDERAL AGENCY:

COOPERATIVE STATE RESEARCH, EDUCATION AND EXTENSION SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

AUTHORIZATION:

Section 2(c), Public Law 89-106, 7 U.S.C. 450i(c), as amended; Sections 1414, 1458A, 1472, 1473D, 1475, and 1480 of Public Law 95-113, as amended; Section 1415, Public Law 97-98, Section 1409, Public Law 99-198; Sections 1616, 1640, Public Law 101-624; Public Law 99-284, 7 U.S.C. 178n; Public Law 104-127; Public Law 105-185.

To carry out research, extension, and education to facilitate or expand promising breakthroughs in areas of the food and agricultural sciences of importance to the nation and to facilitate or expand on-going State-Federal food and agricultural research, extension, and education programs.

TYPES OF ASSISTANCE:

Project Grants. Place Cursor Here for Definition

USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS:

Areas of basic and applied research and extension and education are generally limited to high priority problems of a regional or national scope. Areas currently awarded on a competitive basis include Special Research Grants Integrated Pest Management and Pest Management Alternatives Program.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Applicant Eligibility:   Special Research Grants: State agricultural experiment stations, all colleges and universities, other research institutions and organizations, Federal agencies, private organizations or corporations and individuals having a demonstrable capacity to conduct research to facilitate or expand promising breakthroughs in areas of the food and agricultural sciences of importance to the United States.

Beneficiary Eligibility:   For Special Research Grants: State agricultural experiment stations, all colleges and universities, other research institutions and organizations, Federal agencies, private organizations or corporations and individuals having a demonstrable capacity to conduct research to facilitate or expand promising breakthroughs in areas of the food and agricultural sciences of importance to the United States.

Credentials/Documentation:   None. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-87.

Pre-application Coordination:   All proposal solicitations are published in the Federal Register or sent to all eligible institutions. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-102 and E.O. 12372.

Application Procedure:   Formal proposals are solicited and should be submitted to the Office of Extramural Programs, CSREES, USDA, as outlined in the guidelines and/or requests for proposals. Application procedures are contained in the Research Grant Application Kit. This program is subject to the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-110, Special Research Grants Program Administrative Provisions.

Award Procedure:   Proposals are reviewed by a peer panel of qualified scientists and other appropriate persons who are specialists in the field covered by the proposal. Proposals are funded in order of merit to the extent permitted by available funds.

Deadlines:   As announced in the Federal Register for each fiscal year. Specific deadline dates can be obtained by contacting the Office of Extramural Programs at (202) 401-5048.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time:   From 4 to 6 months.

Appeals:   None.

Renewals:   Requests for renewal support must be submitted as new proposals at the announced deadline, and are considered in equal competition with other proposals.

ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:

Formula and Matching Requirements:   As announced in the solicitation of proposals.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance:   From 1 to 3 years.

POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Reports:   Quarterly financial reports. Annual progress reports. Final financial and final summary progress reports.

Audits:   Audits will be conducted in accordance with guidelines established in the revised OMB Circular No. A-133, "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," and implemented in 7 CFR Part 3052, "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Nonprofit Organizations."

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 three years thereafter.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION:

Account Identification:   12-1500-0-1-352.

Obligations:   (Grants) FY 01 $97,846,403; FY 02 est $110,239,694; and FY 03 est $22,343,000.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance:   $3,500 to $1,879,518. Average: $153,741.

Example of accomplishments: To address some problems of the small fruit industry, one State conducted research on a variety of small fruit crops as outlined by the industry on breeding and genetics, plant viruses and diseases, integrated pest management, processing, plant hardiness, plant physiological factors, and marketing.

REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE:

Pages 50994-50996 and 50998-50999, Federal Register, Vol. 54, No. 236, Part IX, December 11, 1989; 7 CFR 3015, 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; 7 CFR Part 3019 (Uniform Federal Assistance Regulations for Grants and Agreements with Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, and Other Nonprofit Organizations; 7 CFR 3400, Special Research Grants Administrative Provisions, Federal Register, November 15, 1991, Vol 56, No. 221, pages 58146-58152.

INFORMATION CONTACTS:

Regional or Local Office:   None.

Headquarters Office:   Office of Extramural Programs, Proposal Services Branch, Stop 2245, 14th and Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-2245 Telephone: (202) 401-5048.

Web Site Address:   http://www.reeusda.gov