FEDERAL AGENCY:

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

AUTHORIZATION:

Section 2(b), Public Law 89-106, 7 U.S.C. 450i(b), as amended; Section 1414, Public Law 95-113; Section 1415, Public Law 97-98; Section 1409, Public Law 99-198; Section 1615, Public Law 101- 624; Public Law 104-127; Public Law 105-185.

To promote research in food, agriculture, and related areas to further the programs of USDA through the award of research grants on a competitive basis.

TYPES OF ASSISTANCE:

Project Grants. Place Cursor Here for Definition

USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS:

The selected areas for research include plants, animals, natural resources and environment, nutrition, food quality and health, markets, trade and rural development, and new products and processes. Grant funds may be used for costs necessary to conduct research (salaries and wages, scientific equipment, materials and supplies, travel, publication costs, and other allowable direct and indirect costs). Applicants should check annual proposal solicitation for limitation on indirect costs. Primary responsibility for general supervision of all grant activities rests with the grantee organization; the principal investigator is responsible for the scientific work. Funds may not be used for purposes other than those specified in the grant.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Applicant Eligibility:   State Agricultural Experiment Stations, U.S. colleges/universities, other U.S. research institutions and organizations, Federal agencies, private organizations or corporations, and individuals. Proposals from scientists at non-U.S. organizations will not be considered for support.

Beneficiary Eligibility:   State Agricultural Experiment Stations, U.S. colleges/universities, other U.S. research institutions and organizations, Federal agencies, private organizations or corporations, and individuals. Proposals from scientists at non-U.S. organizations will not be considered for support.

Credentials/Documentation:   Each prospective grantee organization must furnish the organizational information and assurances specified in the guidelines. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-87.

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

Application Procedure:   Formal proposal to National Research Initiative Competitive Grants Program, USDA/CSREES as outlined in the guidelines. Application procedures are contained in CSREES Research Grant Application Kit. This program is subject to the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-110 as implemented by 7 CFR Part 3019.

Award Procedure:   National Research Initiative Competitive Grants Program staff members review and evaluate 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. Proposals are accepted in order of merit to the extent permitted by available funds.

Deadlines:   As announced in the Federal Register for each fiscal year. Deadlines for submission of fiscal year 2002 proposals was from November 15, 2001, to February 15, 2002.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time:   From 90 to 180 days.

Appeals:   None.

Renewals:   Proposals for renewal, should be submitted at the announced deadline. Renewals are treated in competition with all other pending proposals.

ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:

Formula and Matching Requirements:   None.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance:   Normally, competitive research projects will be supported for periods of up to 3 years.

POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Reports:   Annual progress reports due within 90 days after anniversary of grant effective date and final technical report due 90 days after expiration of grant. Federal cash transaction reports and financial status reports as in Attachment G of OMB Circular A-110.

Audits:   In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A- 133 (Revised, June 24, 1997), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Nonprofit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $300,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $300,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133.

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 life of the grant and for 3 years thereafter.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION:

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

Obligations:   (Grants) FY 01 $98,589,325; FY 02 est $112,514,357; and FY 03 est $112,514,357. Note: Grants are competitively awarded.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance:   $4,000 to $491,100. Average: $119,790.

Significant accomplishments include: (1) Researchers have discovered that the short-term and long-term structural performances of yellow poplar laminated veneer lumber are equivalent or slightly better than those of the traditionally used solid-sawn lumber. These results are opening doors for more acceptance of the product in the building industry and it can be a more affordable and sturdier product; (2) researchers have found that the use of a citrate buffer rather than a phosphate buffer in formulations can improve the stability and quality of some products by reducing the loss of aspartame and the formation of brown discoloration; and (3) researchers have developed a fertilizer applicator that keeps nitrogen in the plant root zone for longer periods of time. The applicator could decrease leaching which would reduce the amount of nitrate ending up in the environment.

REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE:

Pages 61290-61306 Federal Register, Vol. 56, No. 231, Part II, December 2, 1991; 7 CFR 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. National Competitive Research Initiative Grants Program Administrative Provisions, Federal Register, Vol. 56, No. 220, Pages 57950-57958, November 14, 1991; and 7 CFR Part 3019, Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Agreements with Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, and Other Non-Profit Organizations.

INFORMATION CONTACTS:

Regional or Local Office:   None.

Headquarters Office:   Chief Scientist, National Research Initiative Competitive Grants Program, Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Ag Box 2241, 14th and Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-2241. Telephone: (202) 401-5022.

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