FEDERAL AGENCY:

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

AUTHORIZATION:

National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977, as amended, Section 1417(b)(4), Public Law 95-113, 7 U.S.C. 3152(b)(4).

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. Place Cursor Here for Definition

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.

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.

Pre-application Coordination:   All proposals/solicitations are published in the Federal Register. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

Application Procedure:   Formal proposals should be submitted to the Office of Extramural Programs, CSREES, 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:   Proposals are reviewed and evaluated by CSREES staff members with the assistance and advice of peer panels of qualified educators, scientists, administrators, and other appropriate persons that are specialists in the fields covered by the proposals. Proposals are supported in order of merit to the extent permitted by available funds. Grant payments are made by the electronic transfer system.

Deadlines:   All deadlines are announced in the Federal Register. Deadline for submission of fiscal year 2002 proposals was January 31, 2002.

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

Appeals:   None.

Renewals:   None.

ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:

Formula and Matching Requirements:   None. However, matching is strongly encouraged and is a point of consideration in the peer evaluation process.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance:   Grants are awarded for a 1 to 3 year period and may receive no-cost extensions of time as appropriate up to maximum of 5 years.

POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Reports:   Annual progress reports. Quarterly financial reports. Final progress and financial reports are due within 90 days after project expiration.

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 ensure that funds are expended for authorized purposes. Grant related records 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.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION:

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

Obligations:   (Grants) FY 01 $8,975,557; FY 02 est $8,978,692; and FY 03 est $8,978,692.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance:   Teaching grants: $88,470 to $225,000. Average: $171,443. Research grants: $107,574 to $349,793. Average: $242,524.

Example of accomplishments: At one university students are learning new ideas and gaining more knowledge in the production of crops that are less labor intense but have a high market value; another university is developing a multi-media laboratory and upgrading equipment in the food service laboratory, expanding student experiential learning opportunities and professional development of faculty in order to equip students with the knowledge and scientific, analytical, and professional skills to meet the needs of the job market.

REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE:

7 CFR Part 3015, USDA Uniform Federal Assistance Regulations (implementing the provisions of OMB Circular Nos. A-21 and A-110); 7 CFR Part 3017, Government wide Debarment and Suspensions (Nonprocurement) and Government wide Requirements for Drug-Free Workplace (Grants); 7 CFR Part 3018, Restrictions on Lobbying; 7 CFR part 3019, Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grant sand Agreements with Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, and Other Nonprofit Organizations. 7 CFR Part 3406, 1890 Institution Capacity Building Grants Program, Administrative Provisions; 7 CFR 3407, Agency Procedures to Implement the National Environment Policy Act of 1969; annual solicitation of applications; and Grant Application Kit.

INFORMATION CONTACTS:

Regional or Local Office:   None.

Headquarters Office:   National Program Leader, Higher Education Programs, Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture; Stop 2251; 1400 Independence Avenue, SW; Washington, DC 20250-2251. Telephone: (202) 720-2186.

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