To provide an integrated research, education, and
extension competitive grants program.
TYPES OF ASSISTANCE:
Project Grants. Place Cursor Here for Definition
USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS:
This research, education, and extension competitive grants program provides
funding for integrated, multi-functional agricultural research, extension, and
education activities which addresses priorities in United States agriculture.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
Applicant Eligibility: State agricultural experiment
stations, State cooperative extension services, all colleges and universities,
other research and extension institutions and organizations, Federal agencies,
private organizations or corporations, and individuals to facilitate or expand
promising breakthroughs in areas of the food and agricultural sciences of
importance to the United States.
Beneficiary Eligibility: State agricultural
experiment stations, State cooperative extension services, all colleges and
universities, other research and extension institutions and organizations,
Federal agencies, private organizations or corporations, and individuals to
facilitate or expand promising breakthroughs in areas of the food and
agricultural sciences of importance to the United States.
Credentials/Documentation: Each prospective
grantee organization must furnish the organizational information and
assurances specified in the guidelines.
Pre-application Coordination: All proposal
solicitations are published in the Federal Register. This program is excluded
from coverage under E.O. 12372.
Application Procedure: Formal proposal to 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 7
CFR 3019.
Award Procedure: CSREES 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.
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 stated in 7 CFR 3019.52.
Audits: In accordance with the provisions of OMB
Circular No. A- 133 (Revised, June 24, 1997), "Audits of States, Local
Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," non federal 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: 12-1502-0-1-352.
Obligations: (Grants) FY 01 $39,838,535; FY 02
$40,796,056; and FY 03 est $40,796,056. Note: Grants are competitively
awarded.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance: Awards
range from $20,000 to $2,080,000 with the average being $499,050.
One university established a network among home food safety experts and
provided new research on home food preservation. Goals for project activities
met the needs for providing scientific, research-based recommendations for
home food processing and preservation to the public.
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, Governmentwide Debarment and Suspension (Nonprocurement) and
Governmentwide 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: Administrator, Cooperative
State Research, Education, and Extension Service, U.S. Department of
Agriculture, Ag Box 2201, 14th and Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC
20250-2201. Telephone: (202) 720-4423
Web Site Address: http://www.reeusda.gov
EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS:
Improving Microbial Safety and Shelf-Life of Fresh Produce with Antimicrobial
Films; National Center for Home Food Processing and Preservation; Preservation
of Rural Watersheds and Drinking Water Resources; Accelerating Riparian Buffer
Adoption to Enhance Water Quality and Farm Income.
CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS:
1. The scientific merit of the proposal, including the suitability and
feasibility of the approaches and methodology; 2. the probability that the
research will contribute to important discoveries or significant breakthroughs
in food production or human nutrition, in relation to the mission of this
program; 3. the qualifications of the principal investigator and other senior
personnel, such as training, demonstrated awareness of previous and
alternative approaches to the problem, and performance record and/or potential
for future accomplishment; and 4. the probable adequacy of available or
obtainable facilities, equipment, instrumentation, and technical support.
Consideration will be given to proposals which address fundamental questions
in the relevant areas and which are consistent with the long-range missions of
USDA.
