FEDERAL AGENCY:

FOREIGN AGRICULTURAL SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

AUTHORIZATION:

National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977, as amended, 7 U.S.C. 3291; Food Security Act of 1985, as amended, Public Law 99-198.

To assist U.S. colleges and universities in strengthening their capabilities for food, agricultural, and related research training and extension relevant to agricultural development activities in other countries.

TYPES OF ASSISTANCE:

Project Grants. Place Cursor Here for Definition

USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS:

Reimbursable agreements are used to fund projects involved with international training activities, including course development and/or evaluation.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Applicant Eligibility:   U.S. institutions of higher education or nonprofit organizations included with agricultural development and education activities.

Beneficiary Eligibility:   U.S. institutions of higher education or nonprofit organizations included with agricultural development and education activities.

Credentials/Documentation:   None. This program is subject to the provisions of OMB Circular Nos. A-21 and A-122. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-87.

Pre-application Coordination:   Requests for proposals will be published in the Federal Register. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

Application Procedure:   Instructions for requests for proposals will be published in the Federal Registers. This program is subject to the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-110. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-102.

Award Procedure:   All proposals are evaluated by technical experts which rate the qualifications of applicants and merits of the proposals.

Deadlines:   None.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time:   Not applicable.

Appeals:   None.

Renewals:   Extension may be authorized.

ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:

Formula and Matching Requirements:   This program has no statutory formula or matching requirements.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance:   Assistance is phased according to the requirements of individual projects.

POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Reports:   None.

Audits:   In accordance with the provisions of 7 CFR Part 3052, "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," which implement OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 24, 1997), "Audits of States, Local Government, and Non-Profit 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 audits requirements for that year, except as noted in 7 CFR 3052.

Records:   None.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION:

Account Identification:   12-3200-0-1-352.

Obligations:   (Reimbursable Agreements) FY 01 $2,020,011; FY 02 est $2,080,611; and FY 03 est $2,080,611.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance:   $10,000 to $40,000. Average: $18,900.

This program currently includes short term agricultural and trade related training programs for senior and mid-level officials including marketing and production of forestry and wood products; soybean utilization; rice processing; food safety; and dairy production/livestock management.

REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE:

7 CFR 3015.

INFORMATION CONTACTS:

Regional or Local Office:   None.

Headquarters Office:   Dr. Frank A. Fender, FAS\International Cooperation and Development, Food Industries Division, Department of Agriculture, Washington DC 20250-1086. Telephone: (202) 690-1339.

Web Site Address:   http://www.fas.usda.gov.

EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS:

Short term training in brown rice processing and utilization; utilization of wood products; U.S. food safety regulations; and tropical dairy management.

CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS:

Criteria are dependent upon identification of specific project requirements and program priorities developed by ICD, in consultation with collaborating agencies and organizations. Contact FAS/ICD/FID for additional information.