Introduction to NIFA

Mark PothSustainable Bioenergy

Division Directormpoth@nifa.usda.gov

4 NIFA Institutes1. Institute of food production &

sustainability2. Institute of food safety & nutrition3. Institute of bioenergy, climate, &

environment4. Institute for youth, family,

communities 1 CenterCenter for International

Programs

Institute of Food

Production and Sustainability

Division of

Animal Systems

Division of Plant Systems -

Protection

Division of Plant Systems -

Production

Division of Agricultural

Systems

Institute of Bioenergy,

Climate, and Environment

Division of Bioenergy

Division of Global Climate

Change

Division of Environmental

Systems

Institute of Food Safety

and Nutrition

Division of Nutrition

Division of Food Safety

Institute of Youth, Family,

and Community

Division of Community and

Education

Division of Youth and 4-H

Division of Family and Consumer Sciences

Office of Grants and Financial

Management

Awards Management

Division

Policy and Oversight

Division

Financial Operations

Division

Office of

Information Technology

Applications Division

Operations and Administrative Systems Division

Information Policy, Planning, and

Training Division

Equal Opportunity

Staff

Budget Staff

Communications Staff

Planning, Accountability, & Reporting Staff

Center for International

Programs

NIFA Director (Acting)

Chavonda Jacobs-Young

National Institute of Food and Agriculture

(NIFA) established by the 2008 Farm Bill• Research enables us to develop the knowledge

needed to solve many of the issues facing our nation

• Education strengthens schools and universities to train the next generation of scientists, educators, producers, and citizens

• Extension brings the knowledge gained through research and education to the people who need it most – in the United States and around the world

Tom VilsackSecretary, USDA

Dr. Chavonda Jacobs-Young Acting Director, NIFA

Dr. Cathie WotekiUnder Secretary Research, Education, and Economics (REE) mission area, and the Department's Chief Scientist

Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI)

Agriculture and Food Research Initiative

• Authorized for appropriation of $700 million for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2012

• FY 2010 funding = $262 million• FY 2011 funding = $264 million• Indirect costs capped at 22%• No less than 30% of funds will be

made available for integrated programs

Agriculture and Food Research Initiative

Of funds allocated for research:• No less than 40% made available for

applied research• No less than 60% made available for

fundamental research– No less than 30% for multi-disciplinary

teams– No less than 2% for equipment grants

Agriculture and Food Research Initiative

FY 2011/2012 Challenge Area RFAs1. Childhood Obesity Prevention2. Climate Change3. Global Food Security4. Food Safety5. Sustainable Bioenergy

Agriculture and Food Research Initiative

FY 2011/12 Challenge Area RFAs• Significant focus on achieving

measurable outcomes• Offers funding for research, education,

extension, and integrated projects• Most grants made as continuation

awards• Range of award sizes; some as large at

$2 million per year

Agriculture and Food Research InitiativeFoundational Program RFA

• Plant Health and Production and Plant Products

• Animal Health and Production and Animal Products

• Food Safety, Nutrition, and Health• Renewable Energy, Natural Resources,

and Environment• Agriculture Systems and Technology• Agriculture Economics and Rural

Communities

Agriculture and Food Research Initiative

Foundational Program RFA• Building a foundation of knowledge

critical for solving current and future societal challenges

• Offers funding for research projects only• Grants generally $500,000 or less each

in total

Agriculture and Food Research InitiativeNIFA Fellowships Program RFA

1. Offering individual fellowships for pre- and postdoctoral students – NIFA Fellows

2. Projects to focus on the broad Challenge Areas3. Pre-doctoral fellowships: $75,000 for two years of

support (stipend, tuition, fees, fringe, travel)4. Post-doctoral fellowships: $130,000 for two years

of support (primarily salary; also supplies, travel, etc.)

Project Types and Eligibility• Research Projects – basic and

applied, multidisciplinary• Education Projects• Extension Projects

The broader AFRI Eligibility applies to these single-function project types

AFRI Eligibility1. State agricultural experiment stations2. Colleges and universities (including junior colleges

offering associate degrees or higher)3. University research foundations4. Other research institutions and organizations5. Federal agencies and national laboratories6. Private organizations or corporations7. U.S. Citizens, nationals, or permanent residents8. Eligible institutions do not include foreign and

international organizations

Project Types and Eligibility• Integrated Projects – integration of

research, education and extension (at least two of three, or all three when specified in the RFA)

The 406 or Integrated Eligibility applies to this multi-functional project type

406 or Integrated Eligibility1. Colleges and universities2. 1994 Land-Grant Institutions3. Hispanic-serving agricultural colleges

and universities

Grant Types• Standard Grant• Coordinated Agricultural Project

(CAP) Grant• Conference Grant• Food and Agricultural Science

Enhancement (FASE) Grant

FASE Grants• Improve research, education, and

extension capabilities of:– institutions in EPSCoR states– faculty from small, mid-sized, and

minority-serving institutions (with limited success)

– single or co-investigators beginning research, education, or extension careers

– pre-doctoral students and post-doctoral scientists

FASE Grants• Pre-doctoral Fellowship Grants• Postdoctoral Fellowship Grants• New Investigator Grants• Strengthening Grants

– Sabbatical Grants– Equipment Grants– Seed Grants– Strengthening Standard

An Overview of Integrated Research, Education, and

Extension Programs

ntegratedResearch

Education

Extension

To bring the three functions of the agricultural knowledge system around a problem area or issue

I

NIFA’s Integrated ProgramsThe three functions should:• Be interwoven throughout the life of

the project• Complement and reinforce one

another• Be interdependent and necessary for

the success of the project

NIFA’s Integrated Programs• Agriculture and Food Research Initiative• Section 406 Integrated, Research, Education,

and Extension Competitive Grants Program• Specialty Crop Research Initiative• Organic Agriculture Research and Extension

Initiative• Regional Integrated Pest Management• International Science and Education

Competitive Grants Program

Agriculture and FoodResearch Initiative (AFRI)

AFRI Integrated Programs

• Fundamental and applied research

• Education

• Extension

• Integrated research, extension, and/or education

AFRI Integrated Programs

Authorized for appropriation of $700 million for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2012

No less than 30% will be made available for integrated programs

AFRI Integrated Eligibility

Colleges and universities,1994 land-grant institutions, and Hispanic-serving agricultural colleges and universities

AFRI Grant Types• Standard Grants• Coordinated Agricultural Project Grants• Planning/Coordination Grants• Conference Grants• Food and Agricultural Science Enhancement

Grants (FASE)– Pre- and Postdoctoral Fellowship Grants– New Investigator Grants– Strengthening Grants

Key Points for AFRI Integrated Projects• Must include two of the three functions

(research, education, and/or extension per the RFA!)

• Applications must contain objectives for each function in the project

• Must budget sufficient resources to carry out the set of research, education, and/or extension activities – No more than 2/3 on a single function

Key Points for AFRI Integrated Projects• Applications must provide the elements of a

logic model (e.g., activities, outputs, and outcomes) in narrative form or logic model chart

• Must include individuals on the project team with significant expertise in each component of the project

• Applications must contain a clearly articulated management plan to ensure efficient functioning of the team

AFRI Integrated Program Areas• Childhood Obesity Prevention

Challenge Area• Climate Change Challenge Area• Global Food Security Challenge Area• Food Safety Challenge Area• Sustainable Bioenergy Challenge

Area• Foundational Program

Integrated Research, Education, and Extension Competitive Grants

Program (Section 406)

Section 406

Authorized in Section 406 of the Agricultural Research, Extension and Education Reform Act of 1998 (AREERA)

Provides funding for integrated, multifunctional agricultural research, education, and extension activities

Section 406 Appropriations

2000 $39.54 M2001 41.85 M2002 42.85 M2003 44.23 M2004 39.55 M2005 43.06 M

2006 $42.29 M2007 42.29 M2008 41.99 M2009 41.99 M2010 45.15 M2011 45.15M

Section 406 Eligibility

Colleges and universities,1994 land-grant institutions, and Hispanic-serving agricultural colleges and universities

Section 406 Program Areas• National Integrated Food Safety

Initiative• National Integrated Water Quality

Program• Organic Transitions Program

Section 406 Program Areas• Integrated Pest Management

– Regional Pest Management Centers– Crops at Risk– Risk Avoidance & Mitigation

• Methyl Bromide Transitions

Specialty Crop Research Initiative (SCRI)

Specialty Crop Research InitiativeSupports research and extension that takes a systems-based, trans-disciplinary approach to solving critical specialty crop issues, priorities or problems

SCRI EligibilityFederal agencies, national laboratories, colleges and universities, research institutions and organizations, private organizations or corporations, State agricultural experiment stations, individuals, or groups consisting of two or more of these entities

SCRI Program AreasProjects must address at least one of five focus areas:

• Plant breeding, genetics, and genomics to improve crop characteristics

• Identification and addressing threats from pests and diseases, including threats to specialty crop pollinators

SCRI Program Areas• Improvement of production efficiency,

productivity, and profitability over the long term• New innovations and technology, including

improved mechanization and technologies that delay or inhibit ripening

• Methods to prevent, detect, monitor, control, and respond to potential food safety hazards in production and processing of specialty crops

Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative(OREI)

Supports projects that will enhance the ability of producers and processors who have already adopted organic standards to grow and market high quality organic agricultural products

OREI Eligibility

State agricultural experiment stations, colleges and universities, university research foundations, other research institutions and organizations, Federal agencies, national laboratories, private organizations or corporations, individuals who are United States citizens or national, or a group consisting of two or more of these entities

OREI Program Characteristics• OREI is particularly interested in

projects that emphasize research and outreach that assist farmers and ranchers with whole farm planning and ecosystem integration

• Fieldwork must be done on certified organic land or on land in transition to organic certification, as appropriate to project goals and objectives

OREI Program Characteristics• Projects should plan to deliver applied

production information to producers• Priority concerns include biological,

physical, and social sciences, including economics

International Science and Education Program

Support research, extension, and teaching activities that will enhance the capabilities of American colleges and universities to conduct international collaborative research, extension, and teaching

Even More Competitive Programs…

Other Competitive Programs• Biotechnology Risk Assessment• Renewable Resource Extension Act -National Focus Funds• Rangeland Research• Biomass Research and Development• Beginning Farmers and Ranchers Development• Small Business Innovation Research• Sustainable Agricultural Research and Education

Understanding the Review Processat the

National Institute of Food and Agriculture

Overview of the Competitive Grant Proposal Process

• Application Process

• Review Process

• Awards and Declines

• Post-Panel Administration

Application ProcessRequest for Application (RFA)• Posted to the NIFA website

www.nifa.usda.gov link to “Grants” page RFA defines the program… do not rely on third party or

web based summaries! The RFA may include several sub programs with

different requirements and deadlines. Read the RFA carefully.

Application ProcessRequest for Application (RFA)• Are you ready to submit?

DUNS Number? Has you CCR expired?

Application ProcessRequest for Application (RFA)• Project Directors submit Letter of Intent (LOI)

When applicable – not required for all programs. HOWEVER, if required and this is missed this will preclude submission of a full application

Requirements provided in RFA Submission at the LOI deadline in advance of proposal

deadline

Application Process• Develop proposal following:

Specific program goals, priorities and published deadline and guidelines provided in RFA

• Submit proposal electronically (www.grants.gov)

Highly recommend submitting at least 72 hr before deadline (especially fro larger more complicated applications)

Late applications are NOT accepted!

• Contact NPL if you do not receive an e-mail within 4 weeks acknowledging receipt of your proposal

• Keep program updated of changes in address, phone number, status of other pending proposals, and COI status

• Wait for notification of funding decisionbased on initial NPL e-mail received that also overviewed anticipated timeline (contact NPL if deadline passes !)

During the Review Process

Competitive Peer Review Process• Reviewed and rated highly by the NRC• Designed to be scholarly & fair:

Review by peers & other experts

Provide written & verbal evaluations

• Understand the review process for your specific program

(research; education; extension; integrated) to prepare a

competitive proposal

Program-dependent evaluation factors are

critical to the success of an application

Panel Member Selection• Active in Research, Education or Extension• Balanced to represent breadth of proposals and

applicants:– Discipline– Geography– Institution Size and Type– Professional Rank – Gender & Ethnicity

• Continuity: experience in the review process

• Review up to 20 proposals; # depends on program

• Provide scientific, constructive & fair evaluation

• Protect confidentiality

• Avoid Conflict of Interest

Role of Panelists

• Proposal content and identity of applicant

• Reviewer identity

• Reviews (shared with PD only)

• Panel proceedings

Protecting Confidentiality

• Advisors and advisees (lifetime)• Collaborators and co-authors (3 years)• Institutional• Anyone who stands to

materially profit from an award decision

• Other personal reasons defined by the reviewer

Avoiding Conflicts of Interest

• Applies to NPL, Panel Manager, panelists and ad hoc reviewers

• May not participate in any aspect of evaluation

• May not participate in decision regarding budget, project scope, or project duration

Avoiding Conflicts of Interest (cont.)

Reviewer Evaluation of ProposalsReviewers prepare written reviews

• Use RFA evaluation criteria• Address strengths and weaknesses• Make suggestions for improvement

Reviewers provide individual summary rating• Excellent• Very Good• Good• Fair• Poor

Evaluation Criteria(e.g., AFRI research proposals)

1. Scientific merit

2. Qualifications of project personnel, adequacy of facilities, and project management

3. Relevance and importance of topic to US Agriculture as articulated by the program’s priorities

• Interactive Panel discussion• Panel consensus and categorizing

• Outstanding• High Priority• Medium Priority• Low Priority• Do Not Fund• Triage

• Prepare panel summary

Review Panel Meeting

Preparation of the Panel Summary

• POSITIVE Aspects

• NEGATIVE Aspects

• SYNTHESIS

Panel Meeting: Final Day

Re-rank of proposals:

• Re-visit all categories

• Numerical ranking - usually only proposals ranked in top ~25%

Funding of ranked applications• Budgets may be adjusted as recommended by the

panel

• NPL and PM make decisions to fund eligible projects “below the line” from set aside funds ( AFRI Strengthening and New Investigator grants)

• NPL and Panel Manager prepare funding list according to panel ranking for review and approval by Division Director and Assistant Director

• E-mail and/or letter to the PD from National Program Leader

• Return of:• Written reviews• Panel summary• Relative ranking

Post-panel: Declined Proposals

• Phone Call• Return of:

– reviews– panel summary– relative ranking (categorical ranking)

• Complete award paperwork

Post-panel: Recommended Awards

• NPL Approved Budget and determines recommended award amount Collects and prepares paperwork (with program staff) including

assurance statements, Current Research Information System initial report

Feedback and consultation on declined proposals Reporting performance, summaries, success stories & highlights

(USDA, Congress, White House - OSTP, OMB, others) Program communication including outreach & promotion Meets annually with all funded Project Directors

Post-panel

• OGFM Reviews all award materials (Terms and conditions, assurance

statements, reviews, etc.) Reviews Budget for compliance (indirect rates, match if required,

etc.) Makes payments using ASAP system Withholds payments for inadequate progress and failure to meet

terms and conditions requirements Conducts financial audits

Post-panel

Thank you!