Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) Foundational Program – The Department of Agriculture established the AFRI under which the Secretary of Agriculture may make competitive grants for fundamental and applied research, extension, and education to address food and agricultural sciences in six priority areas. The six priority areas include: 1) plant health and production and plant products; 2) animal health and production and animal products; 3) food safety, nutrition, and health; 4) renewable energy, natural resources, and environment; 5) agriculture systems and technology; and 6) agriculture economics and rural communities. The purpose of AFRI is to support research, education, and extension as well integrated programs by awarding grants that address key problems of national, regional, and multi-state importance in sustaining all components of agriculture, including farm efficiency and profitability, ranching, renewable energy, forestry (both urban and agroforestry), aquaculture, rural communities and entrepreneurship, human nutrition, food safety, biotechnology, and conventional breeding. Providing this support requires that AFRI advance fundamental sciences as well as translational research and development in support of agriculture and coordinate opportunities to build on these discoveries. Total Funding: $4.5M. There are several different aspects of this RFA each with their own eligibility requirements, due dates and funding amounts.
Posted Date: March 22, 2010
Funding Opportunity Number: USDA-NIFA-AFRI-003040
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Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) Sustainable Bioenergy – This RFA focuses on the societal challenge to secure America’s energy future. In the Sustainable Bioenergy Challenge Area RFA, specific program areas are designed to achieve the long-term outcome of reducing the National dependence on foreign oil through the production of sustainable bioenergy. Project types supported by AFRI within this RFA include single-function Research and Education Projects, multi-function Integrated Research, Education, and/or Extension Projects, and Food and Agricultural Science Enhancement (FASE) Grants. The AFRI Sustainable Bioenergy Program will fund grants targeting the development of regional systems for the sustainable production of bioenergy and biobased products that: contribute significantly to reducing dependence on foreign oil; have net positive social, environmental, and rural economic impacts; and are compatible with existing agricultural systems. Key components of the implementation of these grants are integrated research, education, and extension/technology transfer activities. Sustainable Bioenergy grants will support the start up and growth of a network of Regional Bioenergy CAPs focusing on five dedicated energy crops that include perennial grasses, energy cane, sorghum, woody biomass, and oil crops (oilseeds and algae). Total Funding: $40M. Eligibility is linked to the project type requested. There are several different aspects of this RFA each with their own due dates and funding amounts. There are several different aspects of this RFA each with their own eligibility requirements, due dates and funding amounts.
Posted Date: March 22, 2010
Funding Opportunity Number: USDA-NIFA-AFRI-003042
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Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) Climate Change – This RFA focuses on the societal challenge to mitigate and adapt to climate change. In the Climate Change challenge area RFA, specific program areas are designed to achieve the long-term outcome of reducing the use of energy, nitrogen, and water in the production of food, fiber and fuel, and increase carbon sequestration. Project types supported by AFRI within this RFA include single-function Research, Education, and Extension Projects, multi-function Integrated Research, Education, and/or Extension Projects, and Food and Agricultural Science Enhancement (FASE) Grants. The AFRI Climate Change program will fund projects focused on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing carbon sequestration in agricultural and forest production systems and preparing the nation’s agriculture and forests to adapt to changing climates. The majority of these grants will be large, integrated, trans-disciplinary projects focused on 1) developing best management practices and sustainable methods to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase carbon sequestration from agriculture and forest systems while contributing to the emerging carbon-based market and 2) developing advanced food, feed, and fiber production systems and new plant cultivars and animal breeds adapted to changing climates through classical/conventional breeding and other appropriate approaches. Total Funding: $55M. There are several different aspects of this RFA each with their own eligibility requirements, due dates and funding amounts.
Posted Date: March 22, 2010
Funding Opportunity Number: USDA-NIFA-AFRI-003038
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Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) Global Food Security – This RFA focuses on the societal challenge to keep American agriculture competitive while ending world hunger. In the Global Food Security Challenge Area RFA, specific program areas are designed to achieve the long-term outcome of increasing food availability and decreasing the number of food insecure individuals. Project types supported by AFRI within this RFA include single-function Extension Projects, multi-function Integrated Research, Education, and/or Extension Projects and Food and Agricultural Science Enhancement (FASE) Grants. The Global Food Security Challenge Area focuses on two intertwined issues: Food Availability and Food Accessibility. Adequate food availability implies that the population has a reliable source of food from domestic or international production. For adequate food accessibility the population must have sufficient resources to purchase food for a nutritious diet. Dual benefits for domestic and international food security are achieved when food availability and food accessibility goals are met successfully. Total Funding: $19M. There are several different aspects of this RFA each with their own eligibility requirements, due dates and funding amounts.
Posted Date: March 22, 2010
Funding Opportunity Number: USDA-NIFA-AFRI-003041
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Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) Food Safety – This RFA focuses on the societal challenge to improve food safety for all Americans. In the Food Safety Challenge Area RFA, specific program areas are designed to achieve the long-term outcome of reducing food-borne illnesses and deaths through a safe food supply. Project types supported by AFRI within this RFA include single-function Research and Education Projects, multi-function Integrated Research, Education, and/or Extension Projects, and Food and Agricultural Science Enhancement (FASE) Grants. While the U.S. food supply is generally considered to be one of the safest in the world, food-borne illness continues to be a source of concern for the American consumer, federal government, and industry. The Food Safety Challenge Area promotes and enhances the scientific discipline of food safety, with an overall aim of protecting consumers from microbial, chemical, and physical hazards that may occur during all stages of the food chain, from production to consumption. This requires an understanding of the interdependencies of human, animal, and ecosystem health as it pertains to food-borne pathogens. Total Funding: $20M. There are several different aspects of this RFA each with their own eligibility requirements, due dates and funding amounts.
Posted Date: March 22, 2010
Funding Opportunity Number: USDA-NIFA-AFRI-003039
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Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) Childhood Obesity Prevention – This RFA focuses on the societal challenge to end child obesity. In the Childhood Obesity Prevention Challenge Area RFA, specific program areas are designed to achieve the long-term outcome of reducing the prevalence of overweight and obesity among children and adolescents. Project types supported by AFRI within this RFA include single-function Research, Education, and Extension Projects, multi-function Integrated Research, Education, and/or Extension Projects, and Food and Agricultural Science Enhancement (FASE) Grants. This crosscutting program addresses the priority of childhood obesity prevention. Obesity is the number one nutritional problem in America. Total Funding: $25M. There are several different aspects of this RFA each with their own eligibility requirements, due dates and funding amounts.
Posted Date: March 22, 2010
Funding Opportunity Number: USDA-NIFA-AFRI-003037