Cooperative Forestry Research (10.202)
Program
10.202 Cooperative Forestry Research
Federal Agency
Agency: Department of Agriculture
Office: National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Authorization
Executive Order Pub. L. 87-778 (76 Stat. 806, 16 U.S.C. 582a, et seq.) signed into law on October 10, 1962 is also known as the McIntire-Stennis Cooperative Forestry Research Act. , Public Law 87-778.
Program Number
10.202
Last Known Status
Active
Objectives
The purpose of this funding is to increase forestry research in the production, utilization, and protection of forestland; to train future forestry scientists; and to involve other disciplines in forestry research. Funding should also address the high priority issues described in the current M/S Strategic Plan: “Sustaining Healthy and Productive Forests: An Investment in America’s Competitive Position in the Global Marketplace”: 1) science of integration; 2) forest ecosystem services; 3) human attitudes and behaviors; 4) conflict, uncertainty, and decision-making; 5) technological advancements, productivity, and forest applications; and 6) urban ecosystems.
Types of Assistance
FORMULA GRANTS
Uses and Use Restrictions
The McIntire-Stennis Cooperative Forestry Research Act (M/S) grant is used to assist all states in carrying out a program of state forestry research at state forestry schools and colleges and developing a trained pool of forest scientists capable of conducting needed forestry research, which should include: (1) ecological restoration; (2) catastrophe management; (3) valuing and trading ecological services; (4) energy conservation, biomass energy and bio-based materials development;(5) forest fragmentation: (6) carbon sequestration and climate change; and (7) ways of fostering healthy forests and a globally competitive forest resources sector. Additionally, M/S funds should be allocated to the following high priority issues: 1) science of integration (ecosystem or landscape approaches including interdisciplinary multi-state projects); 2) forest ecosystem services; 3) human attitudes and behaviors; 4) conflict, uncertainty, and decision-making; 5) technological advancements (biotechnology, nanotechnology and geospatial technology), productivity, and forest applications; and 6) urban ecosystems.
Funding is provided to the States through a formula-based allocation process which depends on several factors. First, a base amount (approximately $25,000) is allocated to each State; however, this base amount is excluded from the formula. The balance of funding to each State is determined through a ranking process and dependent upon the following three factors:
1) forty percent of the remaining balance is allocated based on the area of non-Federal commercial forest land; 2) forty percent is allocated based upon the volume of timber cut annually from stock; and 3) twenty percent is allocated based on the total expenditures for forestry research from non-Federal sources. Funds are then distributed to the eligible State-certified Institutions within the State as determined by the Governor’s designee.
Applications may be submitted by State-certified Schools of Forestry as stipulated in accordance with Section 2 of Pub. L. 87-788, McIntire-Stennis Act. Section 7412 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 amended section 2 of the McIntire-Stennis Cooperative Forestry Act (16 U.S.C. 582a-1) to include the 1890 Land-grant Institutions and made this change effective October 1, 2008. (1) Approved CSREES M/S Projects
CSREES will fund the M/S Program for authorized activities. Funds must be expended on approved M/S projects.
(2) Cost-Sharing or and Matching
Matching funds are mandated in Section 4 of the McIntire-Stennis Act (16 U.S.C. 582a-3).
7 CFR 3015.50-56 prescribes the standards applicable to determining the allowability of cash and in-kind contributions for matching funds. Matching funds also must be expended on approved M/S projects.
Formula grant recipients are to provide matching [as detailed in Part VIII.A.6 of the Formula Grant Opportunity (FGO)], either cash or in-kind, on a dollar-for-dollar basis (100%) on all Federal funds allotted. Eligible institutions located in insular areas (i.e., American Samoa, Guam, Micronesia, Northern Marianas, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands) are not required to match amounts at or below $100,000, if the allocation is below $200,000.
(3) Waiver of Indirect Costs
Only applicable to Insular Areas (i.e., American Samoa, Guam, Micronesia, Northern Marianas, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands) for amounts at or below $200,000.
(4) Indirect Costs and Tuition Remission
In accordance with section 1473 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3319), indirect costs and tuition remission are unallowable as an M/S formula grant or matching expenditure.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
Funds are appropriated by Congress for distribution to State institutions certified as eligible by a State representative designated by the Governor of each State. Funds are apportioned among States by the Secretary of Agriculture after consultation with a National Advisory Council representing the State- certified forestry schools and other groups concerned with forestry research. This program is also available to Guam, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Northern Mariana Islands, and Micronesia.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Funds are appropriated by Congress for distribution to State institutions certified as eligible by a State representative designated by the Governor of each State. Funds are apportioned among States by the Secretary of Agriculture after consultation with a National Advisory Council representing the State- certified forestry schools and other groups concerned with forestry research. This program is also available in Guam, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Northern Mariana, and Micronesia.
Credentials/Documentation
A Data Universal Number System (DUNS) number must be obtained - A DUNS number is a unique number that identifies an organization. It has been adopted by the Federal government to help track how Federal grant money is distributed. If your organization does not have a DUNS number, call the special Dun & Bradstreet hotline at 1-866-705-5711 to receive one free of charge. You will receive a DUNS number within several days of your request. Please note, individual proprietorships (i.e. farmers, ranchers) can request and receive a DUNS number, but must register with Grants.gov as an organization, not as an individual.
Registration with Central Contractor Registry (CCR) is required - The CCR is the central government repository for organizations working with the Federal government. If your organization is not already registered, identify the primary contact who should register your organization. When your organization registers with CCR, it will be required to designate an e-Business Point of Contact (e-Business POC). The e-Business POC authorizes individuals to submit grant applications on behalf of the organization and creates a special password called a Marketing Partner ID Number (M-PIN) to verify individuals authorized to submit grant applications for the organization. Visit the CCR Web site at http://www.ccr.gov to begin this process. It may take several days to collect the information needed for your organization’s registration. The CCR Assistance Center can be reached at 888-227-2423. This information collection is approved under OMB Control No. 0524-0039, “CSREES Application Kit for Research and Extension Programs.”
Applicants must furnish the information required in the request for applications (FGOs). Successful applicants recommended for funding must furnish the information and assurances requested during the award documentation process. These include, but are not limited to the following:
Organizational Management Information - Specific management information relating to an applicant shall be submitted on a one time basis, with updates on an as needed basis, as part of the responsibility determination prior to the award of a grant identified under this FGO, if such information has not been provided previously under this or another CSREES program. CSREES will provide copies of forms recommended for use in fulfilling these requirements as part of the preaward process. Although an applicant may be eligible based on its status as one of these entities, there are factors which may exclude an applicant from receiving Federal financial and nonfinancial assistance and benefits under this program (e.g., debarment or suspension of an individual involved or a determination that an applicant is not responsible based on submitted organizational management information). This information collection is approved under OMB Circular Control No. 0524-0026, “Assurance of Compliance with the Department of Agriculture Regulations Assuring Civil Rights, Compliance and Organization Information.”. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-87.
Application and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
All Formula Grant Opportunities (FGOs) are published on the Agency’s website and Grants.gov. Applicants must complete the Grants.gov registration process. Please see the following Grants.gov link for more information: http://www.grants.gov/applicants/get_registered.jsp. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372. An environmental impact statement is required for this program. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.
Application Procedure
This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-102. OMB Circular No. A-110 applies to this program. Applications should be submitted as outlined in the FGO. Applications must follow the instructions provided per Grants.Gov. Applicants are required to submit applications in response to both an interim FGO and a final FGO. The final FGO reflects the final formula allocations for the current fiscal year (FY).
Award Procedure
Funding is provided to the States through a formula-based allocation process which depends on several factors. First, a base amount (approximately $25,000) is allocated to each State; however, this base amount is excluded from the formula. The balance of funding to each State is determined through a ranking process and dependent upon the following three factors:
1) forty percent of the remaining balance is allocated based on the area of non-Federal commercial forest land; 2) forty percent is allocated based upon the volume of timber cut annually from stock; and 3) twenty percent is allocated based on the total expenditures for forestry research from non-Federal sources. Funds are then distributed to the eligible State-certified Institutions within the State as determined by the Governor’s designee.
All individual MS projects, as well as the annual Programs of Research, are reviewed and approved by the National Program Leader (NPL). Funds are not released on a quarterly basis unless an annual Program of Research is approved by the NPL.
Deadlines
Contact the headquarters or regional office, as appropriate, for application deadlines.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
From 30 to 60 days. Dates for specific deadlines are announced in the FGO each fiscal year (FY).
Appeals
Not Applicable.
Renewals
Not applicable, each year of funding is awarded as a new grant.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
This program has no statutory formula.
Matching Requirements: Percent: 100.%. Funding is provided to the States through a formula-based allocation process which depends on several factors. First, a base amount (approximately $25,000) is allocated to each State; however, this base amount is excluded from the formula. The balance of funding to each State is determined through a ranking process and dependent upon the following three factors:
1) forty percent of the remaining balance is allocated based on the area of non-Federal commercial forest land; 2) forty percent is allocated based upon the volume of timber cut annually from stock; and 3) twenty percent is allocated based on the total expenditures for forestry research from non-Federal sources. Funds are then distributed to the eligible State-certified Institutions within the State as determined by the Governor’s designee.
Formula grant recipients are to provide matching [as detailed in Part VIII.A.6 of the Formula Grant Opportunity (FGO)], either cash or in-kind, on a dollar-for-dollar basis (100%) on all Federal funds allotted. Eligible institutions located in insular areas (i.e., American Samoa, Guam, Micronesia, Northern Marianas, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands) are not required to match amounts at or below $100,000, if the allocation is below $200,000.
MOE requirements are not applicable to this program.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
M/S funds are expected to be fully expended in the fiscal year (FY) of appropriation; however funds may be carried forward one (1) additional fiscal year (FY). These carryover funds must be fully expended by September 30 of the following year. No prior approval to carryover these funds is required from NIFA. Method of awarding/releasing assistance: quarterly.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
Institutions are expected to submit an annual Program of Research, a listing of all approved McIntire-Stennis projects for said institution. Institutions must submit a Form AD-416, Work Unit Description; Form AD-417, Project Classification; CSREES-2008, Assurance Form; and Project Proposal through the Current Research Information System prior to the initiation of each M/S project. The project must undergo a review process and be approved before it is incorporated into the Program of Research. Each institution shall submit a CRIS Form AD-421, Accomplishments Report, annually for each eligible project. Reports from institutions reporting on a calendar year shall be submitted by April 1, 2010 for the preceding calendar year. Reports from institutions reporting on a fiscal year shall be submitted by February 1, 2010 for the preceding fiscal year.
An Accomplishments Report, CRIS Form AD-421, shall be submitted to CSREES for each completed or terminated project. Such reports shall be submitted at the same time as are progress reports on active projects and should include a brief summary of accomplishments for the entire life of the project.
A CRIS Form AD-419, Financial and Staff Support Report, shall be submitted to CSREES annually for all projects. CRIS Form AD-419 reports are also required for expenditures on all State projects that are to be included in the non-Federal funds and matching funds computation. Reports shall be made on a fiscal year basis and are to be submitted by February 1, 2010.
Institutions are required to submit the SF-425, Federal Financial Report, per Agency instructions. NIFA uses the SF-425, Federal Financial Report to monitor cash. Grantees also are required to submit annual and summary progress reports via CSREES’ Current Research Information System (CRIS). This reporting requirement was approved under OMB Control No. 0524-0042, “CSREES Current Research Information System (CRIS).” CRIS is an electronic, web-based inventory system that facilitates both grantee submission of project outcomes and public access to information on Federally-funded projects. Institutions are required to submit the SF-425, Federal Financial Report per Agency instructions. The office listed below provides agency oversight of these reports:
Financial Operations Branch (FOB)
Formula Grants Section (F/S)
Office of Extramural Programs (OEP)
National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA)
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
STOP 2298
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20250-2298
Telephone: (202) 401-6520
Fax: (202) 690-3002
E-mail: formulagrantquestions@nifa.usda.gov. Grantees also are required to submit annual and summary progress reports via CSREES’ Current Research Information System (CRIS). This reporting requirement was approved under OMB Control No. 0524-0042, “CSREES Current Research Information System (CRIS).” CRIS is an electronic, web-based inventory system that facilitates both grantee submission of project outcomes and public access to information on Federally-funded projects.
Audits
In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $500,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133. Audits will be conducted in accordance with guidelines established in the revised OMB Circular No. A-133, “Audits of States, Local Governments, and Nonprofit Organizations,” and implemented in 7 CFR 3052. This program is also subject to audit by the cognizant Federal audit agency and the USDA Office of Inspector General.
Records
In accordance with the Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Agreements with Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, and other Non-profit Organizations [2 CFR 215, Subpart C, Section 215.53, (OMB Circular A-110)] grantees shall maintain separate records for each grant to ensure that funds are used for authorized purposes. Grant-related records are subject to inspection during the life of the grant and must be retained at least three (3) years. Records must be retained beyond the three-year period if litigation is pending or audit findings have not been resolved.
Program Accomplishments
Fiscal Year 2008: Specific details will be provided by Program Unit at a future date. Fiscal Year 2009: Specific details will be provided by Program Unit at a future date. Fiscal Year 2010: Specific details will be provided by Program Unit at a future date.
Financial Information
Account Identification
12-1500-0-1-352.
Obligations
(Formula Grants (Apportionments)) FY 08 $23,420,475; FY 09 est $26,004,126; FY 10 est $27,535,000 - The difference between the appropriation and obligation numbers reflects legislative authorized set-asides deducted as appropriate, and in some cases the availability of obligational authority from prior years.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
If minimum or maximum amounts of funding are established, these will be announced in the Initial and/or Final Formula Grant Opportunity (FGO).
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
Administrative Manual for the McIntire-Stennis Cooperative Forestry Research Program, (manual is currently under review); 7 CFR Part 3015, USDA Uniform Federal Assistance Regulations; 7 CFR Part 3017, Government wide Debarment and Suspension (Nonprocurement) ; 7 CFR Part 3018, New Restrictions on Lobbying; 7 CFR Part 3019, Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Agreements with Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, and Other Non-profit Organizations; and 7 CFR Part 3021— USDA implementation of Governmentwide Requirements for Drug-free Workplace (Financial Assistance).
Related Programs
Not Applicable.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
None.
Headquarters Office
USDA, NIFA, National Program Leader, Natural Resources and Environment 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, STOP 2210, Washington , District of Columbia 20250-2210 Phone: 202) 720-4318 and 401-4190 Fax: (202) 401-1706
Web Site Address
Examples of Funded Projects
Not Applicable.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Within guidelines established for the program as described in the Formula Grant Opportunity (FGO).
