Grants for Agricultural Research-Competitive Research Grants (10.206)
Program
10.206 Grants for Agricultural Research-Competitive Research Grants
Federal Agency
COOPERATIVE STATE RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND EXTENSION SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Authorization
Section 2(b), Public Law 89-106, 7 U.S.C. 450i(b), as amended; Section 1414, Public Law 95-113; Section 1415, Public Law 97-98; Section 1409, Public Law 99-198; Section 1615, Public Law 101- 624; Public Law 104-127; Public Law 105-185.
Program Number
10.206
Last Known Status
Active
Objectives
To promote research in food, agriculture, and related areas to further the programs of USDA through the award of research grants on a competitive basis.
Types of Assistance
Project Grants.
Uses and Use Restrictions
The selected areas for research include plants, animals, natural resources and environment, nutrition, food quality and health, markets, trade and rural development, and new products and processes. Grant funds may be used for costs necessary to conduct research (salaries and wages, scientific equipment, materials and supplies, travel, publication costs, and other allowable direct and indirect costs). Applicants should check annual proposal solicitation for limitation on indirect costs. Primary responsibility for general supervision of all grant activities rests with the grantee organization; the principal investigator is responsible for the scientific work. Funds may not be used for purposes other than those specified in the grant.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
State Agricultural Experiment Stations, U.S. colleges/universities, other U.S. research institutions and organizations, Federal agencies, private organizations or corporations, and individuals. Proposals from scientists at non-U.S. organizations will not be considered for support.
Beneficiary Eligibility
State Agricultural Experiment Stations, U.S. colleges/universities, other U.S. research institutions and organizations, Federal agencies, private organizations or corporations, and individuals. Proposals from scientists at non-U.S. organizations will not be considered for support.
Credentials/Documentation
Each prospective grantee organization must furnish the organizational information and assurances specified in the guidelines. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-87.
Application and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
All proposal solicitations are published in the Federal Register. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-102 and E.O. 12372.
Application Procedure
Formal proposal to National Research Initiative Competitive Grants Program, 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 OMB Circular No. A-110 as implemented by 7 CFR Part 3019.
Award Procedure
National Research Initiative Competitive Grants 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. Deadlines for submission of fiscal year 2002 proposals was from November 15, 2001, to February 15, 2002.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
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 in Attachment G of OMB Circular A-110.
Audits
In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A- 133 (Revised, June 24, 1997), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Nonprofit 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 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.
Program Accomplishments
Significant accomplishments include: (1) Researchers have discovered that the short-term and long-term structural performances of yellow poplar laminated veneer lumber are equivalent or slightly better than those of the traditionally used solid-sawn lumber. These results are opening doors for more acceptance of the product in the building industry and it can be a more affordable and sturdier product; (2) researchers have found that the use of a citrate buffer rather than a phosphate buffer in formulations can improve the stability and quality of some products by reducing the loss of aspartame and the formation of brown discoloration; and (3) researchers have developed a fertilizer applicator that keeps nitrogen in the plant root zone for longer periods of time. The applicator could decrease leaching which would reduce the amount of nitrate ending up in the environment.
Financial Information
Account Identification
12-1500-0-1-352.
Obligations
(Grants) FY 02 $98,589,325; FY 03 est $112,514,357; and FY 04 est $112,514,357. Note: Grants are competitively awarded.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
$4,000 to $491,100. Average: $119,790.
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, Government wide Debarment and Suspension (Nonprocurement) and Government wide 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.
Related Programs
10.001, Agricultural Research_Basic and Applied Research; 10.200, Grants for Agricultural Research, Special Research Grants; 10.202, Cooperative Forestry Research; 10.203, Payments to Agricultural Experiment Stations Under the Hatch Act; 10.205, Payments to 1890 Land-Grant Colleges and Tuskegee University; 10.207, Animal Health and Disease Research; 10.219, Biotechnology Risk Assessment Research; 10.250, Agricultural and Rural Economic Research; 10.652, Forestry Research.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
None.
Headquarters Office
Chief Scientist, National Research Initiative Competitive Grants Program, Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Ag Box 2241, 14th and Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-2241. Telephone: (202) 401-5022.
Web Site Address
Examples of Funded Projects
Dietary Protein Affects Calcium and Bone Metabolism; Effects of Zinc on Nuclear Actions of Thyroid Hormone; Molecular Genetic Analysis of Low Temperature Signal Transduction in Plants; The Contribution of Deep Roots to Whole-Plant Water Relations and Xylem; and Ovarian Dynamics and Host Use in a Tephritid Fly.
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. Research grants will be considered in selected areas of plant systems; animal systems; natural resources and environment; and nutrition, food quality and health which have been considered by a number of scientific groups to possess exceptional opportunity for fundamental scientific discovery and for contributing, in the long run, to applied research and development vitally needed on important food and nutrition problems. Consideration will be given to research proposals which address fundamental questions in the relevant areas and which are consistent with the long-range missions of USDA.
