Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education

 

The purpose of the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program (SARE) program is to encourage research designed to increase our knowledge concerning agricultural production systems that: (1) maintain and enhance the quality and productivity of the soil; (2) conserve soil, water, energy, natural resources, and fish and wildlife habitat; (3) maintain and enhance the quality of surface and ground water; (4) protect the health and safety of persons involved in the food and farm system; (5) promote the well being of animals; and (6) increase employment opportunities in agriculture (section 1619-1624 of the Food, griculture, Conservation and Trade Act of 1990 (FACTA), Public Law 101-624 (7 U.S.C. 5801). The request for applications (RFA) is for the regional SARE host institutions to apply for funds to carry out the regional SARE programs under the direction of the SARE Regional Administrative Councils (section 1622 of FACTA (7 U.S.C. 5812)), and for selected national projects. Most SARE competitive grants are made by the SARE regions as subawards. Typically, approximately 85% of the award to a SARE regional host institution is used for subawards. Individuals and organizations interested in applying for SARE competitive grants should NOT respond to this funding opportunity; rather they should apply to the appropriate SARE regional program. (See http://www.nifa.usda.gov/fo/sustainableagricultureresearchandeducation.cfm )

Active 10.215 National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Department of Agriculture B - Project Grants Fiscal Year 2016 In FY 2016 the SARE Research and Education funding line (CFDA 10.215) will be consolidated with the SARE Professional Development Program funding line (CDFA 10.500) to be administered as a single program which would maintain the functions of both programs. For the FY 2016 award cycle, $23,147,513 will be available after legislatively authorized set-asides are deducted. Of this amount $1,072,792 will be used for communications, outreach and coordination activities at the national level and $22,074,721 will be distributed equally among the four SARE Regions. For Fiscal Year 2016, the SARE Research and Education funding line (CFDA 10.215) was consolidated with the SARE Professional Development Program funding line (CDFA 10.500) to be administered as a single program which would maintain the functions of both programs, (Chapters 1 and 3). For the FY 2016 award cycle, $ 23,147,513 was available after legislatively authorized set-asides were deducted. Of this amount $1,143, 813 was used for communications, outreach and coordination activities at the national level and $22,003,700 was distributed equally among the four (4) SARE Regions. Each region uses these funds to support several different types of competitive sub-awards. These include Research and Education grants, Farmer-Rancher grants, Producer plus Professional grants, Graduate Student grants and Youth Educator grants (North Central region only). The inclusion of the CDFA 10.500 has added Professional Development Program competitive grants and state grants for each of the fifty states, Washington DC and the island protectorates. For FY 2016, all of the sub-awards have not been finalized. Hence, a comprehensive tabulation of the sub-awards by grant type is not yet available.
Fiscal Year 2017 In FY 2017 the SARE Research and Education funding line (CDFA # 10.215) and the SARE Professional Development Program (CDFA # 10.500 (K)) were combined into a single appropriation; with the guidance to maintain the functions of both programs. For FY 2017, $25,297,920 was available after deductions for legislatively authorized set asides. Of this amount, $1,662,989 was used for national communications, outreach and coordination activities; and $23,634,931 was distributed equally to the four SARE regional programs. The four regional programs subsequently made a total of 341 sub-awards for individual projects.
Fiscal Year 2018 In FY 2018 the SARE Research and Education funding line (CDFA # 10.215) and the SARE Professional Development Program (CDFA 10.500(K)) were combined into a single appropriation, with the guidance to maintain the functions of both programs. For FY 2018, $32,770,088 will be available after deductions for legislatively authorized set asides. Of this amount, $1,502,460 will be used for national communications, outreach and coordination activities; and $31,267,628 will be distributed equally to the four SARE regional programs. The four regional programs made 358 subawards for individual projects.
Fiscal Year 2019 In FY 2019 (CDFA # 10.215) and the SARE Professional Development Program (CDFA 10.500(K)) were combined into a single appropriation, with the guidance to maintain the functions of both programs. For FY 2019, $34,667,518 will be available after deductions for legislatively authorized set asides. Of this amount, $1,360,146 will be used for national communications, outreach and coordination activities; and $33,307,372 will be distributed equally to the four SARE regional programs. The four regional programs will subsequently make approximately 400 sub- awards for individual projects.
Fiscal Year 2020 The FY 2020 funding levels have not yet been established by Congressional Appropriations. However, NIFA projects that approximately $17.7 million will be available for awards. Pertinent details will be provided by Program at a future date. Section 1628 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (FACTA Act)., Public Law 101-624, 7 U.S.C. 5831
Section 1619-1624 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation and Trade Act of 1990 (FACTA), Public Law 101-624 (7 U.S.C. 5801)., 7 U.S.C. 5801
Section 1629 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (FACTA Act), Smith-Lever 3(d)., Public Law 101-624, 7 U.S.C. 5832
Section 1621 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (FACTA Act)., Public Law 101-624, 7 U.S.C. 5811
Section 1622 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (FACTA Act), and for selected national projects, Public Law 101-624, 7 U.S.C. 5812 Land-grant colleges or universities, other universities, State agricultural experiment stations, State cooperative extension services, nonprofit organizations, and individuals with demonstrable expertise, or Federal or State governmental entities. Land-grant colleges or universities, other universities, State agricultural experiment stations, State cooperative extension services, nonprofit organizations, and individuals with demonstrable expertise, or Federal or State governmental entities. The System for Award Management (SAM) combines eight federal procurement systems, including CCR, and the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance into one new system. CCR activities are conducted through SAM (the CCR website will redirect users to SAM). Dun and Bradstreet Universal Numbering System (DUNS) Number and System for Award Management (SAM): Each applicant (unless excepted under 2 CFR SS 25.110(b) or (c), or has an exception approved by the Federal awarding agency under 2 CFR SS 25.110(d)) is required to: (i) Be registered in SAM before submitting its application; (ii) Provide a valid DUNS number in its application; and (iii) Continue to maintain an active SAM registration with current information at all times during which it has an active Federal award or an application or plan under consideration by a Federal awarding agency. It also must state that the Federal awarding agency may not make a Federal award to an applicant until the applicant has complied with all applicable DUNS and SAM requirements and, if an applicant has not fully complied with the requirements by the time the Federal awarding agency is ready to make a Federal award, the Federal awarding agency may determine that the applicant is not qualified to receive a Federal award and use that determination as a basis for making a Federal award to another applicant. Applicants must furnish the information required in the Competitive Request for Applications (RFAs). 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 RFA, if such information has not been provided previously under this or another NIFA program. NIFA 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." SPECIAL NOTE: Please refer to the Competitive Request for Applications (RFAs) for further specific and pertinent details. The most current RFAs are available as follows: https://nifa.usda.gov/funding-opportunity/sare-regional-host-institution RFAs are generally released annually. Hence, the RFAs provide the most current and accurate information available. Any specific instructions in the Competitive RFAs supersede the general information provided in the CFDA database. Preapplication coordination is required. An environmental impact statement is required for this listing. An environmental impact assessment is not required for this listing. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372. All RFAs 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. 2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) only accepts electronic applications which are submitted via Grants.gov in response to specific Requests for Applications (RFA). Applicants must complete the Grants.gov registration process. For information about the pre-award phase of the grant lifecycle application processes see: http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/learn-grants/grants-101/pre-award-phase.html. Further, applicants must follow the instructions provided in the NIFA Grants.gov Application Guide, which can be assessed as follows: Adobe NIFA Applications. 2 CFR part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards and 2 CFR part 400 USDA's Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards apply to this program. SPECIAL NOTE: Please refer to the Competitive Request for Applications (RFAs) for further specific and pertinent details. The most current RFAs are available via: https://nifa.usda.gov/funding-opportunity/sare-regional-host-institution RFAs are generally released annually. Hence, the RFAs provide the most current and accurate information available. Any specific instructions in the Competitive RFAs supersede the general information provided in the CFDA database. 2 CFR Part 200 - Subpart C and Appendix I apply to this program. Regional technical committees will review, rank and prioritize proposals received from public and private organizations and make recommendations for funding to the regional administrative councils. Regional administrative councils will approve proposals for funding and associated plans of work and submit them to USDA. Research and education subcommittee on sustainable agriculture will review plans of work and the Department will give final approval. Applications are subjected to a system of peer and merit review in accordance with section 103 of the Agricultural Research, Extension and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 1613) by a panel of qualified scientists and other appropriate persons who are specialists in the field covered by the proposal. Within the limit of funds available for such purpose, the NIFA Authorized Departmental Officer (ADO) shall make grants to those responsible, eligible applicants whose applications are judged most meritorious under the procedures set forth in the RFA. Reviewers will be selected based upon training and experience in relevant scientific, extension, or education fields, taking into account the following factors: (a) The level of relevant formal scientific, technical education, or extension experience of the individual, as well as the extent to which an individual is engaged in relevant research, education, or extension activities; (b) the need to include as reviewers experts from various areas of specialization within relevant scientific, education, or extension fields; (c) the need to include as reviewers other experts (e.g., producers, range or forest managers/operators, and consumers) who can assess relevance of the applications to targeted audiences and to program needs; (d) the need to include as reviewers experts from a variety of organizational types (e.g., colleges, universities, industry, state and Federal agencies, private profit and non-profit organizations) and geographic locations; (e) the need to maintain a balanced composition of reviewers with regard to minority and female representation and an equitable age distribution; and (f) the need to include reviewers who can judge the effective usefulness to producers and the general public of each application. Evaluation Criteria will be delineated in the RFA. Applications are subjected to a system of peer and merit review in accordance with section 103 of the Agricultural Research, Extension and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7613) by a panel of qualified scientists and other appropriate persons who are specialists in the field covered by the proposal. Within the limit of funds available for such purpose, the NIFA Authorized Departmental Officer (ADO) shall make grants to those responsible, eligible applicants whose applications are judged most meritorious under the procedures set forth in the RFA. Reviewers will be selected based upon training and experience in relevant scientific, extension, or education fields, taking into account the following factors: (a) The level of relevant formal scientific, technical education, or extension experience of the individual, as well as the extent to which an individual is engaged in relevant research, education, or extension activities; (b) the need to include as reviewers experts from various areas of specialization within relevant scientific, education, or extension fields; (c) the need to include as reviewers other experts (e.g., producers, range or forest managers/operators, and consumers) who can assess relevance of the applications to targeted audiences and to program needs; (d) the need to include as reviewers experts from a variety of organizational types (e.g., colleges, universities, industry, state and Federal agencies, private profit and non-profit organizations) and geographic locations; (e) the need to maintain a balanced composition of reviewers with regard to minority and female representation and an equitable age distribution; and (f) the need to include reviewers who can judge the effective usefulness to producers and the general public of each application. Evaluation Criteria will be delineated in the Competitive Request for Applications (RFA). 2 CFR 200 - Subpart C and Appendix I and 2 CFR part 400 apply to this Program. SPECIAL NOTE: Please refer to the Competitive Request for Applications (RFAs) for further specific and pertinent details. The most current RFAs are available via: https://nifa.usda.gov/funding-opportunity/sare-regional-host-institution RFAs are generally released annually. Hence, the RFAs provide the most current and accurate information available. Any specific instructions in the Competitive RFAs supersede the general information provided in the CFDA database. Contact the headquarters or regional location, as appropriate for application deadlines From 30 to 60 days. Contact the National Program Leader (NPL), as indicated per CFDA Section # 152 - Headquarters Office regarding dates for specific deadlines, start and end dates, and range of approval/disapproval time. Information is also available via our website and may be obtained via the Grants.gov website. NIFA's respective links regarding general information are provided below: http://nifa.usda.gov/ http://www.grants.gov. SPECIAL NOTE: Please refer to the Competitive Request for Applications (RFAs) for further specific and pertinent details. The most current RFA is available via: https://nifa.usda.gov/funding-opportunity/sare-regional-host-institution RFAs are generally released annually. Hence, the RFAs provide the most current and accurate information available. Any specific instructions in the Competitive RFAs supersede the general information provided in the CFDA database. 2 CFR Part 200 - Subparts D & E apply to this program. Specific details are provided in the Request for Applications (RFA), which are generally published annually. The most current RFA is available via: https://nifa.usda.gov/funding-opportunity/sare-regional-host-institution 2 CFR part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards and 2 CFR part 400 USDA's Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards apply to this program. Within guidelines established for the program as described in the Competitive Request for Application (RFA). The most current RFAs are available via: https://nifa.usda.gov/funding-opportunity/sare-regional-host-institution Grant funds must be used for allowable costs necessary to conduct approved fundamental and applied research, extension and education objectives to address food and agricultural sciences. Performance Reports: PERFORMANCE MONITORING: See above for pertinent and specific details. Relation to other audit requirements, but records must be available for review or audit by appropriate officials of the Federal agency, pass-through entity, and Government Accountability Office (GAO). This program is also subject to audit by the cognizant Federal audit agency and the USDA Office of Inspector General. In accordance with 2 CFR Part 400 - Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, SS 200.333 Retention requirements for records. 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 (3) year period if litigation is pending or audit findings have not been resolved. 2 CFR 200 Subpart D applies to this program. Statutory formula is not applicable to this assistance listing.

Matching requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.

MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing. 2 CFR Part 200, Subpart D applies to this program. The term of a competitive grant under this authority may not exceed five (5) years. In accordance with statutory time limits, project periods, including no-cost extensions of time, are not to exceed five (5) years. Further details are provided in the Award document Form NIFA-2009 and the NIFA General Terms and Conditions Grants and Cooperative Agreements (dated October 2016) at: https://nifa.usda.gov/resource/nifa-general-terms-and-conditions-grants-and-cooperative-agreements-october-2016. SPECIAL NOTE: Please refer to the Competitive Request for Applications (RFAs) for specific and pertinent details. The most current RFAs are available via: https://nifa.usda.gov/funding-opportunity/sare-regional-host-institution RFAs are generally released annually. Hence, the RFAs provide the most current and accurate information available. Any specific instructions in the Competitive RFAs supersede the general information provided in the CFDA database. NIFA utilizes the Automated Standard Application for Payments (ASAP), a secure, web-based electronic payment and information system that allows federal agencies to administer funds. Currently, ASAP is the only payment source for new NIFA grantees. NIFA is transitioning to a new location for Fiscal Year 2020. NIFA's New Mailing Address AFTER September 30, 2019 follows: National Institute of Food and Agriculture 6501 Beacon Drive Kansas City, MO 64133 USDA, NIFA, National Program Leader,
Institute of Food Production and Sustainability, Division of Agricultural Systems, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., STOP 2240
Washington , DC 20250-2240 US
Policy@nifa.usda.gov
Phone: (202) 401-0151
Fax: (202) 401-5179 http://nifa.usda.gov/program/sustainable-agriculture-program 12-1500-0-1-352 (Project Grants) FY 18$32,770,088.00; FY 19 est $34,667,520.00; FY 20 est $17,741,448.00; FY 17$25,297,920.00; FY 16$23,147,513.00; - 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. NOTE: Effective Fiscal Year 2014, Programs under Sustainable Agriculture (research, education and extension) were merged into a single program under the research account. If minimum or maximum amounts of funding per competitive and/or capacity project grant, or cooperative agreement are established, these amounts will be announced in the annual Competitive Request for Application (RFA). The most current RFA is available via: https://nifa.usda.gov/funding-opportunity/sare-regional-host-institution As an administrator of U.S. government support, NIFA works in partnership with grantees to ensure responsible stewardship of federal funds. Our grantees and partners are required to comply with all relevant rules and regulations. The following resources are provided to NIFA's partners and award recipients to support their adherence to federal regulations governing program performance: NIFA's primary (main) website: https://nifa.usda.gov/regulations-and-guidelines The following represent specific documents and direct links: POLICY GUIDE NIFA's Federal Assistance Policy Guide describes agency policies and procedures. https://nifa.usda.gov/policy-guide CERTIFICATIONS AND REPRESENTATIONS Certifications and representations provided through the NIFA application process. https://nifa.usda.gov/certifications-and-representations ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF USDA SUPPORT BY NIFA When acknowledging USDA support in accordance with 2 CFR Part 415, grantees must use the following acknowledgement for all projects or initiatives supported by NIFA. https://nifa.usda.gov/acknowledgment-usda-support-nifa FEDERAL REGULATIONS The Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) lists all regulations published in the Federal Register. https://nifa.usda.gov/federal-regulations FOIA The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) provides that any person has the right to request access to federal documents and information such as research data. https://nifa.usda.gov/foia NEPA POLICY AND GUIDANCE The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Policy and Guidance set the standard for identifying potential environmental impacts. https://nifa.usda.gov/nepa-policy-and-guidance OGFM ISSUED CORRESPONDENCE The Office of Grants and Financial Management occasionally issues correspondence to applicants, grantees, and/or the general public for informational or clarification purposes. https://nifa.usda.gov/ogfm-issued-correspondence RESEARCH MISCONDUCT NIFA requires that all its awardees adhere to the USDA Scientific Integrity Policy and the Federal Policy on Research Misconduct. https://nifa.usda.gov/research-misconduct NIFA'S GENERAL AWARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS Award terms and conditions are determined by statutory, regulatory, and agency requirements, as well as each grant's circumstances. Terms and conditions dictate important items related to your grant, including method of payment, reporting frequency and content, and prior approval requirements. References to the terms and conditions of awards are located on the NIFA 2009 Award Fact Sheet. NIFA's general award terms and conditions (see link below) is applicable to this program, for awards with an award date on December 26, 2014 and thereafter. https://nifa.usda.gov/resource/nifa-general-terms-and-conditions-grants-and-cooperative-agreements-october-2016. Fiscal Year 2016 Projects have not yet been funded with FY 2016 funds. Information is not yet available. Pertinent details to be provided by Program at a future date. An example of a Research and Education project from the Western region is SW16-031 - Optimizing Water and Nitrogen Use for Sustainable Wheat Production An example of a framer/rancher grant from the Northeastern region is FNE16-838 - Effect of perennial living mulch on mycorrhizal infection, disease severity, and marketable yield of organic tomatoes An example of a farmer/rancher grant from the Northcentral region is FNC16-1029 - Exploring the Economic and Environmental Sustainability of No-Till Organic Sweet Potato Production An example of a graduate student grant from the Western region is GW16-038 - Increasing sustainable agriculture through enhanced diagnostics with Brucella infection An example of a Producer/Professional grant from the Southern region is OS16-096 - Cover Crop Influence on Stored Soil Water Availability to Subsequent Crops An example of a Professional Development Program Grant funded in the Northeastern region ENE16-143 - Whole farm nutrient mass balances for outcome-based adaptive management of nutrients on dairy farms
Fiscal Year 2017 The SARE program offers a national outreach and communications program. SARE also provides funding for a variety of sub-awards in each of the four regions. Details regarding SARE funded projects are available at https://projects.sare.org/search-projects/. The following are selected examples: • Our Farms, Our Future Conference, St Louis, MO; • LNC17-394 - Land-Based Learning Centers: A multi-generational educational approach to promoting on-farm sustainable agriculture; • GW17-021 - Introducing Organic Quinoa and Grain Cropping Systems in the Palouse; • FS17-300 - Scaling Indigo Production in South Carolina; and • ENE17-148 - Improving Whole Farm Planning Education in the Northeast.
Fiscal Year 2018 The SARE program offers a national outreach and communications program. SARE also provides funding for a variety of sub-awards in each of the four regions. Details regarding SARE funded subawards are available at https://projects.sare.org/search-projects/ The following are selected samples of these subawards: • ONC18-040 - Managing continuous living cover in Midwest organic grain production systems to balance productivity with soil health • FNC18-1121 - Expanding the Understanding and Adoption of Composting Bedded Pack Manure to Reduce Manure Applications on Frozen and Snow Covered Fields around the Yahara Watershed • FNE18-897 - Tree Leaf Fodder for Livestock: Transitioning Farm Woodlots to ‘Air Meadow’ for Climate Resilience • OS18-115 - Practical Approaches to Microbial Community Analyses for Production Agriculture in the Southern Great Plains • MW18-006 - Summer and winter vegetable and cover crop cultivar performance in Organic fresh vegetable cropping systems in Oregon
Fiscal Year 2019 The SARE program offers a national outreach and communications program. SARE also provides funding for a variety of sub-awards in each of the four regions. Details for subawards made from FY2019 money are available at: https://projects.sare.org/search-projects/ The following are selected samples of these subawards: • LNE19-381 – Expanding Opportunities for Sustainable Management of Small Ruminant Gastrointestinal Parasites • OW19-351 – A Collaborative Beneficial Insect and Pheromone Mating Disruption Demonstration Project • FW19-341 – The Citizen Science Soil Health Project • ENC19-182 – Training Agricultural Professionals on Innovative Online Tools for Conservation Planning and Implementation • ONC19-054 – Incorporating Grain Sorghum in Semi-Arid Crop Rotations with Short Growing Seasons to Increase Resiliency of Cropping Systems
Fiscal Year 2020 The FY 2020 funding levels have not yet been established by Congressional Appropriations. NIFA anticipates that similar projects will be funded as per prior years. Pertinent details will be provided by Program at a future date.