Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NIFA AFRI 009842
The Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) Education and Workforce Development (EWD) grant opportunity, offered by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), is a discretionary federal grant program designed to strengthen the pipeline of talent entering food and agricultural sciences. The central goal is to develop the next generation of research, education, and extension professionals by funding projects that build skills, expand learning access, and create clear pathways into agricultural careers. In the 2023 cycle, NIFA is seeking applications that align with defined EWD program areas and that directly address workforce preparation needs across multiple education levels and settings.
The program supports five broad types of activities. First, it funds professional development opportunities for K-14 educational professionals, which can include training and capacity-building for teachers and educators serving kindergarten through community college. Second, it supports non-formal education efforts that spark and sustain youth interest in food and agriculture outside traditional classrooms, such as outreach programs, clubs, camps, or other experiential learning models. Third, it invests in workforce training at community, junior, and technical colleges, emphasizing practical preparation for in-demand jobs in agriculture and related industries. Fourth, it supports training for undergraduate students through research and extension experiences that build real-world skills and introduce students to applied problem-solving. Fifth, it provides fellowship support for predoctoral and postdoctoral trainees, helping develop advanced scientific and professional expertise needed for academic, government, and industry careers in the food and agricultural sciences.
Eligibility depends on the project type, and applicants must meet all requirements in the Request for Applications (RFA) by the application deadline. For single-function projects (research-only, education-only, or extension-only), eligible applicants include State Agricultural Experiment Stations; colleges and universities (including junior colleges offering associate degrees or higher); university research foundations; other research institutions and organizations; federal agencies; national laboratories; private organizations or corporations; and individuals who are U.S. citizens, nationals, or permanent residents. Partnerships and consortia are also eligible as long as they are made up of two or more eligible entity types listed above. A key limitation is that foreign and international organizations are not eligible to apply directly.
For Integrated Projects (those combining research, education, and/or extension in a single coordinated effort), eligibility is more limited. Eligible applicants include colleges and universities, 1994 Land-Grant Institutions, and Hispanic-serving agricultural colleges and universities. The RFA further defines what qualifies as a college or university for this purpose: the institution must admit students with a secondary school completion credential (or equivalent), be legally authorized to provide postsecondary education in its state, offer bachelor’s or higher degrees, be public or otherwise nonprofit, and be accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency. Research foundations maintained by eligible colleges or universities may also receive awards under this program.
The opportunity also references Food and Agricultural Science Enhancement (FASE) Grants, with eligibility details provided in the RFA (Part II C.2). Under the FASE component, NIFA solicits several grant types, including New Investigator, Strengthening Standard, Strengthening Conference, Seed, Equipment, and Sabbatical grants. Applicants are expected to follow the program area priorities and deadlines described in the RFA, and failing to meet any eligibility requirement by the deadline can lead to an application being excluded from review or deemed ineligible for an award even if reviewed. Award recipients may subcontract to organizations that are not themselves eligible to apply, as long as those partners are necessary to carry out the proposed project.
Key administrative details from the posting include: Funding Opportunity Number USDA NIFA AFRI 009842; CFDA 10.310; Agency NIFA; Funding Instrument Grant; Activity Category Agriculture; Award ceiling listed as $750,000; original closing date December 7, 2023; and a posting creation date of May 2, 2023.Apply for USDA NIFA AFRI 009842
- The National Institute of Food and Agriculture in the agriculture sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Competitive Grants Program Education and Workforce Development" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.310.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2023-05-02.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2023-12-07. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $750,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
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AFRI Education and Workforce Development (EWD) Grant Opportunity FAQs
What is the AFRI Education and Workforce Development (EWD) grant program?
The AFRI Education and Workforce Development (EWD) program is a discretionary federal grant opportunity offered by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). It is designed to strengthen the talent pipeline entering food and agricultural sciences by funding projects that build skills, expand access to learning, and create clearer pathways into agricultural careers.
What is the central goal of the EWD program?
The central goal is to develop the next generation of research, education, and extension professionals. The program funds projects intended to prepare the workforce and improve career pathways in food and agricultural sciences across multiple education levels and settings.
Which agency offers and administers this opportunity?
This opportunity is offered by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA).
What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this grant?
The Funding Opportunity Number is USDA NIFA AFRI 009842.
What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?
The CFDA number listed is 10.310.
What type of funding instrument is used?
The funding instrument is a Grant.
What is the activity category for this funding opportunity?
The activity category is Agriculture.
What is the award ceiling listed in the posting?
The award ceiling is listed as $750,000.
What was the original closing date for the 2023 cycle?
The original closing date listed is December 7, 2023.
When was the posting created?
The posting creation date is May 2, 2023.
What kinds of projects is NIFA seeking in the 2023 cycle?
In the 2023 cycle, NIFA is seeking applications that align with defined EWD program areas and that directly address workforce preparation needs across multiple education levels and settings.
What broad types of activities does EWD support?
The program supports five broad types of activities:
- Professional development for K-14 educational professionals (including educators serving kindergarten through community college).
- Non-formal education efforts that build youth interest in food and agriculture outside traditional classrooms.
- Workforce training at community, junior, and technical colleges focused on practical preparation for in-demand jobs.
- Undergraduate training through research and extension experiences that develop real-world and applied problem-solving skills.
- Fellowship support for predoctoral and postdoctoral trainees to build advanced expertise for academic, government, and industry careers.
What does "professional development opportunities for K-14 educational professionals" mean in this program?
It refers to training and capacity-building efforts for teachers and educators serving kindergarten through community college (K-14). The intent is to strengthen educator skills and ability to support food and agricultural science learning.
What does the program mean by "non-formal education"?
Non-formal education refers to learning experiences that occur outside traditional classroom settings and are intended to spark and sustain youth interest in food and agriculture. Examples mentioned include outreach programs, clubs, camps, and other experiential learning models.
How does EWD support community, junior, and technical colleges?
EWD supports workforce training at community, junior, and technical colleges, with an emphasis on practical preparation for in-demand jobs in agriculture and related industries.
What kinds of undergraduate activities are supported?
The program supports training for undergraduate students through research and extension experiences. These activities are meant to build real-world skills and introduce students to applied problem-solving.
Does this opportunity include fellowships?
Yes. The program provides fellowship support for predoctoral and postdoctoral trainees to develop advanced scientific and professional expertise for careers in the food and agricultural sciences.
Who is eligible to apply for single-function projects?
For single-function projects (research-only, education-only, or extension-only), eligible applicants include:
- State Agricultural Experiment Stations
- Colleges and universities (including junior colleges offering associate degrees or higher)
- University research foundations
- Other research institutions and organizations
- Federal agencies
- National laboratories
- Private organizations or corporations
- Individuals who are U.S. citizens, nationals, or permanent residents
Are partnerships or consortia allowed for single-function projects?
Yes. Partnerships and consortia are eligible as long as they are made up of two or more eligible entity types listed for single-function projects.
Are foreign or international organizations eligible to apply directly?
No. A key limitation stated is that foreign and international organizations are not eligible to apply directly.
Who is eligible to apply for Integrated Projects?
For Integrated Projects (projects combining research, education, and/or extension in a single coordinated effort), eligible applicants include colleges and universities, 1994 Land-Grant Institutions, and Hispanic-serving agricultural colleges and universities.
How does the RFA define an eligible "college or university" for Integrated Projects?
The RFA definition described requires that the institution:
- Admits students with a secondary school completion credential (or equivalent)
- Is legally authorized to provide postsecondary education in its state
- Offers bachelor’s or higher degrees
- Is public or otherwise nonprofit
- Is accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency
Can a research foundation receive an award under the Integrated Projects eligibility rules?
Yes. Research foundations maintained by eligible colleges or universities may also receive awards under this program.
What are FASE Grants in relation to this opportunity?
The opportunity references Food and Agricultural Science Enhancement (FASE) Grants, with eligibility details provided in the RFA (Part II C.2). Under FASE, NIFA solicits several grant types within this opportunity.
What grant types are mentioned under the FASE component?
The grant types mentioned include New Investigator, Strengthening Standard, Strengthening Conference, Seed, Equipment, and Sabbatical grants.
Do applicants have to follow the RFA program area priorities and deadlines?
Yes. Applicants are expected to follow the program area priorities and deadlines described in the Request for Applications (RFA).
What happens if an applicant does not meet eligibility requirements by the application deadline?
Failing to meet any eligibility requirement by the deadline can cause an application to be excluded from review or deemed ineligible for an award even if it is reviewed.
Does eligibility depend on the project type?
Yes. Eligibility depends on the project type, and applicants must meet all requirements in the RFA by the application deadline.
Can award recipients subcontract work to organizations that are not eligible to apply?
Yes. Award recipients may subcontract to organizations that are not themselves eligible to apply, as long as those partners are necessary to carry out the proposed project.
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