Dear Colleagues,
Per WAAESD, the 2019 AFRI RFA will be released in the next couple of weeks.
Expected opportunities include:
• Foundational and Applied Science Program
• Sustainable Agriculture Systems, ($80M program in 2018, $10M awards) LOI required likely in June, Oct submission)
• Agriculture Biosecurity Coordination Network ($34 M in 2018, $1M awards, LOI required likely in June, Sept submission)
• Innovations at the Nexus of Food, Energy, and Water Joint NSF program ($40 M program, $2.5 M awards)
Expected 2018 Farm Bill Opportunities
Sec. 7209 High-Priority Research and Extension Initiatives
• Reauthorizes competitive grants to support research and extension activities in high-priority research and extension areas.
• Adds turf grass research, nutrient management, chronic wasting disease, and macadamia tree health, to the list of high priority research.
• Reauthorizes the Pulse Crop Healthy Initiative, Training Coordination for Food and Agriculture Protection and Pollinator Protection.
• Reconstitutes the Pollinator Health Task Force and coordinates pollinator and honeybee research.
Of additional note, the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (HR 2) removed the matching requirements for some NIFA competitive grants imposed by the Agricultural Act of 2014. Therefore, there are changes to the matching requirements for some funds awarded in 2019.
However, the Specialty Crop Research Initiative now requires a 1:1 match with non-federal funds for awards. NIFA has been asked to look broadly into what can be counted as match.
Thank you.
Kathleen Nolan, Director, ANR Office of Contracts & Grants (OCG)