On July 15, the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) released a modified request for applications (RFA) for the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) Competitive Grants Program, focused on education and workforce development. The program, Rapid Response to Novel Coronavirus (SARS-COV-2): Innovating Formal and Non-Formal Educational Experiences in Food and Agricultural Sciences During the Time of Social Distancing, seeks proposals that will address “the need to develop and deploy rapid, reliable, and readily-adoptable strategies in workforce preparation through formal K-14 education, as well as in youth development through non-formal (e.g., extension) education to cultivate interest and competencies in STEM and agriculture during this challenging time.” The project must also address a “critical and urgent stakeholder need related to the COVID-19 pandemic” to be considered.
Eligibility: This program area accepts new applications only. Renewal applications are not accepted. The applicant must provide evidence that the training and resources developed through the proposed project will be immediately deployed. It should not take the duration of the project to have meaningful impacts.
Award Information: Regional Scale Grants must not exceed $1,000,000 total per project (including indirect costs) for project periods of up to 2 years and are not renewable. National Scale Grants must not exceed $3,000,000 total per project (including indirect costs) for project periods of up to 2 years and are not renewable.