Grants for Agricultural Research, Special Research Grants

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Program Accomplishments

Example of accomplishments: To address some problems of the small fruit industry, one State conducted research on a variety of small fruit crops as outlined by the industry on breeding and genetics, plant viruses and diseases, integrated pest management, processing, plant hardiness, plant physiological factors, and marketing.

Uses and Use Restrictions

Areas of basic and applied research and extension and education are generally limited to high priority problems of a regional or national scope.

Areas currently awarded on a competitive basis include Pest Management Alternatives and Citrus Tristeza Research.

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Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

Special Research Grants: State agricultural experiment stations, all colleges and universities, other research institutions and organizations, Federal agencies, private organizations or corporations and individuals having a demonstrable capacity to conduct research activities to facilitate or expand promising breakthroughs in areas of the food and agricultural sciences of importance to the United States.

Beneficiary Eligibility

For Special Research Grants: State agricultural experiment stations, all colleges and universities, other research institutions and organizations, Federal agencies, private organizations or corporations and individuals having a demonstrable capacity to conduct research activities to facilitate or expand promising breakthroughs in areas of the food and agricultural sciences of importance to the United States.

Credentials/Documentation

None. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-87.

Aplication and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

All proposal solicitations are published on the Agency's Web site.

This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No.

A-102 and E.O.

12372.

Application Procedures

Formal proposals are solicited and should be submitted to the Proposal Services Unit, Competitive Programs, CSREES, USDA, as outlined in the guidelines and/or requests for proposals. Application procedures are contained in the guidelines or request for applications. This program is subject to the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-110, Special Research Grants Program Administrative Provisions.

Award Procedures

Proposals are reviewed by a peer panel of qualified scientists and other appropriate persons who are specialists in the field covered by the proposal. Proposals are funded in order of merit to the extent permitted by available funds.

Deadlines

Specific deadlines dates are announced on Agency's Web site and in the request for applications or guidelines for each fiscal year.

Authorization

Section 2(c), Public Law 89-106, 7 U.S.C. 450i(c), as amended.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

From four to six months.

Appeals

None.

Renewals

Requests for renewal support must be submitted as new proposals at the announced deadline, and are considered in equal competition with other proposals.

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

As announced in the request for applications.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

From 1 to 3 years.

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

Quarterly financial reports.

Annual progress reports.

Final financial and final summary progress reports.

Audits

Audits will be conducted in accordance with guidelines established in the revised OMB Circular No. A-133, "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," and implemented in 7 CFR Part 3052, "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Nonprofit Organizations."

Records

Grantees are expected to maintain separate records for each grant to ensure that funds are used for the purpose for which the grant was made. Records are subject to inspection during the life of the grant and for three years thereafter.

Financial Information

Account Identification

12-1500-0-1-352.

Obigations

FY 07 $13,682,210; FY 08 est $16,954,704; and FY 09 est not reported.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

$56,664 to $9,549,325. Average: $46,183.

Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature

Pages 50994-50996 and 50998-50999, Federal Register, Vol. 54, No. 236, Part IX, December 11, 1989; 7 CFR 3015, 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; 7 CFR Part 3019 (Uniform Federal Assistance Regulations for Grants and Agreements with Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, and Other Nonprofit Organizations; 7 CFR 3400, Special Research Grants Administrative Provisions, Federal Register, November 15, 1991, Vol 56, No. 221, pages 58146-58152.

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

None.

Headquarters Office

Competitive Programs, Proposal Services Unit, Stop 2245, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., Washington, DC 20250-2245 Telephone: (202) 401-5048.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

Within guidelines established for the program; overall scientific and technological quality of proposal; research competence of the principal investigator(s), research team and support personnel; adequacy of facilities, equipment, and related program support; justification of support requested in relation to objectives and procedures; feasibility of attaining objectives during life of proposed research; awareness of published literature and current research related to proposed research; relevance of importance of proposed research to solution of specific areas of inquiry; and estimate of expected benefits.