United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) An Overview from the University Research Administrator Perspective

Transcription

1 United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) An Overview from the University Research Administrator Perspective Society of Research Administrators International 2017 Annual Meeting, Vancouver, Canada Concurrent Session: T113

2 Introductions Jane Burns Assistant Director and Compliance Officer Office of Sponsored Programs University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture Will Helmrath Grants and Contracts Coordinator Subaward Coordinator Office of Sponsored Programs University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture

3 UTIA The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture (UTIA), through its colleges, research and education centers, and county extension offices, serves the people of Tennessee and beyond through the discovery, communication and application of knowledge. The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture is made up of the following four units that provide instruction, research and public service: AgResearch College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources College of Veterinary Medicine UT Extension

4 USDA s Broad reach Hurricane Harvey (Aug 25, 2017) Credits: NASA/NOAA GOES Project Example: Agency preparedness and response to disasters Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) Rural Development (RD) Food Safety and Inspection (FSI) Farm Service Agency (FSA) National Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) releases/2017/08/25/usda prepareshurricane Harvey

5 The importance of 1862 Department of Agriculture was established Homestead Act signed into law Funding for the act to pay for the Union Pacific Central Pacific railroad signed into law Morrill Land Grant College Act signed into law

6 USDA Mission Areas Farm Production and Conservation Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services Food Safety Marketing and Regulatory Programs Natural Resources and Environment Research, Education and Economics Rural Development Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs

7 Initiatives and Highlighted Programs Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) Energy (Link) Faith Based and Neighborhood Partnerships (Website available soon) Feds Feed Families (Link) StrikeForce (Website available soon) The People's Garden (Link) USDA for Kids (Link) Veterans (Link) Women in Agriculture (Link)

8 2018 Budget Request The 2018 request for discretionary budget authority to fund programs and operating expenses is about $21 billion, approximately $4.8 billion below This includes funding for Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), Rural Development, Forest Service, food safety, research, and conservation activities. Funding for mandatory programs is estimated to be $116 billion, about $7 billion below 2017.

9 2018 Outlays USDA s total outlays for 2018 are estimated at $140 billion. Roughly 82 percent of outlays, about $117 billion, are for mandatory programs providing services required by laws other than annual appropriations acts. These outlays include crop insurance, nutrition assistance programs, farm commodity and trade programs, and a number of conservation programs. The remaining 18 percent of outlays, about $23 billion, are associated with discretionary programs such as WIC; food safety; rural development loans and grants; research and education; soil and water conservation technical assistance; animal and plant health; management of national forests, wildland fire, and other Forest Service activities; and domestic and international marketing assistance. *All Other includes Rural Development, Research, Food Safety, Marketing and Regulatory, and Departmental Management

10 Org Chart

11 USDA Agencies Agricultural Research Service (ARS) Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion (CNPP) Farm Service Agency (FSA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) Forest Service (FS) National Agricultural Library (NAL) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) Risk Management Agency (RMA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Economic Research Service (ERS) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Rural Development (RD)

12 Decentralized Approach Application Instructions NIFA: Grants.gov Application Guide + RFA Rest of the agencies: RFA or No RFA Eligibility varies per mechanism and agency Terms and Conditions No single USDA wide guidance, like the NIH Grants Policy Statement For Grants & Cooperative Agreements, the underlying terms should follow 2 CFR 200 Exceptions to NIFA s General Capacity, 1890 Facilities, SBIR Additional program specific AFRI, BRDI

13 IDC Limitations Indirect Cost limitations are determined by the congressional authority under which the funding is made available The cap is usually based on Total Federal Funds Example: A 30% of TFF cap translates to a IDC rate of % (or 30/70) Use the lesser of the capped rate or your NIDCR These limitations also apply to programs with other Federal agencies

14 NIFA AFRI: Cost Sharing If an applied Research or Integrated Project with an applied research component, is commodity specific and not of national scope, the grant recipient is required to match the USDA funds awarded 1 to 1 Equipment Grants: Federal funds may not exceed 50% or $50,000 of the equipment cost. NIFA non AFRI: depends on program (some waivers) NCRS: CIG 50% of total project costs Forest Service: Whenever possible (depends on award instrument)

15 Partnering Organizations Other Federal Agencies State Agencies Universities SGI Regional Centers Via Subawards Sun Grant Program (NIFA) Farm Financial Management: Risk Management Education Centers (4 regional centers under NIFA)

16 Trivia Who has the first Commissioner of Agriculture? Isaac Newton Andrew Johnson Caleb Blood Smith

17 Supports extramural research, education, and extension programs in the Land Grant University System and other partner organizations. NIFA

18 Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) Nation s leading competitive grants program for agricultural sciences Education and training of almost 2,500 undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral students Solicit projects based on program priority areas FY 2017: 7 RFAs posted Childhood Obesity Prevention Challenge Area ; Education and Literacy Initiative; Food Safety Challenge Area; Foundational Program; Resilient Agroecosystems in a Changing Climate Challenge Area; Sustainable Bioenergy and Bioproducts Challenge Area; Water for Food Production Systems Challenge Area

19 AFRI cont. Different Activity Types: Research, Extension, Education For Integrated Projects Different Grant Types: Standard Grants Conference Grants Coordinated Agricultural Project Grants Food and Agricultural Science Enhancement Grants

20 Food and Agricultural Science Enhancement Grants New Investigator Grants Pre and Post doctoral Fellowship Grants Strengthening Grants: Sabbatical Grants Equipment Grants Seed Grants Strengthening Standard Grants Strengthening CAP Grants Strengthening Conference Grants

21 AFRI Things to remember Each program priority area will have specific guidance on: Max proposed budget Max project length Project type Grant types Letter of intent requirements Application deadline Program contact information It looks like you are applying for an AFRI. Don t forget that the max budget includes indirect costs

22 Exploratory Research Program Research that demonstrates extraordinary novelty with potential to position U.S. agriculture at the global forefront Transformative projects Application process See AFRI Foundational Program RFA Key points: Research Standard Grants only, $100K and 2 year max, Letter of Intent necessary, Applications due 60 days after full proposal submission

23 Other Major NIFA programs Specialty Crop Research Initiative (SCRI) Plant Feedstock Genomics for Bioenergy (joint with DOE) Biomass Research and Development Initiative (BRDI; joint with DOE) Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program (SARE) Biotechnology Risk Assessment Research Grants Program (BRAG) National Integrated Water Quality Program (NIWQP) Higher Education Challenge Grants Program (HEC)

24 Center of Excellence Several NIFA programs allow for eligible applicants to be considered as a Center for Excellence Justification must be included as part of the proposal narrative and counts against the page limit See COE Fact Sheet for more: of Excellence Fact Sheet.pdf Impact on Application Review tie breaker COE designation is for a particular grant program

25 SBIR Program Phase I Phase II Phase III* Determine the scientific or technical feasibility of ideas Awards may not exceed $100K and normally do not exceed 8 months Promote principal R/R&D and the potential to commercialize the innovation Stimulate technological innovation and the national return on investment from research through the pursuit of commercialization objectives *Federal SBIR funds may not be used to support Phase III projects

26 SBIR Phase I At least 2/3 of work, as determined by budget expenditures, must be performed at proposing organization Equipment May be requested, but should not exceed 10% of budget Consultant pay rate cannot exceed $608/day or 8 hours/day Fee May be requested. Not to exceed 7% of total Federal funds requested

27 NIFA Award Terms and Conditions Generally, no prior approval needed for: Revision of budget and program plans Carry Forward of unobligated balances Fixed amount subawards Direct charge of administrative and clerical staff Pre award costs Participant support costs Equipment over $5K Per NIFA General Terms and Conditions, October 2016

28 NIFA Prior Approval No more than 50% of the work subcontracted Additional NCE or NCE of more than 12 months Extension of SF 425 deadline Salary rates exceeding the It looks like you want Executive Level IV to charge salary to salary range require the award. prior approval. Effective Jan. 2017, Would you like help? $161,900

29 REEport NIFA s project initiation and reporting system for formula and competitive grant funding Implements the RPPR Project must be initiated prior to USDA making an award REEport Home Page

30 Natural Resources Conservation Service Provides financial and technical assistance over a wide variety of programs. Most are through direct assistance to producers Conservation Innovation Grants are most likely source of grants for public and private sector sponsored programs Submission requirements in FY17: submission to appropriate State Conversationist(s), Grants.gov, and via to NRCS Guidance for Applicants: Guidance for Grantees:

31 Agricultural Marketing Service AMS provides American agriculture with tools and services, such as grading, certification, and verification, that help create marketing opportunities How do we typically interact with AMS? Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (via the state department of agriculture) Federal State Marketing Improvement Program Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Programs

32 Forest Service Congress established the Forest Service in 1905 to provide quality water and timber for the nation s benefit. Congress later directed the Forest Service to broaden its management scope Manages 193 million acres of land, roughly the size of Texas

33 Forest Service Regions Pacific Northwest Region Northern Region Rocky Mountain Region Intermountain Region Eastern Region Pacific Southwest Region Southwestern Southern Region Alaska Region

34 Forest Service Usually not competitive Instrument determines the rules for grant/cooperative agreement Indirect Cost Limitation, Matching Requirements Required budget on a FS spreadsheet (FS b) Required compliance forms (including Financial Capability Questionnaire FS )

35 Example of Forest Service forms

36 ezfedgrants ezfedgrants is the USDA solution that will let you apply for and manage USDA grants and agreements online. It s USDA s OMB Circular A 123 system of record for processing Federal financial assistance transactions. Current USDA Agency users: APHIS (currently non competitive only) Submitting suggestions that then get put into ezfedgrant as a noncompetitive call. FAS (competitive/non competitive) NIFA (Capacity Funds, not for proposal submission)

37 Proposal Review Process For NIFA: Panel review, score and discuss to rank proposals into 5 categories "outstanding," "high priority," "medium priority," "low priority," and "do not fund. The Rest: May have reviewers/panel discussions, depends on program

38 Post Award Financial Management considerations: Proposal/SOW Program regulations Uniform Guidance and USDA s adoption of those principles Authorizing Legislation

39 Cost Sharing Revisited Cost principles apply to matching funds Cash and/or in kind contributions Verifiable in your records Not from other Federal awards Allowable, Allocable, Reasonable

40 Compliance USDA is holding up awards until IACUC and IRB approvals are received (NIFA) Responsible Conduct of Research USDA enforces Animal Welfare Act Tracking cost share obligations

41 Auditing USDA considerations for audit selection process: No previous NIFA audits Amount of annual funding Request from a National Program Leader, Awards Management Division, or the University/Institution Significant/unresolved A 133 audit findings OIG Hotline/whistleblower Complaints

42 Questions????

43 Contacts Jane Burns Will Helmrath

44 Additional Resources / Information

45 Grant Eligibility Charts Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Program mbined%20grants%20decision%20trees.pdf Strengthening Grant Eligibility hart_strenghten_eligibility.pdf Rural Energy for America Program Renewable Energy Systems & Energy Efficiency Improvement Loans & Grants energy america program renewableenergy systems energy efficiency

46 U.S. Department of Agriculture Agencies Agricultural Marketing Service Forest Service (FS) (AMS) Grain Inspection, Packers and Agricultural Research Service (ARS) Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection National Agricultural Library (NAL) Service (APHIS) National Agricultural Statistics Center for Nutrition Policy and Service (NASS) Promotion (CNPP) National Institute of Food and Economic Research Service (ERS) Agriculture (NIFA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) Natural Resources Conservation Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) Service (NRCS) Food Safety and Inspection Service Risk Management Agency (RMA) (FSIS) Rural Development (RD) Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS)

47 U.S. Department of Agriculture Offices Center for Faith Based and Neighborhood Partnerships (link) Departmental Management (DM) National Appeals Division (NAD) Office of Advocacy and Outreach (OAO) Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (OASCR) Office of Budget and Program Analysis (OBPA) Office of the Chief Economist (OCE) Office of the Chief Financial Officer (OCFO) Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO) Office of the Chief Scientist (OCS) Office of Communications (OC) Office of Congressional Relations (OCR) Office of Ethics (OE) Office of Environmental Markets (OEM) Office of the Executive Secretariat (OES) Office of the General Counsel (OGC) Office of Inspector General (OIG) Office of the Ombudsperson (link) Office of Tribal Relations (OTR)

48 Mission Area: Farm Production and Conservation Farm Production and Conservation (FPAC) is the Department s focal point for the nation s farmers and ranchers and other stewards of private agricultural lands and non industrial private forest lands. FPAC agencies implement programs designed to mitigate the significant risks of farming through crop insurance services, conservation programs and technical assistance, and commodity, lending, and disaster programs. Farm Service Agency (FSA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Risk Management Agency (RMA)

49 Mission Area: Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services works to harness the Nation's agricultural abundance to end hunger and improve health in the United States. Its agencies administer federal domestic nutrition assistance programs and the Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion, which links scientific research to the nutrition needs of consumers through science based dietary guidance, nutrition policy coordination, and nutrition education. Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion (CNPP) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS)

50 Mission Area: Food Safety Food Safety ensures that the Nation's commercial supply of meat, poultry, and egg products is safe, wholesome, and properly labeled, and packaged. This mission area also plays a key role in the President's Council on Food Safety and has been instrumental in coordinating a national food safety strategic plan among various partner agencies including the Department of Health and Human Services and the Environmental Protection Agency. Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS)

51 Mission Area: Marketing and Regulatory Programs Marketing and Regulatory Programs facilitates domestic and international marketing of U.S. agricultural products and ensures the health and care of animals and plants. MRP agencies are active participants in setting national and international standards. Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Grain Inspection, Packers, and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA)

52 Mission Area: Natural Resources and Environment Natural Resources and Environment ensures the health of the land through sustainable management. Its agency works to prevent damage to natural resources and the environment, restore the resource base, and promote good land management. Forest Service (FS)

53 Mission Area: Research, Education and Economics Research, Education and Economics is dedicated to the creation of a safe, sustainable, competitive U.S. food and fiber system, as well as strong communities, families, and youth through integrated research, analysis, and education. Research, Education, and Economics (REE) Agricultural Research Service (ARS) Economic Research Service (ERS) National Agricultural Library (NAL) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) Office of the Chief Scientist (OCS)

54 Mission Area: Rural Development Rural Development is committed to helping improve the economy and quality of life in all of rural America by providing financial programs to support essential public facilities and services as water and sewer systems, housing, health clinics, emergency service facilities and electric and telephone service. Rural Development promotes economic development by providing loans to businesses through banks and community managed lending pools, while also assisting communities to participate in community empowerment programs. Rural Development

55 Mission Area: Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs' (TFAA) role is to provide our farmers and ranchers with opportunities to compete in the global marketplace. TFAA is the Department s lead on trade policy with primary responsibility to ensure USDA speaks with a unified voice on international agriculture issues domestically and abroad. It oversees and facilitates foreign market access and promotes opportunities for U.S. agriculture through various trade programs and high level government negotiations. Foreign Agricultural Service

56 Initiatives and Highlighted Programs cont. Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) The Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) is the largest and most successful workplace charitable giving drive in the world. CFC is the only authorized charitable organization solicitation of Federal employees in their workplaces. CFC is structured to support and to promote philanthropy through a voluntary program that is cost efficient and effective in providing all Federal employees the opportunity to impact the CFC charitable interest of their choosing. Energy (Link) The USDA Energy Web includes an interactive map, graphing analysis tools, and the USDA Energy Matrix. These instruments allow you to view past USDA investments, navigate in a friendly environment USDA energy programs and compare and analyze biofuels and bioenergy data from the USDA. Faith Based and Neighborhood Partnerships (Website available soon) USDA's Center for Faith Based and Neighborhood Partnerships reaches out and connects government with non profit organizations both secular and faithbased to help people in need. Most people know USDA leads the way in agriculture, natural resources, and food. Many don't know we're also about strengthening communities, nourishing kids, and impacting lives.

57 Initiatives and Highlighted Programs cont. Feds Feed Families (Link) Part of the United We Serve campaign, Feds Feed Families was designed to help food banks and pantries stay stocked during summer months when they traditionally see a decrease in donations and an increase in need. In Washington, D.C., the Capital Area Food Bank receives collections and distributes them through its network of more than 500 partner organizations. StrikeForce (Website available soon) More than 1,500 StrikeForce partnerships have already helped USDA support nearly 190,000 projects and invest $23.5 billion in high poverty areas in rural America. Altogether, 970 counties, parishes, boroughs, and census areas through StrikeForce. The People's Garden (Link) The People s Garden works with agencies and offices across the USDA and with federal, state and local partners to start and sustain gardens with the mission of growing healthy food, people and communities. USDA s Agricultural Marketing Service, Transportation and Marketing Program oversees the Initiative for the Department.

58 Initiatives and Highlighted Programs cont. USDA for Kids (Link) USDA provides students, parents, and teachers with youth geared information and resources related to agriculture. Veterans (Link) USDA is here to help our Nation's veterans as you transition from the military to civilian life. As a military veteran, your leadership training, skills, and perspective can help America meet the challenges of producing food and rebuilding rural and urban communities. We want you to be a part of the next generation feeding the Nation and the world, and USDA can connect you to the resources and help you need to get there. Women in Agriculture (Link) From the classroom to the farm to the boardroom, women in agriculture are helping to pave the way for a better future. As leaders, it is our responsibility to make sure the next generation of women are educated, encouraged and empowered to take on the challenges of meeting the world s growing food, fuel and fiber needs.

59 17 Agencies of USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) AMS facilitates the strategic marketing of agricultural products in domestic and international markets while ensuring fair trading practices and promoting a competitive and efficient marketplace. AMS constantly works to develop new marketing services to increase customer satisfaction. Agricultural Research Service (ARS) ARS is USDA's principal in house research agency. ARS leads America towards a better future through agricultural research and information. Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) APHIS provides leadership in ensuring the health and care of animals and plants. The agency improves agricultural productivity and competitiveness and contributes to the national economy and the public

60 17 Agencies of USDA cont. Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion (CNPP) CNPP works to improve the health and well being of Americans by developing and promoting dietary guidance that links scientific research to the nutrition needs of consumers. Economic Research Service (ERS) ERS is USDA's principal social science research agency. Each year, ERS communicates research results and socioeconomic indicators via briefings, analyses for policymakers and their staffs, market analysis updates, and major reports. Farm Service Agency (FSA) The Farm Service Agency implements agricultural policy, administers credit and loan programs, and manages conservation, commodity, disaster and farm marketing programs through a national network of offices.

61 17 Agencies of USDA cont. Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) FNS increases food security and reduces hunger in partnership with cooperating organizations by providing children and low income people access to food, a healthy diet, and nutrition education in a manner that supports American agriculture and inspires public confidence. Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) FSIS enhances public health and well being by protecting the public from foodborne illness and ensuring that the nation's meat, poultry and egg products are safe, wholesome, and correctly packaged. Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) FAS works to improve foreign market access for U.S. products. This USDA agency operates programs designed to build new markets and improve the competitive position of U.S. agriculture in the global marketplace.

62 17 Agencies of USDA cont. Forest Service (FS) FS sustains the health, diversity and productivity of the Nation's forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations. Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) GIPSA facilitates the marketing of livestock, poultry, meat, cereals, oilseeds, and related agricultural products. It also promotes fair and competitive trading practices for the overall benefit of consumers and American agriculture. GIPSA ensures open and competitive markets for livestock, poultry, and meat by investigating and monitoring industry trade practices. National Agricultural Library (NAL) NAL ensures and enhances access to agricultural information for a better quality of life.

63 17 Agencies of USDA cont. National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) NASS serves the basic agricultural and rural data needs of the country by providing objective, important and accurate statistical information and services to farmers, ranchers, agribusinesses and public officials. This data is vital to monitoring the ever changing agricultural sector and carrying out farm policy. National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) NIFA's unique mission is to advance knowledge for agriculture, the environment, human health and well being, and communities by supporting research, education, and extension programs in the Land Grant University System and other partner organizations. NIFA doesn't perform actual research, education, and extension but rather helps fund it at the state and local level and provides program leadership in these areas. Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) NRCS provides leadership in a partnership effort to help people conserve, maintain and improve our natural resources and environment.

64 17 Agencies of USDA cont. Risk Management Agency (RMA) RMA helps to ensure that farmers have the financial tools necessary to manage their agricultural risks. RMA provides coverage through the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation, which promotes national welfare by improving the economic stability of agriculture. Rural Development (RD) RD helps rural areas to develop and grow by offering Federal assistance that improves quality of life. RD targets communities in need and then empowers them with financial and technical resources.