USDA s National Institute of Food and Agriculture Hispanic- Serving Institutions

USDA s National Institute of Food and Agriculture Hispanic- Serving Institutions PRESENTED BY DR. IRMA LAWRENCE ILAWRENCE@NIFA.USDA.GOV 202-720-2082 FEBRUARY 2, 2015

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE (NIFA) Priorities Agricultural and Natural Resources Science for Climate Variability and Change Food Security and Hunger Food Safety Water for Agriculture Childhood Obesity and Prevention Sustainable Bioenergy

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SELECTED NIFA FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI) about $9.2 million Secondary, 2-Yr. Postsecondary & AITC (SPECA -$900,000) AFRI Grant Programs ($150+ million)- diverse disciplines) NIFA Pre/Post Doctoral Fellowships, now offering Undergraduate

HSIS FUNDING OPPORTUNITY WEBPAGE WWW.NIFA.USDA.GOV

HISPANIC-SERVING INSTITUTIONS CFDA: 10.223 Increase the diversity of the food and agricultural scientific and professional workforce Collaborations with employers and other academic institutions are encouraged Award Range: $0 - $500,000 Percent Funded: 6% Applications Due: TBD Late March 2015?

WHAT ARE WE LOOKING FOR? Projects that develop and implement academic coursework that prepares underrepresented students, to address the USDA priorities and areas of need Projects that implement or recruit for programs in areas of student shortages on priority areas Projects that form partnerships among several colleges and universities to more efficiently deliver academic instruction and could positively impact large number of students 7

What We Are Doing Now In 2003 we began 2+2 à and to connect the pipeline to develop a Continuum K-12 High Schools 2 nd Year 4 th Year MS Ph D $$ Funding $$ 8

NEED AREAS we fund 1. CURRICULA DESIGN, MATERIALS DEVELOPMENT AND LIBRARY RESOURCES 2. FACULTY PREPARATION AND ENHANCEMENT FOR TEACHING 3. INSTRUCTION DELIVERY SYSTEMS 4. SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTATION FOR TEACHING 5. STUDENT EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING 6. STUDENT RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION 9

ENCOURAGING IN FY 2015 HSI EDUCATION GRANTS PROGRAM Performance-based Objectives Aligning objectives with USDA s Mission Collaboration with USDA agency Fund External evaluator A web page as part of dissemination Supplemental funds for scholarship for an underrepresented student Meta-evaluation Component 1 0

USDA AGENCIES TO COLLABORATE WITH Farm Service Agency (FSA) Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Rural Development Agency (RD) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) Economic Research Service (ERS) Forest Service (FS) Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyard Administration (GIPSA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Risk Management Agency (RMA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) 1 1

FY 2014 HSIS RFA 3 LEVELS OF FUNDING LEVEL 1. Projects up to $275K LEVEL 2. Projects Priority Oriented-$250K/yr/4yrs Will result on FIFTEEN B.S. and TEN M.S. per priority Plant Science Forestry Food Science/Nutrition Animal Science/Plant science Natural Resources Microbiology/Nanotechnology LEVEL 3. Projects Up to $500K Engaging students early--k-12 up to Ph.D.

FUNDING RESTRICTIONS 1. GRANT LIMITATIONS PER INSTITUTION - THERE IS A MAXIMUM OF TWO (2) GRANTS AS SOLE OR LEAD INSTITUTION ; THERE IS NO LIMIT ON PARTICIPATION AS A SUB-GRANTEE OR AS A NON-LEAD INSTITUTION IN REGULAR PROJECTS. 2. FUNDING LIMITATIONS PER INSTITUTION THERE ARE NO LIMITS ON TOTAL FUNDS THAT MAY BE AWARDED TO ANY ONE INSTITUTION. 3. FISCAL AGENT - IF AN INSTITUTION CANNOT ACCEPT FEDERAL FUNDS DIRECTLY, IT MUST SUBMIT A LETTER STATING THAT IT WILL ACCEPT THE AWARD BUT THAT FUNDS MUST BE SUBMITTED THROUGH A FISCAL AGENT. THE ENTITY ACTING AS THE FISCAL AGENT MUST SUBMIT A LETTER STATING IT IS WILLING TO SERVE AS THE FISCAL AGENT FOR THE APPLICANT. 4. USE OF FUNDS FOR FACILITIES- THE USE OF GRANT FUNDS TO PLAN, ACQUIRE, OR CONSTRUCT A BUILDING OR FACILITY IS NOT ALLOWED. WITH PRIOR APPROVAL, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE COST PRINCIPLES SET FORTH IN OMB CIRCULAR NO. A-21, SOME GRANT FUNDS MAY BE USED FOR MINOR ALTERATIONS, RENOVATIONS, OR REPAIRS DEEMED NECESSARY TO RETROFIT EXISTING TEACHING SPACES IN ORDER TO CARRY OUT A FUNDED PROJECT. 13

FY 2015 HSI PROJECT TYPES Level 1- Request up to $250,000 total, plus scholarship $$. Proposal for a project where one or more HSIs universities or community college(s) will be involved in the execution of the project. Other partners could be invited. Level 2- There are competitive projects for up to $250,000 a year for up to 4 years. The project could be renewed for up to 3 additional years for a $1 million total. Proposal for a project in which a group of two or three HSI s, universities or community colleges, form a cooperative arrangement for the purpose of carrying out a common purpose. Level 3- There are competitive projects for up to $500,000 a year for up to 4 years. A group of four or more HSI s, universities or community colleges, form a cooperative arrangement for the purpose of carrying out a common purpose. Other partners could be invited.

USDA S MISSION CRITICAL OCCUPATIONS USDA Office of Human Capital Management has identified 20 Mission Critical Occupations (MCO s) in its FY 2008 Federal Equal Opportunity Recruitment Program Plan. The top food and agriculture are: General Biological Scientists Biological Science Technician Soil Conservation Specialist Agricultural Commodity Grader Soil Conservation Technician Consumer Safety Inspection Forestry Specialist Forestry Technician Dietician/Nutritionist Specialist Statistician Specialist Consumer Safety Special Food Inspection Specialist Soil Science Specialist General Business and Industry Veterinary Medical Officer

WHAT DO I INCLUDE IN MY APPLICATION? Five Evaluation Factors (Total 100 points) Potential for advancing education quality 30 points Approach and cooperative linkages 25 points Institutional commitment and resources 15 points Key personnel 20 points Budget and cost-effectiveness 10 points 1 6

PROJECT DURATION Level 1 projects 48 months of duration. Level 2 projects will be funded for periods of up to four (4) years based on yearly funding. Level 3 projects will be funded for periods of up to four (4) years based on yearly funding. The statutory time limit for this grant m is five (5) years.

LEVEL 1 PROJECTS For the FY 2015 program, an applicant may request up to $250,000 (total, not per year), including indirect costs. An additional up to $25,000 may be requested by the applicant to take advantage of their position as an HSI to recruit and support one underrepresented student. Address the severe underrepresentation of Hispanics in the Federal government. The total maximum for a regular grant award size is $275,000 including indirect costs.

LEVEL 2 PROJECTS To build capacity at HSIs to support 20 underrepresented students 15 B.S. and 10 M.S. There are competitive projects for up to $250,000 a year for up to 4 years. The project could be renewed for up to 3 additional years for a $1,000,000 total. Proposal for a project in which a group of two or three HSI s, universities and community colleges, form a cooperative arrangement for the purpose of carrying out a common purpose.

POTENTIAL TRACKS FOR LEVEL 2 PROJECTS Plant Sciences Forestry Natural Resources Renewable Energy, Natural Resources & the Environment Animal Sciences Agricultural Systems and Technology Food Safety and Food Science Nutrition and Childhood Obesity Prevention

LEVEL 3 PROJECTS Four or more HSIs institutions Recruit, enroll, and support a minimum of 50 underrepresented students per collaboration award. Student retention of at least 90 percent until graduation/placement Work with USDA to develop a plan for summer experiential learning Place at least 80 percent of the students in areas of food and ag need Project staff will track student progress in meeting the agency s requirements for placing and hiring student participants.

LEVEL 3 PROJECTS Tentative Areas Follow Priorities Agricultural and Natural Resources Science for Climate Variability and Change Food Security and Hunger Food Safety Water for Agriculture Childhood Obesity and Prevention Sustainable Bioenergy

OTHER NIFA GRANTS CLOSINGS

SECONDARY EDUCATION, TWO-YEAR POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION, AND AGRICULTURE IN THE K-12 CLASSROOM CHALLENGE GRANTS PROGRAM (SPECA) (a) promote and strengthen secondary education and two-year postsecondary education in agri-science and agribusiness; (b) promote complementary and synergistic linkages among secondary, two-year postsecondary, and higher education programs in the food and agricultural Who Is Eligible to Apply: Independent School Districts Other State Controlled Institutions of Higher Ed Contact: Victoria LeBeaux vlebeaux@nifa.usda.gov

NIFA PRE-DOCTORAL AND POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWSHIPS NIFA Pre-doctoral and Postdoctoral Fellowships Purpose: to develop the next generation of leaders who will be actively engaged in agriculture, forestry, and food related research, education, and extension careers. NIFA will provide federal assistance through fellowships to emerging pre-and postdoctoral candidates to accomplish this goal. Priorities: Research, Education, Extension, or Integrated Projects that are aligned with one of the five AFRI Challenge Areas and/or one of the six AFRI Foundational Areas. Award Provision: Fellows are required to carry out their projects and training on a fulltime basis (i.e. 100% effort). Amount Available: $ 5 million Contact: Ray Ali rali@nifa.usda.gov (202)720-2727

PRE-DOCTORAL PROGRAM Eligibility: The individual must have advanced to candidacy, as per institutional requirements, and provide documentation from the graduate advisor or the institution by the application deadline. Intent: The NIFA Pre-doctoral Fellowship Program intends to support current doctoral students who are at the stage of conducting dissertation research, ultimately leading to completion of the dissertation and respective terminal degree. Pre-doctoral students, inclusive of those with Baccalaureate and/or Masters degrees, who meet the aforementioned criteria, may apply. Budget: must not exceed $79,000 total (including institutional allowance) for project periods of up to 2 years. Due: February 11, 2015 Funding Rate: 17.6% Contact: Ray Ali rali@nifa.usda.gov (202)720-2727

POST-DOCTORAL PROGRAM Eligibility: All doctoral degree requirements must be satisfied no earlier than January 1, 2010 and no later than December 14, 2013, and provide documentation from the graduate advisor/graduate committee or the institution by the application deadline. Budget: must not exceed $150,000 total (including institutional allowance) for project periods of up to 2 years. Funding Rate: 14.8 percent Contact: Ray Ali rali@nifa.usda.gov (202)720-2727 Due February 11, 2015

AFRI Strengthening Standard Grants applications that meet the eligibility requirements for Strengthening Grants are eligible for reserved strengthening funds as a Strengthening Standard Grant. The eligibility requirements only apply to the lead PD and are not required for co-pd(s) associated with the project.

AFRI Strengthening Sabbatical Grants provide an opportunity for faculty to enhance their research, education, and/or extension capabilities by funding sabbatical leaves. Collaborative arrangements are encouraged. Grants will be limited to one year of salary and funds for travel and supplies, where justified, and are not renewable. Contact NPL from Discipline

STRENGTHENING EQUIPMENT GRANTS Designed to strengthen the research, education, and/or extension capacity of institutions by funding the purchase of one major piece of equipment. Not intended to replace requests for equipment in individual project applications. Rather, they are intended to help fund items of equipment that will upgrade infrastructure. Requests for computer equipment are allowed only if the equipment is to be used in an activity integral to the proposed project. Requests for computer equipment will not be permitted if the equipment will primarily serve as a word processor or perform administrative functions. Each request shall be limited to one major piece of equipment. COST Range: $10,000-$250,000 and are not renewable. The amount of Federal funding requested shall not exceed 50 percent of the cost or $50,000, whichever is less. Unless a waiver is granted by NIFA using the criteria listed in Part III, C, it is the responsibility of the PD to secure required matching funds with non-federal funds 13. No installation, maintenance, warranty, or insurance expenses may be paid from these grants, nor may these costs be part of the matching funds. Indirect costs are not permitted on Equipment Grant awards. Contact NPL from Discipline

STRENGTHENING SEED GRANTS Seed Grants are to provide funds to enable investigators to collect preliminary data or perform other preliminary activities in preparation for applying for future grants from AFRI. The grants are not intended to fund stand-alone projects, but rather projects that will lead to further work applicable to one of the AFRI Program Areas. Applications proposing an Integrated Project only need to include one of the three functions (research, education, extension) and justify how this Seed Grant will allow the applicant to become competitive for future Integrated funding. Funding: Limited to a total of $150,000 (including indirect costs) for two year duration and are not renewable.

APPLICATION -- KEY FIRST STEPS Congress appropriates $$ to address a public need; Find & study this need in the RFA document Address the grant Evaluation Criteria Foster collaborations: Involve other academic institutions or employers Expand project to address regional or national issue; Can your project be adopted elsewhere? Document with outside support letters Demonstrate how your project is unique, innovative, and will contribute to a solution

TO DO LIST 1.TAKE ACTION! 2. WORK TOGETHER IN PARTNERSHIP 3. LEVERAGE RESOURCES 4. GET RESULTS!!

http://nifa-connect.nifa.usda.gov/sonny 1-888-621-9649 or 617-231-2734 5pm est Questions? Comments? Visit our website on www.nifa.usda.gov Thank you!