Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NIFA OP 008703
The Renewable Resource Extension Act National Focus Fund (RREA-NFF) Projects grant is a discretionary funding opportunity run by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) under CFDA 10.515. It is designed to support pilot-scale Extension projects focused on forests and rangelands. The program is essentially looking for work that helps Extension respond to timely resource challenges and produces practical approaches that can be scaled up or copied elsewhere. Projects are expected to do at least one of the following: tackle emerging forest and rangeland resource issues, demonstrate national or regional importance (not just a purely local benefit), or introduce new and innovative ideas that can be replicated at other institutions.
The emphasis on "pilot projects" signals that NIFA is funding efforts that test methods, tools, outreach strategies, or educational models rather than long-term routine programming. Competitive proposals typically fit the spirit of the program by identifying a clear problem affecting forest or rangeland resources, explaining why the issue matters beyond a single county or state, and showing how the project will generate learnings, products, or program models that other Extension systems can adopt. In other words, the end result should not just be activity, but something transferable: a curriculum, a training model, a decision-support tool, a tested outreach approach, or a partnership framework that can be implemented by other land-grant universities.
Eligibility is narrow and strictly defined. Applications can only be submitted by 1862 and 1890 land-grant institutions, as referenced in the governing statutes and regulations (including 7 CFR 3430.2 and related U.S. Code citations). In addition, the Project Director must hold an Extension appointment, meaning a formal appointment made by the institution's Extension Director or Administrator within the university's Extension service. This requirement is not optional, and failing to meet it by the application deadline can result in the application being removed from consideration or prevent NIFA from issuing an award even if the proposal is otherwise strong.
The program also enforces a strict rule against duplicate or multiple submissions. An applicant is not allowed to submit more than one application or submit duplicate versions, and if duplicates or multiple applications are received, NIFA will disqualify both. This makes it important for institutions to coordinate internally, ensure only one submission is made per applicant as permitted under the RFA, and confirm that the final application package is the only one transmitted.
From the funding details provided, the opportunity title is "Renewable Resource Extension Act National Focus Fund Projects," with funding opportunity number USDA NIFA OP 008703. The instrument type is a grant under the agriculture funding activity category. The listed award ceiling is $100,000. The original closing date shown is March 21, 2022, and the opportunity record was created on February 2, 2022. NIFA also points applicants, especially those new to federal financial assistance, to its Grants Overview resources to better understand the federal application and award process, expectations, and compliance responsibilities.Apply for USDA NIFA OP 008703
- The National Institute of Food and Agriculture in the agriculture sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Renewable Resource Extension Act National Focus Fund Projects" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.515.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2022-02-02.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2022-03-21. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $100,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
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Renewable Resource Extension Act National Focus Fund (RREA-NFF) Projects Grant FAQs
What is the RREA-NFF Projects grant?
The Renewable Resource Extension Act National Focus Fund (RREA-NFF) Projects grant is a discretionary funding opportunity administered by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) under CFDA 10.515. It supports pilot-scale Extension projects focused on forests and rangelands.
Which agency runs this funding opportunity?
The program is run by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA).
What is the main purpose of this program?
The program is intended to fund pilot Extension work that helps Extension systems respond to timely forest and rangeland resource challenges and produces practical approaches that can be scaled up or copied elsewhere.
What types of projects does NIFA want to fund under this opportunity?
NIFA is looking for pilot projects that test methods, tools, outreach strategies, or educational models rather than supporting long-term, routine programming. Competitive projects typically identify a clear forest or rangeland resource problem and produce a transferable outcome that other Extension systems can adopt.
What does "pilot-scale" mean in this context?
"Pilot-scale" signals that the project is meant to test and demonstrate an approach (for example, a new training model, tool, or outreach method) and generate learnings and products that can be replicated, rather than continuing standard programming over the long term.
What focus areas are supported?
The opportunity is focused on forests and rangelands, specifically through Extension projects.
What are the program expectations for project outcomes?
The emphasis is on producing something transferable, not just delivering activities. Examples of transferable outcomes described include a curriculum, a training model, a decision-support tool, a tested outreach approach, or a partnership framework that other land-grant universities can implement.
Do projects have to address certain kinds of issues?
Projects are expected to do at least one of the following: (1) tackle emerging forest and rangeland resource issues, (2) demonstrate national or regional importance rather than purely local benefit, or (3) introduce new and innovative ideas that can be replicated at other institutions.
Does the project need to have national or regional importance?
The program indicates that projects should demonstrate national or regional importance (not just a purely local benefit) as one of the key expectations. Meeting at least one of the listed expectations is required, and demonstrating broader relevance is a central theme of the opportunity.
What makes a proposal competitive based on the description provided?
Competitive proposals typically fit the spirit of the program by clearly defining a forest or rangeland resource problem, explaining why the issue matters beyond a single county or state, and showing how the project will produce learnings, products, or models that can be adopted by other Extension systems.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is narrow. Applications can only be submitted by 1862 and 1890 land-grant institutions, as referenced in the governing statutes and regulations (including 7 CFR 3430.2 and related U.S. Code citations).
Are there special requirements for the Project Director (PD)?
Yes. The Project Director must hold an Extension appointment, meaning a formal appointment made by the institution's Extension Director or Administrator within the university's Extension service.
Is the Extension appointment requirement optional or flexible?
No. The Extension appointment requirement is described as not optional. If the Project Director does not meet this requirement by the application deadline, the application can be removed from consideration or NIFA may be unable to issue an award even if the proposal is otherwise strong.
Can an applicant submit more than one application?
No. The program enforces a strict rule against duplicate or multiple submissions. An applicant is not allowed to submit more than one application or submit duplicate versions.
What happens if duplicate or multiple applications are submitted?
If duplicates or multiple applications are received, NIFA will disqualify both. This makes internal coordination important so only one final application package is transmitted.
What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number is USDA NIFA OP 008703.
What is the official opportunity title?
The opportunity title is "Renewable Resource Extension Act National Focus Fund Projects."
What type of funding instrument is used?
The instrument type is a grant.
What is the funding activity category?
The activity category is agriculture.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The listed award ceiling is $100,000.
When was the opportunity record created?
The opportunity record was created on February 2, 2022.
What was the original closing date for applications?
The original closing date shown is March 21, 2022.
Where can new applicants learn about the federal grants process for NIFA awards?
NIFA points applicants, especially those new to federal financial assistance, to its Grants Overview resources to better understand the federal application and award process, expectations, and compliance responsibilities.
What should institutions do to avoid disqualification related to submission rules?
Institutions should coordinate internally to ensure only one submission is made per applicant as permitted under the RFA and confirm that the final application package is the only one transmitted, since duplicates or multiple submissions lead to disqualification of both.
What program identifier (CFDA) is associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is listed under CFDA 10.515.
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