Deadline: 31-Mar-22
The National Institute of Food and Agriculture is inviting applications for the Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative (OREI) to solve critical organic agriculture issues, priorities, or problems through the integration of research, education, and extension activities.
The purpose of this program is to fund projects that will enhance the ability of producers and processors who have already adopted organic standards to grow and market high quality organic agricultural products. Priority concerns include biological, physical, and social sciences, including economics.
The OREI is particularly interested in projects that emphasize research, education and outreach that assist farmers and ranchers with whole farm planning by delivering practical research-based information. Projects should plan to deliver applied production information to producers. Fieldwork must be done on certified organic land or on land in transition to organic certification, as appropriate to project goals and objectives. Refer to the USDA National Organic Program for organic production standards.
goals
- Facilitating the development and improvement of organic agriculture production, breeding, and processing methods;
- Evaluating the potential economic benefits of organic agricultural production and methods to producers, processors, and rural communities;
- Exploring international trade opportunities for organically grown and processed agricultural commodities;
- Determining desirable traits for organic commodities;
- Identifying marketing and policy constraints on the expansion of organic agriculture;
- Conducting advanced on-farm research and development that emphasizes observation of, experimentation with, and innovation for working organic farms, including research relating to production, marketing, food safety, socioeconomic conditions, and farm business management;
- Examining optimal conservation, soil health, and environmental outcomes relating to organically produced agricultural products; and
- Developing new and improved seed varieties that are particularly suited for organic agriculture.
Funding Information
The amount available for the Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative (OREI) in FY 2022 is approximately $30,000,000.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants for the Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative (OREI) must meet all the requirements discussed in this RFA. Failure to meet the eligibility criteria by the application deadline may result in exclusion from consideration or, preclude NIFA from making an award.
Applications may only be submitted by the following entities:
- State a agricultural experiment stations;
- Colleges and universities;
- University research foundations;
- Other research institutions and organizations;
- Federal agencies;
- National laboratories;
- Private organizations, foundations, or corporations;
- Individuals who are United States citizens or nationals; gold
- A group consisting of two or more of the entities described in feelings (1) through (8).
For more information, visit Grants.gov.
For more information, visit https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=338251