Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NIFA AFRI 009802
The Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) Sustainable Agricultural Systems (SAS) opportunity, offered by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), funds large, systems-based projects that aim to produce transformational change across the U.S. food and agriculture system. The core expectation is that proposed work will go beyond isolated research questions and instead integrate multiple parts of the value chain, from production and processing through distribution and consumption, to measurably improve the supply of agricultural products that are affordable, safe, nutritious, and accessible. NIFA is explicitly looking for creative, forward-looking ideas that address today’s challenges while also anticipating future impacts shaped by social, cultural, behavioral, economic, health, and environmental forces. The intended public value is broad: stronger rural prosperity, economic development, and improved quality of life for people and communities connected to food and agricultural systems.
This opportunity is categorized as a discretionary federal grant under CFDA 10.310, with an award ceiling listed at up to $10,000,000 per award. Applications are tied to the SAS Request for Applications (RFA), which sets out the program area priorities, required project structure, and deadlines. The posting information included an original closing date of July 13, 2023. Because SAS projects are meant to be ambitious and high-impact, proposals are generally expected to demonstrate a clear systems approach, show how the work will generate societal benefits, and explain how outcomes will be sustained or scaled in ways that matter to communities and stakeholders.
Eligibility is tied closely to the rules in the RFA, and applicants must meet all criteria by the application deadline or risk being excluded from consideration or being ineligible for an award even if the proposal is reviewed. For Integrated Projects, eligible applicants include (a) colleges and universities, (b) 1994 Land-Grant Institutions, and (c) Hispanic-serving agricultural colleges and universities. For the college and university category, NIFA defines eligible institutions as those that admit only students with a secondary school diploma (or equivalent), are legally authorized to provide education beyond secondary school, offer programs leading to a bachelor’s degree or higher, are public or other nonprofit institutions, and are accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency or association. A research foundation maintained by an eligible college or university may also apply and receive an award under this program.
The RFA also includes Food and Agricultural Science Enhancement (FASE) options, with specific eligibility and requirements described in the RFA section covering FASE. Within the FASE framework, the solicitation includes Strengthening Coordinated Agricultural Project and Strengthening Standard Grants, which are generally intended to build capacity and competitiveness for eligible applicants as defined in that part of the RFA. Applicants must align their proposals with the program area priorities and follow the deadlines specified in the RFA. While only eligible entities may apply as primary applicants, award recipients are allowed to subcontract with organizations that are not themselves eligible to apply, as long as those partners are necessary to carry out the project.
A key compliance point is NIFA’s prohibition on duplicate or substantially overlapping submissions within the same fiscal year. If an applicant submits multiple proposals that are duplicative or largely overlapping to NIFA programs in the same year, NIFA will disqualify both applications. NIFA also directs newer applicants to consult its Grants Overview resources to better understand federal financial assistance requirements and the overall federal grants process, since administrative compliance and eligibility details can affect whether an application can be funded.Apply for USDA NIFA AFRI 009802
- The National Institute of Food and Agriculture in the agriculture sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Sustainable Agricultural Systems" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.310.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2023-02-17.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2023-07-13. (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 $10,000,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
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AFRI Sustainable Agricultural Systems (SAS) Grant FAQs
What is the AFRI Sustainable Agricultural Systems (SAS) grant opportunity?
The Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) Sustainable Agricultural Systems (SAS) opportunity is a USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) discretionary federal grant program that funds large, systems-based projects designed to drive transformational change across the U.S. food and agriculture system.
What kind of projects is SAS meant to fund?
SAS is intended for ambitious, high-impact projects that take a systems approach rather than focusing on isolated research questions. Projects are expected to integrate multiple parts of the value chain (for example, production, processing, distribution, and consumption) to measurably improve the supply of agricultural products that are affordable, safe, nutritious, and accessible.
What does NIFA mean by a "systems-based" approach in SAS?
Based on the opportunity description, a systems-based approach means connecting and integrating multiple components of food and agricultural systems (not just one stage or one discipline). The expectation is that proposed work addresses more than a single research problem and instead coordinates efforts across interconnected parts of the system to produce measurable improvements and broader societal benefits.
What outcomes and public benefits is SAS looking for?
The opportunity emphasizes broad public value, including stronger rural prosperity, economic development, and improved quality of life for people and communities connected to food and agricultural systems. NIFA is also looking for projects that generate societal benefits and explain how outcomes will be sustained or scaled in ways that matter to communities and stakeholders.
Is NIFA looking for any particular type of idea or perspective?
Yes. The opportunity explicitly calls for creative, forward-looking ideas that address today’s challenges while anticipating future impacts shaped by social, cultural, behavioral, economic, health, and environmental forces.
Which agency is offering this opportunity?
The opportunity is offered by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA).
What is the CFDA number for this grant?
This opportunity is categorized under CFDA 10.310.
What is the maximum award size?
The award ceiling listed is up to $10,000,000 per award.
Where are the official requirements and deadlines defined?
Applications are tied to the SAS Request for Applications (RFA). The RFA sets out the program area priorities, required project structure, and deadlines, and applicants are expected to follow the RFA closely.
What was the closing date listed in the posting information?
The posting information included an original closing date of July 13, 2023.
Why is meeting eligibility requirements by the deadline important?
Eligibility is tied closely to the rules in the RFA, and applicants must meet all criteria by the application deadline. If an applicant does not meet the eligibility criteria by the deadline, the proposal may be excluded from consideration or the applicant may be ineligible for an award even if the proposal is reviewed.
Who is eligible to apply for Integrated Projects?
For Integrated Projects, eligible applicants include: (a) colleges and universities, (b) 1994 Land-Grant Institutions, and (c) Hispanic-serving agricultural colleges and universities, as defined in the RFA.
How does NIFA define an eligible "college or university" for this opportunity?
NIFA defines eligible colleges and universities as institutions that admit only students with a secondary school diploma (or equivalent), are legally authorized to provide education beyond secondary school, offer programs leading to a bachelor’s degree or higher, are public or other nonprofit institutions, and are accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency or association.
Can a research foundation apply instead of the university?
Yes. A research foundation maintained by an eligible college or university may apply and receive an award under this program.
Are there FASE options included in this opportunity?
Yes. The RFA includes Food and Agricultural Science Enhancement (FASE) options, with specific eligibility and requirements described in the RFA section covering FASE.
What strengthening grant options are mentioned under FASE?
Within the FASE framework, the solicitation includes Strengthening Coordinated Agricultural Project and Strengthening Standard Grants. These are generally intended to build capacity and competitiveness for eligible applicants as defined in the relevant section of the RFA.
Can an ineligible organization still be involved in the project?
Yes. While only eligible entities may apply as primary applicants, award recipients are allowed to subcontract with organizations that are not themselves eligible to apply, as long as those partners are necessary to carry out the project.
Do proposals have to match certain priorities?
Yes. Applicants must align their proposals with the program area priorities specified in the RFA and follow the deadlines in the RFA.
What is NIFA’s rule on duplicate or overlapping proposals?
NIFA prohibits duplicate or substantially overlapping submissions within the same fiscal year. If an applicant submits multiple proposals that are duplicative or largely overlapping to NIFA programs in the same year, NIFA will disqualify both applications.
What guidance is provided for newer applicants?
NIFA directs newer applicants to consult its Grants Overview resources to better understand federal financial assistance requirements and the overall federal grants process, since administrative compliance and eligibility details can affect whether an application can be funded.
What should a strong SAS proposal generally demonstrate?
Based on the description, proposals are generally expected to show a clear systems approach, explain how the work will generate societal benefits, and describe how outcomes will be sustained or scaled in ways that matter to communities and stakeholders.
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