Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NIFA OP 008140
The Alfalfa Forage Research Program (AFRP) is a competitive grant opportunity run by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) under the Alfalfa Seed and Alfalfa Forage System Program (ASAFS). Its overall goal is to strengthen and modernize alfalfa forage and alfalfa seed production systems by funding research and development work that improves performance in the field and value in the marketplace. In practical terms, the program is looking for projects that can help producers grow more alfalfa, keep stands productive for longer, reduce losses from pests and environmental stress, and deliver better quality forage and seed from planting through harvest and storage. The funding mechanism is a discretionary grant, and the opportunity is listed under CFDA 10.330.
ASAFS proposals are expected to align with one or more of five priority areas. The first priority focuses on boosting forage and seed yield by improving management practices, especially around nutrients, water use, and pest control, which could include more efficient fertilization strategies, irrigation approaches, or integrated pest management tools. The second priority targets persistence of alfalfa stands by reducing both biotic stresses (like diseases, insects, and weeds) and abiotic stresses (such as drought, heat, cold, salinity, or other environmental pressures) that shorten stand life or reduce productivity. The third priority is centered on harvest and post-harvest systems, supporting improvements in how alfalfa forage and seed are harvested, handled, and stored so that quality is protected and economic returns are maximized. The fourth priority addresses forage quality measurement and estimation, with an emphasis on improving how alfalfa quality is evaluated as animal feed so that it can be used more effectively in animal rations and potentially adopted more broadly. The fifth priority supports breeding work aimed at overcoming the biotic and abiotic stresses that limit forage yield, stand persistence, and seed production for propagation, which can include developing improved germplasm or varieties with stronger resilience and performance.
Eligibility is broad but clearly defined. Applications can be submitted by state agricultural experiment stations; colleges and universities; university research foundations; other research institutions and organizations; federal agencies; national laboratories; private organizations, foundations, or corporations; and individual applicants who are U.S. citizens or nationals. Teams made up of two or more eligible entity types can also apply. While only eligible entities may submit proposals, award recipients are allowed to subcontract parts of the work to otherwise ineligible organizations if those partners are necessary to carry out the project. NIFA notes that missing an eligibility requirement by the deadline can lead to the application being removed from consideration or, even if reviewed, can prevent an award from being issued.
For this specific funding notice, the funding opportunity title is Alfalfa Forage Research Program (AFRP) and the opportunity number is USDA NIFA OP 008140. It was created on January 18, 2021, with an original closing date of April 16, 2021. The award ceiling is listed as $900,000, indicating the maximum size of an individual award under this announcement. The opportunity is categorized under agriculture and uses the grant funding instrument type.Apply for USDA NIFA OP 008140
- The National Institute of Food and Agriculture in the agriculture sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Alfalfa Forage Research Program (AFRP)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.330.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2021-01-18.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2021-04-16. (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 $900,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
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Alfalfa Forage Research Program (AFRP) Grant FAQs
What is the Alfalfa Forage Research Program (AFRP)?
The Alfalfa Forage Research Program (AFRP) is a competitive USDA grant opportunity run by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) under the Alfalfa Seed and Alfalfa Forage System Program (ASAFS). It funds research and development work intended to strengthen and modernize alfalfa forage and alfalfa seed production systems.
What is the overall goal of AFRP/ASAFS funding?
The overall goal is to improve alfalfa performance in the field and increase its value in the marketplace. The program is looking for projects that help producers grow more alfalfa, keep stands productive longer, reduce losses from pests and environmental stress, and improve forage and seed quality from planting through harvest and storage.
What kinds of projects is the program looking to fund?
Projects should address practical production and value-chain needs in alfalfa forage and/or alfalfa seed systems. Examples described in the notice include work that improves yield, stand persistence, pest and stress management, harvesting/handling/storage systems, forage quality evaluation, and breeding for improved resilience and performance.
What are the ASAFS priority areas that proposals are expected to align with?
Proposals are expected to align with one or more of five priority areas: (1) forage and seed yield improvements through better management (nutrients, water use, pest control); (2) stand persistence by reducing biotic and abiotic stresses; (3) harvest and post-harvest systems to protect quality and maximize returns; (4) forage quality measurement and estimation for more effective use in animal feed; and (5) breeding to overcome stresses limiting yield, persistence, and seed production, including development of improved germplasm or varieties.
What does Priority Area 1 (yield improvement) cover?
Priority Area 1 focuses on boosting forage and seed yield by improving management practices, particularly nutrient management, water use, and pest control. The notice highlights potential approaches such as more efficient fertilization strategies, irrigation approaches, and integrated pest management tools.
What does Priority Area 2 (stand persistence) cover?
Priority Area 2 targets longer-lasting, more productive alfalfa stands by reducing biotic stresses (such as diseases, insects, and weeds) and abiotic stresses (such as drought, heat, cold, salinity, and other environmental pressures) that can shorten stand life or reduce productivity.
What does Priority Area 3 (harvest and post-harvest systems) cover?
Priority Area 3 supports improvements in how alfalfa forage and seed are harvested, handled, and stored, with the purpose of protecting quality and maximizing economic returns.
What does Priority Area 4 (forage quality measurement and estimation) cover?
Priority Area 4 emphasizes improving how alfalfa forage quality is evaluated as animal feed so it can be used more effectively in animal rations and potentially adopted more broadly.
What does Priority Area 5 (breeding) cover?
Priority Area 5 supports breeding work intended to overcome biotic and abiotic stresses that limit forage yield, stand persistence, and seed production for propagation. This may include developing improved germplasm or varieties with stronger resilience and performance.
Who can apply for AFRP funding?
Eligibility includes state agricultural experiment stations; colleges and universities; university research foundations; other research institutions and organizations; federal agencies; national laboratories; private organizations, foundations, or corporations; and individual applicants who are U.S. citizens or nationals.
Can teams or collaborations apply?
Yes. Teams made up of two or more eligible entity types can apply.
Can an award recipient subcontract work to an organization that is not eligible to apply directly?
Yes. The notice states that award recipients may subcontract parts of the work to otherwise ineligible organizations if those partners are necessary to carry out the project.
How strict is the eligibility requirement?
NIFA notes that missing an eligibility requirement by the deadline can result in the application being removed from consideration or, even if reviewed, can prevent an award from being issued.
What is the funding mechanism and instrument type?
The funding mechanism is a discretionary grant, and the opportunity uses the grant funding instrument type.
What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?
The opportunity is listed under CFDA 10.330.
What is the official funding opportunity title?
The funding opportunity title is Alfalfa Forage Research Program (AFRP).
What is the opportunity number?
The opportunity number is USDA NIFA OP 008140.
When was this funding notice created?
The notice was created on January 18, 2021.
What was the original closing date listed for this notice?
The original closing date was April 16, 2021.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling is $900,000, which indicates the maximum size of an individual award under this announcement.
What category is this opportunity listed under?
The opportunity is categorized under agriculture.
Does the program focus only on forage, or does it include seed production too?
It includes both. The program aims to strengthen and modernize alfalfa forage and alfalfa seed production systems, including improvements that affect seed production and propagation.
What parts of the production system are in scope for proposed work?
Based on the notice description, the scope can cover the full pathway from planting through harvest and storage, including field performance, pest and stress losses, stand longevity, harvest/post-harvest handling, and measurement of forage quality for animal feed use.
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