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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