Established in 1862, the Department of Agriculture serves all Americans through anti-hunger efforts, stewardship of nearly 200 million acres of national forest and rangelands, and through product safety and conservation efforts. The USDA opens markets for American farmers and ranchers and provides food for needy people around the world.
This program is designed to enhance teaching programs in extension programs in food and agricultural sciences that are located in the insular areas of the Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands, Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, or the Republic of Palau. Funds may be used that enhance programs in agriculture, natural resources, forestry, veterinary medicine, home economics, and disciplines closely allied to the food and agriculture production and delivery systems.
Uses and Use Restrictions
None.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
The Secretary of Agriculture shall ensure that each eligible institution, prior to receiving grant funds under subsection (a), shall have a significant demonstrable commitment to higher education programs in the food and agricultural sciences and to each specific subject area for which grant funds under this section are to be used.
(2) The Secretary of Agriculture may require that any grant awarded under this section contain provisions that require funds to be targeted to meet the needs identified in section 1402.
Beneficiary Eligibility
The Secretary of Agriculture shall ensure that each eligible institution, prior to receiving grant funds under subsection (a), shall have a significant demonstrable commitment to higher education programs in the food and agricultural sciences and to each specific subject area for which grant funds under this section are to be used. (2) The Secretary of Agriculture may require that any grant awarded under this section contain provisions that require funds to be targeted to meet the needs identified in section 1402.
Credentials/Documentation
This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-87.
Aplication and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
All proposal solicitations are published on the Agency's Web site.
This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No.
A-102 and E.O.
12372.
Application Procedures
Formal proposals are solicited and should be submitted to the Proposal Services Unit, Competitive Programs, CSREES, USDA, as outlined in the guidelines and/or requests for applications. Application procedures are contained in the guidelines or request for applications.
Award Procedures
Proposals are reviewed by a peer panel of qualified scientists and other appropriate persons who are specialists in the field covered by the proposal. Proposals are funded in order of merit to the extent permitted by available funds.
Deadlines
Specific deadline dates are announced in the request for applications or guidelines for each fiscal year.
Authorization
Section 1491 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002, Public Law 107-171, 7 U.S.C. 3363.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Notice of action taken on proposals will generally be within 90 days of final date of submission dateline.
Appeals
None.
Renewals
None.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
None.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
None.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
None.
Audits
Audits will be conducted in accordance with guidelines established in the revised OMB Circular No. A-133, "Audits of States, Local governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," and implemented in 7 CFR Part 3052, "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations."
Records
Grantees shall maintain separate records for each grant to ensure that funds are used for authorized purposes. Grant-related records must be retained at least three years; records must be retained beyond the three-year period if litigation is pending or audit findings have not been resolved.
Financial Information
Account Identification
12-1500-0-1-352.
Obigations
(Grants) FY 07 $468,748; FY 08 est $475,200; and FY 09 est not reported.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
None.
Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature
None.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
None.
Headquarters Office
Science and Education Resources Development (SERD) Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service (CSREES), Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-2250.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
None.
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