NIFA Announces up to $48.1 Million in Funding Available for Specialty Crop Research
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) released details on up to $48.1 million in available funding to support systems-based research and extension activities to accelerate science-based solutions and new technology for the specialty crop industry. The SCRI program has five focus areas including research in plant breeding, pest management, production efficiency, new innovations and technology, and food safety in production and processing. Grant categories include standard research and extension projects, coordinated agricultural projects, and research and extension planning projects. SCRI also encourages projects involving international partnerships. Applicants must clearly describe and demonstrate how international activities proposed in applications submitted to SCRI will contribute to advances in U.S. specialty crop industries.
SCRI pre-applications are due by 5:00 pm Eastern Time on November 15, 2016. For more information see the request for applications. Eligible applicants include federal agencies, national laboratories, colleges and universities, research institutions and organizations, private organizations or corporations, State Agricultural Experiment Stations, Cooperative Extension Services, individuals, or groups consisting of two or more of these entities. The anticipated $48.1 million in funding for 2017 projects is subject to passage of a federal appropriations act or continuing resolution for FY 2017.