Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NIFA AFRI 006354
The Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) Food, Agriculture, Natural Resources and Human Sciences Education and Literacy Initiative (ELI) is a discretionary grant competition run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). For FY 2017, this opportunity is designed to strengthen the education and workforce pipeline connected to food and agriculture by investing in training, teaching capacity, and early-career research development across multiple education levels. The program sits within CFDA 10.310 and is issued as a grant funding instrument under the broader AFRI umbrella.
The core purpose of the ELI is to build national capacity in agriculture-related education and human sciences by supporting three main types of projects. First, it funds professional development opportunities for K-14 teachers and other education professionals, with the intent of improving instructional quality and expanding educators' ability to teach agriculture, food systems, natural resources, and related human science topics in effective, current, and engaging ways. Second, it supports the training of undergraduate students through experiences that connect them directly to research and extension, helping students gain practical skills, exposure to real-world problem solving, and familiarity with the land-grant style mission of translating knowledge into community impact. Third, it offers fellowship support for predoctoral and postdoctoral candidates, aiming to develop the next generation of scientists, educators, and extension professionals by providing structured opportunities for advanced training and professional growth.
Eligibility is not universal and depends on the type of project being proposed. The solicitation makes clear that only eligible entities can apply, and that eligibility requirements are linked to the specific project category. In other words, an organization that is eligible for one track of funding may not necessarily be eligible for another, so applicants are expected to match their proposal to the correct project type and confirm eligibility under the rules laid out in the Request for Applications (RFA). The RFA indicates that detailed descriptions of all project types and their associated requirements begin in Part II, Section C, which is the key reference point for determining the appropriate submission pathway.
Administratively, the opportunity is identified as Funding Opportunity Number USDA NIFA AFRI 006354 and was created on April 21, 2017, with an original application closing date of June 28, 2017. The listing notes that an award ceiling is expected, but the specific maximum amount is not provided in the excerpted source data, and the number of expected awards is also not specified in the provided fields. Overall, the program emphasizes education and training outcomes across the pipeline, from strengthening K-14 teaching and learning to building undergraduate research and extension experience and supporting advanced fellowships that help launch long-term careers in agriculture and related sciences.Apply for USDA NIFA AFRI 006354
- The National Institute of Food and Agriculture in the agriculture, education sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Agriculture and Food Research Initiative - Food, Agriculture, Natural Resources and Human Sciences Education and Literacy Initiative" 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 2017-04-21.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2017-06-28. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
AFRI Education and Literacy Initiative (ELI) Grant (FY 2017) - FAQs
What is the AFRI Education and Literacy Initiative (ELI)?
The Education and Literacy Initiative (ELI) is a discretionary grant competition under the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI), run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) through the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). For FY 2017, it focuses on strengthening education and the workforce pipeline tied to food and agriculture.
Who runs and administers this funding opportunity?
This opportunity is administered by USDA NIFA as part of the AFRI umbrella program.
What is the main purpose of this opportunity?
The core purpose is to build national capacity in agriculture-related education and human sciences by investing in training, teaching capacity, and early-career research development across multiple education levels.
What types of projects does ELI support?
ELI supports three main project types:
- Professional development opportunities for K-14 teachers and other education professionals
- Training experiences for undergraduate students that connect them directly to research and extension
- Fellowship support for predoctoral and postdoctoral candidates
What is meant by "K-14" in this program?
Based on the opportunity description, K-14 refers to the education levels spanning kindergarten through the first two years of postsecondary education (through grade 14). The program specifically highlights professional development for educators across these levels.
What is the focus of the K-14 professional development projects?
These projects are intended to improve instructional quality and expand educators' ability to teach agriculture, food systems, natural resources, and related human science topics in ways that are effective, current, and engaging.
What is the focus of the undergraduate training projects?
Undergraduate training projects are designed to connect students to research and extension experiences so they can gain practical skills, work on real-world problem solving, and become familiar with the land-grant-style mission of translating knowledge into community impact.
What kinds of fellowships are included in ELI?
ELI includes fellowship support for predoctoral and postdoctoral candidates, aimed at developing the next generation of scientists, educators, and extension professionals through structured opportunities for advanced training and professional growth.
Is every organization eligible to apply?
No. Eligibility is not universal and depends on the specific project type being proposed. The solicitation indicates that only eligible entities may apply, and the eligibility rules vary by project category.
Can an organization be eligible for one project type but not another?
Yes. The opportunity notes that an entity may be eligible for one track of funding but not necessarily eligible for another, so applicants need to match their proposal to the correct project type and confirm eligibility under the RFA.
Where are the detailed project-type and eligibility requirements described?
The Request for Applications (RFA) indicates that detailed descriptions of all project types and their associated requirements begin in Part II, Section C. This is identified as the key reference point for determining the appropriate submission pathway.
What is the CFDA number for this program?
This program sits within CFDA 10.310.
What is the funding instrument for this opportunity?
The opportunity is issued as a grant funding instrument under the broader AFRI umbrella.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number?
The Funding Opportunity Number is USDA NIFA AFRI 006354.
When was this funding opportunity created?
The listing indicates it was created on April 21, 2017.
What was the original application closing date?
The original application closing date listed is June 28, 2017.
What is the award ceiling (maximum award amount)?
The listing notes that an award ceiling is expected, but the specific maximum amount is not provided in the excerpted source data.
How many awards are expected to be made?
The number of expected awards is not specified in the provided fields from the excerpted source data.
What outcomes does this program emphasize?
The program emphasizes education and training outcomes across the pipeline, including strengthening K-14 teaching and learning, building undergraduate research and extension experience, and supporting advanced fellowships that help launch long-term careers in agriculture and related sciences.
What fields and topic areas are included in this initiative?
Based on the description, topic areas include agriculture, food systems, natural resources, and related human science topics, with an emphasis on education, training, and workforce development.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Agriculture, Education
Next opportunity: NINDS Renewal Awards of SBIR Phase II Grants (Phase IIB) for Pre-Clinical Research (R44)
Previous opportunity: DRL Global Support Program on Disability Inclusion Practices
Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for USDA NIFA AFRI 006354
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (USDA NIFA AFRI 006354) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Tribal Colleges Education Equity Grants Program Apply for USDA NIFA TCEG 006541 Funding Number: USDA NIFA TCEG 006541 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture, Education Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Inside Our Applicants Portal
Access Applicants Portal
- Grants Repository - Access current and historic funding opportunities with ease. Thousands of funding opportunities are published every week. We can help you sort through the database and find the eligible ones to apply for.
- Applicant Video Guides - The grant application process can be challenging to follow. We can help you with intuitive video guides to speed up the process and eliminate errors in submissions.
- Grant Proposal Wizard - We have developed a network of private funding organizations and investors across the United States. We can reach out and submit your proposal to these contacts to maximize your chances of getting the funding you need.
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Learn More
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "USDA NIFA AFRI 006354", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.