Supplemental and Alternative Crops Competitive Grants Program | USDA NIFA OP 006246

Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NIFA OP 006246

The Supplemental and Alternative Crops Competitive (SACC) Grants Program is a discretionary grant opportunity administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). Its purpose is narrowly focused: accelerating the development of canola as a viable supplemental and alternative crop in the United States. In practical terms, the program is designed to help canola become a more widely grown, dependable option within U.S. cropping systems, supporting both diversification and expanded production where canola fits agronomically and economically.

The core program goal is to significantly increase canola production and/or acreage. To get there, NIFA is looking for projects that push forward the science and on-the-ground practices needed for successful adoption. Priority efforts include developing and testing superior germplasm (for example, improved varieties or breeding lines with better yield, quality, or resilience), refining methods of planting and cultivation (such as establishment practices, nutrient and pest management approaches, and region-specific agronomic recommendations), and improving harvesting methods to reduce losses and increase efficiency. A defining feature of this opportunity is the emphasis on moving results quickly into the hands of producers, meaning the research is expected to be applied, field-relevant, and structured to generate actionable recommendations rather than staying confined to experimental settings.

Extension, education, and communication are not optional add-ons under this program; they are required components that must be addressed in every proposal, and they must directly relate to the research being conducted. That expectation signals that NIFA wants projects to include a clear plan for transferring knowledge to growers and other stakeholders as soon as practicable. Typical approaches might include demonstration trials, field days, decision tools, fact sheets, webinars, training for crop advisors, and coordinated outreach through Cooperative Extension or similar channels. The underlying idea is that new germplasm and improved production practices only increase acreage if producers can access the information, trust it, and see how it performs under their conditions.

Eligibility to apply is restricted to specific organization types. Applications may be submitted only by colleges and universities as defined in Section 1404 of NARETPA (7 U.S.C. 3103), other federal agencies, and private sector entities. While only those entities can serve as applicants, awardees are allowed to subcontract work to organizations that are not themselves eligible to apply, as long as those partners are necessary to carry out the project. This structure allows for practical collaborations, such as working with producer groups, non-eligible research organizations, or specialized service providers, while keeping the prime award responsibility with an eligible institution.

The opportunity is listed under CFDA number 10.200 and is categorized as an agriculture funding activity, with grants as the funding instrument. The funding opportunity title is "Supplemental and Alternative Crops Competitive Grants Program" and the opportunity number is USDA NIFA OP 006246. The posting indicates an original application closing date of April 11, 2017, and a creation date of February 28, 2017. Details such as the award ceiling and expected number of awards are not provided in the source information shown. Finally, the notice underscores that eligibility is strictly enforced: failing to meet an eligibility requirement by the application deadline can lead to an application being excluded from consideration or prevent NIFA from making an award even if the application is reviewed.

• The National Institute of Food and Agriculture in the agriculture sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Supplemental and Alternative Crops Competitive Grants Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.200.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2017-02-28.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2017-04-11. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Eligible applicants include: Others.

Apply for USDA NIFA OP 006246

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