“How Do I Know When I Can Announce My NIFA Grant Award?”
A tip for grant principal investigators.
We are frequently asked this by grant awardees when the embargo is lifted on announcing a NIFA grant they recently received. The answer is: after your award announcement appears in the NIFA Update newsletter, which publishes every Wednesday, you are free to send out your own announcement.
To subscribe to NIFA Update, visit the NIFA website, scroll to the bottom, see “Stay Connected” and select “Sign Me Up.” Add your email address, and then select “NIFA Update” (and any other subscription topics of interest). You can also view NIFA Update archives to read past issues.
During the award phase of the grant process, NIFA panels review applications, then NIFA program staff send notices of funding decisions to all applicants and issue awards to those who are successful. The email award notification you receive from NIFA gives information on whom to contact should you have questions, and it specifies that NIFA needs to announce the award first before you send your own announcement. A NIFA national program leader will contact you to let you know when the announcement embargo for your grant has lifted. Be sure to coordinate with your university’s director of communications (if applicable) as they will also be notified with the award announcement and embargo lift date. Read more about the NIFA grants process.
Grants folder laying on a desk, courtesy of Adobe Stock.
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Hurricanes, Wildfires, Tornadoes, OH MY!
The increase in the intensity and frequency of extreme weather-related disasters across the country may have many of us wishing we could click our heels and go back to times when weather did not disrupt our agricultural, forestry and rangeland production systems as often as it does today. In addition to their devastating impacts on people and communities, disasters contribute to land degradation and adversely impact agricultural supply chains at the production, processing, distribution and consumption stages. In response to extreme temperatures, heavy downpours, droughts and blizzards, NIFA is introducing a new program to help communities protect the nation’s food supply.
Rapidly Responding to Extreme Weather Events graphic, courtesy of NIFA.
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National Volunteer Month Spotlight: Dr. Maurice Smith
April is recognized as National Volunteer Month and serves as a time to honor volunteers who are positively impacting their communities. The following is an interview with Dr. Maurice Smith, NIFA National Program Leader within the Division of Youth and 4-H, who shared his journey to 4-H through volunteerism.
Volunteering is Empathy in Action graphic, courtesy of NIFA.
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Master Gardener and Other Extension Efforts Boost Food Security
Millions of Americans face food insecurity. While overall food insecurity in the country stands at about 10.5 percent, households with children have a substantially higher rate of food insecurity — almost 15 percent — than those without children. Across the United States, Extension Master Gardener programs and other Extension efforts work to reduce food insecurity in their communities.
National Gardening Day graphic, courtesy of NIFA.
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NIFA Joins Other USDA Agencies to Establish, Expand Industrial Hemp in the U.S.
USDA is hard at work to help fill the various knowledge gaps connected to hemp. Through efforts at NIFA and at many other USDA agencies, researchers are gathering much needed data and making scientific discoveries to help restore hemp as a lucrative and viable business for producers across the country.
Making Headway in Hemp graphic, courtesy of NIFA.
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NIFA Career Opportunities
We are hiring! NIFA recruits a diverse group of talented, creative, motivated professionals who are invested in shaping the future of food and agricultural science. We offer a variety of benefits and services to our employees that focus on work-life balance, career enhancement, and health and well-being.
NIFA has career opportunities in a variety of scientific disciplines covering engineering, food science, forestry, education, animal and crop sciences, and many other agriculture-related disciplines. NIFA job openings are listed on USAJobs.gov. Current NIFA job openings are for Kansas City, Missouri, or a location negotiable after selection, unless otherwise noted below.
Supervisory Biological Science Specialist (G-15)
Closing Date: May 3 or when we have received 150 applications.
View the job announcement.
Career Opportunities graphic, courtesy of NIFA.
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U.S. Department of Agriculture Announces Key Staff Appointments
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced the names of individuals who will hold senior staff positions in Washington, D.C. Dr. Dionne Toombs will serve as Acting Director of NIFA. With over a decade of USDA service, Dr. Toombs has significantly contributed to USDA’s agricultural research, education and Extension services while serving in various leadership roles. Most recently, she was Director of the Office of the Chief Scientist (OCS).
Acting Director of NIFA Dr. Dionne Toombs.
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Biden-Harris Administration Launches Nationwide Network of Partners to Tap Resources for Rural America
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and White House Domestic Policy Advisor Susan Rice have announced a new whole-of-government effort led by USDA to transform the way federal agencies partner with rural places to create economic opportunity in rural America. The USDA-led Rural Partners Network is an all-of-government program that will help rural communities access government resources and funding to create jobs, build infrastructure and support long-term economic stability.
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Call for Comments: Preliminary Observations on Collaboration in the Land-grant System
You are invited to comment on the topic of “Collaboration in the Land-grant System.” USDA asked the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine to appoint a Blue Ribbon Panel to examine how collaboration among Land-grant Institutions can be more impactful in addressing the nation’s needs for a successful, sustainable food and agricultural system, and to recommend ways those institutions can better capture and share the collective outcomes of their collaborations. The panel has posted online 17 preliminary observations about the current state of collaboration, and is seeking feedback from stakeholders that it will use to inform the planning of a virtual workshop, and ultimately, a consensus report to USDA and Congress. You can find a link to the reference document containing the preliminary observations in the online comment form, which also contains a link to the project website with more information about the panel and a place to subscribe to project updates. Please send comments by Friday, May 6.
Call for Comments: Proposed Scientific Questions to Inform the Development of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025-2030
As the first step in the development process of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025-2030 (Dietary Guidelines), the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and USDA are releasing proposed scientific questions for public comment. The public comment period will be open for 30 days starting April 15 through May 16 at 11:59 PM EDT. HHS and USDA are committed to transparency and providing opportunities for public participation during this five-step process leading up to the release of the Dietary Guidelines in 2025.
Can Stress Make Plants More Nutritious, Reduce Salmonella and Extend Shelf-Life?
Most growers would never dream of intentionally stressing their crops, but researchers from the University of Maryland think a little bit of strategic neglect might do a lot of good. And they’ve just received nearly $600,000 from NIFA to find out for sure.
Shirley Micallef is investigating low-tech methods to improve food safety and health benefits, courtesy of University of Maryland’s Kimbra Cutlip.
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Greening Food Preservation Nourishes the Environment
As consumers seek fewer preservatives in packaged food — while the environment needs less plastic waste — Cornell scientists are finding ways to make active packaging materials with a biologically derived polymer that helps salad dressings, marinades and beverages last longer in the fridge.
Cornell doctoral student Ian Kay conducts research on biologically derived polymer for packaging to help food last longer, courtesy of Cornell University’s Ryan Young.
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Managing Soybean Diseases
Soybeans are affordable, protein-rich and used in many food products. See how Land-grant University scientists and Extension educators help soybean farmers manage diseases and ensure a safe, steady supply of soy foods.
Soybean graphic, courtesy of the Multistate Research Fund Impacts Program.
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April 21: Navigating the Landscape of Selected NIFA Funding Opportunities
National Program Leaders will discuss education and Extension-related funding opportunities. Faculty, staff, graduate students and other stakeholders interested in NIFA funding opportunities are encouraged to attend. This 90-minute webinar on April 21 at noon EDT is co-sponsored by the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities.
Webinar graphic, courtesy of NIFA.
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April 25: Live FAQ Session: Rapid Response to Extreme Weather Events Across Food and Agriculture Systems
NIFA’s Agriculture and Food Research Initiative - Rapid Response to Extreme Weather Events Across Food and Agricultural Systems program area priority rapidly identifies and implement strategies to protect the nation’s food and agricultural supply chains and the people who support them during and after extreme weather events. Join NIFA on April 25 at 3:30 p.m. EDT to learn more about this program area priority and meet our team during a live FAQ event.
April 25: Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program RFA Webinar (Part 1)
NIFA staff for the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP) will host the first of a two-part webinar for applicants interested in applying to the competitive program on April 25 at 3 p.m. EDT. The webinar will focus on the GusNIP Request for Applications, general program guidelines, GusNIP NTAE Center’s Nutrition Incentive Hub free one-on-one support, and the required core firm-level and participant-level metrics. Register for part one of the webinar online.
April 26: Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program RFA Webinar (Part 2)
NIFA staff for the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP) will host the second of a two-part webinar for applicants interested in applying to the competitive program on April 26 at 3 p.m. EDT. Register for part two of the webinar online.
April 26: Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program: Overview, Impacts and Opportunities
The April edition of NIFA’s Nutrition Security Webinar Series is an overview of the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive (GusNIP) Program, which provides funding opportunities to conduct and evaluate projects providing incentives to increase the purchase of fruits and vegetables by income-eligible consumers. GusNIP was designed to bring together stakeholders from various parts of the food and health care systems to help foster understanding to improve the health and nutrition status of participating individuals and households, facilitate growth in states and tribes with low participation, as well as collect and aggregate data to identify and improve best practices on a broad scale. The Gretchen Swanson Center for Nutrition, which oversees the evaluation of GusNIP as the lead of the Nutrition Incentive Program Training, Technical Assistance, Evaluation, and Information (NTAE) Center, will share promising nutrition and economic impacts from the first two years of the program. Both NIFA and NTAE panelists will highlight opportunities going forward and utilize breakout groups to answer questions. Register for this 90-minute webinar on April 26 at 3:30 p.m. EDT.
April 28: GusNIP Produce Prescription RFA Webinar
NIFA’s Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP) staff will host a webinar on April 28 at 3 p.m. EDT for applicants interested in applying to the GusNIP Produce Prescription competitive program. The webinar will focus on the FY 2022 GusNIP Produce Prescription Request for Applications, general program guidelines, GusNIP NTAE Center’s Nutrition Incentive Hub free one-on-one support, and the required core firm-level and participant-level metrics.
April 28: Listening Session: Bioproduct Pilot Program
NIFA invites the public to participate in a virtual listening session on April 28 at 4 p.m. EDT for the Bioproduct Pilot Program. This new program will invest $10 million to study the benefits of using materials derived from covered agricultural commodities in construction and consumer products. Visit the NIFA program page for more information about the program.
May 24-26: Making Climate-Smart Agriculture Work
The NIFA-funded Agricultural Model Intercomparison and Improvement Project will host a national conference May 24-26 on Making Climate-Smart Agriculture Work. The focus of the virtual conference is to share information and best practices regarding integrating science, modeling and economics to help farmers, ranchers and foresters mitigate and adapt to the challenges of climate change.
April 27: Closer to Zero: Impacts of Toxic Element Exposure and Nutrition in the Food System
USDA in partnership with the Food and Drug Administration will host a virtual public meeting: “Closer to Zero: Impacts of Toxic Element Exposure and Nutrition in the Food System,” April 27 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. EDT. USDA is convening this meeting of government officials, researchers, stakeholders, industry members and other interested parties to share and discuss USDA and industry activities supporting FDA’s Closer to Zero Initiative. The meeting will be hosted on Zoom and registration is required.
Closer to Zero graphic, courtesy of USDA.
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June: OneOp Presents an Online Learning Experience: “Family Well-Being: Navigating the Social Justice Landscape”
This June, take advantage of this multidisciplinary approach to a complex issue facing service providers working with military families. The 2022 Military Families Readiness Academy focuses on individuals’ understanding of social justice and equity, including their own understanding of privilege and oppression.
Sept. 7-9: Save the Date: National Conference on Next-Generation Sustainable Technologies for Small-Scale Producers
North Carolina A&T State University will host a National Conference on Next-Generation Sustainable Technologies for Small-Scale Producers Sept. 7-9 at its Alumni Foundation Event Center. For more information, contact Dr. Godfrey Uzochukwu.
Bangor Daily News/WGME: Maine Seafood Harvesters are Taking on an Unexpected New Hobby
Harvesting seafood for a living can exact a stiff toll on the lower back. A new program — a collaboration between yoga instructor and Port Clyde oyster farmer Antonia Small, Maine Coast Fishermen’s Association, and Maine AgrAbility — aims to introduce fishermen to yoga to keep them on their feet and out on the water. The program will create an online library of different yoga poses picked to combat the repetitive tasks of those who make their livelihoods on the ocean. The program’s first entry on the AgrAbility website went up last month and showed oyster farmer Dana Morse with his arms high in a “warrior one” — a particularly useful position for those who have to bend over and haul cages or traps.
Dana Morse performing standing warrior pose, courtesy of WGME.
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NIFA Invests $11M in Animal Nutrition, Growth and Lactation
NIFA has invested $11 million in 24 projects as part of the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) Animal Nutrition, Growth and Lactation Program, which promotes innovative work in cellular, molecular, genomic and whole-animal aspects of nutrition, growth and lactation. Program priorities focus on: nutrient utilization and efficiency, including influence and impact of the gastrointestinal microbiome, especially mitigation of enteric methane and other greenhouse gases; innovative approaches to feed formulation or use of novel alternative feedstuffs, especially those that may contribute to reducing emission of methane and other greenhouse gases; improving the quality and efficiency of producing meat, milk, eggs, fish and animal fiber; and metabolic disorders and nutritional deficiencies affecting production.
Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program -
Produce Prescription Program
 Image courtesy of Adobe Stock.
NIFA’s Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program - Produce Prescription Program focuses on projects that improve dietary health through increased consumption of fruits and vegetables; reduce individual and household food insecurity; and reduce healthcare use and associated costs. Proposal deadline: June 30. For more information, read the grant announcement.
Equipment Grants Program
 Image courtesy of Adobe Stock.
The Equipment Grant Program (EGP) serves to increase access to shared-use special purpose equipment/instruments for fundamental and applied research for use in the food and agricultural sciences programs at institutions of higher education, including State Cooperative Extension Systems. The program seeks to strengthen the quality and expand the scope of fundamental and applied research at eligible institutions, by providing them with opportunities to acquire one major piece of equipment/instruments that support their research, training and Extension goals and may be too costly and/or not appropriate for support through other NIFA grant programs. Proposal deadline: June 15. For more information, read the grant announcement.
Smith-Lever Special Needs Competitive Grants (SLSNCGP)
 Image courtesy of Adobe Stock.
Within the states and territories, the Cooperative Extension System has repeatedly served as the trusted community organization that has helped to enable families, communities and businesses to successfully prepare for, respond to and cope with disaster losses and critical incidents. Once a disaster has occurred, the local Extension outreach includes: communicating practical science-based risk information; developing relevant educational experiences and programs; working with individuals and communities to open new communication channels; and mitigating losses and facilitating recovery. NIFA intends to fund Special Needs projects to implement applied scientific programs that serve public needs in preparation for, during and after local or regional emergency situations. Proposal deadline: May 26. For more information, read the funding announcement.
Special Research Grants Program Aquaculture Research
 Image courtesy of Adobe Stock.
The purpose of the Aquaculture Research Program is to support the development of an environmentally and economically sustainable aquaculture industry in the U.S. and generate new science-based information and innovation to address industry constraints. Over the long term, results of projects supported by this program may help improve the profitability of the U.S. aquaculture industry, reduce the U.S. trade deficit, increase domestic food security, provide markets for U.S.-produced grain products, increase domestic aquaculture business investment opportunities, and provide more jobs for rural and coastal America. The Aquaculture Research program will fund projects that directly address major constraints to the U.S. aquaculture industry and focus on one or more of the following program priorities: genetics of commercial aquaculture species; critical disease issues impacting aquaculture species; design of environmentally and economically sustainable aquaculture production systems; and economic research for increasing aquaculture profitability. Proposal deadline: June 3. For more information, read the funding announcement.
Higher Education Challenge Grants Program
 Image courtesy of Adobe Stock.
Projects supported by the Higher Education Challenge Grants Program will: address a state, regional, national or international educational need; involve a creative or nontraditional approach toward addressing that need that can serve as a model to others; encourage and facilitate better working relationships in the university science and education community, as well as between universities and the private sector, to enhance program quality and supplement available resources; and result in benefits that will likely transcend the project duration and USDA support. Proposal deadline: June 6. For more information, read the grant announcement.
Alfalfa Seed and Alfalfa Forage System Program
 Image courtesy of Adobe Stock.
NIFA's Alfalfa Seed and Alfalfa Forage System Program (ASAFS) will support the development of improved alfalfa forage and seed production systems. Proposals submitted to ASAFS should address one or more of the following priorities: improving alfalfa forage and seed yield through better nutrient, water and/or pest management; improving persistence of alfalfa stands by lessening biotic or abiotic stresses; improving alfalfa forage and seed harvesting and storage systems to optimize economic returns; improving estimates of alfalfa forage quality as an animal feed to increase forage usage in animal feeds; and/or breeding to address biotic and abiotic stresses that impact forage yield and persistence and the production of seed for propagation. Proposal deadline: June 2. For more information, read the grant announcement.
Meet Michelle Colby, DVM, MS! Michelle serves as a national program leader for animal biosecurity in the Institute of Food Production and Sustainability.
"I am so happy to be back at NIFA and looking forward to the ability to invest in the development of tools for tomorrow’s problems today. I’ve spent the last two years witnessing firsthand the impact of a global pandemic on the food and agricultural supply chain, as well as the nation’s other 15 critical infrastructure sectors. Being able to drive solution-oriented programs — and ensuring the outcomes of those programs are communicated to the audiences where they will have the most impact — will be a welcome change of pace!"- Michelle.
Interested in joining NIFA’s team? Check out NIFA’s Career Opportunities page for current openings.
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