NIFA Accepting Pre-Applications for the FY2023 SCRI Program
The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) is requesting pre-applications for the Specialty Crop Research Initiative (SCRI) for fiscal year (FY) 2023. Approximately $80,000,000 will be available to solve critical United States specialty crop issues, priorities, or problems through the integration of research and extension activities that use systems-based, trans-disciplinary approaches.
What is the program’s purpose? The intent of the SCRI program is to solve the needs of the various specialty crop industries through the promotion of collaboration, open communication, the exchange of information, and the development of resources that accelerate application of scientific discovery and technology.
By doing so, NFIA will address the following five focus areas:
1. Research in improving crop characteristics
2. Efforts to identify and address threats from pests and diseases
3. Long term efforts to improve production efficiency, handling and processing, productivity, and profitability
4. New innovations and technology
5. Food safety hazard management for specialty crops
What are the anticipated funding amounts and duration? NIFA anticipates the range of awards to be between $50,000 and $10,000,000 over the course of up to four years.
Are matching funds required? The 2018 Farm Bill requires the recipient of an award from the SCRI program to provide funds, in-kind contributions, or a combination of both, from sources other than funds provided through such grant in an amount that is at least equal to the amount awarded by NIFA.
However, for fiscal years 2019 through 2022, NIFA has waived the matching requirement when provided the authority by Congress through language in the appropriations bill. This pre-application is being released prior to a FY2023 Appropriation Act. Should any statutory changes such as wavier authority be included in the FY 2023 Appropriations Act prior to award but after the full application RFA closes, NIFA will include those changes in the final grants package.
Who is eligible to apply? Pre-applications may only be submitted by Federal agencies, national laboratories, colleges and universities, research institutions and organizations, private organizations or corporations, State Agricultural Experiment Stations, individuals, or groups consisting of two or more of these entities.
When is the application deadline? The first pre-application stage must be submitted electronically through grants.gov by 5:00 PM Eastern Standard Time on January 12, 2023.
The Request for Application can be found here.
Morrison has extensive experience writing successful applications for clients for NIFA programs. For more information on this grant or how to apply with Morrison’s assistance, please contact the Morrison Grants Team by email at grants@morrisonco.net or call us at 530-893-4764.