New Era Rural Technology Competitive Grants Program

Category Explanation

Agriculture-based renewable energy offers many rural areas a means of strengthening their economy while helping meet the nation's energy demands. Many rural communities have struggled for decades with the loss of jobs and income from restructuring in the agricultural and manufacturing sectors. Rural community colleges and advanced technological centers promote access to educational programs and aid in workforce development that is vital to creating rural economies that are competitive in the global marketplace. With this RFA, NIFA announces the availability of funding and requests applications for the New Era Rural Technology Competitive Grants Program (RTP) for fiscal year (FY) 2010. RTP grants are for technology development, applied research, and/or training to develop an agriculture-based renewable energy workforce to serve rural communities. Awards will stimulate and enable community colleges and advanced technological centers located in rural areas (Note: see definitions of these terms in Part VIII, E. to ensure eligibility) to provide technology development, applied research, and/or training necessary to produce graduates capable of strengthening the Nation's technical, scientific and professional workforce in the fields of bioenergy, pulp and paper manufacturing, and agriculture-based renewable energy resources. The amount available for support of this program in FY 2010 is $850,000. This notice identifies the purpose and priorities for RTP projects, the eligibility criteria for projects and applicants, and the application forms and associated instructions needed to apply for a RTP grant. NIFA additionally requests stakeholder input from any interested party for use in the development of the next RFA for this program.

Applicants Eligible for this Grant

Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification)

Additional Information on Eligibility

Applications may be submitted by either: (1) public or private nonprofit community colleges, or (2) advanced technological centers, either of which must: a. be located in a rural area (see definition in Part VIII, E.); b. have been in existence as of June 18, 2008; c. participate in agricultural or bioenergy research and applied research; d. have a proven record of development and implementation of programs to meet the needs of students, educators, and business and industry to supply the agriculture-based, renewable energy or pulp and paper manufacturing fields with certified technicians, as determined by the Secretary; and e. have the ability to leverage existing partnerships and occupational outreach and training programs for secondary schools, 4-year institutions, and relevant nonprofit organizations. Applicant Eligibility Verification: To verify the applicant institution is located in a rural area and eligible to receive RTP funding, NIFA requires a signed statement from the Authorized Representative (AR) of the applicant institution that signifies compliance with the rural area definition in Part VIII. E. of the RFA. Please submit this verification on signed letterhead as an attachment in Field 11 of the Other Project Information Form. Failure to meet any eligibility criterion above by the time of an application deadline will preclude NIFA from reviewing the application and making an award. Applicant institutions/organizations must demonstrate capacity for and a significant ongoing commitment to, the teaching of agriscience or agribusiness generally, and to the specific need and/or discipline(s) for which this grants program supports. Award recipients may subcontract portions of the project to organizations not eligible to apply directly for funding, provided such organizations are necessary for the conduct of the project. In accordance with 7 CFR Part 3430, for community colleges, as defined in this RFA, applying as an Eligible Applicant, individual branches of a State university system or public system of higher education that are separately accredited by nationally recognized accrediting agencies or associations as degree granting institutions are treated as separate institutions, and are therefore eligible for RTP. Separate branches or campuses of a college not individually accredited as degree-granting institutions are not treated as separate institutions. See RFA for further and specific details.

Link to Full Grant Announcement

Information not provided

Grant Announcement Contact

NIFA Help Desk Phone: 202-401-5048 Business hours are M-F, 7:00 am -5:00 pm ET; excluding Federal holidays
For questions regarding this RFA. [[email protected]]

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