+-------------+--------------------------------------------------------+
| ![](me      | **Program Solicitation**                               |
| dia/image1. |                                                        |
| png){width= | **Higher Education Challenge (HEC)**                   |
| "1.16666666 |                                                        |
| 66666667in" | **Grants Program**                                     |
| height="    |                                                        |
| 0.816666666 | **Fiscal Year 2008**                                   |
| 6666667in"} |                                                        |
|             | **Closing Date: February 1, 2008**                     |
|             |                                                        |
|             | **[HEC Program:]{.underline}**                         |
|             |                                                        |
|             | **Telephone: 202-720-1973**                            |
|             |                                                        |
|             | **Email:**                                             |
|             | [HEC@csrees.usda.gov](mailto:hec@csrees.usda.gov)      |
|             |                                                        |
|             | **Internet:**                                          |
|             |                                                        |
|             | www                                                    |
|             | .csrees.usda.gov/fo/educationchallengehigheredhep.html |
|             |                                                        |
|             | **Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number        |
|             | (CFDA)**                                               |
|             |                                                        |
|             | [10.217 Higher Education Challenge Grants]{.underline} |
|             |                                                        |
|             | **CSREES Funding Opportunity Number**                  |
|             |                                                        |
|             | USDA-CSREES-CGP-001075                                 |
+-------------+--------------------------------------------------------+
| **United    |                                                        |
| States      |                                                        |
| Department  |                                                        |
| of          |                                                        |
| Ag          |                                                        |
| riculture** |                                                        |
+-------------+--------------------------------------------------------+
| ![](me      |                                                        |
| dia/image2. |                                                        |
| png){width= |                                                        |
| "0.56875in" |                                                        |
| height="    |                                                        |
| 0.800694444 |                                                        |
| 4444445in"} |                                                        |
+-------------+--------------------------------------------------------+
| **          |                                                        |
| Cooperative |                                                        |
| State       |                                                        |
| Research,   |                                                        |
| Education,  |                                                        |
| and         |                                                        |
| Extension   |                                                        |
| Service**   |                                                        |
+-------------+--------------------------------------------------------+

\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\* PLEASE READ \*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*

## *IMPORTANT ITEMS FOR THE USDA-CSREES HEC* 

## *FISCAL YEAR (FY) 2008 PROGRAM SOLICITATION*

The Higher Education Challenge (HEC) Grants Program requires all
applications be submitted electronically through
[**Grants.gov**](http://www.grants.gov/). There are considerable online
resources to help potential applicants with the new electronic forms and
submission requirements.

If your institution is new to the electronic grant application process
through Grants.gov, you will be required to complete several steps prior
to submitting an application. [There is a one-time registration process.
It can take as much as one month to complete, so it is critical to begin
as soon as possible.]{.underline} "Get Registered" on the Grants.gov
left navigation bar
([**http://www.grants.gov/applicants/get_registered.jsp**](http://www.grants.gov/applicants/get_registered.jsp))
provides information on registering your institution with Grants.gov and
the steps necessary to apply for a grant. A quick reference guide
listing these steps is available as a 4-page PDF document at the
following website:
[**http://www.grants.gov/section910/Grants.govRegistrationBrochure.pdf**](http://www.grants.gov/section910/Grants.govRegistrationBrochure.pdf).

The Agency within USDA responsible for administering this grants program
is the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service
(CSREES). CSREES has also developed documentation to help navigate the
process. The central point for all information related to electronic
application submission is
[www.csrees.usda.gov/funding/electronic](http://www.csrees.usda.gov/funding/electronic).
This site is updated frequently and it should be checked often for
program-specific help concerning electronic submissions.

+---------------------------+------------------------------------------+
| **Helpful Submission      | **Website Address**                      |
| Information**             |                                          |
+---------------------------+------------------------------------------+
| Information pertaining to | > [www.cs                                |
| the transition to         | rees.usda.gov/funding/electronic](http:/ |
| electronic submission can | /www.csrees.usda.gov/funding/electronic) |
| be found at the CSREES    | >                                        |
| website.                  | > This page will be updated frequently   |
|                           | > and should be checked for              |
|                           | > program-specific help.                 |
+---------------------------+------------------------------------------+
| Applications for this     | To access the electronic application via |
| grant program should be   | Grants.gov, go to                        |
| submitted through the     | [                                        |
| Grants.gov website.       | www.grants.gov](http://www.grants.gov/), |
|                           | under the "Apply for Grants" heading on  |
|                           | the left side of page and click on       |
|                           | "Download a Grant Application Package."  |
|                           | Enter the CFDA number 10.217 in the      |
|                           | appropriate box to search by Catalog of  |
|                           | Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA)       |
|                           | number.                                  |
+---------------------------+------------------------------------------+
| The CSREES GRANTS.GOV     | Each applicant should use the CSREES     |
| Application Guide         | document titled, "A Guide for            |
| provides guidance for     | Preparation and Submission of CSREES     |
| completing the forms      | Applications via Grants.gov" also known  |
| required by Grants.gov    | as the "CSREES Application Guide," that  |
| and CSREES. Used in       | is part of this RFA package located at   |
| conjunction with this RFA | [**Grants.                               |
| for the HEC grants        | gov**](http://www.csrees.usda.gov/fundin |
| program, this guide will  | g/grant_forms/electronic_app_guide.pdf). |
| assist applicants with    | This document provides guidance for      |
| most field-specific       | completing the required forms at         |
| questions.                | Grants.gov.                              |
|                           |                                          |
|                           | **Applicants should also reference the   |
|                           | RFA for additional guidance not found in |
|                           | the application guide.**                 |
+---------------------------+------------------------------------------+

-   Applications must be received at
    [**Grants.gov**](http://www.grants.gov/) by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time,
    on February 1, 2008. Plan ahead. Do not wait until the last minute
    to submit your application.

-   Applicants who have problems with their submissions to Grants.gov
    are encouraged [first]{.underline} to call the Grants.gov help desk
    to resolve any problems. Keep a record of any such correspondence.

For any questions related to preparing application content, contact:

Email: <electronic@csrees.usda.gov>

Phone: 202-401-5048, Business hours are M-F, 7:00 a.m. -- 5:00 p.m. ET,
excluding Federal holidays.

For any questions related to Grants.gov content, contact:

Email: <support@grants.gov>

Toll Free: 1-800-518-4726, Business hours are M-F, 7:00 a.m. -- 9:00
p.m. ET, excluding Federal holidays.

Part IV of this RFA provides additional information specific to the HEC
program application submission. Applicants are advised to refer to this
section to determine if specific information is required during the
submission of the forms on Grants.gov. If directed by this RFA to
provide information that is different from the CSREES Application Guide,
the information in this RFA supersedes in all cases.

**Note the attachment requirements (e.g., portable document format) in
Part III section 3. of the Guide. [Any proposals containing non-PDF
documents will be returned unread.]{.underline} Partial applications
will be returned unread. With documented prior approval, resubmitted
applications will be accepted until close of business on the closing
date in the RFA.**

If you do not own PDF-generating software, Grants.gov provides online
tools to assist applicants. Users will find a link to "Convert Documents
to PDF" on (<http://grants.gov/assets/PDFConversion.pdf>).

Applications for this grants program should include the following
**Contents of a CSREES-HEC Application Submitted via Grants.gov:**

+-------------------+------------+--------------------+--------------+
| **Document        | **         | **Instruction      | **Additional |
| Title**           | Required** | Source**           | Instructions |
|                   |            |                    | within this  |
|                   |            |                    | RFA**        |
+-------------------+------------+--------------------+--------------+
| SF 424 (R&R)      |            | CSREES Grants.gov  | HEC RFA      |
| Cover Sheet       |            | Application Guide  |              |
|                   |            | p. 17              | Part IV.     |
|                   |            |                    | B.1., p.14   |
+-------------------+------------+--------------------+--------------+
| SF 424 (R&R)      |            | CSREES Grants.gov  | HEC RFA      |
| Other Project     |            | Application Guide  |              |
| Information       |            | p. 24              | Part IV.     |
|                   |            |                    | B.2., p.14   |
+-------------------+------------+--------------------+--------------+
| SF 424 (R&R)      |            | CSREES Grants.gov  | HEC RFA      |
| Senior/Key Person |            | Application Guide  |              |
| (Expanded)        |            | p. 29              | Part IV.     |
|                   |            |                    | B.3., p.18   |
+-------------------+------------+--------------------+--------------+
| SF 424 (R&R)      |            | CSREES Grants.gov  | HEC RFA      |
| Personal Data     |            | Application Guide  |              |
|                   |            | p. 34              | Part IV.     |
|                   |            |                    | B.4., p.18   |
+-------------------+------------+--------------------+--------------+
| SF 424 (R&R)      |            | CSREES Grants.gov  | HEC RFA      |
| Budget Fed and    |            | Application Guide  |              |
| Non-Fed           |            | p. 36              | Part IV.     |
|                   |            |                    | B.5., p.18   |
+-------------------+------------+--------------------+--------------+
| SF 424 (R&R)      | Only if    | CSREES Grants.gov  | HEC RFA      |
| Subaward Budget   | submitting | Application Guide  |              |
| Attachment        | a Joint    | p. 43              | Part IV.     |
|                   | Project    |                    | B.6., p.20   |
|                   | Proposal   | (Follow attachment |              |
|                   |            | guidelines)        |              |
+-------------------+------------+--------------------+--------------+
| Supplemental      |            | CSREES Grants.gov  | HEC RFA      |
| Information       |            | Application Guide  |              |
|                   |            | p. 45              | Part IV.     |
|                   |            |                    | B.7., p.20   |
+-------------------+------------+--------------------+--------------+

**COOPERATIVE STATE RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND EXTENSION SERVICE; U.S.
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE**

**HIGHER EDUCATION CHALLENGE GRANTS PROGRAM (HEC)**

**INITIAL ANNOUNCEMENT**

**CATALOG OF FEDERAL DOMESTIC ASSISTANCE:** This program is listed in
the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance under 10.217, Higher
Education Challenge Grants.

**DATES:** Applications must be received by close of business (COB) on
February 1, 2008 (5:00 p.m. Eastern Time). Applications received after
this deadline will normally not be considered for funding. Comments
regarding this request for applications (RFA) are requested within six
months from the issuance of this notice. Comments received after that
date will be considered to the extent practicable.

**STAKEHOLDER INPUT:** The Cooperative State Research, Education, and
Extension Service (CSREES) is requesting comments regarding this RFA
from any interested party. These comments will be considered in the
development of the next RFA for the program, if applicable, and will be
used to meet the requirements of section 103(c)(2) of the Agricultural
Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C.
7613(c)(2)). This section requires the Secretary to solicit and consider
input on a current RFA from persons who conduct or use agricultural
research, education and extension for use in formulating future RFA's
for competitive programs. Written stakeholder comments on this RFA
should be submitted in accordance with the deadline set forth in the
DATES portion of this Notice.

Written stakeholder comments should be submitted by mail to: Policy,
Oversight, and Funds Management Branch; Office of Extramural Programs;
Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service; USDA; STOP
2299; 1400 Independence Avenue, SW; Washington, DC 20250-2299; or via
e-mail to: [RFP-<OEP@csrees.usda.gov>]{.underline}. (This e-mail address
is intended only for receiving comments regarding this RFA and not
requesting information or forms.) In your comments, please state that
you are responding to the Higher Education Challenge Grants Program RFA.

**EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:** CSREES requests applications for the Higher
Education Challenge Grants Program (HEC) for fiscal year (FY) 2008 to
stimulate and enable colleges and universities to provide the quality of
education necessary to produce baccalaureate or higher degree level
graduates capable of strengthening the Nation's food and agricultural
scientific and professional workforce. The amount available for support
of this program in FY 2008 is approximately \$5.2 million.

This notice identifies the objectives for HEC projects, the eligibility
criteria for projects and applicants, and the application forms and
associated instructions needed to apply for a HEC grant. CSREES
additionally requests stakeholder input from any interested party for
use in the development of the next RFA for this program.

**Table of Contents**

**PART I-FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION**\
A. [Legislative Authority and Background 6](#legislative)\
B. [Purpose and Priorities 6](#purpose)

C. [Program Area Description 7](#program)

**PART II-AWARD INFORMATION**\
A. [Available Funding 11](#available)\
B. [Types of Applications 11](#types)\
C. [Project Types 11](#project)\
\
**PART III-ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION**\
A. [Eligible Applicants 12](#eligible)\
B. [Cost Sharing or Matching 12](#costsharing)

**PART IV-APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION**\
A. [Address to Request Application Package 13](#address)\
B. [Content and Form of Application Submission 13](#content)\
C. [Submission Dates and Times 22](#submission)\
D. [Funding Restrictions 23](#funding)\
E. [Other Submission Requirements 23](#other)

**PART V**---**APPLICATION REVIEW REQUIREMENTS**\
A. [General 24](#general)\
B. [Evaluation Criteria 24](#evaluation)\
C. [Conflicts of Interest and Confidentiality 25](#conflict)

D. [Organizational Management Information 25](#organizational)

**PART VI**---**AWARD ADMINISTRATION**\
A. [General 26](#general1)\
B. [Award Notice 26](#award)\
C. [Administrative and National Policy Requirements
27](#administrative)\
D. [Expected Program Outputs and Reporting Requirements 28](#expected)

**PART VII-**[AGENCY CONTACT 30](#agency)

**PART VIII-OTHER INFORMATION**\
A. [Access to Review Information 31](#access)\
B. [Use of Funds; Changes 31](#use)\
C. [Confidential Aspects of Applications and Awards 32](#confidential)\
D. [Regulatory Information 32](#regulatory)\
E. [Definitions 32](#definitions)

PART I-FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

[]{#legislative .anchor}

**A. Legislative Authority and Background**

Section 1405 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and
Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (NARETPA), as amended, (7 U.S.C. 3121)
designates the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) as the lead Federal
agency for agriculture research, extension and teaching in the food and
agricultural sciences. Authority for this program is contained in
section 1417(b)(1) of NARETPA (7 U.S.C. 3152(b)(1)). Section 1417 of
NARETPA authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture, who has delegated the
authority to the Administrator of CSREES, to make competitive grants to
strengthen institutional capacities to respond to identified State,
regional, national or international educational needs to formulate and
administer programs to enhance college and university teaching in
agriculture, natural resources, forestry, veterinary medicine, human and
family and consumer sciences, disciplines closely allied to the food and
agricultural system, and rural economic, community and business
development.

[]{#purpose .anchor}**B. Purpose and Priorities**

CSREES administers grants for high priority research, education and
extension, awarded on the basis of competition among projects sponsored
by eligible institutions throughout the United States, to further the
mission of the Department of Agriculture as the lead Federal agency for
food and agricultural sciences education. The Higher Education Challenge
(HEC) Grants Program advances this mission by strengthening and
enhancing the Nation's higher education teaching and training programs
in the food and agricultural sciences, and by assuring the production of
sufficient numbers and quality of graduates to meet the national needs
for scientific and professional expertise.

The HEC grants program encourages innovative teaching enhancement
projects with the potential for regional or national impact to serve as
models for other institutions. While research and extension activities
may be included in a funded HEC project, the primary focus must be to
improve teaching within a degree-granting program.

By enhancing teaching, the HEC Program seeks to attain the following two
Program Goals:

[]{.mark}

-   to increase the number of graduates with a baccalaureate (or higher)
    degree in the food and agricultural sciences, and

-   to increase the quality of postsecondary instruction within these
    disciplines.

> To achieve these Goals, [your application must address all five of the
> following items]{.underline} within specified sections of the 'SF 424
> (R&R) Other Project Information' Form (Part IV, B.2.):

1.  Address one of the [Degree Levels]{.underline} (Part I, C.1.);
    [and]{.underline}

2.  Focus upon one of the [Priority Need Areas]{.underline} (Part I,
    C.2.); [and]{.underline}

3.  Identify and describe at least one of the [Educational
    Strategies]{.underline} (Part I, C.3.); [and]{.underline}

4.  Include the two HEC Program Goals (above) in the project's
    [Evaluation Plan]{.underline} (Part I, C.4.), [and]{.underline}

5.  Document how project accomplishments (products, results and impacts,
    etc.) will be published or otherwise disseminated to the broadest
    extent throughout the academic community (Part I, C.5.,
    [Dissemination Plan]{.underline}).

**C.** []{#program .anchor} **Program Area Description**

1.  **Degree Levels**

> Your project must be a component of for-credit, academic coursework
> within one of the following **Degree Levels**:

(a) **Baccalaureate degree-level** teaching enhancement projects in the
    food and agricultural sciences;

(b) **Masters degree-level** teaching enhancement projects only in
    multidisciplinary or interdisciplinary studies; or

(c) **First professional degree-level** teaching enhancement projects in
    **veterinary medicine (DVM)**.

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2.  **Priority Need Areas**

> Priority Need Areas are current, national issues derived from selected
> CSREES Strategic Goals and Objectives found in the *CSREES Strategic
> Plan 2007-2012* document
> (<http://www.csrees.usda.gov/about/strat_plan.html>).
>
> Your project must also ensure graduates will obtain the knowledge and
> skills needed to address one of the following, critical HEC Program
> **Priority Need Areas**:

(a) globalizing agricultural business, markets and trade (CSREES
    Strategic Objective 1.2)

(b) developing new, bio-based products and technologies (CSREES
    Strategic Objective 2.1)

(c) protecting agroecosystem animal or plant health, including improved
    biosecurity or genomics (CSREES Strategic Objectives 2.2 & 4.2)

(d) promoting human sciences that address rural youth, individual, and
    family well-being in a community context (CSREES Strategic
    Objectives 3.1 & 3.2)

(e) increasing food safety and food defense; protecting America's food
    supply (CSREES Strategic Objective 4.1)

(f) supporting healthy food choices and lifestyles, and obesity
    prevention (CSREES Strategic Objectives 5.1 & 5.2)

(g) sustaining forest and rangeland health and protection including
    improved soil, air, and water quality (CSREES Strategic Objectives
    6.3 & 6.4)

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```
3.  **Educational Strategies**

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```
(a) In addition, your project must use one of the **Educational
    Strategies** (1-5) identified below to address your selected
    Priority Need Area.

> Your Strategy should have a positive impact on large numbers of
> students and achieve cost effective economies of scale in meeting the
> two HEC Program Goals. It should also have broad-based applicability
> beyond a single course, an individual instructor, or department.
>
> Where appropriate, your Strategy should promote partnerships among
> several colleges and/or universities (e.g., 'centers of excellence')
> to more efficiently deliver coordinated, academic instruction that
> reduces instructional duplication and costs. Such projects may include
> regional or interstate curriculum development, faculty sharing, cross
> enrollments, joint degrees (e.g., DVM/MPH), or similar,
> closely-related academic activities culminating in
> inter-institutional, academic program delivery, and/or
> multi-disciplinary approach to education.

(1) **[Curricula Design and Materials Development]{.underline}**

> This Strategy promotes developing new (or adapting existing) curricula
> and related materials to meet changes anticipated within the domestic
> or international food and agricultural sciences system.
>
> Projects addressing this Strategy must be innovative and improve the
> quality of instruction. Projects should update disciplinary content;
> develop students' analytical, interpersonal, leadership,
> communications, problem-solving, computational, and decision-making
> skills and abilities; and should move away from fragmented,
> discipline-specific, lecture-oriented instruction and toward
> integrated, multidisciplinary, learner-centered instruction.
> Applicants are expected to demonstrate how the project will reach
> large audiences efficiently and effectively; provide hands-on learning
> experiences; extend learning beyond the classroom; reinforce recent
> research on how to motivate students to learn, retain, apply, and
> transfer knowledge, skills, and competencies; and integrate and
> synthesize knowledge from several disciplines.

(2) **[Faculty Preparation and Enhancement for Teaching]{.underline}**

> This Strategy prepares academic leadership for sustainable change to
> address: emerging student clientele (demographic composition and
> learning styles), improving teaching competency (subject matter
> expertise and pedagogy), or developing student recruitment and
> advising skills to increase the number of graduates with a
> baccalaureate (or higher) degree in the food and agricultural sciences
> (e.g., increasing faculty knowledge about domestic and international
> career opportunities, and increasing their understanding of
> underrepresented populations and cultures).
>
> Projects addressing this Strategy must enable teaching faculty to help
> students attain their career goals and to better address workplace
> needs. Activities may include helping faculty gain experience with
> recent developments or innovative technology relevant to their
> teaching responsibilities; work under the guidance and direction of
> experts who have substantial expertise in an area related to project
> goals; work with scientists or professionals in government, industry,
> or other colleges or universities to learn new applications in a
> field; expand competence with new methods of information delivery; or
> increase understanding of the special needs of non-traditional
> students or students from groups that are underrepresented in the food
> and agricultural sciences workforce. See Note (c) after paragraph (5)
> below.

(3) **[Instruction Delivery Systems]{.underline}**

> This Strategy encourages the development and use of alternative
> methods of delivering instruction to help increase the number of
> graduates with a baccalaureate (or higher) degree in the food and
> agricultural sciences; and to enhance the quality, effectiveness, and
> cost efficiency of teaching programs. Multi-institutional, regional,
> national or international collaborations are encouraged.
>
> Projects addressing this Strategy must demonstrate increases in
> instructional quality, reductions in duplication of educational
> resources, or decreases in instructional expenses. Examples may
> include multi-institutional or interstate approaches to curriculum
> development, faculty sharing, cross enrollments, joint degrees,
> regionalization of academic programs, regional and national workshops
> and symposia, and similar methodologies.

(4) **[Student Experiential Learning]{.underline}**

> This Strategy encourages the development of new student learning
> opportunities to help students meet their career goals and to help
> address workplace needs either domestic or international. Approaches
> may include experiences where students are placed in team-oriented,
> problem-solving, decision-making situations in the context of
> real-world situations. Experiential learning in laboratory research or
> field-based internships is also encouraged, but should be within
> fields of science with demonstrated shortages of scientific and
> professional personnel.
>
> Projects addressing this Strategy must: (1) demonstrate how the
> experience will help meet students' career goals or produce
> 'society-ready' graduates, (2) contain an evaluation
> process---involving both the faculty and/or employer or mentor---to
> assure that students meet project objectives, and (3) document that
> the field of science under consideration is experiencing a shortage of
> scientific and professional personnel, and how the project plans to
> address this deficiency.
>
> Funds may be requested for materials/supplies to facilitate a
> student's broad exposure to research/field techniques and
> methodologies, reasonable travel expenses and per diem related to
> student educational experiences (e.g., field trips, data collection,
> and scientific meetings), and support for students (stipends) while
> working in domestic or international research/field settings
> (including paid internships and practica) directly supporting this
> funded project.
>
> Requested funds are expected to primarily support stipends for
> students while they are working in research/field settings. Grant
> funds may not be used for tuition, room and board, fees, or student
> financial assistance (scholarships, fellowships, etc.). See Notes (b)
> and (c) after paragraph (5) below.

(5) **[Student Recruitment and Retention]{.underline}**

> This Strategy seeks to increase the number of graduates with a
> baccalaureate (or higher) degree in the food and agricultural
> sciences, through the development of [new and innovative]{.underline}
> counseling, marketing, career information, and other projects that:
> (a) increase student enrollment in disciplines with documented,
> critical workforce shortages; (b) target non-traditional students and
> students from groups that are underrepresented in the food and
> agricultural sciences workforce; or (c) support the development of new
> student retention programs focusing on the academic, social, or
> cultural needs of freshmen, transfer, or other at-risk students.
>
> Projects addressing this Strategy must demonstrate how proposed
> activities will provide more efficient and effective strategies than
> existing institutional programs, to increase both the quality and
> quantity of targeted students.
>
> Project funds may be used to hire peer counselors or mentors assisting
> with these recruitment/retention activities. Project funds ***may
> not*** be used to provide entering students with scholarships,
> fellowships, or other forms of financial assistance. See Notes (b) and
> (c) below.
>
> \(b\) Note: CSREES has determined that grant funds awarded under this
> authority to address any Strategy above ***may not*** be used for
> student tuition remission, room and board, fees or other financial
> assistance (scholarships, fellowships, etc.). Also, funds ***may
> not*** be used for the renovation or refurbishment of research,
> education, or extension space; the purchase or installation of fixed
> equipment in such space; or to plan, repair, rehabilitate acquire, or
> construct buildings or facilities (i.e., greenhouses, laboratories, or
> other structures). Promotional items (e.g., T-shirts and other
> give-a-ways) and food functions (e.g., cookouts or other social meal
> gatherings) are considered 'entertainment' expenses, and are also
> ***not allowed*** under this grants program. [Federal Cost Principles
> governing this grant program state that items not eligible for Federal
> funding may also not be used as an applicant's contribution toward
> meeting matching requirements]{.underline}.
>
> \(c\) Note: A teacher or student recipient (eligible participant)
> receiving Federal funds via any Strategy above must be a citizen or
> national of the United States, as defined in this RFA. Where
> eligibility is claimed under 8 U.S.C. 1101(a) (22), documentary
> evidence from the Immigration and Naturalization Service as to such
> eligibility must be made available to CSREES upon request.

4.  **Evaluation Plan**

> In addition to measuring progress toward achieving the specific
> objectives of your funded project, your Evaluation Plan (see Part IV,
> B.2. Field 7.2.e.) must also include a strategy for assessing how your
> project advances the two HEC Program Goals (Part I, B.). The
> following, suggested evaluation strategies are derived from the
> Department of Education's *Report of the Academic Competitiveness
> Council,* *May 2007*, Federal STEM Education, Undergraduate National
> Goals and Metrics recommendations.
>
> To demonstrate progress toward increasing the number of graduates, the
> following metric is suggested: first provide baseline data for the
> year preceding the grant award showing the number and/or percentage of
> students who declare and/or complete a major program of study in the
> food and agricultural sciences within your unit; Second, provide
> similar data for the final year of the grant and include an assessment
> of the impact of your project on changes from the baseline data.
>
> To demonstrate progress toward increasing the quality of instruction,
> the following metric is suggested: first provide baseline data for the
> year preceding the grant award showing the current number and/or
> percentage of graduates who either graduate and pursue a vocation in
> the food and agricultural sciences, or who pursue advanced degrees
> within the food and agricultural sciences; Second, provide similar
> data for the final year of the grant and include an assessment of the
> impact of your project on changes from the baseline data.
>
> For quantitative, baseline, student enrollment, degrees granted and
> employment data to make comparisons in meeting HEC Program Goals,
> applicants should reference the Food and Agricultural Education
> Information System (FAEIS) resource at: <http://faeis.ahnrit.vt.edu/>;
> the publication: *Employment Opportunities for College Graduates in
> the U.S. Food, Agricultural, and Natural Resources System 2005-2010*
> at: <http://faeis.ahnrit.vt.edu/supplydemand/2005-2010/>, or other,
> similar source(s).

5.  **Dissemination Plan**

> Include in the project's [Dissemination Plan]{.underline} (see Part
> IV, B.2. Field 7.[2]{.underline}.[f.]{.underline}), a description of
> how the applicant plans to communicate project accomplishments
> (products, results and impacts, etc.) to the broadest extent
> throughout the academic community. This may include educational
> journals or other professional discipline publications, and
> presentations at regional or national conferences and workshops,
> including the HEC Project Director's Conference (see Part VI, D.1.).

**PART II-AWARD INFORMATION**

[]{#available .anchor}**A. Available Funding**

CSREES anticipates approximately \$5.2 million will be available to fund
applications in FY 2008, and has no commitment to fund any particular
application or to make a specific number of awards.

[]{#types .anchor}**B. Types of Applications**

For this grants program, applications may only be submitted as one of
the following types of requests:

**(1) [New application]{.underline}**. This is a project application
that has not been previously submitted to the HEC Program. All new
applications will be reviewed competitively using the selection process
and evaluation criteria described in Part V---Application Review
Requirements.

**(2) [Resubmission application]{.underline}**. This is an application
that had previously been submitted to the HEC Program but not funded.
Applicants must respond to the previous review panel summary (use SF 424
(R&R) Other Project Information, Field 7 on the Form). Resubmitted
applications must be received by the relevant due dates, will be
evaluated in competition with other pending applications in appropriate
area to which they are assigned, and will be reviewed according to the
same evaluation criteria as new applications.

[]{#project .anchor}**C. Project Types**

There is no limit on the number of applications that may be submitted.
However, successful applicant institutions will only be awarded a
maximum of three (3) grants per year under this program.

Project periods may range from twenty-four (24) to thirty-six (36)
months. Projects should conclude no sooner than twenty-four (24) months
after the award date to allow sufficient time to evaluate the results
and report the impacts.

A grant recipient is required to match the Federal funds awarded on a
dollar-for-dollar basis from non-Federal sources. See Part IV, B.5. SF
424 (R&R) Budget Fed and Non-Fed, Field K-Budget Justification, for
details.

Applicants may submit either:

1.  **Regular Project Proposal (Single Institution)**

Applicants may request up to \$150,000 (total, not per year) for a
Regular Project Proposal. In a Regular Project Proposal, the applicant
executes the project without the requirement of sharing grant funds with
other project partners.

2.  **Joint Project Proposal (Applicant + Two or more Partners)**

Applicants may request up to \$500,000 (total, not per year) for a Joint
Project Proposal. In a Joint Project Proposal, the applicant executes
the project with assistance from at least two additional partners. The
additional partners must share grant funds (see explanation of required
funds distribution percentage among partners in the definition of a
Joint Project Proposal in Part VIII, E.).

Note: Joint Projects must include both the SF 424 (R&R) Budget Fed and
Non-Fed and the SF 424 (R&R) Subaward Budget Attachment Forms. The forms
should clearly identify the total grant funding anticipated for the
applicant and each partner to demonstrate the required sharing
percentage. All expenditures for the applicant and all partners should
be further itemized in the Budget Justification. Funds **do not** have
to be divided equally among project years.

**PART III-ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION**

[]{#eligible .anchor}**A. Eligible Applicants**

Applications may be submitted by: (a) U.S. public or private nonprofit
colleges and universities offering a baccalaureate or first professional
degree in at least one discipline or area of the food and agricultural
sciences; (b) land-grant colleges and universities, (including land
grant institutions in the Insular Areas); (c) colleges and universities
having significant minority enrollments and a demonstrable capacity to
carry out the teaching of food and agricultural sciences; and (d) other
colleges and universities having a demonstrable capacity to carry out
the teaching of food and agricultural sciences. A college or university
must meet the definition of an Eligible Institution as stated in this
RFA (see Definitions, Part VIII, E.). An applicant's failure to meet an
eligibility criterion by the time of an application deadline will result
in CSREES returning the application without review or, even though an
application may be reviewed, will preclude CSREES from making an award.

Award recipients may subcontract to organizations not eligible to apply,
provided such organizations are necessary for the conduct of the
project.

For the purposes of this program, the individual branches of a State
university or other system of higher education that are separately
accredited as degree-granting institutions are treated as separate
institutions, and are therefore eligible for HEC Grants Program awards.
Separate branches or campuses of a college or university that are not
individually accredited as degree-granting institutions are not treated
as separate institutions. An institution eligible to receive an award
under this program includes a research foundation maintained by an
eligible college or university. Accreditation must be by an agency or
association recognized by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of
Education.

Eligible institutions must demonstrate capacity for, and a significant
ongoing commitment to, the teaching of food and agricultural sciences
generally, and to the specific need and/or discipline(s) for which a
grant is requested.

A teacher or student recipient (eligible participant) receiving Federal
funds above must be a citizen or national of the United States, as
defined in this RFA. (See Part VIII, Definitions.) Where eligibility is
claimed under 8 U.S.C. 1101(a) (22), documentary evidence from the
Immigration and Naturalization Service as to such eligibility must be
made available to CSREES upon request.

[]{#costsharing .anchor}

**B. Cost Sharing or Matching**

A grant recipient is required to match the USDA funds awarded on a
dollar-for-dollar basis from non-Federal sources. Matching funds are not
required to come in any particular amount from any one source. However,
all matching funds pledged in this application must be accompanied by
documentation. See Part IV, B.5. SF 424 (R&R) Budget Fed and Non-Fed,
Field K-Budget Justification, for additional details.

**PART IV-APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION**

[]{#address .anchor}**A. Address to Request Application Package**

Only electronic applications may be submitted via Grants.gov to CSREES
in response to this RFA.

Prior to preparing an application, it is suggested that the PD/PI first
contact an Authorized Representative (AR) to determine if the
organization is prepared to submit electronic applications through
Grant.gov. If the organization is not prepared, the AR should see
<http://www.grants.gov/applicants/get_registered.jsp> for steps for
preparing to submit applications through Grants.gov.

The steps to access application materials are as follows:

1.  Download and install PureEdge Viewer, a small, free program that
    provides access to the grant application. See
    <http://www.grants.gov/resources/download_software.jsp#pureedge>.

```{=html}
<!-- -->
```
2.  The application package must be obtained via Grants.gov, go to
    [http://www.grants.gov](http://www.grants.gov/), click on "Apply for
    Grants" in the left-hand column, click on "**Step 1:** [Download a
    Grant Application Package and
    Instructions](https://apply.grants.gov/forms_apps_idx.html)**,"**
    enter the funding opportunity number, USDA-CSREES-CGP-001075, in the
    appropriate box and click "Download Package." From the search
    results, click "Download" to access the application package.

> Contained within the application package is the "[CSREES Grants.gov
> Application Guide: A Guide for Preparation and Submission of CSREES
> Applications via
> Grants.gov.](http://www.csrees.usda.gov/funding/grant_forms/electronic_app_guide.pdf)"
> This Guide contains an introduction and general Grants.gov
> instructions, information about how to use a Grant Application Package
> in Grants.gov, and instructions on how to complete the application
> forms.
>
> **If assistance is needed to access the application package** (e.g.,
> downloading or navigating PureEdge forms, using PureEdge with a
> Macintosh computer), refer to resources available on the Grants.gov
> Web site first (<http://grants.gov/>). Grants.gov assistance is also
> available as follows:

-   Grants.gov customer support\
    Toll Free: 1-800-518-4726\
    Business Hours: M-F 7:00 am -- 9 pm Eastern Standard Time\
    Email: <support@grants.gov>

See <http://www.csrees.usda.gov/funding/electronic.html> for additional
resources for applying electronically.

[]{#content .anchor}**B. Content and Form of Application Submission**

::: Definition-Term
Electronic applications should be prepared following Part V and VI of
the document entitled "[A Guide for Preparation and Submission of CSREES
Applications via
Grants.gov](http://www.csrees.usda.gov/funding/grant_forms/electronic_app_guide.pdf)."
This guide is part of the corresponding application package (see Section
A. of this Part). The following is **additional information** needed in
order to prepare an application in response to this RFA. If there is
discrepancy between the two documents, the information contained in this
RFA is overriding.
:::

::: Definition-Term
[Note]{.underline}: Some forms will contain a field with instructions to
attach additional information in a separate file. All such attachments
must be in PDF file format. Consult the CSREES Grants.gov Application
Guide (Part III. 3.1) for how to attach files using the proper format.
:::

#### **[SF-424 (R&R) Cover Sheet]{.underline} -- (Required Form)**

**Complete all applicable fields. The following, additional information
may be helpful:**

**Field 2. Applicant Identifier** -- This field is provided for the
Applicant's use if they have an internal tracking system they would like
to use in tracking applications they have submitted. This field is not
required.

**Field 3. Date received by State** and **State Application Identifier**
-- This is not applicable for HEC applications; these fields do not need
to be completed.

**Field 5. Applicant Information** -- This must be the legal name of the
eligible college or university (See Part III. A, Eligible Applicant).
**Official correspondence will be directed to either the Project
Director (Field 15) or the Authorized Representative (Field 19).**

**Field 8. Type of Application** -- Only 'New' or 'Resubmission'
applications are permitted.

**Field 13. Proposed Project Start Date** **and** **End Date** -- A
project's duration should normally be at least 24 months (to allow time
for assessment and evaluation) and no more than 36 months. Project Start
Date should not occur before August 2008.

**Field 16. Estimated Project Funding** --

a.  **Total Estimated Project Funding** = Amount of [Federal
    funds]{.underline} requested (See Part II. C. 1 or 2 for maximum
    award amounts permitted)

b.  **Total Federal & Non-Federal Funds** = [Federal
    funds]{.underline} + [Matching]{.underline} Funds (Note: The
    Matching Requirement for this program is 1:1 (see Part III. B.), so
    the amount listed in field 16. b. must be at least double the amount
    listed in 16. a.)

**Field 20. Pre-application** -- Not applicable to the HEC program. No
attachments needed.

1.  **[SF 424 (R&R) Other Project Information]{.underline} -- (Required
    Form)**

**Complete all applicable fields. Note: If a 'Yes' response is provided
for Fields 1, 2, or 4.a, the applicant must provide the necessary
assurances prior to an award being made.**

> **Field 6. Project Summary/Abstract -- (Required Attachment -- Must be
> PDF format)**
>
> Include the following [underlined text]{.underline} along with your
> responses:

-   List the [Project Title;]{.underline}

-   List the [Project Director]{.underline} (and any) [Co-Project
    Director(s)]{.underline} (include institutional affiliation for
    each);

-   List your project's [Degree Level:]{.underline} (see Part I, C.1.);

-   List your project's [Priority Need Area:]{.underline} (Part I,
    C.2.);

-   List your project's [Educational Strategy:]{.underline} (Part I,
    C.3.);

-   List your project's *primary* [Discipline/Subject
    Matter:]{.underline} (the academic major where the project's primary
    focus will occur; e.g., forestry, animal sciences, food safety,
    human nutrition,...etc.)

-   [Joint Project Proposal]{.underline}: [Yes]{.underline} or
    [No]{.underline}? (Do you plan to share Federal grant funds with
    other partners? See 'Definitions', Part VIII. E.);

-   [Partners:]{.underline} If Joint Project Proposal, list all partner
    institutions/organizations that will share grant funding (Note: Each
    Partner so identified needs to have their budget information
    submitted on a separate R&R subaward attachment). If not a Joint
    Project, enter: 'N.A.'.;

-   [Total Funds Requested:]{.underline} (List total Federal funds
    requested for this application. If this project is a Joint Project
    Proposal, also list each partner's total funds requested next to the
    institution's name); and

-   Summary Text - Provide a very concise (approx. 250 word) summary of
    your project to include:

    -   [Purpose]{.underline}: What is the major problem your project
        will address?

    -   [Audience]{.underline}: Who are the intended beneficiaries? Who
        will be impacted?

    -   [Products]{.underline}: What will be produced?

    -   [Outcome/Impact]{.underline}: What is the intended result
        (consequence) of your project? Describe as the primary benefits
        to your audience. Note: outcomes/impacts should be measurable,
        and should be included in your project's assessment/evaluation
        plan to demonstrate you will assess whether or not these
        benefits were achieved (See explanation of terms in Part
        IV, B. 2. Field 7. [2]{.underline}.[d]{.underline}., below).

> **Field 7. Project Narrative -- (Required Attachment -- Must be PDF
> format)**

Include an application 'Table of Contents' page that lists all forms and
attachments comprising this complete application. Use titles from the
Application Submission Checklist found at the end of this section (Part
IV) as a guideline.

> PLEASE NOTE: The Project Narrative shall not exceed 20 pages of
> written text (excluding up to a maximum of 5 additional pages for
> supporting figures and tables). This maximum (25-page limit) ensures
> fair and equitable competition. Reviewers are instructed to not review
> material in excess of this limit.
>
> **The Project Narrative in this Field 7 attachment contains the major
> description of your project. It follows the HEC program's Evaluation
> Criteria (Part V. B). Accordingly, please provide your responses in
> the following format:**
>
> (Note: To facilitate application review and evaluation, **include the
> following, [underlined]{.underline} [wording]{.underline} as headings
> in your attached Project Narrative**, followed by your response for
> each item.)
>
> [1. Potential for Advancing the Quality of Education; Significance of
> the Problem]{.underline}:

a.  [Institutional Long-range Goals]{.underline}. Demonstrate how the
    institution attributes a high priority to the project, discuss how
    the project will contribute to the achievement of the institution\'s
    long-term (five- to ten-year) goals, explain how the project will
    help satisfy the institution\'s high-priority objectives, or how the
    project is linked to and supported by the institution\'s strategic
    plan.

b.  [Identification of Educational Problem and Project
    Impact]{.underline}. Clearly identify and explain how the proposed
    project will address your chosen Priority Need Area (Part I, C.2.)
    and your chosen Educational Strategy described in Part I, C.3.
    Identify the anticipated project audience. Briefly explain the
    project's anticipated, overall impact on improving the quality of
    food and agricultural sciences education.

c.  [Project Justification]{.underline}. Clearly state the specific
    instructional problem or opportunity to be addressed. Describe how
    and by whom the focus and scope of the project were determined.
    Summarize the body of knowledge justifying the need for the proposed
    project. Discuss how the project will be of value at the State,
    regional, national, or international level(s). Describe any ongoing
    or recently completed significant activities related to the proposed
    project for which previous funding was received under this program.

d.  [Innovation]{.underline}. Describe the proposal's creative approach
    to improving the quality of food and agricultural sciences
    education, solving an education problem, or advancing educational
    equity.

e.  [Multidisciplinary and/or Problem-based Focus]{.underline}. Indicate
    how the project is relevant to multiple disciplines in the food and
    agricultural sciences education, or with other academic curricula.
    Also, discuss whether the project may be adapted by, or serve as a
    model for, other institutions.

> [2. Proposed Approach and Cooperative Linkages]{.underline}:

a.  [Objectives]{.underline}. Cite and discuss the specific project
    objectives to be accomplished.

b.  [Plan of Operation and Methodology]{.underline}. Describe procedures
    for accomplishing the objectives of the project. Describe plans for
    management of the project to ensure its proper and efficient
    administration. Describe the way in which resources and personnel
    will be used to conduct the project.

c.  [Timetable]{.underline}. Identify all important project milestones
    and dates as they relate to project start-up, execution, evaluation,
    dissemination, and closeout.

d.  [Products, Results and Measurable Outcomes]{.underline}. Outline the
    expected products, results, and their outcome (impact) on
    strengthening food and agricultural sciences education in the United
    States. (**[Important Note]{.underline}: Make sure to differentiate
    among the three terms:** "[Products]{.underline}" may be actual
    items or services acquired with funds, e.g., "...developed three,
    new Web-based courses"; "[Results]{.underline}" are activities
    related to the products, e.g., "\...additional course materials now
    available online to reinforce student learning during non-classroom
    hours"; and "[Outcomes/Impacts]{.underline}" are the benefits to
    your audience. Outcomes/impacts are the consequences of your project
    and the most critical elements in your Evaluation Plan. They are a
    measure of the results by comparison to what might have happened in
    the absence of the funded project, e.g., "...an observed, overall
    increase in student learning based upon 8% higher average test
    scores of those students who both attended class and used the
    supplemental, Web-based course materials".)

e.  [Evaluation Plans]{.underline}. State the methodologies to be used
    in assessing the accomplishment of stated products, results and
    outcomes from the project. Discuss the strategies and metrics for
    evaluating progress toward meeting the two HEC Program Goals (see
    specific recommended metrics in Part I. C.4.). Describe any data to
    be collected and analyzed.

f.  [Dissemination Plans]{.underline}. The application must document how
    project accomplishments (products, results and impacts...etc.) will
    be published or otherwise disseminated to the broadest extent
    throughout the academic community. Discuss the institution's
    commitment to disseminate project results and products. Identify
    target audiences and explain methods of communication. This section
    should clearly indicate how you plan to publicize your project's
    outcomes/impacts.

g.  [Partnerships and Collaborative Efforts]{.underline}. Explain how
    the project will maximize partnership and collaborative efforts to
    strengthen food and agricultural sciences education (e.g.,
    involvement of faculty in related disciplines at the same
    institution, joint projects with other educational institutions, or
    cooperative activities with business or industry). Also explain how
    it will stimulate academia, the States, or the private sector to
    join with the Federal partner in enhancing food and agricultural
    sciences education. Provide evidence, via letters from the parties
    involved in the partnership or collaborative arrangement.

> [3. Institutional Capability and Capacity Building]{.underline}:

a.  [Institutional Commitment and Capability]{.underline}. Demonstrate
    that the program administration is committed to this project and has
    the capability to ensure its completion.

b.  [Institutional Resources]{.underline}. Document that necessary
    institutional resources (administrative, facilities, equipment,
    and/or materials), and other appropriate resources, will be made
    available to the project. Demonstrate how the institutional
    resources to be made available to the project, when combined with
    the support requested from USDA, will be adequate to carry out the
    activities of the project.

c.  [Academic Enhancement]{.underline}. Document how this project will
    improve and strengthen teaching at the institution (including any
    partner institutions). Discuss how the benefits to be derived from
    the project will transcend the applicant institution or the grant
    period.

d.  [Continuation Plans]{.underline}. Discuss the likelihood of, or
    specific plans for, continuation or expansion of the project beyond
    the period of USDA support. For example, does the institution\'s
    long-range budget or academic plan provide for the realistic
    continuation or expansion of the initiative undertaken by this
    project after the grant period ends, are plans for eventual
    self-support built into the project, are plans being made to
    institutionalize the program if it meets with success, and are there
    indications of other continuing non-Federal support?

> [4. Key Personnel]{.underline}: Discuss the adequacy and specific
> attributes and project responsibilities of each key person associated
> with the project. Also include the background and qualifications of
> those personnel who will be responsible for assessing project results
> and administering the project evaluation and reporting process.
>
> [5. Budget and Cost-effectiveness]{.underline}:

a.  [Budget]{.underline}. In addition to the separate, required budget
    forms and budget justification, discuss how the budget specifically
    supports the proposed project activities. Explain how such budget
    items as professional or technical staff time and salary, travel,
    equipment, etc., are necessary and reasonable to achieve project
    objectives. Justify that the total budget, including funds requested
    from USDA and any matching support provided, are allocated
    adequately between the applicant and any collaborating
    institution(s), and will be appropriate to carry out the activities
    of the project. Provide a summary of sources and amounts of all
    third party matching support. If the application addresses more than
    one Educational Strategy (see Part I, C.3.), applicants should
    include estimates of the proportion of the funds requested from USDA
    that will support each respective area.

b.  [Cost-effectiveness]{.underline}. Justify the project\'s
    cost-effectiveness. Show how the project maximizes the use of
    limited resources, optimizes educational value for the dollar,
    achieves economies of scale, or leverages additional funds. For
    example, discuss how the project has the potential to generate a
    critical mass of expertise and activity focused on an Educational
    Strategy, or to promote coalition building that could lead to future
    ventures.

**Field 8. Bibliography & Cited References** **- (Optional Attachment --
Must be PDF format)**

If needed, provide a complete list of all references cited in the
application. **For each reference, provide the complete name for each
author, the year of the publication, full title of the article, name of
the journal or book published, volume, and the page numbers.** The
references should be listed in alphabetical order using the last name of
the first author.

**Field 9. Facilities & Other Resources - (Optional Attachment -- Must
be PDF format)**

If needed, describe the types, location, and availability of
instrumentation and physical facilities necessary to carry out the work
proposed. **If special academic, private or government laboratories or
facilities are being used, include a letter in the application from the
authorized representative of the facility describing the proposed
arrangements and availability.** This letter should be included as a
part of Other Attachments, see Field 11 below.

**Field 10. Equipment Documentation - (Optional Attachment -- Must be
PDF format)**

Equipment purchased (defined as in excess of \$5,000 for each item) must
be fully justified under this section. Note: Equipment, as previously
defined, is normally not funded in a HEC grant. Other purchases (e.g.,
computers, laboratory materials,...etc.) are described, instead, in the
Budget Justification section under the 'Materials and Supplies' line
item.

> Field 11. Other Attachments - (Must be PDF format)

-   Response to Previous Review - **PDF Attachment. 1 Page Limit.**
    Title the

> attachment as 'Response to Previous Review' in the document header
> [and]{.underline} save file as 'Response to Previous Review'. This
> requirement only applies to "Resubmitted Applications" as described
> under Part II, B., "Types of Applications". PDs must respond to the
> previous review panel summary on **no more than one page**, titled,
> "RESPONSE TO PREVIOUS REVIEW." If desired, additional comments may be
> included in the text of the Project Narrative, subject to the page
> limitations of that section.

-   **Appendices to Project Narrative** -- **PDF Attachment.** Title the
    attachment as 'Appendices' in the document header [and]{.underline}
    save file as 'Appendices'. Appendices to the Project Narrative are
    allowed if they are directly germane to the proposed project. The
    addition of appendices should not be used to circumvent the text
    and/or figures and tables page limitations.

-   **Collaborative Arrangements -- PDF Attachment. No Page Limit**.
    Title the attachment as 'Collaborative Arrangements' in the document
    header and save file as 'Collaborative Arrangement'. If it is
    necessary to enter into formal consulting or collaborative
    arrangements with others, such arrangements should be fully
    explained and justified. If the consultant(s) or collaborator(s) are
    known at the time of the application, a vitae or resume should be
    provided. In addition, evidence (e.g., letter of support) should be
    provided that the collaborators involved have agreed to render these
    services. The applicant also will be required to provide additional
    information on consultants and collaborators in the budget portion
    of the application.

-   **Matching Funds Documentation -- PDF Attachment.** This grants
    program requires applicants to match Federal funds awarded on a
    dollar-for-dollar basis from non-Federal sources. Signed letters
    from each source of matching funds are required, and should be
    attached in this Field #11. Recommended contents of these letters is
    described below in item #5, SF 424 (R&R) Budget Fed & Non-Fed, Field
    K, Matching, under the 'Written Verification' section.

2.  **[SF 424 (R&R) Senior/Key Person]{.underline} (Expanded) (Required
    Form)**

> **Complete all applicable fields.** Consult the CSREES Grants.gov
> Application Guide for instructions. Remember to attach the required
> Biographical Sketch for at least the Project Director, as well as any
> additional individual who will receive Federal support from this
> project.
>
> Also, **you must attach** 'Current and Pending Support' information
> (see CSREES Grants.gov Application Guide p. 30 & 31, item 4.3, for
> guidelines and information format) for each senior/key person
> identified above. **Note: Even if no other funding is currently
> reported under the 'Active' section of this attachment, you must still
> list information for this grant application under the 'Pending'
> section of this attachment for each senior/key person identified
> above.**

3.  **[SF 424 (R&R)) Personal Data]{.underline} (Optional Form)**

> As noted in Part V, 5., the submission of this information is
> voluntary and is not a precondition of award.

4.  **[SF 424 (R&R) Budget Fed and Non-Fed]{.underline} (Required
    Form)**

This form (accompanied by the required Budget Justification attachment)
contains the itemized listing and description of your project's budget.
Complete all applicable fields. Consult the CSREES Grants.gov
Application Guide for instructions. The following, additional
information may be helpful:

Complete one SF 424 (R&R) Budget Fed and Non-Fed Form for each 12-month
period, plus a cumulative budget for the entire project. If your project
involves partners with whom you plan to share Federal funds (Joint
Project Proposal), make sure (a) you include a budget form for the
applicant institution [and a R&R subaward attachment form for
each]{.underline} [project partner]{.underline} (subaward/consortium),
for each 12-month period, and (b) your budget figures reflect the
required budget sharing criteria (See 'Definitions', Part VIII. E, Joint
Project Proposal).

> During the tenure of a grant, Project Director(s) may be invited to
> attend at least one national Project Directors meeting, if offered, in
> Washington, D.C., or any other announced location. The purpose of the
> meeting will be to discuss project and grant management, opportunities
> for collaborative efforts, future directions for education reform, and
> opportunities to enhance dissemination of exemplary end
> products/results. Reasonable travel expenses to attend this meeting
> may be included in your proposal's travel expenses.
>
> **Field H. Indirect Costs** --
>
> CSREES anticipates that indirect costs will be limited to 20 percent
> of total federal funds awarded (TFFA), therefore, when preparing
> budgets, applicants should limit their requests for recovery of
> indirect costs to the lesser of their institution's official
> negotiated indirect cost rate or the equivalent of 20 percent of TFFA.
> Another method of calculating the maximum allowable is 25 percent of
> the total direct costs. (See Part IV.D., below, \"Funding
> Restrictions.\")
>
> **The maximum allowed indirect cost of 20% may be claimed under the
> Federal portion of the award, [or]{.underline} the maximum allowed
> indirect cost of 20% may be claimed as matching contributions (if no
> indirect costs are requested). However, the maximum allowed indirect
> cost of 20% [may not be claimed on both]{.underline} the Federal
> portion of the award [and as]{.underline} matching contributions
> (Note: An institution may, as an example, request 10% of indirect
> costs on both the Federal portion of the award and as matching
> contributions. Or, an institution may request any other, similar
> percentage combination that, when combined, does not exceed the 20%
> maximum indirect cost allowed.) Nevertheless, the total combined
> percent of requested and contributed matching indirect costs cannot
> exceed 20%.**
>
> **Field K. Budget Justification -- (Required Attachment -- Must be PDF
> format)**

Provide a Budget Justification that reflects each 12-month period, plus
a cumulative budget for the entire project. If your project involves
partners with whom you plan to share Federal funds (Joint Project
Proposal), make sure the attachment reflects information (a) for the
applicant institution [as well as each project partner]{.underline}
(subaward/consortium), for each 12-month period plus a cumulative column
total for the entire project, and (b) your budget figures reflect the
required budget sharing criteria (See 'Definitions', Part VIII. E, Joint
Project Proposal).

> The Budget Justification should follow a standard spreadsheet format
> ('Budget Line Item' = row; 'Budget Year' and 'Cumulative Project' =
> columns) including a detailed, itemized breakdown of each of the line
> item categories reported on the SF 424 (R&R) Budget Fed and Non-Fed
> form. This Budget Justification attachment provides a more detailed,
> itemized breakdown for each budget line item reported on the SF 424
> (R&R) Budget Fed and Non-Fed form (i.e., itemize your complete list of
> 'Materials and Supplies' showing per unit costs and number of units to
> be purchased, etc.). Include a description for each requested budget
> line item found on the (R&R) Budget form (i.e., total budget amount
> reported on the SF 424 (R&R) Budget Fed and Non-Fed form should equal
> the total budget amount reported on the Budget Justification
> attachment).
>
> **Matching: Note: A grant recipient is required to match the Federal
> funds awarded on a dollar-for-dollar basis from non-Federal sources.
> The sources and amount of all matching support from outside the
> applicant institution should be summarized on a separate page and
> attached immediately following the Budget Justification. See
> instructions directly above, Field H, for restrictions on how to
> report indirect costs as matching contributions.**
>
> **Cash and non-cash contributions from the institution and any third
> parties should be identified.**
>
> **Each source of non-Federal matching funds must be accompanied by
> written verification of commitments of matching support (i.e., a
> signed letter from the AR of the source of matching funds; including
> both cash and in-kind contributions) from third parties. Written
> verification means:**
>
> **For any third party cash contributions, a separate pledge agreement
> for each donation submitted on Donor Organization letterhead and
> signed by the AR of the donor organization and the applicant
> organization, which must include: (1) The name, address, and telephone
> number of the donor; (2) the name of the applicant organization; (3)
> the title of the project for which the donation is made; (4) the
> dollar amount of the cash donation; and (5) a statement that the donor
> will pay the cash contribution during the grant period.**
>
> **For any third party in‑kind contributions, a separate pledge
> agreement for each contribution submitted on Donor Organization
> letterhead and signed by the AR of the donor organization and the
> applicant organization, which must include: (1) The name, address, and
> telephone number of the donor; (2) the name of the applicant
> organization;**
>
> **(3) the title of the project for which the donation is made; (4) a
> good faith estimate of the current fair market value of the third
> party in‑kind contribution; and (5) a statement that the donor will
> make the contribution during the grant period.**
>
> **If the contribution is to be split between cash and in-kind, the
> exact dollar amount for each category must be clearly stated. The
> letter should also clearly state the budget categories that the
> contributed dollars should be applied to and clearly state the
> individual items of in-kind contributions. All pledge agreements must
> be placed in the application immediately following the summary of
> matching support. Any cost sharing commitments specified in the
> application will be referenced and included as a condition of an award
> resulting from this announcement.**
>
> The value of applicant contributions to the project shall be
> established in accordance with applicable cost principles. Applicants
> should refer to OMB Circulars A-87, Cost Principles for State, Local,
> and Indian Tribal Governments, or A‑21, Cost Principles for
> Educational Institutions, for further guidance and other requirements
> relating to matching and allowable costs.
>
> **Note: Funding from sources prohibited by this grants program cannot
> be used as an institution's matching contributions (i.e., Funding
> Restrictions for this grants program prohibit the use of Federal grant
> funds to acquire or repair a building or facility (e.g., a
> greenhouse). Therefore, non-Federal, matching funds that plan, acquire
> or contruct a building or facility to support this project are not
> permitted as matching contributions.)**

5.  **[SF 424 (R&R) Subaward Budget Attachment]{.underline} (Only
    required if submitting a Joint Project Proposal)**

6.  **[Supplemental Information]{.underline} (Required Form)**

> **Complete all applicable fields.** Consult the CSREES Grants.gov
> Application Guide for instructions.
>
> **Field 2. Program Code** -
>
> For the '[Program Code Name]{.underline}' field, enter: "Higher
> Education Challenge Grants Program."
>
> For the '[Program Code]{.underline}' field, enter: \"ER"
>
> **Field 8. Conflict of Interest List -** **(Required Attachment --
> Must be PDF format)**
>
> See format in CSREES Grants.gov Application Guide, Section VI, 1.8,
> p.46, for instructions. Include this one-page attachment even if your
> responses to the questions are "N.A.".

#### 

#### **Application Submission Checklist** 

The following checklist contains suggested guidelines to verify prior to
application submission:

-   **Have all attachments been submitted in the portable document
    format (PDF)?** Grants.gov will only accept PDF attachments. See
    Part III of the CSREES Application Guide.

    -   Do all submitted PDF documents have one-inch margins and are
        typed or word processed using no type smaller than 12 point
        regardless of line spacing? Are all PDF documents numbered
        sequentially on each page of the attachment? Are all page
        limitations for a given attachment followed? Submitted
        applications that do not meet these requirements for PDF
        attachments will be returned without review.

-   Have all seven components of the SF 424 Research and Related (R&R)
    Application Package been completed? Did you use the "Check Package
    for Errors" feature of the PureEdge viewer (see section 1.8 of the
    CSREES Application Guide)?

```{=html}
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```
-   SF 424 R&R Cover Sheet

-   SF 424 R&R Other Project Information

-   SF 424 R&R Senior/Key Person (Expanded)

-   SF 424 R&R Personal Data (Optional)

-   SF 424 R&R Budget Fed and Non-Fed

-   SF 424 R&R Subaward Budget Attachment (Only if submitting a Joint
    Project Proposal)

-   Supplemental Information Form

� **[SF 424 R&R Cover Sheet]{.underline}**

-   Have all required fields been completed? Field 5 must contain the
    name of the eligible college or university.

� **[SF 424 R&R Other Project Information]{.underline}**

-   Have the fields describing project potential or actual environmental
    impact been properly completed?

```{=html}
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```
-   [Project Summary/Abstract]{.underline}

    -   Has the Project Summary PDF been attached to this form in Field
        6?

    -   Does this section adhere to the format?

```{=html}
<!-- -->
```
-   [Project Narrative]{.underline}

    -   Has the Project Narrative PDF been attached to this form in
        Field 7?

    -   Are responses provided for all underlined text in the RFA for
        this section (Field 7, [1]{.underline}-[5]{.underline})?

    -   Do responses clearly distinguish between project
        [Products]{.underline}, [Results]{.underline} and
        [Outcomes/Impacts]{.underline} (Field 7,
        [2]{.underline}.[d]{.underline}.)?

    -   Does this section adhere to the format and page limitations?

```{=html}
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```
-   [Bibliography & References Cited (Optional)]{.underline}

    -   Attach as PDF file in Field 8, but only if needed.

```{=html}
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```
-   **[Facilities & Other Resources (Optional)]{.underline}**

    -   Attach as PDF file in Field 9, but only if needed.

```{=html}
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```
-   **[Equipment (Optional)]{.underline}**

    -   Attach as PDF file in Field 10, but only if needed. Remember,
        'Equipment' is defined as having a value of over \$5,000 for
        each item. Most equipment purchased for these projects is
        actually reported, instead, as 'Materials and Supplies' on the
        R&R Budget Fed and Non-Fed Form.

```{=html}
<!-- -->
```
-   **[Response to Previous Review (for resubmitted applications
    only)]{.underline}**

    -   Only include if you are resubmitting an application that was
        previously not funded.

    -   Include as a one-page attachment (PDF) in Field 7 and attach
        just before the Project Narrative.

    -   Has the resubmitted application briefly addressed comments from
        the previous review?

```{=html}
<!-- -->
```
-   **[Collaborative Arrangements]{.underline}**

```{=html}
<!-- -->
```
-   Has the Collaborative Arrangements PDF been attached to this form in
    Field 11?

```{=html}
<!-- -->
```
-   [Appendices to Project Narrative]{.underline}

```{=html}
<!-- -->
```
-   Has the Appendices to Project Narrative PDF been attached to this
    form in Field 11?

```{=html}
<!-- -->
```
-   [Matching Funds Documentation]{.underline}

```{=html}
<!-- -->
```
-   Has each signed letter to verify matching support been attached to
    this form in Field 11?

� **[SF 424 R&R Senior/Key Person Profile]{.underline}**

-   [Biographical Sketch]{.underline}

    -   Has the biographical sketch (vitae) PDF for the PD, senior
        associate, and other professional personnel been attached?

```{=html}
<!-- -->
```
-   [Current and Pending Support]{.underline}

    -   Has the current and pending support PDF for all PD(s) been
        attached?

    -   Have all current and pending projects been listed and
        summarized, including this application?

� **[SF 424 R&R Personal Data (Optional)]{.underline}**

-   Have all fields been completed?

� **[SF 424 R&R Budget Fed and Non-Fed]{.underline}**

-   ::: Definition-Term
    Have all fields been completed?
    :::

```{=html}
<!-- -->
```
-   [Budget Justification]{.underline}

    -   Has the Budget Justification PDF been attached to this form in
        Field K?

    -   Are budget items individually justified?

    -   For multi-institutional applications, has a budget justification
        been included for each institution involved?

� **[Supplemental Information Form]{.underline}**

-   Does Field 2 indicate the Program Code Name and Program Code to
    which you are applying?

-   Have you included the [required]{.underline} **Conflict of Interest
    List** (PDF) attachment? (See format in CSREES Grants.gov
    Application Guide, Section VI, 1.8, p.46, for instructions.) Include
    this one-page attachment even if your responses to the questions are
    "N.A.".

[]{#submission .anchor}**C. Submission Dates and Times**

**Instructions for submitting an application are included in Part IV,
Section 1.9 of the CSREES Grants.gov Application Guide.**

Applications must be received by Grants.gov by COB on February 1, 2008
(5:00 p.m. Eastern Time). Applications received after this deadline will
normally not be considered for funding.

The receipt of all applications will be acknowledged by e-mail.
Therefore, applicants are strongly encouraged to provide accurate e-mail
addresses, where designated, on the SF-424 R&R Application for Federal
Assistance.

If the AR has not received a confirmation message from CSREES within 30
days of submission of the application, please contact the Program
Contact identified in Part VII of the applicable RFA and request the
proposal number assigned to the application. **Failure to do so may
result in the application not being considered for funding by the peer
review panel.  Once the application has been assigned a proposal number,
this number should be cited on all future correspondence.**

[]{#funding .anchor}**D. Funding Restrictions**

[]{.mark}

CSREES has determined that grant funds awarded under this authority
***may not*** be used for student tuition remission, room and board,
fees or other financial assistance (scholarships, fellowships, etc.).
Also, funds ***may not*** be used for the renovation or refurbishment of
research, education, or extension space; the purchase or installation of
fixed equipment in such space; or to plan, repair, rehabilitate,
acquire, or construct buildings or facilities (i.e., greenhouses,
laboratories, or other structures). Promotional items (e.g., T-shirts
and other give-a-ways) and food functions (e.g., cookouts or other
social meal gatherings) are considered 'entertainment' expenses, and are
also ***not allowed*** under this grants program. [Federal Cost
Principles governing this grant program state that items not eligible
for Federal funding may also not be used as an applicant's contribution
toward meeting matching requirements]{.underline}.

For FY 2007, sections 101 (a) and (c) of the Revised Continuing
Appropriation Resolutions, 2007 (Pub. L. 110-5), limited indirect costs
to 20 percent of the total Federal funds provided under each award.
Therefore, when preparing budgets, applicants should limit their
requests for recovery of indirect costs to the lesser of their
institution\'s official negotiated indirect cost rate or the equivalent
of 20 percent of total Federal funds awarded. Another method of
assessing the maximum allowable indirect cost is to calculate 25 percent
of the total direct costs. If no rate has been negotiated, a reasonable
dollar amount (equivalent to or less than 20 percent of total Federal
funds requested) in lieu of indirect costs may be requested, subject to
approval by USDA. This same indirect cost limitation applies to
subcontracts. Please note that if the FY 2008 Appropriations Act
contains a different indirect cost limitation CSREES will contact each
successful applicant to apply the correct rate prior to the award of a
grant.

[]{#other .anchor}**E. Other Submission Requirements**

The applicant should follow the submission requirements noted in the
document entitled "A Guide for Preparation and Submission of CSREES
Applications via Grants.gov."

**PART V-APPLICATION REVIEW REQUIREMENTS**

[]{#general .anchor}**A. General**

Each application will be evaluated in a 2-part process. First, each
application will be screened to ensure that it meets the administrative
requirements as set forth in this RFA. Second, applications that meet
these requirements will be technically evaluated by a review panel.

Reviewers will be selected based upon training and experience in
relevant scientific, extension, or education fields, taking into account
the following factors: (a) The level of relevant formal scientific,
technical education, or extension experience of the individual, as well
as the extent to which an individual is engaged in relevant research,
education, or extension activities; (b) the need to include as reviewers
experts from various areas of specialization within relevant scientific,
education, or extension fields; (c) the need to include as reviewers
other experts (e.g., producers, range or forest managers/operators, and
consumers) who can assess relevance of the applications to targeted
audiences and to program needs; (d) the need to include as reviewers
experts from a variety of organizational types (e.g., colleges,
universities, industry, state and Federal agencies, private profit and
non-profit organizations) and geographic locations; (e) the need to
maintain a balanced composition of reviewers with regard to minority and
female representation and an equitable age distribution; and (f) the
need to include reviewers who can judge the effective usefulness to
producers and the general public of each application.

[]{#evaluation .anchor}**B. Evaluation Criteria**

The evaluation criteria and weights below will be used in reviewing
applications submitted in response to this RFA:

1.  **Potential for Advancing Quality of Education/Significance of the
    Problem (30 points).**

This criterion is used to assess the likelihood that the project will
have an impact upon and advance the quality of food and agricultural
sciences by strengthening institutional capacities to meet clearly
delineated needs. Elements considered include institutional long-range
goals, identification of a problem or opportunity to be addressed,
justification for the project, innovation, advancing educational equity,
multidisciplinary and/or problem-based focus, and potential for adoption
by other institutions.

2.  **Proposed Approach and Cooperative Linkages (25 points).**

This criterion relates to the soundness of the proposed approach
including objectives, methodology, plan of operation, timetable,
expected products and results, evaluation, and dissemination plans.
Emphasis is placed on the quality of educational or research support
provided to the applicant institution through its partnerships and
collaborative initiatives, and on the potential cooperative linkages
likely to evolve as a result of this project.

3.  **Institutional Capability and Capacity Building (20 points).**

This criterion relates to the institution\'s capability to perform the
project and the degree to which the project will strengthen its teaching
or research capacity. Elements include the institution's commitment to
the project, the adequacy of institutional resources (administrative,
facilities, equipment, and/or materials) available to carry out the
project, potential for academic or research enhancement, and plans for
project continuation or expansion beyond the period of USDA support.

4.  **Key Personnel (15 points).**

This criterion relates to the adequacy of the number and qualifications
of key persons who will develop and carry out the project, and the
qualifications of project personnel who will provide for the assessment
of project results and impacts and the dissemination of these findings.

5.  **Budget and Cost-Effectiveness (10 points).**

This criterion relates to the extent to which the total budget
adequately supports the project and is cost effective. Elements
considered include the necessity and reasonableness of costs to carry
out project activities and achieve project objectives; the
appropriateness of budget allocations between the applicant and any
collaborating institution(s); the adequacy of time committed to the
project by key project personnel; and the degree to which the project
maximizes the use of limited resources, optimizes educational value for
the dollar, achieves economies of scale, leverages additional funds, and
focuses expertise and activity on high-priority educational or research
need areas.

[]{#conflict .anchor}

**C. Conflicts of Interest and Confidentiality**

During the peer evaluation process, extreme care will be taken to
prevent any actual or perceived conflicts of interest that may impact
review or evaluation. For the purpose of determining conflicts of
interest, the academic and administrative autonomy of an institution
shall be determined by reference to the current Higher Education
Directory, published by Higher Education Publications, Inc., 6400
Arlington Boulevard, Suite 648, Falls Church, Virginia 22042. Phone:
(703) 532-2300. Web site:
[[http://www.hepinc.com]{.underline}](http://www.hepinc.com/).

Names of submitting institutions and individuals, as well as application
content and peer evaluations, will be kept confidential, except to those
involved in the review process, to the extent permitted by law. In
addition, the identities of peer reviewers will remain confidential
throughout the entire review process. Therefore, the names of the
reviewers will not be released to applicants.

[]{#organizational .anchor}

**D. Organizational Management Information**

Specific management information relating to an applicant shall be
submitted on a one time basis as part of the responsibility
determination prior to the award of a grant identified under this RFA,
if such information has not been provided previously under this or
another CSREES program. (Note: ***This management information will also
be required from designated Fiscal Agents*.**) CSREES will provide
copies of forms recommended for use in fulfilling these requirements as
part of the preaward process. Although an applicant may be eligible
based on its status as one of these entities, there are factors which
may exclude an applicant from receiving Federal financial and
nonfinancial assistance and benefits under this program (e.g., debarment
or suspension of an individual involved or a determination that an
applicant is not responsible based on submitted organizational
management information).

**PART VI-AWARD ADMINISTRATION**

[]{#general1 .anchor}**A. General**

Within the limit of funds available for such purpose, the awarding
official of CSREES shall make grants to those responsible, eligible
applicants whose applications are judged most meritorious under the
procedures set forth in this RFA. The date specified by the awarding
official of CSREES as the effective date of the grant shall be no later
than September 30 of the Federal fiscal year in which the project is
approved for support and funds are appropriated for such purpose, unless
otherwise permitted by law. It should be noted that the project need not
be initiated on the grant effective date, but as soon thereafter as
practical so that project goals may be attained within the funded
project period. All funds granted by CSREES under this RFA shall be
expended solely for the purpose for which the funds are granted in
accordance with the approved application and budget, the regulations,
the terms and conditions of the award, the applicable Federal cost
principles, and the Department\'s assistance regulations (parts 3015 and
3019 of 7 CFR).

[]{#award .anchor}**B. Award Notice**

The award document will provide pertinent instructions and information
including, at a minimum, the following:

\(1\) Legal name and address of performing organization or institution
to whom the Administrator has issued an award under the terms of this
request for applications;

\(2\) Title of project;

\(3\) Name(s) and institution(s) of PDs chosen to direct and control
approved activities;

\(4\) Identifying award number assigned by the Department;

\(5\) Project period, specifying the amount of time the Department
intends to support the project without requiring recompetition for
funds;

\(6\) Total amount of Departmental financial assistance approved by the
Administrator during the project period;

\(7\) Legal authority(ies) under which the award is issued;

\(8\) Appropriate Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) number;

\(9\) Applicable award terms and conditions (see
<http://www.csrees.usda.gov/business/awards/awardterms.html> to view
CSREES award terms and conditions);

\(10\) Approved budget plan for categorizing allocable project funds to
accomplish the stated purpose of the award; and

\(11\) Other information or provisions deemed necessary by CSREES to
carry out its respective awarding activities or to accomplish the
purpose of a particular award.

[]{#administrative .anchor}**C. Administrative and National Policy
Requirements**

Several Federal statutes and regulations apply to grant applications
considered for review and to project grants awarded under this program.
These include, but are not limited to:

7 CFR Part 1, subpart A\--USDA implementation of the Freedom of
Information Act.

7 CFR Part 3\--USDA implementation of OMB Circular No. A 129 regarding
debt collection.

7 CFR Part 15, subpart A\--USDA implementation of Title VI of the Civil
Rights Act of 1964, as amended.

7 CFR Part 331 and 9 CFR Part 121 -- USDA implementation of the
Agricultural Bioterrorism Protection Act of 2002.

7 CFR Part 3015\--USDA Uniform Federal Assistance Regulations,
implementing OMB directives (i.e., OMB Circular Nos. A-21 and A-122 now
codified at 2 CFR Parts 220 and 230) and incorporating provisions of 31
U.S.C. 6301 6308 (formerly the Federal Grant and Cooperative Agreement
Act of 1977, Pub. L. No. 95-224), as well as general policy requirements
applicable to recipients of Departmental financial assistance.

7 CFR Part 3017\--USDA implementation of Governmentwide Debarment and
Suspension (Nonprocurement) and Governmentwide Requirements for Drug
Free Workplace (Grants).

7 CFR Part 3018\--USDA implementation of Restrictions on Lobbying.
Imposes prohibitions and requirements for disclosure and certification
related to lobbying on recipients of Federal contracts, grants,
cooperative agreements, and loans.

7 CFR Part 3019\--USDA implementation of OMB Circular A-110, Uniform
Administrative Requirements for Grants and Other Agreements With
Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, and Other Nonprofit
Organizations.

7 CFR Part 3052\--USDA implementation of OMB Circular No. A 133, Audits
of States, Local Governments, and Non profit Organizations.

7 CFR Part 3407\--CSREES procedures to implement the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended.

29 U.S.C. 794 (section 504, Rehabilitation Act of 1973) and 7 CFR Part
15b (USDA implementation of statute)\--prohibiting discrimination based
upon physical or mental handicap in Federally assisted programs.

35 U.S.C. 200 et seq.\--Bayh Dole Act, controlling allocation of rights
to inventions made by employees of small business firms and domestic
nonprofit organizations, including universities, in Federally assisted
programs (implementing regulations are contained in 37 CFR Part 401).

[]{#expected .anchor}**D. Expected Program Outputs and Reporting
Requirements**

1.  **Project Directors Conference**

During the tenure of a grant, Project Director(s) may be invited to
attend at least one national Project Directors meeting, if offered, in
Washington, D.C., or any other announced location. The purpose of the
meeting will be to discuss project and grant management, opportunities
for collaborative efforts, future directions for education reform, and
opportunities to enhance dissemination of exemplary end
products/results. Reasonable travel expenses to attend this meeting may
be included in your proposal's travel expenses.

2.  **Annual Performance Report**

An Annual Performance Report must be submitted to the USDA program
contact person within 90 days after the completion of the first year of
the project, and annually thereafter during the life of the grant.
Generally, the Annual Performance Reports should include a summary of
the overall progress toward project objectives, current problems or
unusual developments, the next year\'s activities, and any other
information that is pertinent to the ongoing project or which may be
specified in the terms and conditions of the award. Annual Performance
Reports are to be submitted through the CRIS system described in
paragraph 4., below.

3.  **Final Performance Report**

A Final Performance Report must be submitted to the USDA program contact
person within 90 days after the expiration date of the project. The
expiration date is specified in the award documents and modifications
thereto, if any. Generally, the Final Performance Report should be a
summary of the completed project, including: a review of project
objectives and accomplishments; a description of any products and
outcomes resulting from the project; activities undertaken to
disseminate products and outcomes; partnerships and collaborative
ventures that resulted from the project; future initiatives that are
planned as a result of the project; the impact of the project on the
Project Director(s), students, the departments, the institution, and the
food and agricultural sciences higher education system; and data on
project personnel and beneficiaries. The report must document how
project accomplishments (products, results and impacts...etc.) have been
published or otherwise disseminated to the broadest extent throughout
the academic community. The Final Performance Report should be
accompanied by samples or copies of any products or publications
resulting from or developed by the project. The Final Performance Report
also must contain any other information which may be specified in the
terms and conditions of the award. The Final Performance Report is to be
submitted through the CRIS system described in paragraph 4., below.

4.  **Current Research Information System (CRIS) Reports**

Grantees are required to submit initial project information and annual
and summary reports to CSREES' Current Research Information System
(CRIS). The CRIS database contains narrative project information,
progress/impact statements, and final technical reports that are made
available to the public. For applications recommended for funding,
instructions on preparing and submission of project documentation will
be provided to the applicant by the agency contact. Documentation must
be submitted to CRIS before CSREES funds will be released. Project
reports will be requested by the CRIS office when required. For more
information about CRIS, visit
[http://cris.csrees.usda.gov](http://cris.csrees.usda.gov/).

5.  **Other Reports**

Grantees should be aware that CSREES may, as a part of its own program
evaluation activities, carry out in-depth evaluations of assisted
activities. Thus, grantees should be prepared to cooperate with CSREES
personnel, or persons retained by CSREES, in evaluating the
institutional context and the impact of any supported project. Grantees
may be asked to provide general information on any students and faculty
supported, in whole or in part, by a grant awarded under this program;
information that may be requested includes, but is not limited to,
standardized academic achievement test scores, grade point average,
academic standing, career patterns, age, race/ethnicity, gender,
citizenship, and disability.

[]{#agency .anchor}**PART VII-AGENCY CONTACT**

Applicants and other interested parties are encouraged to contact Mr. P.
Gregory Smith; National Program Leader; Higher Education Programs;
Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service; STOP 2251;
1400 Independence Ave, SW; Washington, DC 20250-2251; Telephone:

\(202\) 720-1973; Fax: (202) 720-2030; E-mail: <HEC@csrees.usda.gov>.

**PART VIII-OTHER INFORMATION**

[]{#access .anchor}**A. Access To Review Information**

Copies of reviews, not including the identity of reviewers, and a
summary of the panel comments will be sent to the applicant PD after the
review process has been completed.

[]{#use .anchor}

**B. Use of Funds; Changes**

**1. [Delegation of Fiscal Responsibility]{.underline}**

Unless the terms and conditions of the award state otherwise, the
awardee may not in whole or in part delegate or transfer to another
person, institution, or organization the responsibility for use or
expenditure of award funds.

**2. [Changes in Project Plans]{.underline}**\
\
a. The permissible changes by the awardee, PD(s), or other key project
personnel in the approved project shall be limited to changes in
methodology, techniques, or other similar aspects of the project to
expedite achievement of the project\'s approved goals. If the awardee or
the PD(s) is uncertain as to whether a change complies with this
provision, the question must be referred to the Authorized Departmental
Officer (ADO) for a final determination. The ADO is the signatory of the
award document, not the program contact.

b\. Changes in approved goals or objectives shall be requested by the
awardee and approved in writing by the ADO prior to effecting such
changes. In no event shall requests for such changes be approved which
are outside the scope of the original approved project.

c\. Changes in approved project leadership or the replacement or
reassignment of other key project personnel shall be requested by the
awardee and approved in writing by the ADO prior to effecting such
changes.

d\. Transfers of actual performance of the substantive programmatic work
in whole or in part and provisions for payment of funds, whether or not
Federal funds are involved, shall be requested by the awardee and
approved in writing by the ADO prior to effecting such transfers, unless
prescribed otherwise in the terms and conditions of the award.

e\. Changes in Project Period: The project period may be extended by
CSREES without additional financial support, for such additional
period(s) as the ADO determines may be necessary to complete or fulfill
the purposes of an approved project, but in no case shall the total
project period exceed five years. Any extension of time shall be
conditioned upon prior request by the awardee and approval in writing by
the ADO, unless prescribed otherwise in the terms and conditions of
award.

f\. Changes in Approved Budget: Changes in an approved budget must be
requested by the awardee and approved in writing by the ADO prior to
instituting such changes if the revision will involve transfers or
expenditures of amounts requiring prior approval as set forth in the
applicable Federal cost principles, Departmental regulations, or award.

**C.** []{#confidential .anchor}**Confidential Aspects of Applications
and Awards**

When an application results in an award, it becomes a part of the record
of CSREES transactions, available to the public upon specific request.
Information that the Secretary determines to be of a confidential,
privileged, or proprietary nature will be held in confidence to the
extent permitted by law. Therefore, any information that the applicant
wishes to have considered as confidential, privileged, or proprietary
should be clearly marked within the application. The original copy of an
application that does not result in an award will be retained by the
Agency for a period of one year. Other copies will be destroyed. Such an
application will be released only with the consent of the applicant or
to the extent required by law. An application may be withdrawn at any
time prior to the final action thereon.

[]{#regulatory .anchor}

**D. Regulatory Information**

For the reasons set forth in the final Rule related Notice to 7 CFR part
3015, subpart V (48 FR 29114, June 24, 1983), this program is excluded
from the scope of the Executive Order 12372 which requires
intergovernmental consultation with State and local officials. Under the
provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. chapter
35), the collection of information requirements contained in this Notice
have been approved under OMB Document No. 0524-0039.

[]{#definitions .anchor}

**E. Definitions**

For the purpose of this program, the following definitions are
applicable:

[Authorized departmental officer]{.underline} means the Secretary or any
employee of the Department with delegated authority to issue or modify
grant instruments on behalf of the Secretary.

[Authorized representative]{.underline} means the president or chief
executive officer of the applicant organization or the official,
designated by the president or chief executive officer of the applicant
organization, who has the authority to commit the resources of the
organization.

[Budget period]{.underline} means the interval of time (usually 12
months) into which the project period is divided for budgetary and
reporting purposes.

[Cash contributions]{.underline} means the applicant\'s cash outlay,
including the outlay of money contributed to the applicant by
non-Federal third parties.

[Citizen or national of the United States]{.underline} means: (1) A
citizen or native resident of a State, the District of Columbia, or any
Insular Area; or, (2) A person defined in the Immigration and
Nationality Act, 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(22), who, though not a citizen of the
United States, owes permanent allegiance to the United States. Where
eligibility is claimed solely on the basis of permanent allegiance,
documentary evidence from the Immigration and Naturalization Service as
to such eligibility must be made available to CSREES upon request.

[College or University]{.underline} means an educational institution in
any State which: (1) Admits as regular students only persons having a
certificate of graduation from a school providing secondary education,
or the recognized equivalent of such a certificate; (2) Is legally
authorized within such State to provide a program of education beyond
secondary education; (3) Provides an educational program for which a
baccalaureate degree or any other higher degree is awarded; (4) Is a
public or other [nonprofit]{.underline} institution; and (5) Is
accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency or association.

[Department]{.underline} or [USDA]{.underline} means the United States
Department of Agriculture.

[Educational Strategy]{.underline} means the specific area(s) of
educational focus identified in the Request for Applications and
addressed by the applicant's proposal. Educational Strategies are
derived from statutory language authorizing the grants program and
specific areas targeted for funding support in the Request for
Applications.

[Eligible institution]{.underline} means a [land-grant college or
university]{.underline} (including land-grant institutions in the
Insular Areas), colleges and universities having significant minority
enrollments and a demonstrable capacity to carry out the teaching of
food and agricultural sciences, and other U.S. [colleges and
universities]{.underline} having a demonstrable capacity to carry out
the teaching of food and agricultural sciences. An eligible institution
includes a research foundation maintained by an eligible college or
university.

[Eligible participant]{.underline} means an individual who is a citizen
or national of the United States as defined in this section.

[Food and agricultural sciences]{.underline} means basic, applied, and
developmental research, extension, and teaching activities in the food
and fiber, agricultural, renewable natural resources, forestry, and
physical and social sciences, in the broadest sense of these terms,
including but not limited to, activities relating to the production,
processing, marketing, distribution, conservation, utilization,
consumption, research, and development of food and agriculturally
related products and services, and inclusive of programs in agriculture,
natural resources, aquaculture, forestry, veterinary medicine, home
economics, rural human ecology, rural economic, community, or business
development, and closely allied disciplines.

[Grantee]{.underline} means the organization designated in the grant
award document as the responsible legal entity to which a grant is
awarded.

[Insular Area]{.underline} means the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam,
American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the
Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands,
the Republic of Palau, and the Virgin Islands of the United States.

[Joint project proposal]{.underline} means a proposal for a project: (1)
which will involve the applicant institution working in cooperation with
**two or more** other entities not legally affiliated with the applicant
institution, including other schools, colleges, universities, community
colleges, junior colleges, other institutions; and (2) where the
applicant institution and each cooperating entity will assume a major
role in the conduct of the proposed project. To demonstrate a
substantial involvement with the project, **the applicant institution
submitting a joint project proposal must retain at least 30 percent but
not more than 50 percent of the awarded funds, and no cooperating entity
may receive less than 10 percent of awarded funds**. Only the applicant
institution must meet the definition of an eligible institution as
specified in this RFA; other entities participating in a joint project
proposal are not required to meet the definition of an eligible
institution.

[Land-grant colleges and universities]{.underline} means those
institutions eligible to receive funds under the Act of July 2, 1862 (12
Stat. 503-505, as amended; 7 U.S.C. 301-305, 307 and 308), including the
land-grant institutions in the [Insular Areas]{.underline}; or the Act
of August 30, 1890 (26 Stat. 417-419, as amended; 7 U.S.C. 321-326 and
328), including Tuskegee University and West Virginia State University.

[Matching]{.underline} or [Cost-sharing]{.underline} means that portion
of allowable project costs not borne by the Federal Government,
including the value of in‑kind contributions.

[Nonprofit]{.underline}, as applied to a school, junior or community
college, agency, organization, or institution, means a school, junior or
community college, agency, organization, or institution owned and
operated by one or more nonprofit corporations or associations, no part
of the net earnings of which inures, or may lawfully inure, to the
benefit of any private shareholder or individual.

[Outcomes]{.underline} means specific, measurable project results and
benefits that, when assessed and reported, indicate the project's [plan
of operation]{.underline} has been achieved.

[Peer reviewers]{.underline} means experts or consultants qualified by
training and experience to give expert advice on the scientific and
technical merit of grant applications or the relevance of those
applications to one or more of the proposal evaluation criteria. Peer
reviewers may be ad hoc or convened as a panel.

[Plan of Operation]{.underline} means a detailed, step-by-step
description of how the applicant intends to accomplish the project's
[outcomes]{.underline}. At a minimum, the plan should include a
timetable indicating how outcomes are achieved, a description of
resources to be used or acquired, and the responsibilities expected of
all project personnel.

[Prior approval]{.underline} means written approval evidencing prior
consent by an authorized departmental officer.

[Project]{.underline} means the particular activity within the scope of
the program supported by a grant award.

[Project director]{.underline} means the single individual designated by
the grantee in the grant application and approved by the Authorized
Departmental Officer who is responsible for the direction and management
of the project \[also known as a principal investigator for research
activities\].

[Project period]{.underline} means the total length of time, as stated
in the award document and modifications thereto, if any, during which
Federal sponsorship begins and ends.

[Regular project proposal]{.underline} means a proposal for a project:
(1) where the applicant institution will be the sole entity involved in
the execution of the project; or (2) which will involve the applicant
institution and one or more other entities, but where the involvement of
the other entity(ies) does not meet the requirements for a joint project
proposal as defined in this section.

[Secretary]{.underline} means the Secretary of Agriculture and any other
officer or employee of the Department to whom the authority involved may
be delegated.

[State]{.underline} means any one of the fifty States, the Commonwealth
of Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern
Marianas, the Virgin Islands of the United States, and the District of
Columbia.

[Teaching]{.underline} means formal classroom instruction, laboratory
instruction, and practicum experience in the food and agricultural
sciences and matters related thereto (such as faculty development,
student recruitment and services, curriculum development, instructional
materials and equipment, and innovative teaching methodologies)
conducted by eligible educational institutions.

[Third party in-kind contributions]{.underline} means non‑cash
contributions of property or services provided by non‑Federal third
parties, including real property, equipment, supplies and other
expendable property, directly benefiting and specifically identifiable
to a funded project or program.

[United States]{.underline} means the several States, the territories
and possessions of the United States, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico,
Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas, the
Virgin Islands of the United States, and the District of Columbia.