+-------------+--------------------------------------------------------+
| ![](me      | **Program Solicitation**                               |
| dia/image1. |                                                        |
| png){width= | **Hispanic-Serving Institutions Education Grants       |
| "1.16666666 | Program (HSI)**                                        |
| 66666667in" |                                                        |
| height="    | **Fiscal Year 2008**                                   |
| 0.816666666 |                                                        |
| 6666667in"} | **Closing Date: February 8, 2008**                     |
|             |                                                        |
|             | **[HSI Program:]{.underline}**                         |
|             |                                                        |
|             | **Telephone: 202-720-1793**                            |
|             |                                                        |
|             | **Email: <HSIGrants@csrees.usda.gov>**                 |
|             |                                                        |
|             | **Internet:                                            |
|             | <ht                                                    |
|             | tp://www.csrees.usda.gov/funding/rfas/hispanic.html>** |
|             |                                                        |
|             | **Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number        |
|             | (CFDA)**                                               |
|             |                                                        |
|             | [10.223 Hispanic-Serving Institutions Education Grants |
|             | Program]{.underline}                                   |
|             |                                                        |
|             | **CSREES Funding Opportunity Number**                  |
|             |                                                        |
|             | USDA-CSREES-HSI-001130                                 |
+-------------+--------------------------------------------------------+
| **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 HSI EDUCATION GRANTS PROGRAM*

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

The Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI) Education 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} The "Get Registered" tab on Grants.gov
([**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 |
| grants 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 Grant Application Packages."   |
|                           | Enter the CFDA number 10.223 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 HSI 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 8, 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 am -- 5:00 pm 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 am -- 9:00 pm
ET.

Part IV of this RFA provides additional information specific to the HSI
Education Grants 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 AT RISK OF BEING EXCLUDED FROM csrees
REVIEW.]{.underline} Partial applications will be excluded from CSREES
review. 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. On the Grants.gov Customer Support webpage
(<http://grants.gov/CustomerSupport>) users will find a link to "Convert
Documents to PDF" (<http://grants.gov/assets/PDFConversion.pdf>).

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

+-------------------+------------+--------------------+--------------+
| **Document        | **         | **Instruction      | **Additional |
| Title**           | Required** | Source**           | Instructions |
|                   |            |                    | within this  |
|                   |            |                    | RFA**        |
+-------------------+------------+--------------------+--------------+
| SF 424 (R&R)      |            | CSREES Grants.gov  | HSI RFA      |
| Cover Sheet       |            | Application Guide  |              |
|                   |            | p. 17              | Part IV.     |
|                   |            |                    | B.1., p. 18  |
+-------------------+------------+--------------------+--------------+
| SF 424 (R&R)      |            | CSREES Grants.gov  | HSI RFA      |
| Other Project     |            | Application Guide  |              |
| Information       |            | p. 24              | Part IV.     |
|                   |            |                    | B.2., p. 18  |
+-------------------+------------+--------------------+--------------+
| SF 424 (R&R)      |            | CSREES Grants.gov  | HSI RFA      |
| Senior/Key Person |            | Application Guide  |              |
| (Expanded)        |            | p. 29              | Part IV.     |
|                   |            |                    | B.3., p. 24  |
+-------------------+------------+--------------------+--------------+
| SF 424 (R&R)      |            | CSREES Grants.gov  | HSI RFA      |
| Personal Data     |            | Application Guide  |              |
|                   |            | p. 34              | Part IV.     |
|                   |            |                    | B.4., p. 24  |
+-------------------+------------+--------------------+--------------+
| SF 424 (R&R)      |            | CSREES Grants.gov  | HSI RFA      |
| Budget            |            | Application Guide  |              |
|                   |            | p. 36              | Part IV.     |
|                   |            |                    | B.5., p. 24  |
+-------------------+------------+--------------------+--------------+
| SF 424 (R&R)      | Only if    | CSREES Grants.gov  | HSI RFA      |
| Subaward Budget   | submitting | Application Guide  |              |
| Attachment        | a          | p. 43              | Part IV.     |
|                   | Col        |                    | B.6., p. 25  |
|                   | laboration | (Follow attachment |              |
|                   | Project    | guidelines)        |              |
+-------------------+------------+--------------------+--------------+
| CSREES            |            | CSREES Grants.gov  | HSI RFA      |
| Supplemental      |            | Application Guide  |              |
| Information       |            | p. 45              | Part IV.     |
|                   |            |                    | B.7., p. 25  |
+-------------------+------------+--------------------+--------------+

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

**HISPANIC-SERVING INSTITUTIONS EDUCATION GRANTS PROGRAM**

**INITIAL ANNOUNCEMENT**

**CATALOG OF FEDERAL DOMESTIC ASSISTANCE:** This program is listed in
the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance under 10.223,
Hispanic-Serving Institutions Education Grants Program.

**DATES:** Applications must be received by Grants.gov by close of
business (COB) on February 8, 2008 (5:00 p.m. Eastern Time).
Applications received after this deadline normally will 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 this 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. Such comments 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 RFAs for
competitive programs. Comments should be submitted as provided for 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 Hispanic-Serving Institutions Education Grants
Program RFA.

**EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:** CSREES requests applications for the
Hispanic-Serving Institutions Education Grants Program (HSI) for fiscal
year (FY) 2008 to promote and strengthen the ability of Hispanic-Serving
Institutions to carry out higher education programs that attract,
retain, and graduate outstanding students capable of enhancing the
nation's food and agricultural scientific and professional work force.
CSREES anticipates the total amount available for support of the HSI in
FY 2008 will be approximately \$5.5 million.

This notice identifies the objectives for HSI projects, the eligibility
criteria for projects and applicants, and the application forms and
associated instructions needed to apply for an HSI 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 [6](#Part1)**\
A. Legislative Authority and Background [6](#Legauth)\
B. Purpose and Priorities [6](#purpandprio)\
C. Program Area Description [8](#progareadesc)

**PART II**---**AWARD INFORMATION [14](#part2)**\
A. Available Funding [14](#availfund)\
B. Types of Applications [14](#typesofapps)\
C. Project Types [14](#projtypes)\
\
**PART III**---**ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION [16](#part3)**\
A. Eligible Applicants [16](#eligapp)\
B. Cost Sharing or Matching [16](#costsharing)

**PART IV**---**APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION [17](#part4)**\
A. Address to Request Application Package [17](#addytoreq-1)\
B. Content and Form of Application Submission [17](#contentandform)\
C. Submission Dates and Times [27](#submission)\
D. Funding Restrictions [27](#fundingrest)\
E. Other Submission Requirements [28](#othersubreq)

**PART V**---**APPLICATION REVIEW REQUIREMENTS [29](#part5)**\
A. General [29](#part5general)\
B. Evaluation Criteria [29](#evalcriteria)\
C. Conflicts of Interest and Confidentiality [30](#conflictsofint)

D. Organizational Management Information [30](#organizational)

**PART VI**---**AWARD ADMINISTRATION [32](#part6)**\
A. General [32](#part6gen)\
B. Award Notice [32](#awardnotice)\
C. Administrative and National Policy Requirements
[33](#adminnatlpolicyreq)\
D. Expected Program Outputs and Reporting Requirements
[34](#expectedprogram)

**PART VII**---**AGENCY CONTACT [36](#part7)**

**PART VIII**---**OTHER INFORMATION [37](#part8)**\
A. Access to Review Information [37](#access)\
B. Use of Funds; Changes [37](#useoffunds)\
C. Confidential Aspects of Applications and Awards
[38](#confidentialaspects)\
D. Regulatory Information [38](#reginfo)\
E. Definitions [38](#definitions)

[]{#Part1 .anchor}**PART I**---**FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION**

**A. Legislative Authority and Background**

[]{.mark}

[]{#Legauth .anchor}This program is administered under the provisions of
section 1455 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and
Teaching Policy Act of 1977, as amended (NARETPA)

(7 U.S.C. 3241) pursuant to section 815 of Public Law 104-127. Section
1455 of NARETPA authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to make
competitive grants to Hispanic-Serving Institutions for the purpose of
promoting and strengthening the ability of Hispanic-Serving Institutions
to carry out education, applied research, and related community
development programs.

For this program, the term \"food and agricultural sciences\" means
basic, applied, and developmental teaching activities in food and fiber,
agricultural, renewable natural resources, forestry, physical and social
sciences, or rural economic, community, or business development,
including related disciplines as defined in section 1404(8) of NARETPA.

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

[]{.mark}

*[Purpose]{.underline}*

The Department of Agriculture is designated as the lead Federal Agency
for higher education in the food and agricultural sciences. In this
context, the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension
Service (CSREES) has specific responsibility to initiate and support
projects to strengthen higher education teaching programs in the food
and agricultural sciences.

[]{.mark}

The Hispanic-Serving Institutions Education Grants Program is a
competitive grants program intended to: promote and strengthen the
ability of Hispanic-Serving Institutions to carry out higher education
programs in the food and agricultural sciences; attract outstanding
students from underrepresented groups; and produce graduates capable of
enhancing the Nation\'s food and agricultural scientific and
professional work force. Applications for this program may be submitted
by a single Hispanic-Serving Institution or multiple Hispanic-Serving
Institutions with a lead institution. The activities of a collaboration
of Hispanic-Serving Institutions must support and enhance educational
equity for underrepresented students.

The HSI Education 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 HSI Education Grants Program
project, the primary focus must be to improve teaching within a
degree-granting program.

*[Priority Need Areas]{.underline}*

Grants under this program will be awarded to those applicants addressing
the following three Priority Need Areas:

[]{.mark}

\(1\) strengthen institutional educational capacities including
libraries, curriculum, faculty, scientific instrumentation, instruction
delivery systems, and student recruitment and retention, in order to
respond to identified State, regional, national, or international
educational needs in the food and agricultural sciences;

\(2\) attract and support undergraduate and graduate students from
underrepresented groups in order to prepare them for careers related to
the food, agricultural, and natural resource systems of the United
States, beginning with the mentoring of students at the high school
level and continuing with the provision of financial support for
students through their attainment of a doctoral degree; and

\(3\) facilitate cooperative initiatives between two or more
Hispanic-Serving Institutions, or between Hispanic-Serving Institutions
and units of State government or the private sector, to maximize the
development and use of resources, such as faculty, facilities, and
equipment, to improve food and agricultural sciences teaching programs.
Collaboration with non-profit organizations that will assist to identify
potential project participants and maximize participation of
underrepresented students to ensure the project's success is encouraged.

> **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>).**

CSREES encourages innovative proposals with the potential for national
impact to serve as models for other institutions.

*[Program Goals]{.underline}*

**The HSI Education Grants Program seeks to attain the following two
Program Goals:**

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

-   ***To increase the quality of postsecondary instruction within these
    disciplines.***

[Applicants must address all of the following five items:]{.underline}

> 1\. Address how the proposal supports one or more current USDA
> Strategic Goals or associated 17 CSREES Strategic Objectives (see
> complete list in Part VIII, E. Definitions):

\(a\) enhance international competitiveness of American agriculture;

\(b\) enhance the competitiveness and sustainability of rural farm
economies;

\(c\) support increased economic opportunities and improved quality of
life in rural America;

\(d\) enhance protection and safety of the Nation\'s agriculture and
food supply;

\(e\) improve the Nation\'s nutrition and health; and

\(f\) protect and enhance the Nation\'s natural resource base and
environment.

> Note that projects supporting science, technology, engineering, and
> mathematics (STEM) areas in agriculture, natural resources, and
> environmental sciences supporting the USDA's strategic goals are
> encouraged.
>
> 2\. Address at least one of the Educational Need Areas (described in
> Part I, C.1.), and explain how this Educational Need Area supports
> Item 1. listed above;
>
> 3\. Address at least one of the Priority Need Areas (described in Part
> I, B.); and

4\. Document how the project addresses the two program goals.

> 5\. Document how project accomplishments (products, results, impacts,
> etc.) will be published or otherwise disseminated to the broadest
> extent throughout the academic community. Applicants are encouraged to
> develop a project web page as part of their dissemination activities.
> Applicants are also encouraged to develop an on-campus review
> committee to evaluate their progress and termination reports. This
> measure will help maximize the quality of the content within these
> reports.

In addition, applicants are strongly encouraged to find a sponsoring
USDA agency such as the Farm Service Agency (FSA), Foreign Agricultural
Service (FAS), Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), Natural
Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Rural Development Agency (RD),
the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), Economic Research Service (ERS),
Forest Service (FS), Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyard
Administration (GIPSA), Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), Animal and
Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Risk Management Agency (RMA),
Agricultural Research Service (ARS), and the National Agricultural
Statistics Service (NASS) to leverage grant funds and/or contribute
towards overall goals and objectives.

[]{#progareadesc .anchor}

**C. Program Description\
**

**1. Educational Need Areas**

HSI Projects should focus on one or more of the Educational Need Areas
listed below. If more than one Educational Need Area is evident in your
application, please list, in the Project Summary, the most
representative area first. (See Part IV, B.2a.)

Projects addressing the targeted Priority Areas above (a-f) or
Educational Area below 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.

**Applicants should propose to reform mainstream instructional practices
and address future needs within the food and agricultural sciences
system. Applicants should consider projects that meet the various
Educational Areas: (a) reshape curricula for a changing agricultural
system; (b) prepare faculty to teach a changing student clientele; (c)
prepare instructional delivery systems; (d) acquire scientific
instrumentation for teaching;**

**(e) develop student experiential learning opportunities for
underrepresented students; or (f) recruit and retain underrepresented
students.**

Educational Need Areas for FY 2008 are listed below. All these Need
Areas present opportunities for USDA collaboration and involvement.

**(a)** **Curricula Design, Materials Development, and Library Resources
(including development of courses of study and degree programs).**

The purpose of this Need Area is to promote new and improved curricula,
materials, and library resources to increase the quality of, and
continuously renew, the academic programs of Hispanic-Serving
Institutions in the food and agricultural sciences. The overall
objective is to stimulate the development and facilitate the use of
exemplary education models and materials that incorporate the most
recent advances in subject matter, research on teaching and learning
theory, and instructional technology and demonstrate the benefit of new
technologies. Proposals may emphasize, but are not limited to: the
development of courses of study, degree programs, and instructional
materials; the use of new approaches to the study of traditional
subjects; the introduction of new subjects, or new applications of
knowledge pertaining to the food and agricultural sciences; or the
acquisition of books and journals relating to the food and agricultural
sciences.

**(b)** **Faculty Preparation and Enhancement for Teaching.**

The purpose of this Need Area is to advance faculty development in the
areas of teaching competency and leadership, subject matter expertise,
or student recruitment and advising skills. Proposals may emphasize, but
are not limited to: obtaining experience with recent developments and
new applications in a field, expanding competence in innovative
technologies and new methods of instruction delivery or student advising
skills, or pursuing further graduate-level study in a field related to
the food and agricultural sciences. Each faculty recipient of support
for developmental activities must be an \"eligible participant\" as
defined in the definitions section of this RFA.

Project example, CSREES requests the submission of proposals for
coordinating the recruitment and development of faculty/student teams to
participate in research activities at host research institutions and
laboratories. The HSI applicant will administer the grant project in
coordination with research staff at USDA and/or other agencies.

Applicants should also consider requesting \$25,000 to sponsor
developmental training for current faculty and/or administrators at
Hispanic-Serving Institutions that would address one or all the USDA
Strategic Goals (see complete list in Part VIII, E. Definitions) with
the purpose of building their capacity and fostering linkages with USDA
agencies. Applicants requesting support for this training should attach
a three-page project prospectus to their application. (See Part IV,
B.2.f.). One institution will be funded to complete this leadership
training. Funding for this activity is not renewable. This activity will
be funded as a component of an HSI grant and not as a separate grant
award.

**(c) Instruction Delivery Systems.**

The purpose of this Need Area is to encourage the use of alternative
methods of delivering instruction to enhance the quality, effectiveness,
and cost efficiency of teaching programs. Proposals may emphasize, but
are not limited to: incorporating alternative instructional
methodologies that respond to differences in student learning styles;
inter-institutional collaborations that deliver instruction in ways that
maximize program quality and reduce unnecessary duplication; and
consideration and implementation of innovative instructional techniques,
methodologies, and delivery systems in response to advances in knowledge
and technology.

**(d)** **Scientific Instrumentation for Teaching.**

The purpose of this Need Area is to provide students in science-oriented
courses the necessary experience with suitable, up-to-date equipment in
order to involve them in work central to scientific understanding and
progress. Proposals may emphasize, but are not limited to: acquiring
new, state-of-the-art instructional laboratory and other classroom
equipment to help assure the achievement and maintenance of outstanding
food and agricultural sciences higher education programs; upgrading
existing equipment; or replacing non-functional or clearly obsolete
equipment.

**(e) Student Experiential Learning.**

The purpose of this Need Area is to further the development of student
scientific and professional competencies through experiential learning
programs outside the formal classroom that provide students with
opportunities to solve complex problems in the context of real-world
situations. Proposals may emphasize knowledge and applications that
provide student graduates with skills desired by employees, but are not
limited to: preparing future graduates to advance knowledge and
technology, enhance quality of life, conserve resources, and revitalize
the Nation\'s economic competitiveness; advancing student
decision-making and communication skills; and improving real-life
technological expertise.

Applicants are encouraged to find a USDA agency, non-profit, and/or
private sector organization to assist in the development of these
student experiential learning activities.

**(f) Student Recruitment and Retention (including student financial
assistance).**

The purpose of this Need Area is to strengthen **underrepresented**
student recruitment and retention programs in order to promote and
strengthen the Nation\'s scientific, professional, and technical work
force in the food and agricultural sciences. Proposals may emphasize,
but are not limited to: supplementing efforts to attract increased
numbers of outstanding academic students to prepare for careers as food
and agricultural scientists, professionals, and technicians; promoting
opportunities for underrepresented groups to engage in a robust exchange
of ideas and a more effective use of the full breadth of the Nation\'s
intellectual resources; or mentoring programs and other initiatives
(including financial assistance) to attract and retain outstanding
students.

Applicants may request funding (up to \$50,000) to provide financial
assistance to one student beyond their participation in the project.
Include a budget with the expected expenses for this scholarship in the
budget narrative. For example, a student completing a two-year degree
could be sponsored to complete a four-year degree or a student
completing a four-year degree could be sponsored to complete a master\'s
degree. **Two year colleges must have an articulation agreement allowing
the student to complete a bachelor's or professional degree at the
selected granting institution. Funds could cover tuition, books, a
stipend, a computer, travel to one professional conference in their
field of study, and/or travel to a one-week leadership training
workshop.** The student stipend amount selected by the applicant should
be comparable to the current stipend at the institution to be attended
by the student. The student should be selected within the first 12
months of the award and encouraged to complete funded school work within
54 months of the initial award date (4 1/2 years).

Each student recipient must be enrolled at an eligible institution and
meet the requirement of an \"eligible participant\" as defined in the
definitions section of this solicitation.

**2. Disciplines and Subject Matter Areas Supported**

Eligible institutions may, within the Educational Need Areas targeted
for support, propose projects in any Discipline(s) or subject matter
area(s) of the food and agricultural sciences as noted below:

General Food and Agricultural Sciences; Agribusiness Management and
Marketing (includes Agricultural Economics); Agricultural/Biological
Engineering; Agricultural Social Sciences (includes Agricultural
Education, Agricultural Communications, and Rural Sociology); Animal
Sciences; Aquaculture; Conservation and Renewable Natural Resources
(includes Forestry and Ecology/Wetlands); Entomology, Animal;
Entomology, Plant; Environmental Sciences/Management; Food
Science/Technology and Manufacturing (including Food Safety); Human
Nutrition; Human Sciences/Family and Consumer Sciences (excludes Human
Nutrition); International Education/Research (enhancement of U.S.
programs); Plant Sciences and Horticulture (including Turf Sciences);
Related Biological Sciences (includes General/Basic Biotechnology,
Biochemistry, and Microbiology); Soil Sciences; Veterinary
Medicine/Science; Water Science/Water Resources; (including Water
Quality and Watershed Management); and \"other\" relevant and subject
matter areas.

Again, science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM)
disciplines that support the disciplines listed above are encouraged.

**3. Levels of Study Supported**

Applications must be directed to formal, for-credit academic programs at
the undergraduate and/or graduate levels of study.

**4. Project Scope**

A proposed Regular or Collaboration project may address a single
Educational Need Area or multiple Educational Need Areas, may focus on
the undergraduate or graduate levels of study, and may focus on a single
discipline or subject matter area or multiple disciplines or subject
matter areas, in any combination. **Projects must address one or more of
the six USDA's Strategic Goals or associated 17 CSREES Strategic
Objectives (see definition in Part VIII, E.).**

Finally, grantees are encouraged to obtain an independent evaluation to
secure appropriate documentation of the project's outcomes and impacts.
[Up to 10 percent of grant funds]{.underline} may be used for this
purpose.

**5. Institutional Collaboration**

Applicants may submit Regular Project proposals and/or Collaboration
Project proposals. Applicants submitting Regular Project proposals may
partner with one other eligible institution. (See Part II, C. Project
Types.) Proposals should be designed to: (1) increase the pool of
highly-qualified students from minority groups that are traditionally
underrepresented in careers in the food and agricultural sciences; (2)
make more scientific knowledge readily available to the Hispanic-Serving
Institutions; (3) provide technical and financial assistance through
grant and scholarship programs to recruit and retain talented students
and faculty; and (4) provide support for utilizing and developing the
professional faculty and staff as a source of expertise deemed important
to the CSREES mission.

In addition, applicants are encouraged to collaborate with aUSDA agency
such as the Farm Service Agency (FSA), Foreign Agricultural Service
(FAS), Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), Natural Resources
Conservation Service (NRCS), Rural Development Agency (RD), the Food and
Nutrition Service (FNS), Economic Research Service (ERS), Forest Service
(FS), Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyard Administration (GIPSA),
Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), Animal and Plant Health Inspection
Service (APHIS), Risk Management Agency (RMA), Agricultural Research
Service (ARS), and the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).
Examples of collaborative activities with USDA could include
internships, USDA Career Days, Hispanic-Serving Institution student
visits or tours, and USDA staff presentations to students and faculty.

**6. Project Evaluation**

In addition to measuring progress toward achieving the specific
objectives of your funded project, your Evaluation Plan (see Part IV,
B.2.b.(B)(5)) must also include a strategy for assessing how your
project advances the two (2) HSI Education Grants Program Goals (Part I,
B.). The following, suggested evaluation examples are derived from the
Department of Education's *Report of the Academic Competitiveness
Council,* *May 2007*, Federal STEM Goals and Metrics, Education
Undergraduate National Goals and Metrics.

> 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; and 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; and 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 HSI Education Grants
> Program Goals, applicants could 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).

**7. Project Director\'s Meeting and Dissemination Plan**

During the tenure of a grant, Project Directors must attend a New
Project Director's meeting and at least one National Project Directors'
meeting, if offered, in Washington, DC, or any other announced location.
The purpose of the New Project Director's meeting will be to discuss
project and grant management, opportunities for collaborative efforts,
and future directions for education reform. The National Project
Director's meeting will build on the New Project Director's meeting and
will also provide opportunities to enhance dissemination of exemplary
end products/results.

Applicants must include in the project's Dissemination Plan 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, a website, and
presentations at regional or national conferences and workshops,
including the HSIs Project Director's Conference.

[]{#part2 .anchor}**PART II---AWARD INFORMATION**

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

There is no commitment by USDA to fund any particular application or to
make a specific number of awards. CSREES anticipates that approximately
\$5.5 million will be available to fund applications in FY 2008.

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

In FY 2008, applications may be submitted to the HSI Program as one of
the following two types of requests:

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

**[(2) Resubmitted application]{.underline}**. This is an application
that had previously been submitted to the HSI Program but not funded.
Project Directors (PDs) must respond to the previous review panel
summary (see Response to Previous Review, Part IV, B.2.f.). Resubmitted
applications must be received by the relevant due dates, will be
evaluated in competition with other pending applications in the
appropriate area to which they are assigned, and will be reviewed
according to the same evaluation criteria as new applications.

[]{#projtypes .anchor}

**C. Project Types**

This competitive grants program awards funds to Hispanic-Serving
Institutions for the purpose of promoting and strengthening their
abilities to carry out higher education programs in the food and
agricultural sciences. Only eligible institutions may be the direct
recipients of grants under this program and grant efforts should be
dedicated to supporting the objectives of USDA in food and agricultural
sciences.

There are two types of project proposals: **Regular** and
**Collaboration**.

-   [Regular project]{.underline} proposal is a proposal for a project
    where the applicant (and one other Hispanic-Serving Institution)
    will be the sole entity(s) involved in the execution of the project.

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-   [Collaboration project]{.underline} proposal is a proposal for a
    project in which a group of three or more Hispanic-Serving
    Institutions form a cooperative arrangement for the purpose of
    carrying out common objective(s) on the group's behalf for the
    purpose of promoting and strengthening their abilities to carry out
    higher education programs in the food and agricultural sciences.
    These Hispanic-Serving Institutions will build linkages to maximize
    the use of limited resources by generating a critical mass of
    expertise to address an activity focused on one of more targeted
    Educational Need Area(s), increasing cost effectiveness, achieving
    economies of scale, strengthening the scope and quality of a
    project's impact, and reaching a larger number of institutions.

**1. Application Submission Limitations**

For the FY 2008 program, an applicant may not submit as a lead
institution more than three applications.**\
**

**2. Project Duration**

For the FY 2008 program, eligible institutions may submit Regular or
Collaboration Project applications, as defined in this RFA, for project
periods of 24 to 36 months duration.

**3. Award Size**

[a. Regular Project]{.underline}

For the FY 2008 program, an applicant may request up to \$250,000
(total, not per year) for a Regular Project. An additional \$50,000 may
be requested to support one underrepresented student, thereby increasing
the total grant award size to \$300,000 including indirect costs.
Applicants must describe in the budget narrative how these funds will be
allocated. Note that the funds requested do not have to be divided
equally between institutions or among project years.

[b. Collaboration Project]{.underline}

Collaboration proposals will be funded up to \$450,000 (total, not per
year) and would require the participation of three or more eligible
institutions. Applicants must describe in the budget narrative how these
funds will be allocated. A Collaboration proposal may also request the
additional \$50,000 to support an underrepresented student thereby
increasing the Collaboration proposal maximum to \$500,000 including
indirect costs. Activities supported should benefit all or most
collaboration members. Up to two collaboration proposals are expected to
be funded per year. Distribution of funds among collaboration members
will be decided by the applicant organizations. Nevertheless, the lead
institution must receive at least 25 percent of the award and no more
than 75 percent of the funds awarded.

[]{#part3 .anchor}**PART III**---**ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION**

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

Awards may only be made to public or other non-profit Hispanic-Serving
Institutions as defined in the definitions section of this RFA. To be
eligible for competitive consideration for an award under this program,
a Hispanic-Serving Institution must at the time of application certify
that it has an enrollment of undergraduate full-time equivalent students
that is at least 25 percent Hispanic students. By submitting an
application, the applicant organization certifies that it is eligible to
receive funding under this program.

**If an institution cannot accept Federal funds directly, it must submit
a letter stating that it will accept the award, but that funds must be
administered through a fiscal agent organization. This agent must be
identified in the letter from the applicant and the letter must be
countersigned by an authorized representative of the fiscal agent
organization. The letter should include the fiscal agent's point of
contact, address, telephone number, fax number and e-mail address. Both
the fiscal agent organization and the applicant school or institution
must submit complete management information (see Part V, D.).**
Nevertheless, the legal recipient of the award must be a
Hispanic-Serving Institution. (Submission of fiscal agent information
(above) is not requested now, but will be required, before an award is
made.)

**1. Branch Institutions**

For the purposes of this program, the individual branches of a State
university system or public system of higher education that are
separately accredited as degree granting institutions are treated as
separate institutions eligible for awards. Accreditation must be by an
agency or association recognized by the Secretary, U.S. Department of
Education. Institutions also must be legally authorized to offer at
least a two-year program of study creditable toward an associate's or
bachelor's degree. Separate branches or campuses of a college or
university that are not individually accredited as degree granting
institutions are not treated as separate institutions.

**2. Subcontracts**

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

[]{#costsharing .anchor}**B. Cost Sharing or Matching**\
\
CSREES does not require matching support for this program and matching
resources will not be factored into the review process.

[]{#part4 .anchor}**PART IV---APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION**

**A. Address to Request Application Package**

[]{#addytoreq-1 .anchor}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>.

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```
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-HSI-001130"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.

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

::: Definition-Term
:::

::: 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.
:::

[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. **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 AT RISK OF BEING EXCLUDED
FROM csrees REVIEW.]{.underline} Partial applications will be excluded
from CSREES review. 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>).

#### **[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 HSI applications; these fields do not need
to be completed.

**Field 5. Applicant Information** -- This must be the legal name of
[public or other non-profit Hispanic-Serving Institution]{.underline}
(See Part III. A, Eligible Applicant). If a fiscal agent will be
involved (see Part III. A.), do not list that organization in this
field. **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 'Resubmitted'
applications are permitted.

**Field 13. Proposed Project Start Date** **and** **End Date** -- A
project's duration should normally be at least 24 months and no more
than 36 months.

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

**Total Estimated Project Funding** = Amount of [Federal
funds]{.underline} requested (See Part II. C)

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

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

a\. Project Summary/Abstract (Field 6. on the Form). List the **primary
USDA Strategic Goal (from Part VIII, E., Definitions) addressed by this
project**; the primary Educational Need Area (from Part I, C.1.); and
the primary Discipline (from Part I, C.2.). Briefly summarize the
project objectives and include all measurable project outcomes. The
summary should also include the relevance of the project to the HSI
Program Goals.

**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} (i.e. associates
    of science, bachelors of science, masters of science, etc.)**

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

-   **List your project's [Educational Need Area:]{.underline} (Part I,
    C.1.)**

-   **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.) (see Part I, C.2.)**

-   **List your project's USDA/CSREES Strategic Goals: (see Part VIII,
    E.)**

-   **[Collaboration Project]{.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 Collaboration Project, 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 Subaward Budget Attachment). If not a
    Collaboration Project, enter: 'N.A.'.**

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

-   **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 how you will assess whether or not these benefits were
    achieved (See explanation of terms in Part IV, 2.b.).**

b\. Project Narrative (Field 7. on the Form).

PLEASE NOTE: The Project Narrative shall not exceed 20 pages
double-spaced of written text and up to a maximum of five additional
pages for figures and tables. This maximum (25 pages) has been
established to ensure fair and equitable competition. Reviewers will not
be required to review material in excess of this limit.

The Project Narrative must include all of the following: (Note: To
facilitate proposal review and evaluation, include the following,
[underlined]{.underline} [wording]{.underline} as headings in the
Project Narrative, followed by the applicant's response for each item.)

[(A) Potential for Advancing the Quality of Education; Significance of
the Problem:]{.underline}

(1) [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.

(2) [Identification of Educational Problem(s) and Project
    Impact]{.underline}. Clearly identify and explain how the proposed
    project will address at least one of the Educational Need Areas
    described in Part I, C.1. Briefly explain the project's anticipated,
    overall impact on improving the quality of food and agricultural
    sciences education. Also, explain how the project supports any of
    the six current USDA Strategic Goals or 17 associated CSREES
    Strategic Objectives (see Definitions, Part VIII, E., for complete
    list).

(3) [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.

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

(5) [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.

[(B) Proposed Approach and Cooperative Linkages]{.underline}:

[(1) Objectives]{.underline}. Cite and discuss the specific project
objectives to be accomplished. Performance-based objectives are
recommended.

[(2) 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.

[(3) Timetable]{.underline}. Provide a timetable for conducting the
project. Identify all important project milestones and dates as they
relate to project start-up, execution, evaluation, dissemination, and
close-out.

[(4) Products, Results, and Measurable Outcomes]{.underline}. Explain
the expected products and results, and their potential impact (outcome)
on strengthening food and agricultural sciences education in the United
States. ([Important Note]{.underline}: "Products" may be actual items or
services acquired with funds, e.g., "...developed three, new Web-based
courses containing supplemental materials"; "Results" are intended or
unintended consequences of the project, e.g., "\...additional course
materials now available online to reinforce student learning during
non-classroom hours"; and "Outcomes/Impacts" are a measure of the
results by comparing 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".)

[(5) Evaluation Plans]{.underline}. Provide a methodology and
implementation plan for evaluating the accomplishment of stated
products, results and measurable outcomes during the project. Indicate
the criteria, and corresponding weight of each, to be used in the
evaluation process, describe any data to be collected and analyzed, and
explain the methodology that will be used to determine the extent to
which the needs underlying the project are met. Demonstrate that the
project's impact on improving education will be evaluated. Grantees are
encouraged to obtain an independent evaluation to secure appropriate
documentation of the project's outcomes and impacts.

> [(6) Dissemination Plans]{.underline}. The proposal 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. Consider distributing materials
> to other Hispanic-Serving Institutions, especially HSI grantees.
> **Applicants are encouraged to develop a project web page within the
> first six months of the project as part of their dissemination
> activities.**

[(C) Institutional Capability and Capacity Building]{.underline}:

(1) [Institutional Commitment and Capability]{.underline}. Demonstrate
    that the program administration is committed to the project and has
    the capability to ensure its completion. Discuss how the benefits to
    be derived from the project will transcend the applicant institution
    or the grant period. For example, substantiate that 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 show how this
    project is linked to and supported by the institution\'s strategic
    plan.

(2) [Institutional Resources.]{.underline} Document that the 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.

(3) [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.

(4) [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 end of the grant period, 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?

[(D) 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.

[(E) Budget and Cost-effectiveness]{.underline}:

In addition to providing detailed information as part of the Budget
Justification, include the following information as part of the Project
Narrative:

> \(1\) Discuss how the budget specifically supports the proposed
> project activities. Explain how such budget items as professional or
> technical staff, travel, equipment, etc., are essential to achieving
> project objectives.
>
> \(2\) Justify that the total budget will be adequate to carry out the
> activities of the project.
>
> \(3\) 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 Need Area, or to promote coalition building that could
> lead to future ventures.
>
> \(4\) Include the percentage of time key personnel will work on the
> project, both during the academic year and summer. The salaries of
> university personnel (i.e. their total compensation) must not exceed
> the faculty member\'s regular annual compensation. In addition, the
> total commitment of time devoted to the project, when combined with
> time for teaching and research duties, other sponsored agreements, and
> other employment obligations to the institution, must not exceed 100
> percent of the normal workload for which the employee is compensated,
> in accordance with established university policies and applicable
> Federal cost principles.
>
> \(5\) If the proposal addresses more than one Educational Need Area or
> Discipline (e.g., student experiential learning and instruction
> delivery systems), i.) state which one (primary) is most
> representative and list all the others in descending order of
> importance, and ii) estimate the proportion of the funds requested
> from USDA that will support each respective Need Area or Discipline.
> **Make sure you explain how the primary Educational Need Area (or
> Discipline) supports one or more of the six current USDA Strategic
> Goals or associated 17 CSREES Strategic Objectives (see Definitions,
> Part VIII, E., for complete list).**

**c. 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.

**d. 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.

**e. 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. Other purchases (e.g., computers,
laboratory materials,...etc.) are described, instead, in the Budget
Justification section under the 'Materials and Supplies' line item.

> f\. 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.

-   Development Training -- **PDF Attachment.** Title the attachment as
    'Development Training' in the document header [and]{.underline} save
    file as 'Development Training'. Applicants who wish to support
    development training for current faculty or administration at
    Hispanic-Serving Institutions, should attach a three-page project
    prospectus that would address one or all of the USDA Strategic Goals
    with the purpose of building capacity at Hispanic-Serving
    Institutions and fostering their linkages with USDA agencies.

-   **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.

**[3. 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.**

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

**Complete all applicable fields.** Consult the CSREES Grants.gov
Application Guide for instructions. If you choose to submit this
optional form, please **DO NOT PROVIDE THE SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER OF THE
PROJECT DIRECTOR/PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR.**

**5.** **[SF 424 (R&R)]{.underline} [Budget (Required
Form)]{.underline}**

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.

Grantees are encouraged to obtain an independent evaluation to secure
appropriate documentation of the project's outcomes and impacts. Up to
10 percent of grant funds may be used for this purpose.

[]{.mark}

During the tenure of a grant, Project Directors must attend a New
Project Director's meeting and at least one National Project Directors'
meeting, if offered, in Washington, DC, or any other announced location.
Applicants should submit a budget request for Project Director(s) to
travel to attend these meetings.

Budget Justification (Field K on the Form)

For Regular project applications with two institutions and Collaboration
Project applications, indicate how funds will be distributed to the
participating institutions. Use the R&R Subaward Budget Attachment and
attach as a separate file to indicate the names of the participating
institutions with the amount(s) to be disbursed among them.

**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
(Collaboration Project), 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, Collaboration Project).**

**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 form.**

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

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

a\. Program Code (Field 2. on the Form). Enter the program code name,
\'Hispanic Serving Institutions Education Grants Program\' and the
program code, "NJ".

b\. Conflict of Interest List (Field 8. on the Form). **(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)? 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 at risk of being excluded from CSREES
        review.

-   Have all five required 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}
<!-- -->
```
-   SF 424 R&R Cover Sheet

-   SF 424 R&R Other Project Information

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

-   SF 424 Personal Data (Optional)

-   SF 424 R&R Budget

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

-   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}
<!-- -->
```
-   [Project Summary/Abstract]{.underline} (PDF)

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

    -   Does this section adhere to the format?

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

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

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

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

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

    -   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}
<!-- -->
```
-   [Bibliography & References Cited]{.underline} (PDF)

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

```{=html}
<!-- -->
```
-   [Facilities & Other Resources]{.underline} (PDF)

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

```{=html}
<!-- -->
```
-   [Equipment]{.underline} (PDF)

    -   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 Form.

```{=html}
<!-- -->
```
-   [Outside Services, Letters of Support, Use of
    Facilities]{.underline}

    -   Attach as PDF file in Field 11, but only if needed.

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

-   [Biographical Sketch]{.underline} (PDF)

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

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

    -   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} DO NOT PROVIDE THE
SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER OF THE PROJECT DIRECTOR/PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR.**

-   Have all fields been completed except for the social security
    number?

**� [SF 424 R&R Budget]{.underline}**

-   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 8, 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 Authorized Representative 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.**

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

[]{.mark}

**1. Award Limitations**

For FY 2008, a lead institution may receive up to two awards.
Institutions could serve as collaborators in many applications and
awards.

**2. Funding Limitations**

Please see Part II, C.3., Award Size, for maximum budget requests for
regular or collaboration project applications. For FY 2008, there is no
limitation on the amount of funding a single awardee may receive either
as a lead institution, a cooperating institution, a subawardee or any
combination thereof. The lead institution on a Collaboration Project
must retain at least 25 percent and no more than 75 percent of the funds
awarded.

**3. Use of Funds for Facilities**

Under the Hispanic-Serving Institutions Education Grants Program, the
use of grant funds to plan, acquire, or construct a building or facility
is not allowed. With prior approval, in accordance with the cost
principles set forth in OMB Circular No. A-21, some grant funds may be
used for minor alterations, renovations, or repairs deemed necessary to
retrofit existing teaching spaces in order to carry out a funded
project. However, requests to use grant funds for such purposes must
demonstrate that the alterations, renovations, or repairs are incidental
to the major purpose for which a grant is issued.

**4. Indirect Costs**

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.
CSREES anticipates that the FY 2008 Appropriations Act will include a
similar limitation. 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 calculating the maximum allowable is 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 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.

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

::: Definition-Term
:::

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

[]{#part5 .anchor}**PART V---APPLICATION REVIEW REQUIREMENTS**

[]{#part5general .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.

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

The evaluation criteria below will be used in reviewing applications
submitted in response to this RFA.

[]{.mark}

**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, CSREES/USDA's Strategic Goals and/or Objectives, 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 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, and focuses expertise and
activity on high-priority Educational Need Areas.

[]{#conflictsofint .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, with updates on an as needed 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. 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).

[]{#part6 .anchor}**PART VI---AWARD ADMINISTRATION**

[]{#part6gen .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).

**B.** []{#awardnotice .anchor}**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.

[]{#adminnatlpolicyreq .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 7 CFR Part 3021**---**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).

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

[]{.mark}

**1. Project Directors Conferences**

During the tenure of a grant, Project Directors must attend a New
Project Director's meeting and at least one National Project Directors'
meeting, if offered, in Washington, DC, or any other announced location.
The purpose of the New Project Director's meeting will be to discuss
project and grant management, opportunities for collaborative efforts,
and future directions for education reform. The National Project
Director's meeting will build on the New Project Director's meeting and
will also provide opportunities to enhance dissemination of exemplary
end products/results.

**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. Applicants are also
encouraged to develop an on-campus review committee to evaluate their
progress and termination reports. This measure will help maximize the
quality of the content within these reports.

**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 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 and should include **an independent
evaluation and appropriate documentation of the project's outcomes and
impacts. Up to 10 percent of grant funds may be used for this purpose.**
Applicants are also encouraged to develop an on-campus review committee
to evaluate their progress and termination reports. This measure will
help maximize the quality of the content within these reports.

**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.

[]{#part7 .anchor}**PART VII---AGENCY CONTACT**

Applicants and other interested parties are encouraged to contact Dr.
Irma A. Lawrence; National Program Leader; Multicultural Alliances;
Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service; USDA; 1400
Independence Ave., SW; STOP 2251; Washington, DC 20250-2251; telephone:
(202) 720-2082; fax: (202) 720-4924; e-mail:
<ilawrence@csrees.usda.gov>.

[]{#part8 .anchor}**PART VIII---OTHER INFORMATION**

**A. Access to Review Information**

[]{#access .anchor}

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.

[]{#useoffunds .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\. 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: Unless stated otherwise in the terms and
conditions of award, 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.

[]{#confidentialaspects .anchor}**C. 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 three years. 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.

[]{#reginfo .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:

[]{.mark}

[Administrator]{.underline} means the Administrator of the Cooperative
State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES) and any other
officer or employee of the Department to whom the authority involved is
delegated.

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

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

[]{.mark}

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

[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]{.underline} 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 an associate degree or
any other higher degree is awarded;

\(4\) is a public or other nonprofit institution; and

\(5\) is accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency or
association.

[]{.mark}

[Collaboration of Hispanic-Serving Institutions]{.underline} means a
group of three or more Hispanic-Serving Institutions forming a
cooperative arrangement for the purpose of carrying out common
objective(s) on the group's behalf for the purpose of promoting and
strengthening their abilities to carry out higher education programs in
the food and agricultural sciences.

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

[Education]{.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 colleges and universities offering associate,
baccalaureate, or higher degrees.

[Educational and general expenditures]{.underline} means the total
amount expended by an institution for instruction, research, public
service, academic support (including library expenditures), student
services, institutional support, scholarships and fellowships, operation
and maintenance expenditures for the physical plant, and any mandatory
transfers that the institution is required to pay by law.

[Educational Need Area]{.underline} means the specific area(s) of
educational focus identified in the solicitation for applications and
addressed by the applicant's proposal. Educational Need Areas are
derived from statutory language authorizing the grants program and
specific Educational Need Areas are targeted for funding support in the
request for applications.

[Eligible institution]{.underline} means an institution of higher
education:

\(1\) that has an enrollment of needy students as defined in this
section;

\(2\) except if waived by the Secretary of Education, the average
educational and general expenditures of which are low, per full-time
equivalent undergraduate student, in comparison with the average
educational and general expenditures per full-time equivalent
undergraduate student of institutions that offer similar instruction;

\(3\) that is legally authorized to provide, and provides within the
State, an educational program for which the institution awards a
bachelor's degree; or that is a junior or community college as defined
in this section;

\(4\) that is accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency
or association determined by the Secretary of Education to be a reliable
authority as to the quality of training offered or that is, according to
such an agency or association, making reasonable progress toward
accreditation;

\(5\) that meets such other requirements as the Secretary of Education
may prescribe; and

\(6\) that is located in a State.

> The term eligible institution also applies to any branch of any
> institution of higher education, described by the definition of an
> eligible institution, that by itself satisfies the requirements
> contained in clauses (1) and (2) of the definition of an eligible
> institution.
>
> For purposes of determining whether an institution is an eligible
> institution, the factor described under clause (1) of the definition
> of an eligible institution shall be given twice the weight of the
> factor described under clause (2) of the definition of an eligible
> institution.

[Eligible participant]{.underline} means an individual who: (1) Is a
citizen or national of the United States, as defined in this section; or
(2) Is a citizen of the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of
the Marshall Islands, or the Republic of Palau. Where eligibility is
claimed on the basis of owing permanent allegiance to the United States,
documentary evidence from the Immigration and Naturalization Service as
to such eligibility must be made available to USDA upon request.

[First generation college student means]{.underline} an individual both
of whose parents did not complete a baccalaureate degree, or in the case
of any individual who regularly resided with and received support from
only one parent, an individual whose only such parent did not complete a
baccalaureate degree.

[Food and agricultural sciences]{.underline} means basic, applied, and
developmental research, extension, and teaching activities in 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.

[Full-time equivalent students]{.underline} means the sum of the number
of students enrolled full time at an institution, plus the full-time
equivalent of the number of students enrolled part time (determined on
the basis of the quotient of the sum of the credit hours of all
part-time students divided by 12) at such institution.

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

[Hispanic-Serving Institution]{.underline} means an institution of
higher education that:

\(1\) is an eligible institution as defined in this section; and

\(2\) at the time of application, has an enrollment of undergraduate
full-time equivalent students that is at least 25 percent Hispanic
students.

[Institution of higher education]{.underline} means an educational
institution in any State that:

\(1\) admits as regular students only persons having a certificate of
graduation from a school providing a 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 the institution awards a
bachelor's degree or provides not less than a 2-year program that is
acceptable for full credit toward such a degree;

\(4\) is a public or other nonprofit institution; and

\(5\) is accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency or
association, or if not so accredited, is an institution that has been
granted preaccreditation status by such an agency or association that
has been recognized by the Secretary of Education for the granting of
preaccreditation status, and the Secretary of Education has determined
that there is satisfactory assurance that the institution will meet the
accreditation standards of such an agency or association within a
reasonable time.

[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.

[Junior or community college]{.underline} means an institution of higher
education that:

\(1\) admits as regular students persons who are beyond the age of
compulsory school attendance in the State in which the institution is
located and who have the ability to benefit from the training offered by
the institution;

\(2\) does not provide an educational program for which the institution
awards a bachelor's degree (or an equivalent degree); and

\(3\) provides an educational program of not less than 2 years in
duration that is acceptable for full credit toward such a degree; or
offers a 2-year program in engineering, mathematics, or the physical or
biological sciences, designed to prepare a student to work as a
technician or at the semiprofessional level in engineering, scientific,
or other technological fields requiring the understanding and
application of basic engineering, scientific, or mathematical principles
of knowledge.

[Nonprofit]{.underline} as applied to a school, college, university,
agency, organization, or institution means a school, college,
university, 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.

[Peer review panel]{.underline} means a group of experts or consultants,
qualified by training and experience in particular fields of science,
education, or technology to give expert advice on the merit of grant
applications in such fields, who evaluate eligible proposals submitted
to this program in their respective area(s) of expertise.

[Plan of Work]{.underline} means a detailed, step-by-step description of
how the applicant intends to accomplish the project's objectives. At a
minimum, the Plan of Work should include a time line of major activities
to be undertaken, descriptions of protocols and procedures to be
followed, an explanation of how resources will be acquired and used, and
an outline of the qualifications and responsibilities of all key project
personnel.

[Prior approval]{.underline} means written approval evidencing prior
consent by an authorized departmental officer as defined in this
section.

[Private sector]{.underline} means all non-public entities, including
for-profit and non-profit commercial and non-commercial entities, and
including private or independent educational institutions.

[Project]{.underline} means the particular activity within the scope of
one or more of the educational need areas targeted for support by a
grant awarded under this program.

[Project director]{.underline} means the single individual designated by
the grantee in the grant application and approved by the Secretary who
is responsible for the direction and management of the project.

[Project period]{.underline} means the period, 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 other entity, but where the involvement of the other
entity does not meet the requirements for a Collaboration Project
proposal as defined in this section.

[Secretary]{.underline} means the Secretary of Agriculture and any other
officer or employee of the Department of Agriculture 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 Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, 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 colleges and universities offering associate,
baccalaureate, or higher degrees.

[Units of State government]{.underline} means all state institutions,
including the formal divisions of State government (i.e., the official
state agencies such as departments of transportation and education),
local government agencies (e.g., a county human services office), and
including individual state educational institutions (e.g., public
colleges and universities).

[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.

[USDA Strategic Goals and CSREES Strategic Objectives (FY
2007-2012)]{.underline}

Goal 1: *Enhance International Competitiveness of American Agriculture*

Objective 1.1: Provide research, education, and extension to expand and
maintain international export opportunities

Objective 1.2: Support international economic development and trade
capacity building

Objective 1.3: Provide research, education, and extension to improve
sanitary and phytosantary (SPS) to facilitate agricultural trade

Goal 2: *Enhance the Competitiveness and Sustainability of Rural and
Farm Economies*

Objective 2.1: Provide research, education, and extension to expand
domestic market opportunities

Objective 2.2: Provide research, education, and extension to increase
the efficiency of agricultural production and marketing systems

Objective 2.3: Provide risk management and financial tools farmers and
ranchers

Goal 3: *Support Increased Economic Opportunities and Improved Quality
of Life in Rural America*

Objective 3.1: Expand economic opportunities in rural America by
providing research, education, and extension to create opportunities for
growth

Objective 3.2: Provide research, education, and extension to improve the
quality of life in rural areas

Goal 4: *Enhance Protection and Safety of the Nation's Agriculture and
Food Supply*

Objective 4.1: Reduce the incidence of foodborne illnesses and
contaminants through research, education, and extension

Objective 4.2: Develop and deliver research, education, and extension to
reduce the number and severity of agricultural pest and disease
outbreaks

Goal 5: *Improve the Nation's Nutrition and Health*

Objective 5.1: Ensure access to nutritious food

Objective 5.2: Promote healthier eating habits and lifestyles

Objective 5.3: Improve nutrition assistance program management and
customer service

Goal 6: *Protect and Enhance the Nation's Natural Resource Base and
Environment*

Objective 6.1: Ensure clean, abundant water and clean, healthy air

Objective 6.2: Enhance soil quality to maintain productive working lands

Objective 6.3: Protect enhance, and manage forests and rangelands

Objective 6.4: Protect and enhance wildlife habitat to benefit desired,
at-risk and declining species