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NIFA supports research, educational, and extension efforts in a wide range of scientific fields related to agricultural and behavioral sciences.

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The lifecycle of grants and cooperative agreements consists of four phases: Pre-Award, Award, Post-Award, and Close Out.

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        Access Data GatewayThe Data Gateway enables users to find funding data, metrics, and information about research, education, and extension projects that have received grant awards from NIFA.
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    View Resources PageThis website houses a large volume of supporting materials. In this section, you can search the wide range of documents, videos, and other resources.View Resources Page
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    Second Annual Virtual Grants Support Technical Assistance Workshop
    Check out this five-day workshop in March 2024 workshop, designed to help you learn about NIFA grants and resources for grants development and management.

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The National Institute of Food and Agriculture provides leadership and funding for programs that advance agriculture-related sciences.

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    NanotechnologySharePrint Friendly Email Twitter Facebook
    
    Advanced Technologies
      Bioenergy
          Biotechnology
          NanotechnologyNanotechnology entails the exploration and engineering of matter at the atomic and molecular level. At one-billionth of a meter, one nanometer is about how long a fingernail grows each second. A typical germ is about 1,000 nanometers in size. Conducting research at this level allows scientists to measure, control, and manipulate matter to change an object’s properties and functions.

Importance of Nanotechnology

Scientists anticipate that research in nanotechnology will lead to an unprecedented understanding of matter’s fundamental building blocks, resulting in unlimited applications. These capabilities are expected to produce technological advances in a range of fields that affect agriculture, including food safety, processing, and product development. Applications underway include development of:

Safer food packaging
	Reliable and cost effective alternatives to commercially available insecticides
	Devices to detect disease-causing proteins in cattle
	Methods  for producing healthier chickens for human consumptionNIFA’s Impact

NIFA initiatives focus on conducting fundamental research and developing applications such as:

Nanosensors that can detect contaminants, such as pathogens or allergens
	Devices for detecting pesticides or fertilizers in food products
	Techniques to improve the digestibility, nutrient content, and flavor of food
	Smart systems to allow the real-time monitoring and regulation of medicines or nutrients, and the environment
	Nano-catalysts for agricultural waste bioprocessing and other tools to address agro-environmental challenges

  Programs
    AFRI Foundational and Applied Science Program
              AFRI Interagency Programs
              Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI)
              Nanotechnology Program
              Equipment Grants Program (EGP)
              Biotechnology Risk Assessment Research Grants (BRAG) Program
              Food Safety
              Food Science and Technology Programs
              Urban, Indoor, and Emerging Agriculture
              From Learning to Leading: Cultivating the Next Generation of Diverse Food and Agriculture Professionals (NextGen)

  Funding Opportunities
    Agriculture and Food Research Initiative - Education and Workforce Development
              Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS) (Joint NSF) Competitive Grants Program
              Research Facilities Act Program Return to top
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