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Office for Research and Graduate Education

College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences

CFAES

Funding Opportunities

As funding opportunities are announced and shared with the Office for Research & Graduate Education we will compile the opportunities, here. This page will be updated periodically as new opportunities come about. 

External Funding Opportunities

Foundation for Food and Agriculture (FFAR)

Greener Cattle Initiative
Enteric methane, which animals release into the atmosphere by burping or exhaling, is a significant source of direct greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The Greener Cattle Initiative (GCI), a multi-partner international consortium created by the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR) and Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy, opened its second request for proposals for research to develop scalable technologies that reduce enteric methane emissions and benefit farmers and ranchers, consumers and the environment.  

GCI will consider applications addressing one or more of the following: Delivery mechanisms of non-vaccine enteric methane mitigation technologies; impact of applying interventions early in life to reduce enteric methane emissions later in life or in offspring; combined impacts of administering multiple enteric methane mitigation technologies to examine additive, synergistic or antagonistic effects; and long-term and longitudinal studies to evaluate lasting effects of enteric methane mitigation technologies on mitigation, animal health and productivity. 

FFAR is hosting an informational webinar about this funding opportunity on March 6, 2024, at 3 p.m. ET. Preregistration is required. A recording of the webinar will be available on FFAR’s website. FFAR invites interested individuals to submit questions in advance of the webinar to GreenerCattleInitiative@FoundationFar.org.  
Deadline: April 3, 2024

Harvest for Health Breakthrough Crop Challenge
The Harvest for Health Challenge aims to accelerate the development of underutilized crops and to increase the diversity of nutritious foods in the marketplace.

Many nutritious, resilient crops remain underutilized, contributing to poor dietary diversity and health outcomes. The Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR) and the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), with support from the RF Catalytic Capital, launched the Harvest for Health challenge to accelerate development of underutilized crops.
Deadline: August 7, 2024

Rapid Outcomes from Agricultural Research
The Rapid Outcomes from Agricultural Research (ROAR) program provides nimble deployment of funds to support research and outreach in response to emerging or unanticipated threats to the nation’s food supply or agricultural systems. ROAR participants, including but not limited to university researchers, farmers or producers, commodity groups and government officials, may apply for funds in response to an outbreak for development of diagnostics, monitoring and mitigation strategies. The ROAR program fills the gap until traditional, longer-term funding sources can be secured.
Deadline: Ongoing

National Institute of Health (NIH)

Check back later

National Science Foundation (NSF)

Partnership to Advance Conservation Science and Practice (PACSP)
The objective of the PACSP Program is to support conservation research that investigates organismal biology, ecology, and/or evolution and is designed to contribute to the development and implementation of evidence-based activities and/or technology solutions to advance biodiversity conservation. We seek proposals that involve the implementation of conservation activities based on conservation science principles via academic-conservation organization partnerships.  The strongest projects will involve ongoing assessment of biodiversity outcomes, for instance via an adaptive management framework, that inform both scientific understanding and conservation actions.  A significant distinction between the PACSP program and other NSF programs is that proposals to this program must make clear and well-defined connections between basic research questions and the implementation of conservation focused actions. 

The Program's focus is on conservation goal-related research that will directly translate to on-the-ground biodiversity conservation efforts. Proposals that adopt a convergent approach between climate and/or other anthropogenic environmental change, conservation, and the health of ecosystems and the organisms therein are especially encouraged. Proposals are also expected to incorporate project outcomes within the context of broader societal impacts and, as appropriate for the research proposed, engage non-academic partners in collaboration. 
Deadline: April 24, 2024

Faculty Early Career Development Program (CAREER)
The Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Program is a Foundation-wide activity that offers the National Science Foundation's most prestigious awards in support of early-career faculty who have the potential to serve as academic role models in research and education and to lead advances in the mission of their department or organization. Activities pursued by early-career faculty should build a firm foundation for a lifetime of leadership in integrating education and research. NSF encourages submission of CAREER proposals from early-career faculty at all CAREER-eligible organizations and especially encourages women, members of underrepresented minority groups, and persons with disabilities to apply.
Deadline: July 24, 2024

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)

Integrated Research, Education, and Extension Competitive Grants Program – Organic Transitions
The overall goal of the Organic Transitions Program (ORG) is to support the development and implementation of research, extension and higher education programs to improve the competitiveness of organic livestock and crop producers, as well as those who are adopting organic practices. NIFA administers the ORG program by determining priorities in U.S. agriculture through Agency stakeholder input processes in consultation with the NAREEEAB. ORG will continue to prioritize environmental services provided by organic farming systems in the area of soil conservation, pollinator health, and climate change mitigation, including greenhouse gases (GHG), as well as the development of educational tools for Cooperative Extension personnel and other agricultural professionals who advise producers on organic practices, and development of cultural practices and other allowable alternatives to substances recommended for removal from the National Organic Program’s National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances. It is expected that all projects will integrate research, education and extension activities, as appropriate to project goals, although some projects may be weighted more heavily than others in one or more of these areas. However, all proposals should have activities and impact in research and at least one of the other areas: education and extension.
Deadline: March 7, 2024

Smith-Lever Special Needs Competitive Grants Program
Within the states and territories, the Cooperative Extension System has repeatedly served as the trusted community organization that has helped to enable families, communities, and businesses to successfully prepare for, respond to and cope with disaster losses and critical incidents. Once a disaster has occurred, the local extension outreach includes: 1) Communicating practical science-based risk information, 2) Developing relevant educational experiences and programs, 3) Working with individuals and communities to open new communication channels, and 4) Mitigating losses and facilitating recovery. NIFA intends to fund Special Needs projects to implement applied scientific programs that serve public needs in preparation for, during and after local or regional emergency situations.
Deadline: March 7, 2024

Secondary Education, Two-Year Postsecondary Education, and Agriculture in the K-12 Classroom Challenge Grants Program
The Secondary Education, Two-Year Postsecondary Education, and Agriculture in the K-12 Classroom Challenge Grants (SPECA) program seeks to: (a) promote and strengthen secondary education and two-year postsecondary education in the food and agriculture sciences in order to help ensure the existence of a workforce in the United States that's qualified to serve the food and agriculture sciences system; and (b) promote complementary and synergistic linkages among secondary, two-year postsecondary, and higher education programs in the food and agriculture sciences in order to advance excellence in education and encourage more young Americans to pursue and complete a baccalaureate or higher degree in the food and agriculture sciences.
Deadline: March 8, 2024

Renewable Resources Extension Act - National Focus Fund Projects
The purpose of the grant program is to provide funds for extension projects that have national or regional relevancy. In particular, the program supports extension projects that address emerging forest and rangeland resources through the adoption of climate-smart technologies among forest and rangeland owners.
Deadline: March 13, 2024

Rural Health and Safety Education Competitive Grants Program
The RHSE program proposals are expected to be community-based outreach education programs, such as those conducted through Human Science extension outreach that provide individuals and families with: information as to the value of good health at any age; information to increase individual or family’s motivation to take more responsibility for their own health; information regarding rural environmental health issues that directly impact human health; information about and access to health promotion and educational activities; and training for volunteers and health services providers concerning health promotion and health care services for individuals and families in cooperation with state, local, and community partners.
Deadline: March 14, 2024

Veterinary Services Grant Program RFA
The Veterinary Services Grant Program (VSGP) is designed to support education and extension activities and practice enhancement initiatives that will enable veterinarians, veterinary students, veterinary technicians, and veterinary technician students to gain specialized skills and provide practices with additional resources (e.g., equipment, personnel) needed to more effectively mitigate veterinary service shortages in the U.S. Ultimately, this program will bolster the capacity of private practitioners to provide food animal veterinary services in designated rural veterinarian shortage situations. The purpose of VSGP is to develop, implement, and sustain veterinary services and relieve veterinarian shortage situations in the U.S., which includes insular areas (see Part VIII, D of this RFA for a definition of “insular area”). Grants will be made available on a competitive basis to: 1. Establish or expand accredited veterinary education programs, veterinary residency and fellowship programs, or veterinary internship and externship programs carried out in coordination with accredited colleges of veterinary medicine. 2. Provide continuing education and extension, including veterinary telemedicine and other distance-based education, for veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and other health professionals needed to strengthen veterinary programs and enhance food safety and public health. 3. Cover travel and living expenses of veterinary students, veterinary interns, externs, fellows, and residents, and veterinary technicians. 4. To expose students in grades 11 and 12 to education and career opportunities in food animal medicine.
Deadline: March 21, 2024

Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer Programs Phase II
The Small Business Administration (SBA), through the SBIR/STTR Policy Directive, provides policy guidance for these programs. A main purpose of the legislation is to stimulate technological innovation and increase private sector commercialization among small business concerns and enable them to undertake and to obtain the benefits of research and development in order to maintain and strengthen the competitive free enterprise system and the national economy. The goal of Phase II is to continue research and development while increasing the focus on commercialization. The STTR program aims to foster technology transfer through formal cooperative R&D between small businesses and nonprofit research institutions. The USDA SBIR/STTR programs Assistance Listing 10.212, is therefore in a unique position to meet both the goals of USDA and the purpose of the SBIR/STTR legislation by transforming scientific discovery and innovation both social and economic benefit, and by emphasizing private sector commercialization.
Deadline: March 26, 2024

Alfalfa Seed and Alfalfa Forage System Program
Alfalfa Seed and Alfalfa Forage System Program (ASAFS) will support the development of improved alfalfa forage and seed production systems. Proposals submitted to ASAFS should address one or more of the following priorities: (1) Improving alfalfa forage and seed yield through better nutrient, water and/or pest management; (2) Improving persistence of alfalfa stands by lessening biotic or abiotic stresses; (3) Improving alfalfa forage and seed harvesting and storage systems to optimize economic returns; (4) Improving estimates of alfalfa forage quality as an animal feed to increase forage usage in animal feeds; and/or (5) Breeding to address biotic and abiotic stresses that impact forage yield and persistence and the production of seed for propagation.
Letter of Intent Deadline: April 4, 2024

Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program
The Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP) supports projects that provide education, outreach, and technical assistance for beginning farmers and ranchers in the United States and its territories to enter and/or improve their success in farming, ranching, and management of nonindustrial private forest lands; and provide beginning farmers and ranchers the knowledge, skills, and tools needed to make informed decisions for their operations and enhance their sustainability. This informational webinar, on February 21,2024 at 2:00 PM (EST), is intended for those interested in the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program. The webinar discusses how to utilize NIFA resources and prepare a competitive application, adhering to the Funding Year 2024 Request for Applications (RFA) guidelines.
Letter of Intent Deadline: April 4, 2024

Equipment Grant Program 
The Equipment Grant Program (EGP) serves to increase access to shared-use special purpose equipment/instruments for fundamental and applied research for use in the food and agricultural sciences programs at institutions of higher education, including State Cooperative Extension Systems. The program seeks to strengthen the quality and expand the scope of fundamental and applied research at eligible institutions, by providing them with opportunities to acquire one major piece of equipment/instruments that support their research, training, and extension goals and may be too costly and/or not appropriate for support through other NIFA grant programs. 

The EGP does not support the acquisition of suites of equipment to outfit research laboratories /facilities or to conduct independent experiments simultaneously. Similarly, the EGP does not fund common, general purpose ancillary equipment that would normally be found in a laboratory and/or is relatively easily procured by the organization or through other NIFA grant programs. Rather, it is intended to help fund items of equipment that will upgrade infrastructure. Moreover, EGP does not fund research projects, including research that uses the equipment acquired with support from the program nor does it support the operation and maintenance of facilities. 
Deadline: May 3, 2024

Agricultural Genome to Phenome Initiative
The National Institute of Food and Agriculture’s Agricultural Genome to Phenome Initiative (AG2PI) focuses on collaborative science engagement that intends to develop a community of researchers across both crops and animals that will lay the foundation for expanding knowledge concerning genomes and phenomes of importance to the agriculture sector of the United States. Success of the initiative will inform approaches to understanding how variable weather, environments, and production systems interact with genetic diversity present in crops and animals to impact growth and productivity. This will provide greater accuracy in predicting crop and animal performance under variable conditions and more efficient selection of well-adapted, superior genotypes that farmers and ranchers can produce.  

These goals require interdisciplinary approaches that combine technologies such as advanced computing, automated high throughput phenotyping and genotyping as well as climatic modelling to be successful. The initiative seeks to build on efforts such as the Plant Genome Research Project, the National Animal Genome Research Program, and other public initiatives. Key criteria include promoting fair access to data, software, germplasm, and other biological materials through open data sources, standards, and exchange of research materials. The initiative also seeks to connect animal sciences (e.g. animal physiology, meat science, animal nutrition, and veterinary science), plant sciences (e.g. agronomy, crop modeling, and plant physiology) and allied fields including genetics, genomics, artificial intelligence, informatics, statistics and engineering. 
Deadline: May 30, 2024

Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) - Foundational and Applied Science (FAS) Program
The Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) - Foundational and Applied Science (FAS) Program provides funding for fundamental and applied research, education, and Extension. supports grants in six AFRI priority areas:

  • Plant health and production and plant products
  • Animal health and production and animal products
  • Food safety, nutrition, and health
  • Bioenergy, natural resources, and environment
  • Agriculture systems and technology
  • Agriculture economics and rural communities

AFRI-FAS invests in agricultural production research, education, and Extension projects for a more sustainable, productive, and economically viable plant and animal production system. Applications that address climate change, nutrition security, expanding markets for producers, indigenous traditional ecological knowledge, and equity for underserved producers are encouraged.
Deadline: Varies until December 31, 2024

Other Funding Agencies

Ohio Coal Research and Development Program
The Ohio Coal Development Office invests in the development and implementation of technologies that can use Ohio's vast reserves of coal in an economical, environmentally sound manner. Projects are identified through an online application process and may include technologies that improve combustion efficiencies, develop productive uses for the by-products of combustion, and investigate new uses for coal as a feedstock.
Deadline: March 15th, 2024 

Cooperative Institute for Great Lakes Research (CIGLR) – Rapid Funding
CIGLR provides short-term funding up to $10,000 to form an initial response to an emergency or time-sensitive need in the Great Lakes (e.g., Flint water crisis, Toledo water crisis, oil or chemical spill, 100-year storm, etc.). Decisions on rapid proposals can be made internally in 2 days, and provide the seed funding researchers need to be ‘first-responders’ even as they solicit more substantial funds from an appropriate agency or organization. Any principal investigator or student from a Regional Consortium University Partner institution or Private Sector Partner organization may request rapid funding.
Deadline: None

Awesome Foundation Grant 
A micro-granting organization, funding “awesome” ideas, The Awesome Foundation set up local chapters around the world to provide rolling grants of $1000 to “awesome projects.” Each chapter defines what is “awesome” for their local community, but most include arts initiatives and public or social practice art projects.
Deadline: None

Internal Funding Opportunities

Ohio State Energy Partners
In collaboration with Ohio State Energy Partners (OSEP), the Office of Academic Affairs has opened a call for grant proposals that align with the university’s sustainability goals; advancing access, engagement and inclusive excellence goals; or provide research opportunities (in all disciplines) to students who have limited exposure to undergraduate research and experiential learning opportunities. Focus Areas: (1) Projects that align with Ohio State’s sustainability goals, (2) Projects that align with advancing access, engagement and inclusive excellence goals, (3) Projects that provide research opportunities (in all disciplines) to students who have limited exposure to undergraduate research and experiential learning opportunities.
Deadline: March 11, 2024

Sustainability Proposal Development Grant
This grant award program, offered by the Sustainability Institute, will support teams of scholars from two or more distinct disciplines in the development of external funding proposals relating to one or more of the Sustainability Institute research program areas. The target funding opportunity must have a submission date on or before December 31, 2024, and preference will be given to teams pursuing funding to address climate change mitigation and adaptation, human health and/or environmental justice.
Deadline: June 1, 2024 (or until annual funding is exhausted)

Core Faculty Funding for Scholarly Activity
The Sustainability Institute has set aside funds in FY24 to support scholarly activities of the SI Core Faculty. These funds are available to any SI Core Faculty and are intended to help bolster scholarly activities related to sustainability research, teaching, or outreach. Requested funds can be used to support scholarly activities such as, but not limited to: conference travel, workshop participation, hosting a guest speaker, or to offset research expenses, including data collection, lab equipment, or GRA costs.   
Deadline: June 1, 2024 (or until annual funding is exhausted)