Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NIFA ICGP 011075
The Integrated Research, Education, and Extension Competitive Grants Program - Organic Transitions (ORG) is a discretionary grant opportunity administered by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) to strengthen the competitiveness of organic crop and livestock producers and to support producers who are in the process of adopting organic practices. The program is built around the idea that the biggest gains in organic agriculture come from projects that connect practical, on-the-ground research with education and outreach that helps producers and advisors actually use the results. NIFA sets program priorities using stakeholder input and in consultation with the National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and Economics Advisory Board (NAREEEAB), so the topics emphasized are meant to reflect real needs across U.S. agriculture.
A central emphasis of ORG is advancing the environmental services associated with organic farming systems. In this competition, NIFA continues to prioritize work tied to soil conservation, pollinator health, and climate change mitigation, including greenhouse gas (GHG) outcomes. In addition to biophysical and production-focused outcomes, ORG also places strong value on building the capacity of the people who support farmers, especially through the creation of educational tools and resources for Cooperative Extension personnel and other agricultural professionals who advise producers on organic practices. Another priority area involves developing cultural practices and other allowable alternatives to inputs that may be recommended for removal from the National Organic Program (NOP) National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances. In practice, this means projects that help organic and transitioning producers maintain productivity and manage pests, diseases, weeds, soil fertility, or livestock health while staying aligned with organic standards and anticipating potential changes in allowed materials.
Projects are expected to be integrated, meaning they should combine research, education, and extension in a coordinated way that fits the project goals. While a proposal can lean more heavily toward one component than another, every application is expected to include meaningful research activities and to also demonstrate activities and impacts in at least one of the other two areas: education and/or extension. This structure is intended to ensure that new knowledge is generated and also translated into learning, decision tools, and adoption support that can be used by farmers and the broader organic support network.
Eligibility is limited. Applications may only be submitted by colleges and universities as defined in 7 U.S.C. 3103, by 1994 Institutions, and by Hispanic-serving agricultural colleges and universities. Organizations that are not eligible to apply directly may still participate through subawards or subcontracts, as long as they are necessary to carry out the work. The eligibility rules are strict: if an applicant does not meet the eligibility criteria by the application deadline, the submission may be excluded from consideration or, even if reviewed, NIFA may be unable to make an award.
Key funding details from the opportunity notice include the following: the funding opportunity number is USDA NIFA ICGP 011075, the assistance listing (CFDA) number is 10.303, and the activity category is Agriculture. The application closing date is March 6, 2025. The award ceiling is $1,000,000, and NIFA expects to make about 12 awards under this competition. The opportunity was created on December 12, 2024. For applicants who are newer to federal funding, NIFA points to its Grants Overview resources as a helpful guide to understanding the federal awards process and expectations.Apply for USDA NIFA ICGP 011075
- The National Institute of Food and Agriculture in the agriculture sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Integrated Research, Education, and Extension Competitive Grants Program – Organic Transitions" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.303.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2024-12-12.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2025-03-06. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $1,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 12 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
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Organic Transitions (ORG) Grant FAQs
What is the Organic Transitions (ORG) grant program?
The Integrated Research, Education, and Extension Competitive Grants Program - Organic Transitions (ORG) is a discretionary competitive grant opportunity administered by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). Its purpose is to strengthen the competitiveness of organic crop and livestock producers and support producers who are transitioning to organic practices.
What is the main goal of the ORG program?
ORG is designed to generate practical, on-the-ground results by connecting applied research with education and outreach so that producers and the advisors who support them can actually use the findings in real farming and ranching conditions.
Who administers this grant opportunity?
The program is administered by USDA NIFA (the National Institute of Food and Agriculture).
How does NIFA decide ORG priorities?
NIFA sets program priorities using stakeholder input and in consultation with the National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and Economics Advisory Board (NAREEEAB). This approach is intended to keep the competition aligned with real needs across U.S. agriculture.
What types of outcomes does ORG emphasize?
A central emphasis is advancing the environmental services associated with organic farming systems. In this competition, NIFA continues to prioritize work tied to soil conservation, pollinator health, and climate change mitigation, including greenhouse gas (GHG) outcomes.
Does ORG support education and training for people who advise farmers?
Yes. ORG places strong value on building capacity among the professionals who support farmers, including Cooperative Extension personnel and other agricultural professionals who advise producers on organic practices. This can include educational tools and resources created through the project.
What does it mean that projects must be "integrated"?
Projects are expected to be integrated by combining research, education, and extension in a coordinated way that fits the project goals. While a proposal may lean more toward one component, every application is expected to include meaningful research activities and also show activities and impacts in at least one other area (education and/or extension).
Is research required in an ORG proposal?
Yes. Every application is expected to include meaningful research activities.
Are education and extension required in an ORG proposal?
Every application is expected to demonstrate activities and impacts in at least one of these areas: education and/or extension (in addition to the required research component).
What priority topics are specifically mentioned for this competition?
The notice describes priorities tied to soil conservation, pollinator health, and climate change mitigation (including GHG outcomes). It also highlights capacity-building through educational tools and resources for Extension and other agricultural professionals, as well as work to develop cultural practices and other allowable alternatives to inputs that may be recommended for removal from the National Organic Program (NOP) National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances.
What does the program mean by developing alternatives to certain organic inputs?
ORG includes a priority area focused on developing cultural practices and other allowable alternatives to inputs that may be recommended for removal from the NOP National List. In practical terms, this points to projects that help organic and transitioning producers maintain productivity and manage pests, diseases, weeds, soil fertility, or livestock health while staying aligned with organic standards and anticipating potential changes to allowed materials.
Who is eligible to apply as the main applicant?
Eligibility is limited. Applications may only be submitted by colleges and universities as defined in 7 U.S.C. 3103, by 1994 Institutions, and by Hispanic-serving agricultural colleges and universities.
Can non-eligible organizations participate in an ORG project?
Yes. Organizations that are not eligible to apply directly may still participate through subawards or subcontracts, as long as they are necessary to carry out the work.
How strict are the eligibility rules?
The eligibility rules are described as strict. If an applicant does not meet the eligibility criteria by the application deadline, the submission may be excluded from consideration or, even if reviewed, NIFA may be unable to make an award.
What is the funding opportunity number for this ORG competition?
The funding opportunity number is USDA NIFA ICGP 011075.
What is the Assistance Listing (CFDA) number?
The Assistance Listing (CFDA) number is 10.303.
What is the activity category for this funding opportunity?
The activity category is Agriculture.
When is the application deadline?
The application closing date is March 6, 2025.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling is $1,000,000.
How many awards does NIFA expect to make?
NIFA expects to make about 12 awards under this competition.
When was this opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on December 12, 2024.
Where can new federal funding applicants learn about NIFA grant expectations?
NIFA points newer applicants to its Grants Overview resources as a helpful guide to understanding the federal awards process and expectations.
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