Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NIFA OP 008079
The Supplemental and Alternative Crops (SAC) Competitive Grants Program is a discretionary grant opportunity administered by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) under CFDA 10.200. Its core purpose is to accelerate the expansion and successful adoption of two targeted crops across the United States: canola grown for oil and industrial hemp grown for value-added products. In practical terms, the program is designed to help these crops fit more reliably into U.S. farming systems by improving how well they perform across different regions and conditions, and by making it more attractive for growers to plant more acres over time.
The work SAC intends to fund centers on applied research and development that directly improves field performance and production outcomes. A major emphasis is on breeding, testing, and development of superior canola and industrial hemp varieties, along with production practices that raise efficiency and reduce uncertainty for producers. Projects are expected to address real farm-level constraints such as yield stability, suitability to local climates, pest and disease pressure, and overall cost efficiency. The program frames success not just as scientific progress, but as progress that lowers grower risk and makes these crops more broadly usable within common crop rotations and production systems.
A distinctive expectation of the SAC program is that results should move quickly from research settings into the hands of producers and other end users. NIFA signals that extension outreach, engagement, and technology transfer are not optional add-ons but essential components of a competitive project. In other words, funded projects should be built to deliver practical outputs such as improved varieties, validated management recommendations, and clear guidance that can be adopted by farmers, processors, and other stakeholders without a long lag time.
Eligibility is limited to specific applicant types. Only colleges and universities as defined in section 1404 of NARETPA (7 U.S.C. 3103), other federal agencies, and private sector entities are allowed to submit applications directly. The program does allow award recipients to subcontract with organizations that are not themselves eligible to apply, as long as those partners are necessary to carry out the project. However, eligibility is treated as a strict threshold requirement: if an applicant does not meet the eligibility criteria by the application deadline, the application may be removed from consideration, and even if it is reviewed, NIFA cannot make an award.
From the source details provided, the funding opportunity number is USDA NIFA OP 008079, with an original closing date of March 30, 2021. The maximum award amount (award ceiling) listed is $225,000. The opportunity is categorized as a grant under an agriculture funding activity category.Apply for USDA NIFA OP 008079
- The National Institute of Food and Agriculture in the agriculture sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Supplemental and Alternative Crops (SAC) Competitive Grants Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.200.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2020-12-28.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2021-03-30. (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 $225,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
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Supplemental and Alternative Crops (SAC) Competitive Grants Program (CFDA 10.200) - FAQs
What is the Supplemental and Alternative Crops (SAC) Competitive Grants Program?
The Supplemental and Alternative Crops (SAC) Competitive Grants Program is a discretionary, competitive grant opportunity administered by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) under CFDA 10.200.
What is the main purpose of the SAC program?
The program is intended to accelerate the expansion and successful adoption of two targeted crops across the United States: canola grown for oil and industrial hemp grown for value-added products. It focuses on helping these crops fit more reliably into U.S. farming systems by improving performance across regions and conditions and making it more attractive for growers to plant more acres over time.
Which crops are specifically targeted by this funding opportunity?
This opportunity targets (1) canola grown for oil and (2) industrial hemp grown for value-added products.
What type of work does SAC intend to fund?
SAC is designed to fund applied research and development that directly improves field performance and production outcomes for canola and industrial hemp.
What are the main research and development priorities described for SAC?
The information provided emphasizes breeding, testing, and development of superior canola and industrial hemp varieties, along with production practices that improve efficiency and reduce uncertainty for producers.
What kinds of farm-level constraints are projects expected to address?
Projects are expected to address practical constraints affecting producers, including yield stability, suitability to local climates, pest and disease pressure, and overall cost efficiency.
How does the program define "success" for funded projects?
Success is framed not only as scientific progress, but as progress that lowers grower risk and makes canola and industrial hemp more broadly usable within common crop rotations and production systems.
Is extension outreach and technology transfer required as part of a project?
Yes. The opportunity description indicates that results should move quickly from research settings into the hands of producers and other end users, and that extension outreach, engagement, and technology transfer are essential components of a competitive project.
What kinds of practical outputs are expected from funded projects?
Funded projects are expected to be structured to deliver practical outputs such as improved varieties, validated management recommendations, and clear guidance that can be adopted by farmers, processors, and other stakeholders without a long lag time.
Who is eligible to apply directly for SAC funding?
Eligibility is limited to: (1) colleges and universities as defined in section 1404 of NARETPA (7 U.S.C. 3103), (2) other federal agencies, and (3) private sector entities.
Can an organization that is not eligible to apply still participate in a SAC project?
Yes. Award recipients may subcontract with organizations that are not themselves eligible to apply, as long as those partners are necessary to carry out the project.
How strict is the eligibility requirement?
Eligibility is treated as a threshold requirement. If an applicant does not meet the eligibility criteria by the application deadline, the application may be removed from consideration, and even if it is reviewed, NIFA cannot make an award.
What agency administers this grant opportunity?
The program is administered by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA).
What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number provided is USDA NIFA OP 008079.
What was the original closing date listed for this opportunity?
The original closing date listed is March 30, 2021.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The maximum award amount (award ceiling) listed is $225,000.
What type of funding instrument is this opportunity?
The opportunity is categorized as a grant.
What funding activity category is associated with this opportunity?
The funding activity category listed for this opportunity is agriculture.
Does the SAC program focus on basic research or applied outcomes?
Based on the description provided, SAC emphasizes applied research and development with direct improvements to field performance, production outcomes, and farmer adoption.
What is the program trying to improve about canola and industrial hemp production?
The program aims to improve how well these crops perform across different regions and conditions, reduce grower uncertainty and risk, and support broader integration into typical crop rotations and production systems.
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