Sun Grant Program

 

This program responds to the need to enhance national energy security with biobased energy technology; promote diversification and environmental sustainability through biobased technology; promote economic diversification in the rural U.S. through biobased technology; and enhance the efficiency of biobased technology research and development (R&D) through collaborations among USDA; Department of Energy (DOE); and Land Grant Institutions. Grants will be awarded to the sun grant centers and subcenter for the purposes of carrying out a competitive grants program and to conduct multi-institutional and multistate research, extension, and education programs on technology development; and integrated research, extension, and education programs on technology implementation.

Active 10.320 National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Department of Agriculture B - Project Grants Fiscal Year 2016 The Sun Grant program supports a national network of land-grant universities and national laboratories that are partnering to help build the bioeconomy. As described in the 2014 Farm Bill, this effort is conducted across five regions and one sub-region headed by a land-grant university to conduct annual solicitations that focus on improving rural economic development through the production of sustainable biomass feedstocks for biofuels and biobased products. This is a continuation grant and funding was provided at $2,238,000. The Sun Grant program supports a national network of land-grant universities and national laboratories that are partnering to help build the bioeconomy. As described in the 2014 Farm Bill, this effort is conducted across five (5) regions and one (1) sub-region headed by a land-grant university to conduct annual solicitations that focus on improving rural economic development through the production of sustainable biomass feedstocks for biofuels and biobased products. This represents a continuation grant and funding was provided at $2,238,000.
Fiscal Year 2017 Fiscal Year (FY) 2017: The Sun Grant program supports a national network of land-grant universities and national laboratories that are partnering to help build the bioeconomy. As described in the 2014 Farm Bill, this effort is conducted across five (5) regions and one (1) sub-region headed by a land-grant university to conduct annual solicitations that focus on improving rural economic development through the production of sustainable biomass feedstocks for biofuels and biobased products. This represents a continuation grant and funding was provided at $2,787,840
Fiscal Year 2018 The Sun Grant program supports a national network of land-grant universities and national laboratories that are partnering to help build the bioeconomy. As described in the 2014 Farm Bill, this effort is conducted across five regions and one sub-region headed by a land-grant university to conduct annual solicitations that focus on improving rural economic development through the production of sustainable biomass feedstocks for biofuels and biobased products. The Appropriations for FY 2018 was $3 million. The amount available for awards was $2,815,488.
Fiscal Year 2019 The program continues to support the work of the regional centers identified through the merit review and funded through a continuation process. The Appropriations for FY 2019 was $3 million. The amount available for awards was $2,787,840.
Fiscal Year 2020 The Sun Grant program will continue in FY 2020 if sufficient funding is available. The President’s FY 2020 Budget proposes a zero appropriation for the Sun Grant Program.
Fiscal Year 2023 Pertinent details will be provided at a later date. The Sun Grant Program, was originally established in section 778 of the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2004 (Public Law 108-199), which amended the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8101 et seq.) adding section 9011, entitled the “Sun Grant Research Initiative Act of 2003”. Section 7526 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 8114) establishes the Sun Grant Program, replacing the “Sun Grant Research Initiative Act of 2003”. Authority for the Sun Grant Program is delegated to the National Institute of Food and Agriculture in title 7 Part 2.66 subpart (a) section (153) of the Code of Federal Regulations., 7 U.S.C. 8114 Only the Sun Grant Centers and Subcenter as specifically designated in 7 U.S.C. 8114 are eligible to apply for funding under this program. Only the Sun Grant Centers and Subcenter as specifically designated in 7 U.S.C. 8114 are eligible to apply for funding under this program. The System for Award Management (SAM) combines eight federal procurement systems, including CCR, and the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance into one new system. CCR activities are conducted through SAM (the CCR website will redirect users to SAM). Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) Number and System for Award Management (SAM): Each applicant (unless excepted under 2 CFR ? 25.110(b) or (c), or has an exception approved by the Federal awarding agency under 2 CFR ? 25.110(d)) is required to: (i) Be registered in SAM before submitting its application; (ii) Provide a valid UEI number in its application; and (iii) Continue to maintain an active SAM registration with current information at all times during which it has an active Federal award or an application or plan under consideration by a Federal awarding agency. It also must state that the Federal awarding agency may not make a Federal award to an applicant until the applicant has complied with all applicable UEI and SAM requirements and, if an applicant has not fully complied with the requirements by the time the Federal awarding agency is ready to make a Federal award, the Federal awarding agency may determine that the applicant is not qualified to receive a Federal award and use that determination as a basis for making a Federal award to another applicant. Applicants must furnish the information required in the Competitive Request for Applications (RFAs). Successful applicants recommended for funding must furnish the information and assurances requested during the award documentation process. These include, but are not limited to the following: 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 NIFA program. NIFA 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). This information collection is approved under OMB Circular Control No. 0524-0026, "Assurance of Compliance with the Department of Agriculture Regulations Assuring Civil Rights, Compliance and Organization Information." SPECIAL NOTE: Please refer to the Competitive Request for Applications (RFAs) for further specific and pertinent details. The most current RFAs are available as follows: https://nifa.usda.gov/funding-opportunity/sun-grant-program RFAs are generally released annually. Hence, the RFAs provide the most current and accurate information available. Any specific instructions in the Competitive RFAs supersede the general information provided in the CFDA database. 2 CFR 200, Subpart E - Cost Principles applies to this program. Preapplication coordination is not applicable. 2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) only accepts electronic applications which are submitted via Grants.gov in response to specific Requests for Applications (RFA). Applicants must complete the Grants.gov registration process. For information about the pre-award phase of the grant lifecycle application processes see: http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/learn-grants/grants-101/pre-award-phase.html. Further, applicants must follow the instructions provided in the NIFA Grants.gov Application Guide, which can be assessed as follows: Adobe NIFA Applications. SPECIAL NOTE: Please refer to the Competitive Request for Applications (RFAs) for further specific and pertinent details. The most current RFAs are available via: https://nifa.usda.gov/funding-opportunity/sun-grant-program RFAs are generally released annually. Hence, the RFAs provide the most current and accurate information available. Any specific instructions in the Competitive RFAs supersede the general information provided in the CFDA database. Applications are subjected to a system of peer and merit review in accordance with section 103 of the Agricultural Research, Extension and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7613) by a panel of qualified scientists and other appropriate persons who are specialists in the field covered by the proposal. Within the limit of funds available for such purpose, the NIFA Authorized Departmental Officer (ADO) shall make grants to those responsible, eligible applicants whose applications are judged most meritorious under the procedures set forth in the RFA. 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. Evaluation Criteria will be delineated in the Competitive Request for Applications (RFA). 2 CFR 200 - Subpart C and Appendix I and 2 CFR part 400 apply to this Program. SPECIAL NOTE: Please refer to the Competitive Request for Applications (RFAs) for further specific and pertinent details. The most current RFAs are available via: https://nifa.usda.gov/funding-opportunity/sun-grant-program RFAs are generally released annually. Hence, the RFAs provide the most current and accurate information available. Any specific instructions in the Competitive RFAs supersede the general information provided in the CFDA database. Contact the headquarters or regional location, as appropriate for application deadlines From 30 to 60 days. Contact the National Program Leader (NPL), as indicated per CFDA Section # 152 - Headquarters Office regarding dates for specific deadlines, start and end dates, and range of approval/disapproval time. Information is also available via our website and may be obtained via the Grants.gov website. NIFA's respective links regarding general information are provided below: http://nifa.usda.gov/ http://www.grants.gov. SPECIAL NOTE: Please refer to the Competitive Request for Applications (RFAs) for further specific and pertinent details. The most current RFA is available via: https://nifa.usda.gov/funding-opportunity/sun-grant-program RFAs are generally released annually. Hence, the RFAs provide the most current and accurate information available. Any specific instructions in the Competitive RFAs supersede the general information provided in the CFDA database. Not Applicable. 2 CFR Part 200 - Subparts D & E apply to this program. Specific details are provided in the Request for Applications (RFA), which are generally published annually. The most current RFA is available via: https://nifa.usda.gov/funding-opportunity/sun-grant-program 2 CFR part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards and 2 CFR part 400 USDA's Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards apply to this program. Within guidelines established for the program as described in the Competitive Request for Application (RFA). The most current RFAs are available via: https://nifa.usda.gov/funding-opportunity/sun-grant-program The Sun Grant Program was established to: (1) Enhance national energy security with biobased energy tech; (2) Promote diversification and environmental sustainability through biobased tech; (3) Promote economic diversification in the rural US through biobased technology; and (4) Enhance the efficiency of biobased technology R&D through collaborations among the United States Department of Agriculture, Department of Energy, and Land Grant Institutions. A Sun Grant Center or Subcenter shall use 75 percent of the funds to provide competitive grants to entities that are— (i) eligible to receive grants under subsection (b)(7) of the Competitive, Special, and Facilities Research Grant Act (7 U.S.C. 450i(b)(7)); and (ii) located in the region covered by the Sun Grant Center or Subcenter. Performance Reports: PERFORMANCE MONITORING: See above for pertinent and specific details. Relation to other audit requirements, but records must be available for review or audit by appropriate officials of the Federal agency, pass-through entity, and Government Accountability Office (GAO). This program is also subject to audit by the cognizant Federal audit agency and the USDA Office of Inspector General. In accordance with 2 CFR Part 400 - Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, ? 200.334 Retention requirements for records. Grantees shall maintain separate records for each grant to ensure that funds are used for authorized purposes. Grant-related records are subject to inspection during the life of the grant and must be retained at least three (3) years. Records must be retained beyond the three (3) year period if litigation is pending or audit findings have not been resolved. 2 CFR 200 Subpart D applies to this program. Statutory formula is not applicable to this assistance listing.

Matching is mandatory. 20%. Funds allocated for competitive grants must be matched in an amount of 20 percent from non-Federal sources by all subawardees. Matching requirements do not apply to fundamental research. Additionally, the Sun Grant Center or Subcenter may reduce or eliminate the requirement for non-Federal funds for applied research if the Sun Grant Center or Subcenter determines that the reduction is necessary and appropriate pursuant to specific guidance issued by NIFA. Specific matching provisions are announced in the request for applications or guidelines for each fiscal year.

MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing. In accordance with statutory time limits, project periods, including no-cost extensions of time, are not to exceed five (5) years. Further details are provided in the Award document Form NIFA-2009 and the NIFA General Terms and Conditions Grants and Cooperative Agreements (dated October 2016) at: https://nifa.usda.gov/resource/nifa-general-terms-and-conditions-grants-and-cooperative-agreements-october-2016. SPECIAL NOTE: Please refer to the Competitive Request for Applications (RFAs) for specific and pertinent details. The most current RFAs are available via: https://nifa.usda.gov/funding-opportunity/sun-grant-program RFAs are generally released annually. Hence, the RFAs provide the most current and accurate information available. Any specific instructions in the Competitive RFAs supersede the general information provided in the CFDA database. Method of awarding/releasing assistance: Letter. None/Not specified. USDA. NIFA, National Program Leader;
Institute of Bioenergy, Climate, and Environment, Division of Bioenergy, National Institute of Food and Agriculture U.S. Department of Agriculture
P.O. Box 419205, Mail Stop 10000, Kansas City, MO 64141-6205
Courier/Package Delivery Address:
2312 East Bannister Road, Mail Stop 10000, Kansas City, MO 64141-3061
Kansas City, MO 64141 US
patrick.cassidy@usda.gov
Phone: 816-908-3121 http://nifa.usda.gov/funding-opportunity/sun-grant-program 12-1500-0-1-352 (Project Grants (Cooperative Agreements)) FY 22$3,252,480.00; FY 23 est $3,252,480.00; FY 24 FY 21 FY 20$2,787,840.00; FY 19$2,787,839.00; FY 18$2,815,488.00; FY 17$2,787,840.00; FY 16$2,328,000.00; - SPECIAL NOTES: (1) The difference between the appropriation and obligation numbers reflects legislative authorized set-asides deducted as appropriate, and in some cases the availability of obligational authority from prior years. If minimum or maximum amounts of funding per competitive and/or capacity project grant, or cooperative agreement are established, these amounts will be announced in the annual Competitive Request for Application (RFA). The most current RFA is available via: https://nifa.usda.gov/funding-opportunity/sun-grant-program As an administrator of U.S. government support, NIFA works in partnership with grantees to ensure responsible stewardship of federal funds. Our grantees and partners are required to comply with all relevant rules and regulations. The following resources are provided to NIFA's partners and award recipients to support their adherence to federal regulations governing program performance: NIFA's primary (main) website: https://nifa.usda.gov/regulations-and-guidelines The following represent specific documents and direct links: POLICY GUIDE NIFA's Federal Assistance Policy Guide describes agency policies and procedures. https://nifa.usda.gov/policy-guide CERTIFICATIONS AND REPRESENTATIONS Certifications and representations provided through the NIFA application process. https://nifa.usda.gov/certifications-and-representations ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF USDA SUPPORT BY NIFA When acknowledging USDA support in accordance with 2 CFR Part 415, grantees must use the following acknowledgment for all projects or initiatives supported by NIFA. https://nifa.usda.gov/acknowledgment-usda-support-nifa FEDERAL REGULATIONS The Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) lists all regulations published in the Federal Register. https://nifa.usda.gov/federal-regulations FOIA The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) provides that any person has the right to request access to federal documents and information such as research data. https://nifa.usda.gov/foia NEPA POLICY AND GUIDANCE The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Policy and Guidance set the standard for identifying potential environmental impacts. https://nifa.usda.gov/nepa-policy-and-guidance OGFM ISSUED CORRESPONDENCE The Office of Grants and Financial Management occasionally issues correspondence to applicants, grantees, and/or the general public for informational or clarification purposes. https://nifa.usda.gov/ogfm-issued-correspondence RESEARCH MISCONDUCT NIFA requires that all its awardees adhere to the USDA Scientific Integrity Policy and the Federal Policy on Research Misconduct. https://nifa.usda.gov/research-misconduct NIFA'S GENERAL AWARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS Award terms and conditions are determined by statutory, regulatory, and agency requirements, as well as each grant's circumstances. Terms and conditions dictate important items related to your grant, including method of payment, reporting frequency and content, and prior approval requirements. References to the terms and conditions of awards are located on the NIFA 2009 Award Fact Sheet. NIFA's general award terms and conditions (see link below) is applicable to this program, for awards with an award date on December 26, 2014 and thereafter. https://nifa.usda.gov/resource/nifa-general-terms-and-conditions-grants-and-cooperative-agreements-october-2016. Fiscal Year 2016 For FY 2016: The program will continue to support research, education, and extension activities that focus on improving rural economic development through the production of sustainable biomass feedstocks for biofuels and biobased products. The project address national energy needs and established a national bioeconomy through coordinated regional research, education and extension activities specifically focused on agriculture and forest based fuels implementing and coordinating a competitive grants programs specific to five (5) individual regions utilizing innovative and traditional outreach methods to disseminate information and knowledge.
Fiscal Year 2017 Fiscal Year (FY) 2017: The project addressed national energy needs and established a national bioeconomy through coordinated regional research, education and extension activities specifically focused on agriculture and forest based fuels implementing and coordinating a competitive grants programs specific to five (5) individual regions utilizing innovative and traditional outreach methods to disseminate information and knowledge.
Fiscal Year 2018 The program addressed national energy needs and established a national bioeconomy through coordinated regional research, education and extension activities specifically focused on agriculture and forest based fuels implementing and coordination of competitive grants programs specific to five individuals regions utilizing innovative and traditional outreach methods to disseminate information and knowledge.
Fiscal Year 2019 The program will continue to support research, education, and extension activities that focus on improving rural economic development through the production of sustainable biomass feedstocks for biofuels and biobased products.
Fiscal Year 2020 Contingent upon future funding, the Sun Grant Program will continue in FY 2020 and it is anticipated that it will have the same breadth and depth of impacts as previously years.
Fiscal Year 2023 Pertinent details will be provided at a later date.