{"database": "openregs", "table": "cfr_sections", "is_view": false, "human_description_en": "where part_number = 3430 and title_number = 7 sorted by section_id", "rows": [["7:7:15.1.13.2.13.1.1.1", 7, "Agriculture", "XXXIV", "", "3430", "PART 3430\u2014COMPETITIVE AND NONCOMPETITIVE NON-FORMULA FEDERAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS\u2014GENERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS", "A", "Subpart A\u2014General Information", "", "\u00a7 3430.1 Applicability of regulations.", "NIFA", "", "", "[74 FR 45740, Sept. 4, 2009, as amended at 79 FR 76000, Dec. 19, 2014]", "(a)  General.  This part provides agency specific regulations regarding the application for, and evaluation, award, and post-award administration of, National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) awards, and is supplementary to the USDA uniform assistance regulations at 2 CFR part 200, as applicable. These regulations apply to the following types of Federal assistance awards: Grants and cooperative agreements.\n\n(b)  Competitive programs.  This part applies to all agricultural research, education, and extension competitive and related programs for which NIFA has administrative or other authority, as well as any other Federal assistance program delegated to the NIFA Director . In cases where regulations of this part conflict with existing regulations of NIFA in Title 7 ( i.e.,  7 CFR parts 3400 through 3499) of the Code of Federal Regulations, regulations of this part shall supersede. This part does not apply to the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program (7 CFR part 3403) and the Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program (VMLRP) authorized under section 1415A of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (NARETPA) (7 U.S.C. 3151a).\n\n(c)  Noncompetitive programs.  Subparts A, B, D, and E, as well as \u00a7 3430.35 of subpart C, apply to all noncompetitive agricultural research, education, and extension programs administered by NIFA, as well as any other Federal assistance program delegated to the NIFA Director.\n\n(d)  Federal assistance programs administered on behalf of other agencies.  Subparts A through E, as appropriate, apply to competitive and noncompetitive grants and cooperative agreements administered on behalf of other agencies of the Federal Government. Requirements specific to these Federal assistance programs will be included in the program solicitations or requests for applications (RFAs).\n\n(e)  Federal assistance programs administered jointly with other agencies.  Subparts A through E, as appropriate, apply to competitive and noncompetitive grants and cooperative agreements administered jointly with other agencies of the Federal Government. Requirements specific to these Federal assistance programs will be included in the appropriate program solicitations or RFAs published by both or either agency.\n\n(f)  Formula fund grants programs.  This part does not apply to any of the formula grant programs administered by NIFA. Formula funds are the research funds provided to 1862 Land-Grant Institutions and agricultural experiment stations under the Hatch Act of 1887 (7 U.S.C. 361a,  et seq. ); extension funds provided to 1862 Land-Grant Institutions under sections 3(b) and 3(c) of the Smith-Lever Act (7 U.S.C. 343(b) and (c)) and section 208(c) of the District of Columbia Public Postsecondary Education Reorganization Act, Public Law 93-471; agricultural extension and research funds provided to 1890 Land-Grant Institutions under sections 1444 and 1445 of NARETPA (7 U.S.C. 3221 and 3222); expanded food and nutrition education program funds authorized under section 3(d) of the Smith-Lever Act (7 U.S.C. 343(d)) to the 1862 Land-Grant Institutions and the 1890 Land-Grant Institutions; extension funds under the Renewable Resources Extension Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 1671,  et seq. ) for the 1862 Land-Grant institutions and the 1890 Land-Grant Institutions; research funds provided to the 1862 Land-Grant Institutions, 1890 Land-Grant Institutions, and forestry schools under the McIntire-Stennis Cooperative Forestry Act (16 U.S.C. 582a,  et seq. ); and animal health and disease research funds provided to veterinary schools and agricultural experiment stations under section 1433 of NARETPA (7 U.S.C. 3195)."], ["7:7:15.1.13.2.13.1.1.2", 7, "Agriculture", "XXXIV", "", "3430", "PART 3430\u2014COMPETITIVE AND NONCOMPETITIVE NON-FORMULA FEDERAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS\u2014GENERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS", "A", "Subpart A\u2014General Information", "", "\u00a7 3430.2 Definitions.", "NIFA", "", "", "[74 FR 45740, Sept. 4, 2009, as amended at 76 FR 4813, Jan. 27, 2011; 79 FR 76000, Dec. 19, 2014; 81 FR 6413, Feb. 8, 2016; 82 FR 21109, May 5, 2017]", "As used in this part:\n\n1862 Land-Grant Institution  means an institution eligible to receive funds under the Act of July 2, 1862, as amended (7 U.S.C. 301,  et seq. ). Unless otherwise stated for a specific program, this term includes a research foundation maintained by such an institution.\n\n1890 Land-Grant Institution  means one of those institutions eligible to receive funds under the Act of August 30, 1890, as amended (7 U.S.C. 321,  et seq. ), including Tuskegee University and West Virginia State University. Unless otherwise stated for a specific program, this term includes a research foundation maintained by such an institution.\n\n1994 Land-Grant Institution  means one of those institutions as defined in section 532 of the Equity in Educational Land-Grant Status Act of 1994, as amended (7 U.S.C. 301 note). These institutions are commonly referred to as Tribal Colleges or Universities.\n\nAdvisory Board  means the National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and Economics Advisory Board (as established under section 1408 of NARETPA (7 U.S.C. 3123).\n\nAgricultural research  means research in the food and agricultural sciences.\n\nApplied research  means research that includes expansion of the findings of fundamental research to uncover practical ways in which new knowledge can be advanced to benefit individuals and society.\n\nAuthorized Departmental Officer  or  ADO  means the Secretary or any employee of the Department with delegated authority to issue or modify award instruments on behalf of the Secretary.\n\nAuthorized Representative  or  AR  means the President or Chief Executive Officer of the applicant organization or the official, designated by the President or Chief Executive Officer of the applicant organization, who has the authority to commit the resources of the organization to the project.\n\nAward  means financial assistance that provides support or stimulation to accomplish a public purpose. Awards may be grants or cooperative agreements.\n\nBudget period  means the interval of time (usually 12 months) into which the project period is divided for budgetary and reporting purposes.\n\nCash contributions  means the recipient's cash outlay, including the outlay of money contributed to the recipient by non-Federal third parties.\n\nCenter of Excellence  in food and agricultural research, extension, and education is a grantee whose application was not only found to be highly meritorious by a peer panel, but met additional criteria ( see  \u00a7 3430.17(c)) to receive the designation. This designation is specific to a grant application.\n\nCertification of Non-Land-Grant College of Agriculture status  means an institution that followed NIFA's Process for Non-Land Grant College of Agriculture (NLGCA) Designation and received a certification of NLGCA designation from NIFA ( see  \u00a7 3430.16(c)).\n\nCollege  or  university  means, unless defined in a separate subpart, an educational institution in any State which:\n\n(1) Admits as regular students only persons having a certificate of graduation from a school providing secondary education, or the recognized equivalent of such a certificate;\n\n(2) Is legally authorized within such State to provide a program of education beyond secondary education;\n\n(3) Provides an educational program for which a bachelor's degree or any other higher degree is awarded;\n\n(4) Is a public or other nonprofit institution; and\n\n(5) Is accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency or association. Unless otherwise stated for a specific program, this term includes a research foundation maintained by such an institution.\n\nCooperative agreement  means the award by the Authorized Departmental Officer of funds to an eligible awardee to assist in meeting the costs of conducting for the benefit of the public, an identified project which is intended and designed to accomplish the purpose of the program as identified in the program solicitation or RFA, and where substantial involvement is expected between NIFA and the awardee when carrying out the activity contemplated in the agreement.\n\nDepartment  means the United States Department of Agriculture.\n\nDirector  means the Director of NIFA and any other officer or employee of NIFA to whom the authority involved is delegated.\n\nEducation activity  or  teaching activity  means formal classroom instruction, laboratory instruction, and practicum experience in the food and agricultural sciences and other related matters such as faculty development, student recruitment and services, curriculum development, instructional materials and equipment, and innovative teaching methodologies.\n\nEstablished and demonstrated capacity  means that an organization has met the following criteria:\n\n(1) Conducts any systematic study directed toward new or fuller knowledge and understanding of the subject studied; or,\n\n(2) Systematically relates or applies the findings of research or scientific experimentation to the application of new approaches to problem solving, technologies, or management practices; and\n\n(3) Has facilities, qualified personnel, independent funding, and prior projects and accomplishments in research or technology transfer.\n\nExtension  means informal education programs conducted in the States in cooperation with the Department.\n\nExtension activity  means an act or process that delivers science-based knowledge and informal educational programs to people, enabling them to make practical decisions.\n\nFood and agricultural sciences  means basic, applied, and developmental research, extension, and teaching activities in food and fiber, agricultural, renewable energy and natural resources, forestry, and physical and social sciences, including activities relating to the following:\n\n(1) Animal health, production, and well-being.\n\n(2) Plant health and production.\n\n(3) Animal and plant germ plasm collection and preservation.\n\n(4) Aquaculture.\n\n(5) Food safety.\n\n(6) Soil, water, and related resource conservation and improvement.\n\n(7) Forestry, horticulture, and range management.\n\n(8) Nutritional sciences and promotion.\n\n(9) Farm enhancement, including financial management, input efficiency, and profitability.\n\n(10) Home economics.\n\n(11) Rural human ecology.\n\n(12) Youth development and agricultural education, including 4-H clubs.\n\n(13) Expansion of domestic and international markets for agricultural commodities and products, including agricultural trade barrier identification and analysis.\n\n(14) Information management and technology transfer related to agriculture.\n\n(15) Biotechnology related to agriculture.\n\n(16) The processing, distributing, marketing, and utilization of food and agricultural products.\n\nFundamental research  means research that increases knowledge or understanding of the fundamental aspects of phenomena and has the potential for broad application, and has an effect on agriculture, food, nutrition, or the environment.\n\nGraduate degree  means a Master's or doctoral degree.\n\nGrant  means the award by the Authorized Departmental Officer of funds to an eligible grantee to assist in meeting the costs of conducting for the benefit of the public, an identified project which is intended and designed to accomplish the purpose of the program as identified in the program solicitation or RFA.\n\nGrantee  means the organization designated in the grant award document as the responsible legal entity to which a grant is awarded.\n\nInsular area  means the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Republic of Palau, and the Virgin Islands of the United States.\n\nIntegrated project  means a project incorporating two or three components of the agricultural knowledge system (research, education, and extension) around a problem area or activity.\n\nLand-grant Institutions  means the 1862 Land-Grant Institutions, 1890 Land-Grant Institutions, and 1994 Land-Grant Institutions.\n\nMatching or cost sharing  means that portion of allowable project or program costs not borne by the Federal Government, including the value of in-kind contributions.\n\nMerit review  means an evaluation of a proposed project or elements of a proposed program whereby the technical quality and relevance to regional or national goals are assessed.\n\nMerit reviewers  means peers and other individuals with expertise appropriate to conduct merit review of a proposed project.\n\nMethodology  means the project approach to be followed.\n\nMission-linked research  means research on specifically identified agricultural problems which, through a continuum of efforts, provides information and technology that may be transferred to users and may relate to a product, practice, or process.\n\nNational laboratories  include Federal laboratories that are government-owned contractor-operated or government-owned government-operated.\n\nNon-citizen national of the United States  means the award by the Authorized Departmental Officer of funds to an eligible awardee to assist in meeting the costs of conducting for the benefit of the public, an identified project which is intended and designed to accomplish the purpose of the program as identified in the program solicitation or RFA, and where substantial involvement is expected between NIFA and the awardee when carrying out the activity contemplated in the agreement.\n\nPeer reviewers  means experts or consultants qualified by training and experience to give expert advice on the scientific and technical merit of applications or the relevance of those applications to one or more of the application evaluation criteria. Peer reviewers may be adhoc or convened as a panel.\n\nPrior approval  means written approval by an Authorized Departmental Officer evidencing prior consent.\n\nPrivate research organization  means any non-governmental corporation, partnership, proprietorship, trust, or other organization.\n\nPrivate sector  means all non-public entities, including for-profit and nonprofit commercial and non-commercial entities, and including private or independent educational associations.\n\nProgram announcement  (PA) means a detailed description of the RFA without the associated application package(s). NIFA will not solicit or accept applications in response to a PA.\n\nProgram Officer  means a NIFA individual (often referred to as a National Program Leader) who is responsible for the technical oversight of the award on behalf of the Department.\n\nProject  means the particular activity within the scope of the program supported by an award.\n\nProject Director  or  PD  means the single individual designated by the awardee in the application and approved by the Authorized Departmental Officer who is responsible for the direction and management of the project, also known as a Principal Investigator (PI) for research activities.\n\nProject period  means the total length of time, as stated in the award document and modifications thereto, if any, during which Federal sponsorship begins and ends.\n\nResearch  means any systematic study directed toward new or fuller knowledge and understanding of the subject studied.\n\nScientific peer review  means an evaluation of the technical quality of a proposed project and its relevance to regional or national goals, performed by experts with the scientific knowledge and technical skills to conduct the proposed research work.\n\nSecretary  means the Secretary of Agriculture and any other officer or employee of the Department to whom the authority involved is delegated.\n\nUnder Secretary  means the Under Secretary for Research, Education, and Economics.\n\nUnited States  means the several States, the District of Columbia, and the insular areas.\n\nUnits of State government  means all State institutions, including the formal divisions of State government ( i.e. , the official State agencies such as departments of transportation and education), local government agencies (e.g., a county human services office), and including State educational institutions (e.g., public colleges and universities)."], ["7:7:15.1.13.2.13.1.1.3", 7, "Agriculture", "XXXIV", "", "3430", "PART 3430\u2014COMPETITIVE AND NONCOMPETITIVE NON-FORMULA FEDERAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS\u2014GENERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS", "A", "Subpart A\u2014General Information", "", "\u00a7 3430.3 Deviations.", "NIFA", "", "", "", "Any request by the applicant or awardee for a waiver of or deviation from any provision of this part shall be submitted to the ADO identified in the agency specific requirements. NIFA shall review the request and notify the applicant/awardee, within 30 calendar days from the date of receipt of the deviation request, whether the request to deviate has been approved. If the deviation request is still under consideration at the end of 30 calendar days, NIFA shall inform the applicant/awardee in writing of the date when the applicant/awardee may expect the decision."], ["7:7:15.1.13.2.13.1.1.4", 7, "Agriculture", "XXXIV", "", "3430", "PART 3430\u2014COMPETITIVE AND NONCOMPETITIVE NON-FORMULA FEDERAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS\u2014GENERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS", "A", "Subpart A\u2014General Information", "", "\u00a7 3430.4 Other Federal statutes and regulations that apply.", "NIFA", "", "", "[79 FR 76000, Dec. 19, 2014]", "(a) The Office of Management and Budget (\u201cOMB\u201d) issued guidance on Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards at 2 CFR part 200 on December 26, 2013. In 2 CFR 400.1, the Department adopted OMB's guidance in subparts A through F of 2 CFR part 200, as supplemented by 2 CFR part 400, as the Department's policies and procedures for uniform administrative requirements, cost principles, and audit requirements for federal awards. As a result, this regulation contains references to 2 CFR part 200 as it has regulatory effect for the Department's programs and activities.\u201d\n\n(b) Several other Federal statutes and/or regulations apply to grant proposals considered for review or to research project grants awarded under this part. These include but are not limited to:\n\n2 CFR part 200\u2014Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, And Audit Requirements For Federal Awards.\n \n 2 CFR part 180 and Part 417\u2014OMB Guidelines to Agencies on Government-Wide Debarment and Suspension (Nonprocurement) and USDA Nonprocurement Debarment and Suspension\n \n 7 CFR part 1c\u2014USDA Implementation of the Federal Policy for the Protection of Human Subjects.\n \n 7 CFR 1.1\u2014USDA Implementation of Freedom of Information Act.\n \n 7 CFR part 3\u2014USDA Implementation of OMB Circular A-129 Regarding Debt Collection.\n \n 7 CFR part 15, subpart A\u2014USDA implementation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.\n \n 7 CFR part 3407\u2014NIFA Procedures to Implement the National Environmental Policy Act;\n \n 29 U.S.C. 794 (section 504, Rehabilitation Act of 1973) and 7 CFR part 15B (USDA implementation of statute)\u2014prohibiting discrimination based upon physical or mental handicap in Federally assisted programs; and\n \n 35 U.S.C. 200  et seq. \u2014Bayh-Dole Act, controlling allocation of rights to inventions made by employees of small business firms and domestic nonprofit organizations, including universities, in Federally assisted programs (implementing regulations are contained in 37 CFR part 401).\n\n2 CFR part 200\u2014Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, And Audit Requirements For Federal Awards.\n\n2 CFR part 180 and Part 417\u2014OMB Guidelines to Agencies on Government-Wide Debarment and Suspension (Nonprocurement) and USDA Nonprocurement Debarment and Suspension\n\n7 CFR part 1c\u2014USDA Implementation of the Federal Policy for the Protection of Human Subjects.\n\n7 CFR 1.1\u2014USDA Implementation of Freedom of Information Act.\n\n7 CFR part 3\u2014USDA Implementation of OMB Circular A-129 Regarding Debt Collection.\n\n7 CFR part 15, subpart A\u2014USDA implementation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.\n\n7 CFR part 3407\u2014NIFA Procedures to Implement the National Environmental Policy Act;\n\n29 U.S.C. 794 (section 504, Rehabilitation Act of 1973) and 7 CFR part 15B (USDA implementation of statute)\u2014prohibiting discrimination based upon physical or mental handicap in Federally assisted programs; and\n\n35 U.S.C. 200  et seq. \u2014Bayh-Dole Act, controlling allocation of rights to inventions made by employees of small business firms and domestic nonprofit organizations, including universities, in Federally assisted programs (implementing regulations are contained in 37 CFR part 401)."], ["7:7:15.1.13.2.13.10.1.1", 7, "Agriculture", "XXXIV", "", "3430", "PART 3430\u2014COMPETITIVE AND NONCOMPETITIVE NON-FORMULA FEDERAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS\u2014GENERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS", "J", "Subpart J\u2014Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program", "", "\u00a7 3430.600 Applicability of regulations.", "NIFA", "", "", "", "The regulations in this subpart apply to the program authorized under section 7405 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 3319f)."], ["7:7:15.1.13.2.13.10.1.10", 7, "Agriculture", "XXXIV", "", "3430", "PART 3430\u2014COMPETITIVE AND NONCOMPETITIVE NON-FORMULA FEDERAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS\u2014GENERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS", "J", "Subpart J\u2014Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program", "", "\u00a7 3430.609 Other considerations.", "NIFA", "", "", "[74 FR 45970, Sept. 4, 2009, as amended at 76 FR 35323, June 17, 2011; 81 FR 6416, Feb. 8, 2016]", "(a)  Set aside.  (1) Not less than 5 percent of the funds used to carry out this subsection for a fiscal year shall be used to support programs and services that address the needs of\u2014\n\n(i) Limited resource beginning farmers or ranchers (see 3430.602);\n\n(ii) Socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers (as defined in section 355(e) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 2003(e)) who are beginning farmers or ranchers; and\n\n(iii) Farmworkers desiring to become farmers or ranchers.\n\n(2) Each fiscal year, NIFA shall set aside not less than 5 percent of the funds to support the standard BFRDP projects under this subpart to support programs and services that address the needs of veteran farmers and ranchers (as defined in section 2501(e) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 2279(e)). Recipients of these funds may coordinate with a recipient of an award under section 1680 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5933) in addressing the needs of veteran farmers and ranchers with disabilities.\n\n(b)  Consecutive awards.  An eligible recipient may receive a consecutive grant for a standard BFRDP project under this subpart.\n\n(c)  Duration of awards.  The term of a grant for a standard BFRDP project under this subpart shall not exceed 3 years. Awards for all other projects under this subpart shall not exceed 5 years. No-cost extensions of time beyond the maximum award terms will not be considered or granted.\n\n(d)  Amount of grants.  A grant for a standard BFRDP project under this subpart shall not be in an amount that is more than $250,000 for each year."], ["7:7:15.1.13.2.13.10.1.2", 7, "Agriculture", "XXXIV", "", "3430", "PART 3430\u2014COMPETITIVE AND NONCOMPETITIVE NON-FORMULA FEDERAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS\u2014GENERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS", "J", "Subpart J\u2014Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program", "", "\u00a7 3430.601 Purpose.", "NIFA", "", "", "", "The purpose of the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP) is to establish a beginning farmer and rancher development program that provides local and regional training, education, outreach, and technical assistance initiatives for beginning farmers and ranchers."], ["7:7:15.1.13.2.13.10.1.3", 7, "Agriculture", "XXXIV", "", "3430", "PART 3430\u2014COMPETITIVE AND NONCOMPETITIVE NON-FORMULA FEDERAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS\u2014GENERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS", "J", "Subpart J\u2014Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program", "", "\u00a7 3430.602 Definitions.", "NIFA", "", "", "[74 FR 45970, Sept. 4, 2009, as amended at 76 FR 35323, June 17, 2011]", "The definitions applicable to the program under this subpart include:\n\nBeginning farmer or rancher  means a person that has not operated a farm or ranch or has operated a farm or ranch for not more than 10 years, and meets such other criteria as the Secretary may establish.\n\nClearinghouse  means an online repository that will make available to beginning farmers or ranchers education curricula and training materials and programs, and which may include online courses for direct use by beginning farmers or ranchers.\n\nLimited resource beginning farmers or ranchers  means beginning farmers or ranchers who have: (1) direct or indirect gross farm sales not more than the sales amount established by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in each of the previous two years (in current dollars, adjusted for inflation each year, based on the October 2002 Prices Paid by Farmer Index compiled and updated annually by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), and (2) a total household income at or below the National Poverty Level for a family of four or less than 50 percent of county median household income in each of the previous 2 years as determined by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), using the Census Poverty Data.\n\nOutcome-based reporting  means reporting that includes an outcome statement with performance targets, necessary milestones, beneficiary engagement, key individuals, and verification."], ["7:7:15.1.13.2.13.10.1.4", 7, "Agriculture", "XXXIV", "", "3430", "PART 3430\u2014COMPETITIVE AND NONCOMPETITIVE NON-FORMULA FEDERAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS\u2014GENERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS", "J", "Subpart J\u2014Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program", "", "\u00a7 3430.603 Eligibility.", "NIFA", "", "", "[74 FR 45970, Sept. 4, 2009, as amended at 81 FR 6415, Feb. 8, 2016]", "To be eligible to receive an award under this subpart, the recipient shall be a collaborative State, tribal, local, or regionally-based network or partnership of public or private entities, including:\n\n(a) A State cooperative extension service;\n\n(b) A Federal, State, or tribal agency;\n\n(c) A community-based or nongovernmental organization;\n\n(d) A college or university (including a junior college offering an associate's degree) or foundation maintained by a college or university;\n\n(e) A private for-profit organization; or\n\n(f) Any other appropriate partner, as determined by the Secretary."], ["7:7:15.1.13.2.13.10.1.5", 7, "Agriculture", "XXXIV", "", "3430", "PART 3430\u2014COMPETITIVE AND NONCOMPETITIVE NON-FORMULA FEDERAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS\u2014GENERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS", "J", "Subpart J\u2014Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program", "", "\u00a7 3430.604 Project types and priorities.", "NIFA", "", "", "[74 FR 45970, Sept. 4, 2009, as amended at 76 FR 35323, June 17, 2011; 81 FR 6415, Feb. 8, 2016]", "(a)  Standard BFRDP projects.  For standard BFRDP projects, competitive grants will be awarded to support programs and services, as appropriate, relating to the following focus areas and activities:\n\n(1) Basic livestock, forest management, and crop farming practices;\n\n(2) Innovative farm, ranch, and private, nonindustrial forest land transfer strategies;\n\n(3) Entrepreneurship and business training;\n\n(4) Financial and risk management training (including the acquisition and management of agricultural credit);\n\n(5) Natural resource management and planning;\n\n(6) Diversification and marketing strategies;\n\n(7) Curriculum development;\n\n(8) Mentoring, apprenticeships, and internships;\n\n(9) Resources and referral;\n\n(10) Farm financial benchmarking;\n\n(11) Assisting beginning farmers or ranchers in acquiring land from retiring farmers and ranchers;\n\n(12) Agricultural rehabilitation and vocational training for veterans;\n\n(13) Farm safety and awareness; and\n\n(14) Other similar subject areas of use to beginning farmers or ranchers.\n\n(15) Basic livestock and crop farming practices, forestry and range management.\n\n(16) Acquisition and management of agricultural credit.\n\n(17) Environmental compliance.\n\n(18) Information processing.\n\n(19) Tax management, including record keeping and tax form preparation.\n\n(20) Basic agricultural law.\n\n(21) Other similar subject areas of use to beginning farmers or ranchers.\n\nNIFA may include additional activities or focus areas that further address the critical needs of beginning farmers and ranchers as defined in this subpart. Some of these activities or focus areas may be identified by stakeholder groups or by NIFA in response to emerging critical needs of the Nation's farmers and ranchers.\n\n(b)  Other BFRDP Projects.  In addition to the competitive grants made under paragraph (a) of this section, competitive awards (grants or cooperative agreements) will be made:\n\n(1) to establish beginner farmer and rancher educational enhancement projects that develop curricula and conduct educational programs and workshops for beginning farmers or ranchers in diverse geographical areas of the Unites States; and\n\n(2) to establish and maintain an online clearinghouse."], ["7:7:15.1.13.2.13.10.1.6", 7, "Agriculture", "XXXIV", "", "3430", "PART 3430\u2014COMPETITIVE AND NONCOMPETITIVE NON-FORMULA FEDERAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS\u2014GENERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS", "J", "Subpart J\u2014Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program", "", "\u00a7 3430.605 Funding restrictions.", "NIFA", "", "", "[74 FR 45970, Sept. 4, 2009, as amended at 81 FR 6415, Feb. 8, 2016]", "(a)  Facility costs.  Funds made available under this subpart shall not be used for the planning, repair, rehabilitation, acquisition, or construction of a building or facility.\n\n(b)  Indirect costs.  Subject to \u00a7 3430.54, indirect costs are allowable.\n\n(c)  Participation by other farmers and ranchers.  Projects may allow farmers and ranchers who are not beginning farmers and ranchers to participate in the programs funded under this subpart if their participation is appropriate and will not detract from the primary purpose of educating beginning farmers and ranchers as defined under this subpart."], ["7:7:15.1.13.2.13.10.1.7", 7, "Agriculture", "XXXIV", "", "3430", "PART 3430\u2014COMPETITIVE AND NONCOMPETITIVE NON-FORMULA FEDERAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS\u2014GENERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS", "J", "Subpart J\u2014Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program", "", "\u00a7 3430.606 Matching requirements.", "NIFA", "", "", "", "(a)  Requirement.  Awardees are required to provide a match in the form of cash or in-kind contributions in an amount at least equal to 25 percent of the Federal funds provided by the award. The matching funds must be from non-Federal sources except when authorized by statute. The matching requirements under this subpart cannot be waived.\n\n(b)  Indirect costs.  Use of indirect costs as in-kind matching contributions is subject to \u00a7 3430.52."], ["7:7:15.1.13.2.13.10.1.8", 7, "Agriculture", "XXXIV", "", "3430", "PART 3430\u2014COMPETITIVE AND NONCOMPETITIVE NON-FORMULA FEDERAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS\u2014GENERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS", "J", "Subpart J\u2014Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program", "", "\u00a7 3430.607 Stakeholder input.", "NIFA", "", "", "", "NIFA shall seek and obtain stakeholder input through a variety of forums (e.g., public meetings, request for input and/or via Web site), as well as through a notice in the  Federal Register,  from the following entities:\n\n(a) Beginning farmers and ranchers.\n\n(b) National, State, tribal, and local organizations, community-based organizations, and other persons with expertise in operating beginning farmer and rancher programs.\n\n(c) The Advisory Committee on Beginning Farmers and Ranchers established under section 5 of the Agricultural Credit Improvement Act of 1992 (7 U.S.C. 1929 note; Pub. L. 102-554)."], ["7:7:15.1.13.2.13.10.1.9", 7, "Agriculture", "XXXIV", "", "3430", "PART 3430\u2014COMPETITIVE AND NONCOMPETITIVE NON-FORMULA FEDERAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS\u2014GENERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS", "J", "Subpart J\u2014Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program", "", "\u00a7 3430.608 Review criteria.", "NIFA", "", "", "[74 FR 45970, Sept. 4, 2009, as amended at 81 FR 6415, Feb. 8, 2016]", "(a)  Evaluation criteria.  NIFA shall evaluate project proposals according to the following factors:\n\n(1) Relevancy.\n\n(2) Technical merit.\n\n(3) Achievability.\n\n(4) The expertise and track record of one or more applicants.\n\n(5) The adequacy of plans for the participatory evaluation process, outcome-based reporting, and the communication of findings and results beyond the immediate target audience.\n\n(6) Other appropriate factors, as determined by the Secretary.\n\n(b)  Partnership and collaboration.  In making awards under this subpart, NIFA shall give priority to partnerships and collaborations that are led by or include nongovernmental, and community-based organizations, and school-based agricultural educational organizations with expertise in new agricultural producer training and outreach.\n\n(c)  Regional balance.  In making awards under this subpart, NIFA shall, to the maximum extent practicable, ensure geographical diversity."], ["7:7:15.1.13.2.13.11.1.1", 7, "Agriculture", "XXXIV", "", "3430", "PART 3430\u2014COMPETITIVE AND NONCOMPETITIVE NON-FORMULA FEDERAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS\u2014GENERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS", "K", "Subpart K\u2014Biomass Research and Development Initiative", "", "\u00a7 3430.700 Applicability of regulations.", "NIFA", "", "", "[76 FR 38549, July 1, 2011]", "The regulations in this subpart apply to the Federal assistance awards made under the program authorized under section 9008 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8108), as amended by section 9001 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (Pub. L. 110-246)."], ["7:7:15.1.13.2.13.11.1.10", 7, "Agriculture", "XXXIV", "", "3430", "PART 3430\u2014COMPETITIVE AND NONCOMPETITIVE NON-FORMULA FEDERAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS\u2014GENERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS", "K", "Subpart K\u2014Biomass Research and Development Initiative", "", "\u00a7 3430.709 Duration of awards.", "NIFA", "", "", "", "The term of a Federal assistance award made for a BRDI project shall not exceed 5 years. No-cost extensions of time beyond the maximum award terms will not be considered or granted."], ["7:7:15.1.13.2.13.11.1.2", 7, "Agriculture", "XXXIV", "", "3430", "PART 3430\u2014COMPETITIVE AND NONCOMPETITIVE NON-FORMULA FEDERAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS\u2014GENERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS", "K", "Subpart K\u2014Biomass Research and Development Initiative", "", "\u00a7 3430.701 Purpose.", "NIFA", "", "", "[75 FR 33498, June 14, 2010, as amended at 76 FR 38549, July 1, 2011]", "In carrying out the program, NIFA, in cooperation with the Department of Energy, is authorized to make competitive awards under section 9008(e) of FSRIA (7 U.S.C. 8108(e)) to develop:\n\n(a) Technologies and processes necessary for abundant commercial production of biofuels at prices competitive with fossil fuels;\n\n(b) High-value biobased products\u2014\n\n(1) To enhance the economic viability of biofuels and power,\n\n(2) To serve as substitutes for petroleum-based feedstocks and products, and\n\n(3) To enhance the value of coproducts produced using the technologies and processes; and\n\n(c) A diversity of economically and environmentally sustainable domestic sources of renewable biomass for conversion to biofuels, bioenergy, and biobased products."], ["7:7:15.1.13.2.13.11.1.3", 7, "Agriculture", "XXXIV", "", "3430", "PART 3430\u2014COMPETITIVE AND NONCOMPETITIVE NON-FORMULA FEDERAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS\u2014GENERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS", "K", "Subpart K\u2014Biomass Research and Development Initiative", "", "\u00a7 3430.702 Definitions.", "NIFA", "", "", "[75 FR 33498, June 14, 2010, as amended at 76 FR 38549, July 1, 2011]", "The definitions specific to BRDI are from the authorizing legislation, the National Program Leadership of NIFA, and the Department of Energy. The definitions applicable to the program under this subpart include:\n\nAdvanced Biofuel  means fuel derived from renewable biomass other than corn kernel starch, including:\n\n(1) Biofuel derived from cellulose, hemicellulose, or lignin;\n\n(2) Biofuel derived from sugar and starch (other than ethanol derived from corn kernel starch);\n\n(3) Biofuel derived from waste material, including crop residue, other vegetative waste material, animal waste, food waste, and yard waste;\n\n(4) Diesel-equivalent fuel derived from renewable biomass, including algael oils, oil seed crops, re-claimed vegetable oils and animal fat;\n\n(5) Biogas (including landfill gas and sewage waste treatment gas) produced through the conversion of organic matter from renewable biomass;\n\n(6) Butanol or other alcohols produced through the conversion of organic matter from renewable biomass; and\n\n(7) Other fuel derived from cellulosic biomass.\n\nAdvisory Committee  means the Biomass Research and Development Technical Advisory Committee established by section 9008(d) of FSRIA (7 U.S.C. 8108(d)).\n\nBiobased Product  means:\n\n(1) An industrial product (including chemicals, materials, and polymers) produced from biomass; or\n\n(2) A commercial or industrial product (including animal feed and electric power) derived in connection with the conversion of biomass to fuel.\n\nBioenergy  means power generated in the form of electricity or heat using biomass as a feedstock.\n\nBiofuel  means a fuel derived from renewable biomass.\n\nBiomass Conversion Facility  means a facility that converts or proposes to convert renewable biomass into:\n\n(1) Heat;\n\n(2) Power;\n\n(3) Biobased products; or\n\n(4) Advanced biofuels.\n\nBiorefinery  means a facility (including equipment and processes) that\u2014\n\n(1) Converts renewable biomass into biofuels and biobased products; and\n\n(2) May produce electricity.\n\nBoard  means the Biomass Research and Development Board established by section 9008(c) of the FSRIA of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8108(c)).\n\nBRDI  means the Biomass Research and Development Initiative.\n\nCellulosic Biofuel  means renewable fuel derived from any cellulose, hemicellulose, or lignin that is derived from renewable biomass and that has lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions, as determined by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, that are at least 60 percent less than the baseline lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions.\n\nDemonstration  means demonstration of technology in a pilot plant or semi-works scale facility, including a plant or facility located on a farm. A biorefinery demonstration is a system capable of processing a minimum of 50 tons/day of biomass feedstock.\n\nDOE  means the Department of Energy.\n\nInstitutions of higher education  has the meaning given the term in section 102 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1002(a)).\n\nIntermediate Ingredient or Feedstock  means a material or compound made in whole or in significant part from biological products, including renewable agricultural materials (including plant, animal, and marine materials) or forestry materials, that are subsequently used to make a more complex compound or product.\n\nLife cycle assessment  means the comprehensive examination of a product's environmental and economic aspects and potential impacts throughout its lifetime, including raw material extraction, transportation, manufacturing, use, and disposal.\n\nLife cycle cost  means the amortized annual cost of a product, including capital costs, installation costs, operating costs, maintenance costs, and disposal costs discounted over the lifetime of the product.\n\nPilot Plant  is an integrated chemical processing system that includes the processing units necessary to convert biomass feedstock into biofuels/bioenergy/biobased products at a minimum feed rate of 1 ton/day of biomass feedstock.\n\nPrivate sector entities  include companies, corporations, farms, ranches, cooperatives, and others that compete in the marketplace.\n\nRecovered materials  means waste materials and by-products that have been recovered or diverted from solid waste, but such term does not include those materials and by-products generated from, and commonly reused within, an original manufacturing process (42 U.S.C. 6903 (19)).\n\nRecycling  means the series of activities, including collection, separation, and processing, by which products or other materials are recovered from the solid waste stream for use in the form of raw materials in the manufacture of new products other than fuel for producing heat or power by combustion.\n\nRenewable Biomass  means:\n\n(1) Materials, pre-commercial thinnings, or invasive species from National Forest System land (as defined in section 11(a) of the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974 (16 U.S.C. 1609(a)) and public lands (as defined in section 103 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1702)) that\u2014\n\n(i) Are byproducts of preventive treatments that are removed to reduce hazardous fuels; to reduce or contain disease or insect infestation; or to restore ecosystem health;\n\n(ii) Would not otherwise be used for higher-value products; and\n\n(iii) Are harvested in accordance with applicable law and land management plans; and the requirements for\u2014\n\n(A) Old-growth maintenance, restoration, and management direction of paragraphs (2), (3), and (4) of subsection (e) of section 102 of the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 (16 U.S.C. 6512); and\n\n(B) Large-tree retention of subsection (f) of section 102 of the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 (16 U.S.C. 6512); or\n\n(2) Any organic matter that is available on a renewable or recurring basis from non-Federal land or land belonging to an Indian or Indian tribe that is held in trust by the United States or subject to a restriction against alienation imposed by the United States, including\u2014\n\n(i) Renewable plant material, including feed grains; other agricultural commodities; other plants and trees; and algae; and\n\n(ii) Waste material, including crop residue; other vegetative waste material (including wood waste and wood residues); animal waste and byproducts (including fats, oils, greases, and manure); and food waste and yard waste.\n\nResearch and development (R&D) projects  means a research project only, a development project only, or a combination of research and development project; however, an R&D project may not be submitted including a demonstration project or vice versa.\n\nSemi-works  is a combination of chemical processing units that constitute a subset of the fully integrated system and are used to develop process flow diagrams and mass and energy balances for the purposes of scaling up to a demonstration scale facility.\n\nTransportation fuel  means fuel for use in motor vehicles, motor vehicle engines, non-road vehicles, or non-road engines (except for ocean-going vessels)."], ["7:7:15.1.13.2.13.11.1.4", 7, "Agriculture", "XXXIV", "", "3430", "PART 3430\u2014COMPETITIVE AND NONCOMPETITIVE NON-FORMULA FEDERAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS\u2014GENERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS", "K", "Subpart K\u2014Biomass Research and Development Initiative", "", "\u00a7 3430.703 Eligibility.", "NIFA", "", "", "", "To be eligible to receive an award under this subpart, the recipient shall be\u2014\n\n(a) An institution of higher education (as defined in \u00a7 3430.702);\n\n(b) A National Laboratory;\n\n(c) A Federal research agency;\n\n(d) A State research agency;\n\n(e) A private sector entity (as defined in \u00a7 3430.702 of this part);\n\n(f) A nonprofit organization; or\n\n(g) A consortium of two or more entities listed in paragraphs (a) through (f) of this section."], ["7:7:15.1.13.2.13.11.1.5", 7, "Agriculture", "XXXIV", "", "3430", "PART 3430\u2014COMPETITIVE AND NONCOMPETITIVE NON-FORMULA FEDERAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS\u2014GENERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS", "K", "Subpart K\u2014Biomass Research and Development Initiative", "", "\u00a7 3430.704 Project types and priorities.", "NIFA", "", "", "[75 FR 33498, June 14, 2010, as amended at 76 FR 38549, July 1, 2011]", "(a)  Technical Topic Areas.  Biomass Research and Development Initiative (BRDI) awards shall be directed (in consultation with the Biomass Research and Development Board, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency and heads of other appropriate departments and agencies) in the following three primary technical topic areas:\n\n(1)  Feedstocks Development.  Research, development, and demonstration activities regarding feedstocks and feedstock logistics (including the harvest, handling, transport, preprocessing, and storage) relevant to production of raw materials for conversion to biofuels and biobased products.\n\n(2)  Biofuels and Biobased Products Development.  Research, development, and demonstration activities to support\u2014\n\n(i) The development of diverse cost-effective technologies for the use of cellulosic biomass in the production of biofuels and biobased products; and\n\n(ii) Product diversification through technologies relevant to production of a range of biobased products (including chemicals, animal feeds, and cogenerated power) that potentially can increase the feasibility of fuel production in a biorefinery.\n\n(3)  Biofuels Development Analysis \u2014(i)  Strategic Guidance.  The development of analysis that provides strategic guidance for the application of renewable biomass technologies to improve sustainability and environmental quality, cost effectiveness, security, and rural economic development.\n\n(ii)  Energy and Environmental Impact.  Development of systematic evaluations of the impact of expanded biofuel production on the environment (including forest land) and on the food supply for humans and animals, including the improvement and development of tools for life cycle analysis of current and potential biofuels.\n\n(iii)  Assessment of Federal Land.  Assessments of the potential of Federal land resources to increase the production of feedstocks for biofuels and biobased products, consistent with the integrity of soil and water resources and with other environmental considerations.\n\n(b)  Additional considerations.  Within the technical topic areas described in paragraph (a) of this section, NIFA, in cooperation with DOE, shall support research and development to\u2014\n\n(1) Create continuously expanding opportunities for participants in existing biofuels production by seeking synergies and continuity with current technologies and practices;\n\n(2) Maximize the environmental, economic, and social benefits of production of biofuels and derived biobased products on a large scale; and\n\n(3) Facilitate small-scale production and local and on-farm use of biofuels, including the development of smallscale gasification technologies for production of biofuel from cellulosic feedstocks."], ["7:7:15.1.13.2.13.11.1.6", 7, "Agriculture", "XXXIV", "", "3430", "PART 3430\u2014COMPETITIVE AND NONCOMPETITIVE NON-FORMULA FEDERAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS\u2014GENERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS", "K", "Subpart K\u2014Biomass Research and Development Initiative", "", "\u00a7 3430.705 Funding restrictions.", "NIFA", "", "", "[76 FR 38549, July 1, 2011]", "(a)  Facility costs.  Funds made available under this subpart shall not be used for the construction of a new building or facility or the acquisition, expansion, remodeling, or alteration of an existing building or facility (including site grading and improvement, and architect fees).\n\n(b)  Indirect costs.  Subject to \u00a7 3430.54, indirect costs are allowable for Federal assistance awards made by NIFA.\n\n(c)  Minimum allocations.  After consultation with the Board, NIFA in cooperation with DOE, shall require that each of the three technical topic areas described in \u00a7 3430.704(a) receives not less than 15 percent of funds made available to carry out BRDI."], ["7:7:15.1.13.2.13.11.1.7", 7, "Agriculture", "XXXIV", "", "3430", "PART 3430\u2014COMPETITIVE AND NONCOMPETITIVE NON-FORMULA FEDERAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS\u2014GENERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS", "K", "Subpart K\u2014Biomass Research and Development Initiative", "", "\u00a7 3430.706 Matching requirements.", "NIFA", "", "", "[75 FR 33498, June 14, 2010, as amended at 76 FR 38549, July 1, 2011]", "(a)  Requirement for Research and/or Development Projects.  The non-Federal share of the cost of a research or development project under BRDI shall be not less than 20 percent. NIFA may reduce the non-Federal share of a research or development project if the reduction is determined to be necessary and appropriate.\n\n(b)  Requirement for Demonstration and Commercial Projects.  The non-Federal share of the cost of a demonstration or commercial project under BRDI shall be not less than 50 percent.\n\n(c)  Indirect costs.  Use of indirect costs as in-kind matching contributions is subject to \u00a7 3430.52 of this part."], ["7:7:15.1.13.2.13.11.1.8", 7, "Agriculture", "XXXIV", "", "3430", "PART 3430\u2014COMPETITIVE AND NONCOMPETITIVE NON-FORMULA FEDERAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS\u2014GENERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS", "K", "Subpart K\u2014Biomass Research and Development Initiative", "", "\u00a7 3430.707 Administrative duties.", "NIFA", "", "", "[75 FR 33498, June 14, 2010, as amended at 76 FR 38549, July 1, 2011]", "(a) After consultation with the Board, NIFA, in cooperation with DOE, shall:\n\n(1) Publish annually one or more joint requests for proposals for Federal assistance under BRDI; and\n\n(2) Require that Federal assistance under BRDI be awarded based on a scientific peer review by an independent panel of scientific and technical peers.\n\n(b) NIFA, in cooperation with DOE, shall ensure that applicable research results and technologies from the BRDI are:\n\n(1) Adapted, made available, and disseminated, as appropriate; and\n\n(2) Included in the best practices database established under section 1672C(e) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5925e(e))."], ["7:7:15.1.13.2.13.11.1.9", 7, "Agriculture", "XXXIV", "", "3430", "PART 3430\u2014COMPETITIVE AND NONCOMPETITIVE NON-FORMULA FEDERAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS\u2014GENERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS", "K", "Subpart K\u2014Biomass Research and Development Initiative", "", "\u00a7 3430.708 Review criteria.", "NIFA", "", "", "[75 FR 33498, June 14, 2010, as amended at 76 FR 38549, July 1, 2011]", "(a)  General.  BRDI peer reviews of applications are conducted in accordance with requirements found in section 9008 of FSRIA (7 U.S.C. 8108); section 103 of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7613); and regulations found in title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations, sections 3430.31 through 3430.37.\n\n(b)  Additional Considerations.  Special consideration will be given to applications that\u2014\n\n(1) Involve a consortium of experts from multiple institutions;\n\n(2) Encourage the integration of disciplines and application of the best technical resources; and\n\n(3) Increase the geographic diversity of demonstration projects."], ["7:7:15.1.13.2.13.12.1.1", 7, "Agriculture", "XXXIV", "", "3430", "PART 3430\u2014COMPETITIVE AND NONCOMPETITIVE NON-FORMULA FEDERAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS\u2014GENERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS", "L", "Subpart L\u2014Capacity Building Grants for Non-Land Grant Colleges of Agriculture Program", "", "\u00a7 3430.800 Applicability.", "NIFA", "", "", "", "The regulations in this subpart apply to the program authorized under section 1473F of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (NARETPA), as added by section 7138 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008, (7 U.S.C. 3319i)."], ["7:7:15.1.13.2.13.12.1.2", 7, "Agriculture", "XXXIV", "", "3430", "PART 3430\u2014COMPETITIVE AND NONCOMPETITIVE NON-FORMULA FEDERAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS\u2014GENERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS", "L", "Subpart L\u2014Capacity Building Grants for Non-Land Grant Colleges of Agriculture Program", "", "\u00a7 3430.801 Purpose.", "NIFA", "", "", "", "The purpose of this program is to make competitive grants to Non Land Grant Colleges of Agriculture (NLGCA) Institutions to assist the NLGCA Institutions in maintaining and expanding the capacity to conduct education, research, and outreach activities relating to agriculture, renewable resources, and other similar disciplines."], ["7:7:15.1.13.2.13.12.1.3", 7, "Agriculture", "XXXIV", "", "3430", "PART 3430\u2014COMPETITIVE AND NONCOMPETITIVE NON-FORMULA FEDERAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS\u2014GENERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS", "L", "Subpart L\u2014Capacity Building Grants for Non-Land Grant Colleges of Agriculture Program", "", "\u00a7 3430.802 Definitions.", "NIFA", "", "", "", "The definitions applicable to the program under this subpart include:\n\nCapacity building  means enhancing and strengthening the quality and depth of an institution's research and academic programs as evidenced by its: faculty expertise, scientific and technical resources, research environment, curriculum, student experiential learning opportunities, scientific instrumentation, library resources, academic standing and racial, ethnic, or gender diversity of its faculty and student body, faculty and student recruitment and retention programs, and organizational structures and reward systems for attracting and retaining first-rate research and teaching faculty or students.\n\nCitizen or national of the United States  means:\n\n(1) A citizen or native resident of a State; or,\n\n(2) A person defined in the Immigration and Nationality Act, 8 U.S.C. 1101(a) (22), who, though not a citizen of the United States, owes permanent allegiance to the United States.\n\nEligible participant  means an individual who is a citizen or national of the United States as defined in this section.\n\nFood and agricultural sciences  means basic, applied, and developmental research, extension, and teaching activities in food and fiber, agricultural, renewable energy and natural resources, forestry, and physical and social sciences, including activities relating to the following:\n\n(1) Animal health, production, and well-being.\n\n(2) Plant health and production.\n\n(c) Animal and plant germ plasm collection and preservation.\n\n(3) Aquaculture.\n\n(4) Food safety.\n\n(5) Soil, water, and related resource conservation and improvement.\n\n(6) Forestry, horticulture, and range management.\n\n(7) Nutritional sciences and promotion.\n\n(8) Farm enhancement, including financial management, input efficiency, and profitability.\n\n(9) Home economics (Family and Consumer Sciences).\n\n(10) Rural human ecology.\n\n(11) Youth development and agricultural education, including 4-H clubs.\n\n(12) Expansion of domestic and international markets for agricultural commodities and products, including agricultural trade barrier identification and analysis.\n\n(13) Information management and technology transfer related to agriculture.\n\n(14) Biotechnology related to agriculture.\n\n(15) The processing, distributing, marketing, and utilization of food and agricultural products. (7 U.S.C. Section 3103).\n\nJoint project proposal  means:\n\n(1) An application for a project:\n\n(i) Which will involve the applicant institution working in cooperation with one or more other entities not legally affiliated with the applicant institution, including other schools, colleges, universities, community colleges, junior colleges, units of State government, private sector organizations, or a consortium of institutions; and\n\n(ii) Where the applicant institution and each cooperating entity will assume a significant role in the conduct of the proposed project.\n\n(2) To demonstrate a substantial involvement with the project, the applicant institution/organization submitting a joint project proposal must retain at least 30 percent but not more than 70 percent of the awarded funds and no cooperating entity may receive less than 10 percent of awarded funds. Only the applicant institution must meet the definition of an eligible institution/organization as specified in this RFA; other entities participating in a joint project proposal are not required to meet the definition of an eligible institution/organization.\n\nLarge-scale, Comprehensive Initiative (LCI) project proposal  means:\n\n(1) An application for a project:\n\n(i) Which will involve the applicant institution/organization working in cooperation with two or more other entities not legally affiliated with the applicant institution, including other schools, colleges, universities, community colleges, junior colleges, units of State government, private sector organizations, or a consortium of institutions; and\n\n(ii) Where the applicant institution and each cooperating entity will assume a significant role in the conduct of the proposed project.\n\n(2) To demonstrate a substantial involvement with the project, the applicant institution/organization submitting a LCI proposal must retain at least 30 percent but not more than 70 percent of the awarded funds and no cooperating entity may receive less than 10 percent of awarded funds. Only the applicant institution must meet the definition of an eligible institution as specified in this RFA; other entities participating in a joint project proposal are not required to meet the definition of an eligible institution. LCI Project Proposals must support a multi-partner approach to solving a major state or regional challenge in agricultural sciences education at the postsecondary level. LCI Project Proposals are characterized by multiple partners (each providing a specific expertise) organized and led by a strong applicant with documented project management ability to organize and carry out the initiative.\n\nNon-land-grant college of agriculture (NLGCA)  means a public college or university offering a baccalaureate or higher degree in the study of agriculture or forestry. The terms \u201cNLGCA Institution\u201d and \u201cnon-land-grant college of agriculture\u201d do not include:\n\n(1) Hispanic-serving agricultural colleges and universities; or\n\n(2) Any institution designated under: a. the Act of July 2, 1862 (commonly known as the \u201cFirst Morrill Act\u201d; 7 U.S.C. 301  et seq.,  or the `1862 Land Grants');\n\n(3) The Act of August 30, 1890 (commonly known as the \u201cSecond Morrill Act\u201d) (7 U.S.C. 321  et seq.,  or the `1890 Land Grants');\n\n(4) The Equity in Educational Land-Grant Status Act of 1994 (Public Law 103-382; 7 U.S.C. 301 note, or the `1994 or Tribal Colleges Land Grants'); or\n\n(5) Public Law 87-788 (commonly known as the \u201cMcIntire-Stennis Cooperative Forestry Act\u201d) (16 U.S.C. 582a  et seq. ).\n\nOutcomes  means specific, measurable project results and benefits that, when assessed and reported; indicate the project's plan of operation has been achieved. Measurable outcomes include:\n\n(1) Results are intended or unintended consequences of the project, ( e.g.,  \u201c. . . additional course materials now available online to reinforce student learning during non-classroom hours\u201d);\n\n(2) Products may be actual items or services acquired with funds, ( e.g.,  \u201c. . . mechanisms and content to transition existing course(s) or elements of course(s) for Web-based access\u201d or \u201ccreated new and innovative prevention and intervention initiatives\u201d); and\n\n(3) Impacts are a measure of the results by comparing what might have happened in the absence of the funded project, ( e.g.,  \u201c. . . an observed, overall increase in student learning based upon 8% higher average test scores of those students who both attended class and used the supplemental, Web-based course materials\u201d.)\n\nRegular project proposal  means a proposal for a project:\n\n(1) Where the applicant institution will be the sole entity involved in the execution of the project; or\n\n(2) Which will involve the applicant institution and one or more other entities, but where the involvement of the other entity(ies) does not meet the requirements for a joint project proposal as defined in this section.\n\nSustainable Agriculture  means an integrated system of plant and animal production practices having a site-specific application that will, over the long-term\u2014\n\n(1) Satisfy human food and fiber needs;\n\n(2) Enhance environmental quality and the natural resource base upon which the agriculture economy depends;\n\n(3) Make the most efficient use of nonrenewable resources and on-farm resources and integrate, where appropriate, natural biological cycles and controls;\n\n(4) Sustain the economic viability of farm operations; and\n\n(5) Enhance the quality of life for farmers and society as a whole.\n\nTeaching  and  education  mean formal classroom instruction, laboratory instruction, and practicum experience in the food and agricultural sciences and matters relating thereto (such as faculty development, student recruitment and services, curriculum development, instructional materials and equipment, and innovative teaching methodologies) conducted by colleges and universities offering baccalaureate or higher degrees."], ["7:7:15.1.13.2.13.12.1.4", 7, "Agriculture", "XXXIV", "", "3430", "PART 3430\u2014COMPETITIVE AND NONCOMPETITIVE NON-FORMULA FEDERAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS\u2014GENERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS", "L", "Subpart L\u2014Capacity Building Grants for Non-Land Grant Colleges of Agriculture Program", "", "\u00a7 3430.803 Eligibility.", "NIFA", "", "", "", "(a)  Institution eligibility.  Applications may only be submitted by a NLGCA institution. For the purposes of this program, the individual branches of a State college or university that are separately accredited as degree-granting institutions are treated as separate institutions, and are therefore eligible to apply for NLGCA Program awards. Separate branches or campuses of a college or university that are not individually accredited as degree-granting institutions are not treated as separate institutions, and are therefore not eligible to submit an application. Accreditation must be conferred by an agency or association recognized by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education.\n\n(b)  Teacher or student eligibility.  A teacher or student recipient receiving Federal funds from this grants program must be an  eligible participant.  Where eligibility is claimed under 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(22), documentary evidence from the Immigration and Naturalization Service as to such eligibility must be made available to NIFA upon request."], ["7:7:15.1.13.2.13.12.1.5", 7, "Agriculture", "XXXIV", "", "3430", "PART 3430\u2014COMPETITIVE AND NONCOMPETITIVE NON-FORMULA FEDERAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS\u2014GENERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS", "L", "Subpart L\u2014Capacity Building Grants for Non-Land Grant Colleges of Agriculture Program", "", "\u00a7 3430.804 Project types and priorities.", "NIFA", "", "", "", "(a) For each RFA, NIFA may develop and include the appropriate project types and focus areas based on the critical needs identified through stakeholder input and deemed appropriate by NIFA.\n\n(b) The RFA will specify which of the following project types applicants may submit applications:\n\n(1) Regular project proposal (the applicant executes the project without the requirement of sharing grant funds with other project partners);\n\n(2) Conference/planning grant to facilitate strategic planning session(s);\n\n(3) Joint project proposal (the applicant executes the project with assistance from at least one additional partner and must share grant funds with the additional partner(s)); and\n\n(4) Large-scale (state or region) comprehensive initiatives (LCI) (Applicant + Two or more Partners)."], ["7:7:15.1.13.2.13.12.1.6", 7, "Agriculture", "XXXIV", "", "3430", "PART 3430\u2014COMPETITIVE AND NONCOMPETITIVE NON-FORMULA FEDERAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS\u2014GENERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS", "L", "Subpart L\u2014Capacity Building Grants for Non-Land Grant Colleges of Agriculture Program", "", "\u00a7 3430.805 Funding restrictions.", "NIFA", "", "", "", "(a) Prohibition against construction. Grant funds awarded under this authority may not be used for the renovation or refurbishment of research, education, or extension space; the purchase or installation of fixed equipment in such space; or the planning, repair, rehabilitation, acquisition, or construction of buildings or facilities.\n\n(b) Prohibition on tuition remission. Tuition remission, on-campus room and board, academic fees or other financial assistance (scholarships or fellowships) are not allowed.\n\n(c) Promotional items ( e.g.,  T-shirts and other giveaways) and food functions ( e.g.,  cookouts or other social or meal gatherings) are considered `entertainment' expenses, and are, therefore, also not allowed under this grants program."], ["7:7:15.1.13.2.13.12.1.7", 7, "Agriculture", "XXXIV", "", "3430", "PART 3430\u2014COMPETITIVE AND NONCOMPETITIVE NON-FORMULA FEDERAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS\u2014GENERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS", "L", "Subpart L\u2014Capacity Building Grants for Non-Land Grant Colleges of Agriculture Program", "", "\u00a7 3430.806 Matching requirements.", "NIFA", "", "", "", "There are no matching requirements for grants under this subpart."], ["7:7:15.1.13.2.13.12.1.8", 7, "Agriculture", "XXXIV", "", "3430", "PART 3430\u2014COMPETITIVE AND NONCOMPETITIVE NON-FORMULA FEDERAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS\u2014GENERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS", "L", "Subpart L\u2014Capacity Building Grants for Non-Land Grant Colleges of Agriculture Program", "", "\u00a7 3430.807 Duration of grant.", "NIFA", "", "", "", "The term of a Federal assistance award made for a NLGCA project shall not exceed 5 years. No-cost extensions of time beyond the maximum award terms will not be considered or granted."], ["7:7:15.1.13.2.13.13.1.1", 7, "Agriculture", "XXXIV", "", "3430", "PART 3430\u2014COMPETITIVE AND NONCOMPETITIVE NON-FORMULA FEDERAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS\u2014GENERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS", "M", "Subpart M\u2014New Era Rural Technology Competitive Grants Program", "", "\u00a7 3430.900 Applicability of regulations.", "NIFA", "", "", "", "The regulations in this subpart apply to the program authorized under section 1473E of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3319e), as amended."], ["7:7:15.1.13.2.13.13.1.10", 7, "Agriculture", "XXXIV", "", "3430", "PART 3430\u2014COMPETITIVE AND NONCOMPETITIVE NON-FORMULA FEDERAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS\u2014GENERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS", "M", "Subpart M\u2014New Era Rural Technology Competitive Grants Program", "", "\u00a7 3430.909 Other considerations.", "NIFA", "", "", "", "(a)  Amount of grants.  An applicant for a regular project proposal (single institution/organization) under this subpart may request up to $125,000 (total project, not per year). An applicant for a joint project proposal (applicant plus one or more partners) under this subpart may request up to $300,000 (total project, not per year). A conference/planning grant applicant may request up to $10,000 (total project/not per year).\n\n(b)  Duration of grants.  The term of a grant for a standard RTP project under this subpart shall not exceed 5 years. No-cost extensions of time beyond the maximum award terms will not be considered or granted."], ["7:7:15.1.13.2.13.13.1.2", 7, "Agriculture", "XXXIV", "", "3430", "PART 3430\u2014COMPETITIVE AND NONCOMPETITIVE NON-FORMULA FEDERAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS\u2014GENERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS", "M", "Subpart M\u2014New Era Rural Technology Competitive Grants Program", "", "\u00a7 3430.901 Purpose.", "NIFA", "", "", "", "The purpose of this program is to make grants available for technology development, applied research, and training, with a focus on rural communities, to aid in the development of workforces for bioenergy, pulp and paper manufacturing, and agriculture-based renewable energy workforce."], ["7:7:15.1.13.2.13.13.1.3", 7, "Agriculture", "XXXIV", "", "3430", "PART 3430\u2014COMPETITIVE AND NONCOMPETITIVE NON-FORMULA FEDERAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS\u2014GENERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS", "M", "Subpart M\u2014New Era Rural Technology Competitive Grants Program", "", "\u00a7 3430.902 Definitions.", "NIFA", "", "", "[74 FR 45973, Sept. 4, 2009, as amended at 75 FR 59060, Sept. 27, 2010]", "The definitions applicable to the program under this subpart include:\n\nAdvanced Technological Center  refers to a post-secondary, degree-granting institution that provides students with technology-based education and training, preparing them to work as technicians or at the semi-professional level, and aiding in the development of an agriculture-based renewable energy workforce. For this program, such Centers must be located within a rural area.\n\nBioenergy  means biomass used in the production of energy (electricity; liquid, solid, and gaseous fuels; and heat).\n\nBiomass  means any organic matter that is available on a renewable or recurring basis, including agricultural crops and trees, wood and wood wastes and residues, plants (including aquatic plants), grasses, residues, fibers, and animal wastes, municipal wastes, and other waste materials.\n\nCommunity College  means\n\n(1) An institution of higher education that:\n\n(i) Admits as regular students persons who are beyond the age of compulsory school attendance in the State in which the institution is located and who have the ability to benefit from the training offered by the institution;\n\n(ii) Does not provide an educational program for which the institution awards a bachelor's degree (or an equivalent degree); and\n\n(iii) (A) Provides an educational program of not less than 2 years in duration that is acceptable for full credit toward such a degree; or\n\n(B) Offers a 2-year program in engineering, mathematics, or the physical or biological sciences, designed to prepare a student to work as a technician or at the semi-professional level in engineering, scientific, or other technological fields requiring the understanding and application of basic engineering, scientific, or mathematical principles of knowledge (20 U.S.C. 1101a(a)(6)).\n\n(2) For this grants program, such Community Colleges must be located within a  rural area.\n\nConference/Planning Grants  means the limited number of RTP grants that will fund strategic planning meetings necessary to establish and organize proposed technology development, applied research and/or training projects.\n\nEligible institution/organization  means a  community college,  or an  advanced technological center,  that meets eligibility criteria of this program, and is located in a  rural area.\n\nEligible participant  means an individual who is a  citizen or non-citizen national of the United States,  as defined in 7 CFR 3430.2, or lawful permanent resident of the United States.\n\nFiscal agent  means a third party designated by an authorized representative of an eligible institution/organization which would receive and assume financial stewardship of Federal grant funds and perform other activities as specified in the agreement between it and the eligible institution/organization.\n\nJoint project proposal  means\n\n(1) An application for a project:\n\n(i) Which will involve the applicant institution/organization working in cooperation with one or more other entities not legally affiliated with the applicant institution/organization, including other schools, colleges, universities, community colleges, units of State government, private sector organizations, or a consortium of institutions; and\n\n(ii) Where the applicant institution/organization and each cooperating entity will assume a significant role in the conduct of the proposed project.\n\n(2) To demonstrate a substantial involvement with the project, the applicant institution/organization submitting a joint project proposal must retain at least 30 percent but not more than 70 percent of the awarded funds, and no cooperating entity may receive less than 10 percent of awarded funds. Only the applicant institution/organization must meet the definition of an eligible institution/organization as specified in this RFA; other entities participating in a joint project proposal are not required to meet the definition of an eligible institution/organization.\n\nOutcomes  means specific, measurable project results and benefits that, when assessed and reported, indicate the project's  plan of operation  has been achieved.\n\nPlan of Operation  means a detailed, step-by-step description of how the applicant intends to accomplish the project's  outcomes.  At a minimum, the plan should include a timetable indicating how outcomes are achieved, a description of resources to be used or acquired, and the responsibilities expected of all project personnel.\n\nRegular project proposal  means an application for a project:\n\n(1) Where the applicant institution/organization will be the sole entity involved in the execution of the project; or\n\n(2) Which will involve the applicant institution/organization and one or more other entities, but where the involvement of the other entity(ies) does not meet the requirements for a joint proposal as defined in this section.\n\nRural Area  means any area other than a city or town that has a population of 50,000 inhabitants and the urbanized area contiguous and adjacent to such a city or town.\n\nTechnology Development  means the practical application of knowledge to address specific State, regional, or community opportunities in the bioenergy, pulp and paper manufacturing, or agriculture-based renewable energy occupations.\n\nIn general, technology is more than the development of a single product, but is instead a system of related products, procedures and services to ensure a systems approach to address a specific issue.\n\nTraining  means the planned and systematic acquisition of practical knowledge, skills or competencies required for a trade, occupation or profession delivered by formal classroom instruction, laboratory instruction, or practicum experience."], ["7:7:15.1.13.2.13.13.1.4", 7, "Agriculture", "XXXIV", "", "3430", "PART 3430\u2014COMPETITIVE AND NONCOMPETITIVE NON-FORMULA FEDERAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS\u2014GENERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS", "M", "Subpart M\u2014New Era Rural Technology Competitive Grants Program", "", "\u00a7 3430.903 Eligibility.", "NIFA", "", "", "", "Applications may be submitted by either:\n\n(a) Public or private nonprofit community colleges, or\n\n(b) Advanced technological centers,  either of which must:\n\n(1) Be located in a  rural area  ( see  definition in \u00a7 3430.902);\n\n(2) Have been in existence as of June 18, 2008;\n\n(3) Participate in agricultural or bioenergy research and applied research;\n\n(4) Have a proven record of development and implementation of programs to meet the needs of students, educators, and business and industry to supply the agriculture-based, renewable energy or pulp and paper manufacturing fields with certified technicians, as determined by the Secretary; and\n\n(5) Have the ability to leverage existing partnerships and occupational outreach and training programs for secondary schools, 4-year institutions, and relevant nonprofit organizations."], ["7:7:15.1.13.2.13.13.1.5", 7, "Agriculture", "XXXIV", "", "3430", "PART 3430\u2014COMPETITIVE AND NONCOMPETITIVE NON-FORMULA FEDERAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS\u2014GENERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS", "M", "Subpart M\u2014New Era Rural Technology Competitive Grants Program", "", "\u00a7 3430.904 Project types and priorities.", "NIFA", "", "", "", "For each RFA, NIFA may develop and include the appropriate project types and focus areas based on the critical needs identified through stakeholder input and deemed appropriate by NIFA.\n\n(a) In addition, priority in funding shall be given to eligible entities working in partnerships to:\n\n(1) Improve information-sharing capacity;\n\n(2) Maximize the ability to meet the requirements of the RFA; and\n\n(3) To address the following two RTP goals:\n\n(i) To increase the number of students encouraged to pursue and complete a 2-year postsecondary degree, or a certificate of completion, within an occupational focus of this grant program; and\n\n(ii) To assist rural communities by helping students achieve their career goals to develop a viable workforce for bioenergy, pulp and paper manufacturing, or agriculture-based renewable energy.\n\n(b) Applicants may submit applications for one of the three project types:\n\n(1) Regular project proposal (the applicant executes the project without the requirement of sharing grant funds with other project partners);\n\n(2) Joint project proposal (the applicant executes the project with assistance from at least one additional partner and must share grant funds with the additional partner(s)); and\n\n(3) Conference/planning grant to facilitate strategic planning session(s)."], ["7:7:15.1.13.2.13.13.1.6", 7, "Agriculture", "XXXIV", "", "3430", "PART 3430\u2014COMPETITIVE AND NONCOMPETITIVE NON-FORMULA FEDERAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS\u2014GENERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS", "M", "Subpart M\u2014New Era Rural Technology Competitive Grants Program", "", "\u00a7 3430.905 Funding restrictions.", "NIFA", "", "", "", "(a)  Prohibition against construction.  Grant funds awarded under this authority may not be used for the renovation or refurbishment of research, education, or extension space; the purchase or installation of fixed equipment in such space; or the planning, repair, rehabilitation, acquisition, or construction of buildings or facilities.\n\n(b)  Prohibition on tuition remission.  Tuition remission (e.g., scholarships, fellowships) is not allowed.\n\n(c)  Indirect costs.  Subject to \u00a7 3430.54, indirect costs are allowable with the exception of indirect costs for Conference/Planning grants, which are not allowed."], ["7:7:15.1.13.2.13.13.1.7", 7, "Agriculture", "XXXIV", "", "3430", "PART 3430\u2014COMPETITIVE AND NONCOMPETITIVE NON-FORMULA FEDERAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS\u2014GENERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS", "M", "Subpart M\u2014New Era Rural Technology Competitive Grants Program", "", "\u00a7 3430.906 Matching requirements.", "NIFA", "", "", "", "There are no matching requirements for grants under this subpart."], ["7:7:15.1.13.2.13.13.1.8", 7, "Agriculture", "XXXIV", "", "3430", "PART 3430\u2014COMPETITIVE AND NONCOMPETITIVE NON-FORMULA FEDERAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS\u2014GENERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS", "M", "Subpart M\u2014New Era Rural Technology Competitive Grants Program", "", "\u00a7 3430.907 Stakeholder input.", "NIFA", "", "", "", "NIFA shall seek and obtain stakeholder input through a variety of forums (e.g., public meetings, requests for input and/or Web site), as well as through a notice in the  Federal Register,  from the following entities:\n\n(a) Community college(s).\n\n(b) Advanced technological center(s), located in rural area, for technology development, applied research, and/or training."], ["7:7:15.1.13.2.13.13.1.9", 7, "Agriculture", "XXXIV", "", "3430", "PART 3430\u2014COMPETITIVE AND NONCOMPETITIVE NON-FORMULA FEDERAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS\u2014GENERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS", "M", "Subpart M\u2014New Era Rural Technology Competitive Grants Program", "", "\u00a7 3430.908 Review criteria.", "NIFA", "", "", "", "Evaluation criteria.  NIFA shall evaluate project proposals according to the following factors:\n\n(a) Potential for Advancing Quality of Technology Development, Applied Research, and/or Training/Significance of the Program.\n\n(b) Proposed Approach and Cooperative Linkages.\n\n(c) Institution Organization Capability and Capacity Building.\n\n(d) Key Personnel.\n\n(e) Budget and Cost-Effectiveness."], ["7:7:15.1.13.2.13.15.1.1", 7, "Agriculture", "XXXIV", "", "3430", "PART 3430\u2014COMPETITIVE AND NONCOMPETITIVE NON-FORMULA FEDERAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS\u2014GENERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS", "O", "Subpart O\u2014Sun Grant Program", "", "\u00a7 3430.1000 Applicability of regulations.", "NIFA", "", "", "", "The regulations in this subpart apply to the Federal assistance awards made under the program authorized under section 7526 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (FCEA), Pub. L. 110-246 (7 U.S.C. 8114)."], ["7:7:15.1.13.2.13.15.1.10", 7, "Agriculture", "XXXIV", "", "3430", "PART 3430\u2014COMPETITIVE AND NONCOMPETITIVE NON-FORMULA FEDERAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS\u2014GENERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS", "O", "Subpart O\u2014Sun Grant Program", "", "\u00a7 3430.1009 Administrative duties.", "NIFA", "", "", "", "In addition to other reporting requirements agreed to in the terms and conditions of each award, not later than 90 days after the end of each Federal fiscal year, each Center and Subcenter shall submit to NIFA a report that describes the policies, priorities, and operations of the program carried out by the Center or Subcenter during the fiscal year, including the results of all peer and merit review procedures conducted as part of administering the regional competitive research, extension, and educational grant programs; and a description of progress made in facilitating the plan described in \u00a7 3430.1007."], ["7:7:15.1.13.2.13.15.1.11", 7, "Agriculture", "XXXIV", "", "3430", "PART 3430\u2014COMPETITIVE AND NONCOMPETITIVE NON-FORMULA FEDERAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS\u2014GENERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS", "O", "Subpart O\u2014Sun Grant Program", "", "\u00a7 3430.1010 Review criteria.", "NIFA", "", "", "", "Panel reviewers conducting merit reviews on proposals submitted by the Centers will be instructed to ensure that proposals adequately address the plan developed in accordance with \u00a7 3430.1007 for consideration of the relevance and merit of proposals."], ["7:7:15.1.13.2.13.15.1.12", 7, "Agriculture", "XXXIV", "", "3430", "PART 3430\u2014COMPETITIVE AND NONCOMPETITIVE NON-FORMULA FEDERAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS\u2014GENERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS", "O", "Subpart O\u2014Sun Grant Program", "", "\u00a7 3430.1011 Duration of awards.", "NIFA", "", "", "", "The term of a Federal assistance award made under the Sun Grant Program shall not exceed 5 years. No-cost extensions of time beyond the maximum award terms will not be considered or granted."], ["7:7:15.1.13.2.13.15.1.2", 7, "Agriculture", "XXXIV", "", "3430", "PART 3430\u2014COMPETITIVE AND NONCOMPETITIVE NON-FORMULA FEDERAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS\u2014GENERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS", "O", "Subpart O\u2014Sun Grant Program", "", "\u00a7 3430.1001 Purpose.", "NIFA", "", "", "[75 FR 70580, Nov. 18, 2010, as amended at 81 FR 6418, Feb. 8, 2016]", "In carrying out the program, NIFA is authorized to make awards under section 7526 of the FCEA to eligible entities (as designated in section 7526(b)(1)(A)-(F) of the FCEA) to fund subgrants and activities that:\n\n(a) Enhance national energy security through the development, distribution, and implementation of biobased energy technologies;\n\n(b) Promote diversification in, and the environmental sustainability of, agricultural production in the United States through biobased energy and product technologies;\n\n(c) Promote economic diversification in rural areas of the United States through biobased energy and product technologies; and\n\n(d) Enhance the efficiency of bioenergy and biomass research and development programs through improved coordination and collaboration among the Department, other appropriate Federal agencies (as determined by the Secretary), and land-grant colleges and universities."], ["7:7:15.1.13.2.13.15.1.3", 7, "Agriculture", "XXXIV", "", "3430", "PART 3430\u2014COMPETITIVE AND NONCOMPETITIVE NON-FORMULA FEDERAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS\u2014GENERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS", "O", "Subpart O\u2014Sun Grant Program", "", "\u00a7 3430.1002 Definitions.", "NIFA", "", "", "[75 FR 70580, Nov. 18, 2010, as amended at 81 FR 6418, Feb. 8, 2016]", "The definitions specific to the Sun Grant Program are from the authorizing legislation, the National Program Leadership of NIFA, and the Department of Energy. The definitions applicable to the program under this subpart include:\n\nBiobased product  means:\n\n(1) An industrial product (including chemicals, materials, and polymers) produced from biomass; or\n\n(2) A commercial or industrial product (including animal feed and electric power) derived in connection with the conversion of biomass to fuel.\n\nBioenergy  means power generated in the form of electricity or heat using biomass as a feedstock.\n\nCenter  means a Sun Grant Center identified in \u00a7 3430.1003(a)(1) through (5).\n\nSubcenter  means the Sun Grant Subcenter identified in \u00a7 3430.1003(a)(6).\n\nTechnology development  means the process of research and development of technology.\n\nTechnology implementation  means the introduction of new technologies to either an existing organization, or to a larger community, such as a type of business."], ["7:7:15.1.13.2.13.15.1.4", 7, "Agriculture", "XXXIV", "", "3430", "PART 3430\u2014COMPETITIVE AND NONCOMPETITIVE NON-FORMULA FEDERAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS\u2014GENERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS", "O", "Subpart O\u2014Sun Grant Program", "", "\u00a7 3430.1003 Eligibility.", "NIFA", "", "", "[75 FR 70580, Nov. 18, 2010, at 81 FR 6418, Feb. 8, 2016]", "(a)  Sun Grant Centers and Subcenter.  NIFA will use amounts appropriated for the Sun Grant Program to provide grants to the following five Centers and one Subcenter:\n\n(1) A North-Central Center for the region composed of the States of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, and Wyoming;\n\n(2) A Southeastern Center for the region composed of the States of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the United States Virgin Islands;\n\n(3) A South-Central Center for the region composed of the States of Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas;\n\n(4) A Northeastern Center for the region composed of the States of Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and West Virginia;\n\n(5) A Western Center for the region composed of the States of Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Washington, and insular areas (other than the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin Islands); and\n\n(6) A Western Insular Pacific Subcenter (that receives Federal funds through the Western Center rather than directly from NIFA, in accordance with \u00a7 3430.1004(b)) for the region of Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau.\n\n(b)  Subawardees of the Centers and Subcenter.  To be eligible for a subaward from a Center or Subcenter pursuant to \u00a7 3430.1004(a)(1), an applicant:\n\n(1) Must be located in the region covered by the applicable Center or Subcenter; and\n\n(2) Must be one of the following:\n\n(i) State agricultural experiment station;\n\n(ii) College or university;\n\n(iii) University research foundation;\n\n(iv) Other research institution or organization;\n\n(v) Federal agency;\n\n(vi) National laboratory;\n\n(vii) Private organization or corporation;\n\n(viii) Individual; or\n\n(ix) Any group consisting of 2 or more entities described in paragraphs (b)(2)(i) through (viii) of this section.\n\n(c)  Ineligibility.  A Center or Subcenter will be ineligible for funding under the Sun Grant Program if NIFA determines on the basis of an audit or a review of a report submitted under \u00a7 3430.1009 that the Center or Subcenter has not complied with the requirements of section 7526 of the FCEA (7 U.S.C. 8114). A Center or Subcenter determined to be ineligible pursuant to this paragraph will remain ineligible for such period of time as deemed appropriate by NIFA. This ineligibility requirement is in addition to the enforcement actions that NIFA may take pursuant to \u00a7 3430.60."], ["7:7:15.1.13.2.13.15.1.5", 7, "Agriculture", "XXXIV", "", "3430", "PART 3430\u2014COMPETITIVE AND NONCOMPETITIVE NON-FORMULA FEDERAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS\u2014GENERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS", "O", "Subpart O\u2014Sun Grant Program", "", "\u00a7 3430.1004 Project types and priorities.", "NIFA", "", "", "[75 FR 70580, Nov. 18, 2010, as amended at 81 FR 6418, Feb. 8, 2016]", "(a)  Project types.  The Sun Grant Program provides funds for two distinct project types. Subject to paragraph (b), of the funds provided by NIFA to the Centers and Subcenter, the required use of funds by each of the Centers and the Subcenter is as follows:\n\n(1)  Regional competitive research, extension, and education grant programs.  Seventy-five percent must be used for regional competitively awarded research, extension, and education subgrants to eligible entities (described in \u00a7 3430.1003(b)) to conduct, in a manner consistent with the purposes described in \u00a7 3430.1001, multi-institutional and integrated, multistate research, extension, and education programs on technology development and technology implementation. Regional competitive grants programs will target specific elements of the purposes described in \u00a7 3430.1001, implementing national priorities in the context of regional scale biogeographic and climatic conditions.\n\n(i)  Requests for applications.  The Centers and Subcenter must develop regional requests for applications (RFAs) utilizing guidance from regional advisory panels created and administered by the Centers and Subcenter for purposes of addressing region-specific issues, and which include representation from academia, the national laboratories, Federal and State agencies, the private sector, and public interest groups. Advisory panel members will have appropriate expertise and experience in the areas of biomass and bioenergy.\n\n(ii)  Peer review of proposals.  Each region will announce RFAs and solicit proposals. These proposals must be peer reviewed by panels in a manner similar to the system of peer review required by section 103 of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7613), and may include representation from Federal and State laboratories, the national laboratories, and private and public interest groups, as appropriate. The Centers and Subcenter may use implementing regulations found in \u00a7\u00a7 3430.31 through 3430.37 as a guideline for appropriate peer review standards. Additional guidance may be provided by NIFA. To ensure consistency across the regions, prior to announcing the regional RFAs that will be used to solicit proposals, the Centers and Subcenter must provide NIFA the RFAs for approval by the designated NIFA program contact, as identified in the NIFA program solicitation. The Centers and Subcenter shall award subgrants on the basis of merit, quality, and relevance to advancing the purposes of the Sun Grant Program.\n\n(2)  Research, extension, and education activities conducted at the Centers and Subcenter.  Except for funds available for administrative expenses as provided in \u00a7 3430.1005(b), the remainder of the funds must be used for multi-institutional and multistate research, extension, and education programs on technology development and multi-institutional and multistate integrated research, extension, and education programs on technology implementation, in a manner consistent with the purposes described in \u00a7 3430.1001.\n\n(b)  Special provisions for the Western Center and Western Insular Pacific Subcenter.  Funds provided by NIFA to the Western Insular Pacific Subcenter shall come from an allocation of a portion of the funds received by the Western Center, as directed by NIFA in the program solicitation, rather than directly from NIFA. For the Center, the phrase \u201cfunds provided by NIFA\u201d in paragraph (a) of this section refers to those funds provided by NIFA for the Sun Grant Program that are not allocated to the Subcenter. For the Subcenter, the phrase \u201cfunds provided by NIFA\u201d in paragraph (a) of this section refers to those funds that are allocated to the Subcenter.\n\n(c)  Priorities.  For the regional competitive grants program under paragraph (a)(1) of this section, the Centers and Subcenter shall use the plan approved by NIFA under \u00a7 3430.1007 in making subawards and shall give a higher priority to proposals that are consistent with the plan."], ["7:7:15.1.13.2.13.15.1.6", 7, "Agriculture", "XXXIV", "", "3430", "PART 3430\u2014COMPETITIVE AND NONCOMPETITIVE NON-FORMULA FEDERAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS\u2014GENERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS", "O", "Subpart O\u2014Sun Grant Program", "", "\u00a7 3430.1005 Funding restrictions.", "NIFA", "", "", "[75 FR 70580, Nov. 18, 2010, as amended at 81 FR 6418, Feb. 8, 2016]", "(a)  Facility costs.  Funds made available under the Sun Grant Program shall not be used for the construction of a new building or facility or the acquisition, expansion, remodeling, or alteration of an existing building or facility (including site grading and improvement, and architect fees).\n\n(b)  Indirect cost provisions for regional competitive research, extension, and education grant programs.  Funds provided by NIFA to the Centers and Subcenter for the regional competitive grants program under \u00a7 3430.1004(a)(1) may not be used for the indirect costs of awarding the competitive grants. However, up to 4 percent of the total funds provided by NIFA to the Centers and the Subcenter under \u00a7 3430.1004 for the Sun Grant Program may be budgeted for administrative costs incurred in awarding the competitive grants.\n\n(c)  Indirect cost provisions for research, extension, and education activities conducted at the Centers and Subcenter.  Subject to \u00a7 3430.54, indirect costs are allowable for the funds provided by NIFA to the Centers and the Subcenter for the research, extension, and education programs under \u00a7 3430.1004(a)(2).\n\n(d)  Required allocations.  Each Center and Subcenter must fund subgrants in a proportion that is a minimum 30 percent for conducting multi-institutional and multistate research, extension, and education programs on technology development; and a minimum 30 percent for conducting integrated multi-institutional and multistate research, extension, and education programs on technology implementation. Each Sun Grant Center must clearly demonstrate a common procedure for ensuring the required allocations are met, and for maintaining documentation of these required percentages for audit purposes."], ["7:7:15.1.13.2.13.15.1.7", 7, "Agriculture", "XXXIV", "", "3430", "PART 3430\u2014COMPETITIVE AND NONCOMPETITIVE NON-FORMULA FEDERAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS\u2014GENERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS", "O", "Subpart O\u2014Sun Grant Program", "", "\u00a7 3430.1006 Matching requirements.", "NIFA", "", "", "", "(a)  Matching provisions for the Centers and Subcenter.  The Centers and the Subcenter are not required to match Federal funds.\n\n(b)  Matching provisions for subawards.  For subawards made by the Centers or Subcenter through the competitive grants process, not less than 20 percent of the cost of an activity must be matched with funds, including in-kind contributions, from a non-Federal source, by the subawardee.\n\n(1)  Exception for fundamental research.  This matching requirement does not apply to fundamental research (as defined in \u00a7 3430.2).\n\n(2)  Special matching provisions for applied research.  With prior approval by the NIFA authorized departmental officer (ADO), the Center or Subcenter may reduce or eliminate the matching requirement for applied research (as defined in \u00a7 3430.2) if the Center or Subcenter determines that the reduction is necessary and appropriate pursuant to guidance issued by NIFA."], ["7:7:15.1.13.2.13.15.1.8", 7, "Agriculture", "XXXIV", "", "3430", "PART 3430\u2014COMPETITIVE AND NONCOMPETITIVE NON-FORMULA FEDERAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS\u2014GENERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS", "O", "Subpart O\u2014Sun Grant Program", "", "\u00a7 3430.1007 Planning activities.", "NIFA", "", "", "[75 FR 70580, Nov. 18, 2010, as amended at 81 FR 6418, Feb. 8, 2016]", "(a)  Required plan.  The Centers and Subcenter shall jointly develop and submit to NIFA for approval a plan for addressing the bioenergy, biomass, and bioproducts research priorities of the Department and the other appropriate Federal agencies at the State and regional levels. Proposals submitted to the Sun Grant Program must be sufficiently detailed and of high enough quality and demonstrate adequate evidence of collaboration to meet this requirement. Funds available for administrative costs (see \u00a7 3430.1005(b)) may be used to meet this requirement.\n\n(b) [Reserved]"], ["7:7:15.1.13.2.13.15.1.9", 7, "Agriculture", "XXXIV", "", "3430", "PART 3430\u2014COMPETITIVE AND NONCOMPETITIVE NON-FORMULA FEDERAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS\u2014GENERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS", "O", "Subpart O\u2014Sun Grant Program", "", "\u00a7 3430.1008 Sun Grant Information Analysis Center.", "NIFA", "", "", "", "The Centers and Subcenter shall maintain, at the North-Central Center, a Sun Grant Information Analysis Center to provide the Centers and Subcenter with analysis and data management support. Each Center and Subcenter shall allocate a portion of the funds available for administrative or indirect costs under \u00a7 3430.1005 to maintain the Sun Grant Information Analysis Center."], ["7:7:15.1.13.2.13.16.1.1", 7, "Agriculture", "XXXIV", "", "3430", "PART 3430\u2014COMPETITIVE AND NONCOMPETITIVE NON-FORMULA FEDERAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS\u2014GENERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS", "P", "Subpart P\u2014Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive Program", "", "\u00a7 3430.1100 Applicability of regulations.", "NIFA", "", "", "", "The regulations in this subpart apply to the Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive (FINI) grants program authorized under section 4405 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 7517), as added by section 4208 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (Pub. L. 113-79)."], ["7:7:15.1.13.2.13.16.1.2", 7, "Agriculture", "XXXIV", "", "3430", "PART 3430\u2014COMPETITIVE AND NONCOMPETITIVE NON-FORMULA FEDERAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS\u2014GENERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS", "P", "Subpart P\u2014Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive Program", "", "\u00a7 3430.1101 Purpose.", "NIFA", "", "", "", "The primary goal of the FINI grants program is to fund and evaluate projects intended to increase the purchase of fruits and vegetables by low-income consumers participating in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) by providing incentives at the point of purchase."], ["7:7:15.1.13.2.13.16.1.3", 7, "Agriculture", "XXXIV", "", "3430", "PART 3430\u2014COMPETITIVE AND NONCOMPETITIVE NON-FORMULA FEDERAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS\u2014GENERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS", "P", "Subpart P\u2014Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive Program", "", "\u00a7 3430.1102 Definitions.", "NIFA", "", "", "", "The definitions applicable to the FINI grants program under this subpart include:\n\nCommunity food assessment  means a collaborative and participatory process that systematically examines a broad range of community food issues and assets, so as to inform change actions to make the community more food secure.\n\nEmergency feeding organization  means a public or nonprofit organization that administers activities and projects (including the activities and projects of a charitable institution, a food bank, a food pantry, a hunger relief center, a soup kitchen, or a similar public or private nonprofit eligible recipient agency) providing nutrition assistance to relieve situations of emergency and distress through the provision of food to needy persons, including low-income and unemployed persons. (See 7 U.S.C. 7501).\n\nExemplary practices  means high quality community food security work that emphasizes food security, nutritional quality, environmental stewardship, and economic and social equity.\n\nExpert reviewers  means individuals selected from among those recognized as uniquely qualified by training and experience in their respective fields to give expert advice on the merit of grant applications in such fields who evaluate eligible proposals submitted to this program in their respective area(s) of expertise.\n\nFood security  means access to affordable, nutritious, and culturally appropriate food for all people at all times.\n\nFruits and vegetables  means, for the purposes of the incentives provided under these grants, any variety of fresh, canned, dried, or frozen whole or cut fruits and vegetables without added sugars, fats or oils, and salt ( i.e.  sodium).\n\nLogic model  means a systematic and visual way to present and share an understanding of the relationships among resources available to operate a program, and includes: Planned activities and anticipated results; and the presentation of the resources, inputs, activities, outputs, outcomes and impacts.\n\nOutcomes  means the changes in the wellbeing of individuals that can be attributed to a particular project, program, or policy, or that a program hopes to achieve over time. They indicate a measurable change in participant knowledge, attitudes, or behaviors.\n\nProcess evaluation  means examining program activities in terms of:\n\n(1) The age, sex, race, occupation, or other demographic variables of the target population;\n\n(2) The program's organization, funding, and staffing; and\n\n(3) The program's location and timing. Process evaluation focuses on program activities rather than outcomes.\n\nPromiseZone  refers to designated high-poverty communities \u201cwhere the federal government will partner with and invest in communities to create jobs, leverage private investment, increase economic activity, expand educational opportunities, and improve public safety.\u201d See  https://www.hudexchange.info/programs/promise-zones/.\n\nNonprofit organization  means a special type of organizationthat has been organized to meet specific tax-exempt purposes. To qualify for nonprofit status, your organizationmust be formed to benefit:\n\n(1) The public;\n\n(2) A specific group of individuals; or\n\n(3) The membership of the nonprofit.\n\nStrikeForce  means the \u201cUSDA's StrikeForce Initiative for Rural Growth and Opportunity, which works to address the unique set of challenges faced by many of America's rural communities. Through StrikeForce, USDA is leveraging resources and collaborating with partners and stakeholders to improve economic opportunity and quality of life in these areas. See  http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?navid=STRIKE_FORCE  for more information.\n\nSupplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)  means the supplemental nutrition assistance program established under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2011  et seq. ).\n\nValue chain  means adding value to a product, including production, marketing, and the provision of after-sales service and incorporating fair pricing to farms. It also involves keeping the final pricing to customers within competitive range. Value chain development, therefore, is a process of building relationships between supplier and buyer that are reciprocal and win-win; instead of always striving to buy at lowest cost."], ["7:7:15.1.13.2.13.16.1.4", 7, "Agriculture", "XXXIV", "", "3430", "PART 3430\u2014COMPETITIVE AND NONCOMPETITIVE NON-FORMULA FEDERAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS\u2014GENERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS", "P", "Subpart P\u2014Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive Program", "", "\u00a7 3430.1103 Eligibility.", "NIFA", "", "", "", "(a)  In general.  Eligibility to receive a grant under this subpart is limited to government agencies and nonprofit organizations. All applicants must demonstrate in their application that they are a government agency or nonprofit organization. Eligible government agencies and nonprofit organizations may include:\n\n(1) An emergency feeding organization;\n\n(2) An agricultural cooperative;\n\n(3) A producer network or association;\n\n(4) A community health organization;\n\n(5) A public benefit corporation;\n\n(6) An economic development corporation;\n\n(7) A farmers' market;\n\n(8) A community-supported agriculture program;\n\n(9) A buying club;\n\n(10) A SNAP-authorized retailer; and\n\n(11) A State, local, or tribal agency.\n\n(b)  Further eligibility requirements \u2014(1)  Related to projects.  To be eligible to receive a grant under this subpart, applicants must propose projects that:\n\n(i) Have the support of the State SNAP agency;\n\n(ii) Would increase the purchase of fruits and vegetables by low-income consumers participating in SNAP by providing incentives at the point of purchase;\n\n(iii) Operate through authorized SNAP retailers and comply with all relevant SNAP regulations and operating requirements;\n\n(iv) Agree to participate in the FINI comprehensive program evaluation;\n\n(v) Ensure that the same terms and conditions apply to purchases made by individuals with SNAP benefits and with incentives under the FINI grants program as apply to purchases made by individuals who are not members of households receiving benefits as provided in \u00a7 278.2(b) of this title; and\n\n(vi) Include effective and efficient technologies for benefit redemption systems that may be replicated in other States and communities.\n\n(2)  Related to experience and other competencies.  To be eligible to receive a grant under this subpart, applicants must meet the following requirements:\n\n(i) Have experience:\n\n(A) In efforts to reduce food insecurity in the community, including food distribution, improving access to services, or coordinating services and programs; or\n\n(B) With the SNAP program;\n\n(ii) Demonstrate competency to implement a project, provide fiscal accountability, collect data, and prepare reports and other necessary documentation;\n\n(iii) Secure the commitment of the State SNAP agency to cooperate with the project; and\n\n(iv) Possess a demonstrated willingness to share information with researchers, evaluators (including the independent evaluator for the program), practitioners, and other interested parties, including a plan for dissemination of results to stakeholders.\n\n(c)  Other, non-eligibility considerations.  Applicants are encouraged:\n\n(1) To propose projects that will provide employees with important job skills; and\n\n(2) To have experience the following areas:\n\n(i) Community food work, particularly concerning small and medium-size farms, including the provision of food to people in low-income communities and the development of new markets in low-income communities for agricultural producers; and\n\n(ii) Job training and business development activities for food-related activities in low-income communities.\n\n(d)  Partnerships.  Applicants for a grant under this subpart are encouraged to seek and create partnerships with public or private, nonprofit or for-profit entities, including links with academic institutions (including minority-serving colleges and universities) or other appropriate professionals; community-based organizations; local government entities; PromiseZone lead applicant/organization or implementation partners; and StrikeForce area coordinators or partnering entities for the purposes of providing additional Federal resources and strengthening under-resourced communities. Only the applicant must meet the requirements specified in this section for grant eligibility. Project partners and collaborators need not meet the eligibility requirements."], ["7:7:15.1.13.2.13.16.1.5", 7, "Agriculture", "XXXIV", "", "3430", "PART 3430\u2014COMPETITIVE AND NONCOMPETITIVE NON-FORMULA FEDERAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS\u2014GENERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS", "P", "Subpart P\u2014Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive Program", "", "\u00a7 3430.1104 Project types and priorities.", "NIFA", "", "", "", "(a)  FINI Pilot Projects (FPP).  FPPs are aimed at new entrants seeking funding for a project in the early stages of incentive program development.\n\n(b)  FINI Projects (FP).  FPs are aimed at mid-sized groups developing incentive programs at the local or State level.\n\n(c)  FINI Large Scale Projects (FLSP).  FLSPs are aimed at groups developing multi-county, State, and regional incentive programs with the largest target audience of all FINI projects."], ["7:7:15.1.13.2.13.16.1.6", 7, "Agriculture", "XXXIV", "", "3430", "PART 3430\u2014COMPETITIVE AND NONCOMPETITIVE NON-FORMULA FEDERAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS\u2014GENERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS", "P", "Subpart P\u2014Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive Program", "", "\u00a7 3430.1105 Funding restrictions.", "NIFA", "", "", "", "(a)  Construction.  Funds made available for grants under this subpart shall not be used for the construction of a new building or facility or the acquisition, expansion, remodeling, or alteration of an existing building or facility (including site grading and improvement, and architect fees).\n\n(b)  Indirect costs.  Subject to \u00a7 3430.54, indirect costs are allowable."], ["7:7:15.1.13.2.13.16.1.7", 7, "Agriculture", "XXXIV", "", "3430", "PART 3430\u2014COMPETITIVE AND NONCOMPETITIVE NON-FORMULA FEDERAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS\u2014GENERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS", "P", "Subpart P\u2014Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive Program", "", "\u00a7 3430.1106 Matching requirements.", "NIFA", "", "", "", "(a)  In general.  Recipients of a grant under this subpart must provide matching contributions on a dollar-for-dollar basis for all Federal funds awarded.\n\n(b)  Source and type.  The non-Federal share of the cost of a project funded by a grant under this subpart may be provided by a State or local government or a private source. The matching requirement in this section may be met through cash or in-kind contributions, including third-party in-kind contributions fairly evaluated, including facilities, equipment, or services.\n\n(c)  Limitation.  If an applicant partners with a for-profit entity, the non-Federal share that is required to be provided by the applicant may not include the services of an employee of that for-profit entity, including salaries paid or expenses covered by that employer.\n\n(d)  Indirect costs.  Use of indirect costs as in-kind matching contributions is subject to \u00a7 3430.52(b)."], ["7:7:15.1.13.2.13.16.1.8", 7, "Agriculture", "XXXIV", "", "3430", "PART 3430\u2014COMPETITIVE AND NONCOMPETITIVE NON-FORMULA FEDERAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS\u2014GENERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS", "P", "Subpart P\u2014Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive Program", "", "\u00a7 3430.1107 Program requirements.", "NIFA", "", "", "", "The term of a grant under this subpart may not exceed 5 years. No-cost extensions of time beyond the maximum award terms will not be considered or granted."], ["7:7:15.1.13.2.13.16.1.9", 7, "Agriculture", "XXXIV", "", "3430", "PART 3430\u2014COMPETITIVE AND NONCOMPETITIVE NON-FORMULA FEDERAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS\u2014GENERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS", "P", "Subpart P\u2014Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive Program", "", "\u00a7 3430.1108 Priorities.", "NIFA", "", "", "", "(a)  In general.  Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, in awarding grants under this subpart, NIFA will give priority to projects that:\n\n(1) Maximize the share of funds used for direct incentives to participants;\n\n(2) Use direct-to-consumer sales marketing;\n\n(3) Demonstrate a track record of designing and implementing successful nutrition incentive programs that connect low-income consumers and agricultural producers;\n\n(4) Provide locally or regionally produced fruits and vegetables;\n\n(5) Are located in underserved communities; or\n\n(6) Address other criteria as established by NIFA and included in the requests for applications.\n\n(b)  Exception.  The priorities in paragraph (a) of this section that are given by NIFA will depend on the project type identified in \u00a7 3430.1104. Applicants should refer to the requests for applications to determine which priorities will be given to which project types."], ["7:7:15.1.13.2.13.17.1.1", 7, "Agriculture", "XXXIV", "", "3430", "PART 3430\u2014COMPETITIVE AND NONCOMPETITIVE NON-FORMULA FEDERAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS\u2014GENERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS", "Q", "Subpart Q\u2014Veterinary Services Grant Program", "", "\u00a7 3430.1200 Applicability of regulations.", "NIFA", "", "", "", "The regulations in this subpart apply to the Veterinary Services Grant Program authorized under section 7104 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (Pub. L. 113-79)."], ["7:7:15.1.13.2.13.17.1.10", 7, "Agriculture", "XXXIV", "", "3430", "PART 3430\u2014COMPETITIVE AND NONCOMPETITIVE NON-FORMULA FEDERAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS\u2014GENERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS", "Q", "Subpart Q\u2014Veterinary Services Grant Program", "", "\u00a7 3430.1209 Duration of awards.", "NIFA", "", "", "", "The term of a grant under this subpart may not exceed 5 years. The duration of individual awards may vary as specified in the RFA and is subject to the availability of appropriations."], ["7:7:15.1.13.2.13.17.1.2", 7, "Agriculture", "XXXIV", "", "3430", "PART 3430\u2014COMPETITIVE AND NONCOMPETITIVE NON-FORMULA FEDERAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS\u2014GENERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS", "Q", "Subpart Q\u2014Veterinary Services Grant Program", "", "\u00a7 3430.1201 Purpose.", "NIFA", "", "", "", "The purpose of VSGP is to administer a competitive grant program to develop, implement, and sustain veterinary services and relieve veterinarian shortage situations (see \u00a7 3430.1202 for definition) in the U.S., which includes insular areas (see \u00a7 3430.1202 for a definition of \u201cinsular area\u201d). A qualified entity may use funds provided by a grant awarded under this section to relieve veterinarian shortage situations and support veterinary services for any of the following purposes:\n\n(a) To promote recruitment (including for programs in secondary schools), placement, and retention of veterinarians, veterinary technicians, students of veterinary medicine, and students of veterinary technology.\n\n(b) To allow veterinary students, veterinary interns, externs, fellows, and residents, and veterinary technician students to cover expenses (other than the types of expenses described in 7 U.S.C. 3151a(c)(5)) to attend training programs in food safety or food animal medicine.\n\n(c) To establish or expand accredited veterinary education programs (including faculty recruitment and retention), veterinary residency and fellowship programs, or veterinary internship and externship programs carried out in coordination with accredited colleges of veterinary medicine.\n\n(d) To 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.\n\n(e) To provide technical assistance for the preparation of applications submitted to the Secretary for designation as a veterinarian shortage situation under 7 U.S.C. 3151a."], ["7:7:15.1.13.2.13.17.1.3", 7, "Agriculture", "XXXIV", "", "3430", "PART 3430\u2014COMPETITIVE AND NONCOMPETITIVE NON-FORMULA FEDERAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS\u2014GENERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS", "Q", "Subpart Q\u2014Veterinary Services Grant Program", "", "\u00a7 3430.1202 Definitions.", "NIFA", "", "", "", "The definitions applicable to the VSGP grants under this subpart include:\n\nCitizen or national of the United States  which means:\n\n(1) A citizen or national of the United States, as defined in 8 U.S.C. 1401; or,\n\n(2) A national of the United States, as defined in the Immigration and Nationality Act, 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(22), who, though not a citizen of the United States, owes permanent allegiance to the United States.\n\nPractice of veterinary medicine  means to diagnose, treat, correct, change, alleviate, or prevent animal disease, illness, pain, deformity, defect, injury, or other physical, dental, or mental conditions by any method or mode including:\n\n(1) The prescription, dispensing, administration, or application of any drug, medicine, biologic, apparatus, anesthetic, or other therapeutic or diagnostic substance or medical or surgical technique, or\n\n(2) The use of complementary, alternative, and integrative therapies, or\n\n(3) The use of any manual or mechanical procedure for reproductive management, or\n\n(4) The rendering of advice or recommendation by any means including telephonic and other electronic communications with regard to any of paragraphs (1), (2), (3), or (4) of this definition.\n\nQualified entity  means an eligible entity (see \u00a7 3430.1203 for a list of eligible applicants for each project type) that carries out programs or activities that the Secretary determines will:\n\n(1) Substantially relieve veterinarian shortage situations;\n\n(2) Support or facilitate private veterinary practices engaged in public health activities; or\n\n(3) Support or facilitate the practices of veterinarians who are providing or have completed providing services under an agreement entered into with the Secretary under 7 U.S.C. 3151a(a)(2).\n\nRural area  is defined in section 343(a) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1991(a)).\n\nVeterinarian  means a U.S. citizen or national who has received a professional veterinary medicine degree from a college of veterinary medicine accredited by the AVMA Council on Education.\n\nVeterinarian Shortage Situation  means any of the following situations in which the Secretary, in accordance with the process in 7 CFR part 3431 subpart A, determines has a shortage of veterinarians:\n\n(1) Geographical areas that the Secretary determines have a shortage of food supply veterinarians; and\n\n(2) Areas of veterinary practice that the Secretary determines have a shortage of food supply veterinarians, such as food animal medicine, public health, animal health, epidemiology, and food safety.\n\nVeterinary medicine  means all branches and specialties included within the practice of veterinary medicine.\n\nVeterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program or VMLRP  means the Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program authorized by the National Veterinary Medical Service Act (7 U.S.C. 3151a)."], ["7:7:15.1.13.2.13.17.1.4", 7, "Agriculture", "XXXIV", "", "3430", "PART 3430\u2014COMPETITIVE AND NONCOMPETITIVE NON-FORMULA FEDERAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS\u2014GENERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS", "Q", "Subpart Q\u2014Veterinary Services Grant Program", "", "\u00a7 3430.1203 Eligibility.", "NIFA", "", "", "", "(a) For Education, Extension, and Training projects, eligible entities are:\n\n(1) A State, national, allied, or regional veterinary organization or specialty board recognized by the American Veterinary Medical Association;\n\n(2) A college or school of veterinary medicine accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association;\n\n(3) A university research foundation or veterinary medical foundation;\n\n(4) A department of veterinary science or department of comparative medicine accredited by the Department of Education;\n\n(5) A State agricultural experiment station; or\n\n(6) A State, local, or tribal government agency.\n\n(b) For Rural Practice Enhancement projects, eligible entities are:\n\n(1) A for-profit or nonprofit entity located in the United States that, or individual who, operates a veterinary clinic providing veterinary services, in a rural area, as defined in section 343(a) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1991(a)), and in a veterinarian shortage situation designated under the VMLRP. Eligible veterinarian shortage situation years will be specified in the request for application (RFA).\n\n(2) [Reserved]."], ["7:7:15.1.13.2.13.17.1.5", 7, "Agriculture", "XXXIV", "", "3430", "PART 3430\u2014COMPETITIVE AND NONCOMPETITIVE NON-FORMULA FEDERAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS\u2014GENERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS", "Q", "Subpart Q\u2014Veterinary Services Grant Program", "", "\u00a7 3430.1204 Project types and priorities.", "NIFA", "", "", "", "(a)  Education, Extension, and Training.  The purpose of the proposed activities must be to substantially relieve rural veterinarian shortage situations, or facilitate or support veterinary practices engaged in public health activities, in the U.S.\n\n(b)  Rural practice enhancement.  The purpose will be to support the development and provision of veterinary services to substantially relieve designated rural veterinarian shortage situations in the U.S. Funds may be used to establish or expand veterinary practices, including:\n\n(1) Equipping veterinary offices;\n\n(2) Sharing in the reasonable overhead costs of such veterinary practices, as determined by the Secretary; or\n\n(3) Establishing mobile veterinary facilities in which a portion of the facilities will address education or extension needs."], ["7:7:15.1.13.2.13.17.1.6", 7, "Agriculture", "XXXIV", "", "3430", "PART 3430\u2014COMPETITIVE AND NONCOMPETITIVE NON-FORMULA FEDERAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS\u2014GENERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS", "Q", "Subpart Q\u2014Veterinary Services Grant Program", "", "\u00a7 3430.1205 Funding restrictions.", "NIFA", "", "", "", "(a)  Construction.  Funds made available for grants under this subpart shall not be used for the construction of a new building or facility or the acquisition, expansion, remodeling, or alteration of an existing building or facility, including site grading and improvement, and architect fees.\n\n(b)  Indirect costs.  Subject to \u00a7 3430.54, indirect costs are allowable for Education, Extension and Training grants. For Rural Practice Enhancement grants, indirect costs are not allowable; however, overhead costs may be requested, not to exceed 50 percent of the award."], ["7:7:15.1.13.2.13.17.1.7", 7, "Agriculture", "XXXIV", "", "3430", "PART 3430\u2014COMPETITIVE AND NONCOMPETITIVE NON-FORMULA FEDERAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS\u2014GENERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS", "Q", "Subpart Q\u2014Veterinary Services Grant Program", "", "\u00a7 3430.1206 Matching requirements.", "NIFA", "", "", "", "There are no matching requirements for grants under this subpart."], ["7:7:15.1.13.2.13.17.1.8", 7, "Agriculture", "XXXIV", "", "3430", "PART 3430\u2014COMPETITIVE AND NONCOMPETITIVE NON-FORMULA FEDERAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS\u2014GENERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS", "Q", "Subpart Q\u2014Veterinary Services Grant Program", "", "\u00a7 3430.1207 Coordination preference.", "NIFA", "", "", "", "In selecting recipients of Education, Extension and Training grants, preference will be given to applications providing documentation of coordination with other qualified entities."], ["7:7:15.1.13.2.13.17.1.9", 7, "Agriculture", "XXXIV", "", "3430", "PART 3430\u2014COMPETITIVE AND NONCOMPETITIVE NON-FORMULA FEDERAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS\u2014GENERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS", "Q", "Subpart Q\u2014Veterinary Services Grant Program", "", "\u00a7 3430.1208 Special requirements for Rural Practice Enhancement grants.", "NIFA", "", "", "", "(a)  Terms of service requirement.  Regardless of award amount, Rural Practice Enhancement (RPE) grant recipients must commit to spending three years mitigating the veterinarian service shortage applied for, at the full time equivalent percentage described in the shortage nomination forms corresponding to each designated shortage situation. Except in certain extenuating circumstances which NIFA determines to be beyond a grant recipient's control, the three-year term of service must be completed in accordance with all terms and conditions of the award agreement. In the event a recipient feels extenuating circumstances are preventing, or will prevent, him/her from meeting the service obligation, the grantee must contact NIFA for guidance.\n\n(b)  Breach.  If a RPE grant recipient fails to complete the period of obligated service incurred under the service agreement, that recipient may be subject to repayment or partial repayment of the grant funds, with interest, to the United States.\n\n(c)  Waiver.  The Secretary may grant a waiver of the repayment obligation for breach of contract if the Secretary determines that such qualified entity demonstrates extreme hardship or extreme need."], ["7:7:15.1.13.2.13.2.1.1", 7, "Agriculture", "XXXIV", "", "3430", "PART 3430\u2014COMPETITIVE AND NONCOMPETITIVE NON-FORMULA FEDERAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS\u2014GENERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS", "B", "Subpart B\u2014Pre-award: Solicitation and Application", "", "\u00a7 3430.11 Competition.", "NIFA", "", "", "", "(a)  Standards for competition.  Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, NIFA will enter into grants and cooperative agreements, unless restricted by statute, only after competition.\n\n(b)  Exception.  The NIFA ADO and the designated Agency approving official may make a determination in writing that competition is not deemed appropriate for a particular transaction. Such determination shall be limited to transactions where it can be adequately justified that a noncompetitive award is in the best interest of the Federal Government and necessary to the goals of the program."], ["7:7:15.1.13.2.13.2.1.10", 7, "Agriculture", "XXXIV", "", "3430", "PART 3430\u2014COMPETITIVE AND NONCOMPETITIVE NON-FORMULA FEDERAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS\u2014GENERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS", "B", "Subpart B\u2014Pre-award: Solicitation and Application", "", "\u00a7 3430.20 Acknowledgment of an application.", "NIFA", "", "", "", "The receipt of all letters of intent and applications will be acknowledged by NIFA. Applicants who do not receive an acknowledgement within a certain number of days (as established in the RFA, e.g., 15 and 30 days) of the submission deadline should contact the program contact. Once the application has been assigned a proposal number by NIFA, that number should be cited on all future correspondence."], ["7:7:15.1.13.2.13.2.1.11", 7, "Agriculture", "XXXIV", "", "3430", "PART 3430\u2014COMPETITIVE AND NONCOMPETITIVE NON-FORMULA FEDERAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS\u2014GENERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS", "B", "Subpart B\u2014Pre-award: Solicitation and Application", "", "\u00a7 3430.21 Confidentiality of applications and awards.", "NIFA", "", "", "", "(a)  General.  Names of submitting institutions and individuals, as well as application contents and evaluations, will be kept confidential, except to those involved in the review process, to the extent permissible by law.\n\n(b)  Identifying confidential and proprietary information in an application.  If an application contains proprietary information that constitutes a trade secret, proprietary commercial or financial information, confidential personal information, or data affecting the national security, it will be treated in confidence to the extent permitted by law, provided that the information is clearly marked by the proposer with the term \u201cconfidential and proprietary information\u201d and that the following statement is included at the bottom of the project narrative or any other attachment included in the application that contains such information: \u201cThe following pages (specify) contain proprietary information which (name of proposing organization) requests not to be released to persons outside the Government, except for purposes of evaluation.\u201d\n\n(c)  Disposition of applications.  By law, the Department is required to make the final decisions as to whether the information is required to be kept in confidence. Information contained in unsuccessful applications will remain the property of the proposer. However, the Department will retain for three years one file copy of each application received; extra copies will be destroyed. Public release of information from any application submitted will be subject to existing legal requirements. Any application that is funded will be considered an integral part of the award and normally will be made available to the public upon request, except for designated proprietary information that is determined by the Department to be proprietary information.\n\n(d)  Submission of proprietary information.  The inclusion of proprietary information is discouraged unless it is necessary for the proper evaluation of the application. If proprietary information is to be included, it should be limited, set apart from other text on a separate page, and keyed to the text by numbers. It should be confined to a few critical technical items that, if disclosed, could jeopardize the obtaining of foreign or domestic patents. Trade secrets, salaries, or other information that could jeopardize commercial competitiveness should be similarly keyed and presented on a separate page. Applications or reports that attempt to restrict dissemination of large amounts of information may be found unacceptable by the Department and constitute grounds for return of the application without further consideration. Without assuming any liability for inadvertent disclosure, the Department will limit dissemination of such information to its employees and, where necessary for the evaluation of the application, to outside reviewers on a confidential basis. An application may be withdrawn at any time prior to the final action thereon."], ["7:7:15.1.13.2.13.2.1.2", 7, "Agriculture", "XXXIV", "", "3430", "PART 3430\u2014COMPETITIVE AND NONCOMPETITIVE NON-FORMULA FEDERAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS\u2014GENERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS", "B", "Subpart B\u2014Pre-award: Solicitation and Application", "", "\u00a7 3430.12 Requests for applications.", "NIFA", "", "", "[74 FR 45740, Sept. 4, 2009, as amended at 79 FR 76001, Dec. 19, 2014; 82 FR 21109, May 5, 2017]", "(a)  General.  For each competitive and noncompetitive non-formula program, NIFA will prepare a program solicitation (also called a request for applications (RFA)), in accordance with appendix I to 2 CFR part 200, establishing a standard format for Federal agency announcements ( i.e. , program solicitations or RFAs) of funding opportunities under programs that award discretionary grants or cooperative agreements. This policy directive requires the content of the RFA to be organized in a sequential manner beginning with overview information followed by the full text of the announcement and will apply unless superseded by statute or another OMB policy directive. The RFA may include all or a portion of the following items:\n\n(1) Contact information.\n\n(2) Directions for interested stakeholders or beneficiaries to submit written comments in a published program solicitation or RFA.\n\n(3) Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) number.\n\n(4) Legislative authority and background information.\n\n(5) Purpose, priorities, and fund availability.\n\n(6) Program-specific eligibility requirements.\n\n(7) Program-specific restrictions on the use of funds, if Applicable.\n\n(8) Matching requirements, if applicable.\n\n(9) Acceptable types of applications.\n\n(10) Types of projects to be given priority consideration, including maximum anticipated awards and maximum project lengths, if applicable.\n\n(11) Program areas, if applicable.\n\n(12) Funding restrictions, if applicable.\n\n(13) Directions for obtaining additional requests for applications and application forms.\n\n(14) Information about how to obtain application forms and the instructions for completing such forms.\n\n(15) Instructions and requirements for submitting applications, including submission deadline(s).\n\n(16) Explanation of the application evaluation Process.\n\n(17) Specific evaluation criteria used in the review Process.\n\n(18) Type of Federal assistance awards ( i.e. , grants and/or cooperative agreements).\n\n(b)  RFA variations.  Where program-specific requirements differ from the requirements established in this part, program solicitations will also address any such variation(s). Variations may occur in the following:\n\n(1) Award management guidelines.\n\n(2) Restrictions on the delegation of fiscal responsibility.\n\n(3) Required approval for changes to project plans.\n\n(4) Expected program outputs and reporting requirements, if applicable.\n\n(5) Applicable Federal statutes and regulations.\n\n(6) Confidential aspects of applications and awards, if applicable.\n\n(7) Regulatory information.\n\n(8) Definitions.\n\n(9) Minimum and maximum budget requests, and whether applications outside of these limits will be returned without further review.\n\n(c)  Program announcements.  Occasionally, NIFA will issue a program announcement (PA) to alert potential applicants and the public about new and ongoing funding opportunities. These PAs may provide tentative due dates and are released without associated application packages. Hence, no applications are solicited under a PA. PAs are announced in the  Federal Register  or on the NIFA Web site.\n\n(d) If applicants choose to address center of excellence criteria, they must do so in their project narrative, subject to any page limitations on that section of the application."], ["7:7:15.1.13.2.13.2.1.3", 7, "Agriculture", "XXXIV", "", "3430", "PART 3430\u2014COMPETITIVE AND NONCOMPETITIVE NON-FORMULA FEDERAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS\u2014GENERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS", "B", "Subpart B\u2014Pre-award: Solicitation and Application", "", "\u00a7 3430.13 Letter of intent to submit an application.", "NIFA", "", "", "", "(a)  General.  NIFA may request or require that prospective applicants notify program staff of their intent to submit an application, identified as \u201cletter of intent\u201d. If applicable, the request or requirement will be included in the RFA, along with directions for the preparation and submission of the letter of intent, the type of letter of intent, and any relevant deadlines. There are two types of letters of intent: optional and required.\n\n(b)  Optional letter of intent.  Entities interested in submitting an application for a NIFA award should complete and submit a \u201cLetter of Intent to Submit an Application\u201d by the due date specified in the RFA. This does not obligate the applicant in any way, but will provide useful information to NIFA in preparing for application review. Applicants that do not submit a letter of intent by the specified due date are still allowed to submit an application by the application due date specified in the RFA, unless otherwise specified in the RFA.\n\n(c)  Required letter of intent.  Certain programs may require that the prospective applicants submit a letter of intent for specific programs. This type of letter is evaluated by the program staff for suitability to the program and in regard to program priorities, needs, and scope. Invitations to submit a full application will be issued by the Program Officer or his or her representative. For programs requiring a letter of intent, applications submitted without prior approval of the letter of intent by the program staff will be returned without review. Programs requiring a specific letter of intent will be specified in the RFA."], ["7:7:15.1.13.2.13.2.1.4", 7, "Agriculture", "XXXIV", "", "3430", "PART 3430\u2014COMPETITIVE AND NONCOMPETITIVE NON-FORMULA FEDERAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS\u2014GENERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS", "B", "Subpart B\u2014Pre-award: Solicitation and Application", "", "\u00a7 3430.14 Types of applications; types of award instruments.", "NIFA", "", "", "", "(a)  Types of applications.  The type of application acceptable may vary by funding opportunity. The RFA will stipulate the type of application that may be submitted to NIFA in response to the funding opportunity. Applicants may submit the following types of applications as specified in the RFA.\n\n(1)  New.  An application that is being submitted to the program for the first time.\n\n(2)  Resubmission.  This is a project application that has been submitted for consideration under the same program previously but has not been approved for an award under the program. For competitive programs, this type of application is evaluated in competition with other pending applications in the area to which it is assigned. Resubmissions are reviewed according to the same evaluation criteria as new applications. In addition, applicants must respond to the previous panel review summaries, unless waived by NIFA.\n\n(3)  Renewal.  An application requesting additional funding for a period subsequent to that provided by a current award. For competitive programs, a renewal application competes with all other applications. Renewal applications must be developed as fully as though the applicant is applying for the first time. Renewal applicants also must have filed a progress report via Current Research Information System (CRIS), unless waived by NIFA.\n\n(4)  Continuation.  A noncompeting application for an additional funding/budget period within a previously approved project.\n\n(5)  Revision.  An application that proposes a change in the Federal Government's financial obligations or contingent liability from an existing obligation; or, any other change in the terms and conditions of the existing award.\n\n(6)  Resubmitted renewal.  This is a project application that has been submitted for consideration under the same program previously. This type of application has also been submitted for renewal under the same program but was not approved. For competitive programs, this type of application is evaluated in competition with other pending applications in the area to which it is assigned. Resubmitted renewal applications are reviewed according to the same evaluation criteria as new applications. Applicants must respond to the previous panel review summaries and file a progress report via CRIS, unless waived by NIFA.\n\n(b)  Types of award instruments.  The following is a list of corresponding categories of award instruments issued by NIFA.\n\n(1)  Standard.  This is an award instrument by which NIFA agrees to support a specified level of effort for a predetermined project period without the announced intention of providing additional support at a future date.\n\n(2)  Renewal.  This is an award instrument by which NIFA agrees to provide additional funding under a standard award as specified in paragraph (b)(1) of this section for a project period beyond that approved in an original or amended award, provided that the cumulative period does not exceed any statutory time limitation of the award.\n\n(3)  Continuation.  This is an award instrument by which NIFA agrees to support a specified level of effort for a predetermined period of time with a statement of intention to provide additional support at a future date, provided that performance has been satisfactory, appropriations are available for this purpose, and continued support would be in the best interest of the Federal Government and the public.\n\n(4)  Supplemental.  This is an award instrument by which NIFA agrees to provide small amounts of additional funding under a standard, renewal, or continuation award as specified in paragraphs (b)(1), (b)(2), and (b)(3) of this section and may involve a short-term (usually six months or less) extension of the project period beyond that approved in an original or amended award, but in no case may the cumulative period of the project, including short term extensions, exceed any statutory time limitation of the award.\n\n(c)  Obligation of the Federal Government.  Neither the acceptance of any application nor the award of any project shall commit or obligate the United States in any way to make any renewal, supplemental, continuation, or other award with respect to any approved application or portion of an approved application."], ["7:7:15.1.13.2.13.2.1.5", 7, "Agriculture", "XXXIV", "", "3430", "PART 3430\u2014COMPETITIVE AND NONCOMPETITIVE NON-FORMULA FEDERAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS\u2014GENERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS", "B", "Subpart B\u2014Pre-award: Solicitation and Application", "", "\u00a7 3430.15 Stakeholder input.", "NIFA", "", "", "", "Section 103(c)(2) of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (AREERA) (7 U.S.C. 7613(c)(2)) requires the Secretary to solicit and consider input on each program RFA from persons who conduct agricultural research, education, and extension for use in formulating future RFAs for competitive programs. NIFA will provide instructions for submission of stakeholder input in the RFA. NIFA will consider any comments received within the specified timeframe in the development of the future RFAs for the program."], ["7:7:15.1.13.2.13.2.1.6", 7, "Agriculture", "XXXIV", "", "3430", "PART 3430\u2014COMPETITIVE AND NONCOMPETITIVE NON-FORMULA FEDERAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS\u2014GENERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS", "B", "Subpart B\u2014Pre-award: Solicitation and Application", "", "\u00a7 3430.16 Eligibility requirements.", "NIFA", "", "", "[74 FR 45740, Sept. 4, 2009, as amended at 81 FR 6414, Feb. 8, 2016; 82 FR 21109, May 5, 2017]", "(a)  General.  Program-specific eligibility requirements appear in the subpart applicable to each program and in the RFAs.\n\n(b)  Foreign entities \u2014(1)  Awards to institutions.  Unless specifically allowed, foreign commercial and non-profit institutions are not considered eligible to apply for and receive NIFA awards.\n\n(2)  Awards to individuals.  Unless otherwise specified, only United States citizens, non-citizen nationals of the United States, and lawful permanent residents of the United States are eligible to apply for and receive NIFA awards.\n\n(c)  Responsibility determination.  In addition to program-specific eligibility requirements, awards will be made only to responsible applicants. 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 an award being made under a specific NIFA program, 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 pre-award process. Although an applicant may be eligible based on its status as one of these entities, there are factors that may exclude an applicant from receiving Federal financial and nonfinancial assistance and benefits under a NIFA 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).\n\n(d)  Certification of NLGCA status.  NIFA will make publically available ( e.g.,   Federal Register ) the process through which institutions may apply for designation as a NLGCA. The public notice will, at a minimum, include NLGCA criteria, instructions on how to request designation, information about how NIFA will respond to requests, and termination of NLGCA status.\n\n(e)  Center of Excellence.  (1) To be considered as a center of excellence, a center of excellence must be one of the following entities that provides financial or in-kind support to the center being proposed:\n\n(i) State agricultural experiment stations;\n\n(ii) Colleges and universities;\n\n(iii) University research foundations;\n\n(iv) Other research institutions and organizations;\n\n(v) Federal agencies;\n\n(vi) National laboratories;\n\n(vii) Private organizations, foundations, or corporations;\n\n(viii) Individuals; or\n\n(ix) A group consisting of two or more of the entities described in paragraphs (e)(1)(i) through (viii) of this section.\n\n(2) Only standard grant and coordinated agricultural project (CAP) grant applicants may be considered for center of excellence designation."], ["7:7:15.1.13.2.13.2.1.7", 7, "Agriculture", "XXXIV", "", "3430", "PART 3430\u2014COMPETITIVE AND NONCOMPETITIVE NON-FORMULA FEDERAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS\u2014GENERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS", "B", "Subpart B\u2014Pre-award: Solicitation and Application", "", "\u00a7 3430.17 Content of an application.", "NIFA", "", "", "[74 FR 45740, Sept. 4, 2009, as amended at 82 FR 21109, May 5, 2017]", "(a) The RFA provides instructions on how to access a funding opportunity. The funding opportunity contains the application package, which includes the forms necessary for completion of an application in response to the RFA, as well as the application instructions. The application instructions document, \u201cNIFA Grants.gov Application Guide: A Guide for Preparation and Submission of NIFA Applications via Grants.gov,\u201d is intended to assist applicants in the preparation and submission of applications to NIFA. It is also the primary document for use in the preparation of NIFA applications via Grants.gov.\n\n(b)  Center of Excellence:  In addition to meeting the other requirements detailed in the request for application (RFA), eligible applicants who wish to be considered as a center of excellence must provide a brief justification statement at the end of their project narrative and within the page limits provided for the project narrative, describing how they meet the standards of a center of excellence, based on the following criteria:\n\n(1) The ability of the center of excellence to ensure coordination and cost effectiveness by reducing unnecessarily duplicative efforts regarding research, teaching, and extension in the implementation of the proposed research and/or extension activity outlined in this application;\n\n(2) In addition to any applicable matching requirements, the ability of the center of excellence to leverage available resources by using public- private partnerships among agricultural industry groups, institutions of higher education, and the Federal Government in the implementation of the proposed research and/or extension activity outlined in this application. Resources leveraged should be commensurate with the size of the award;\n\n(3) The planned scope and capability of the center of excellence to implement teaching initiatives to increase awareness and effectively disseminate solutions to target audiences through extension activities in the implementation of the proposed research and/or extension activity outlined in this application; and\n\n(4) The ability or capacity of the center of excellence to increase the economic returns to rural communities by identifying, attracting, and directing funds to high-priority agricultural issues in support of and as a result of the implementation of the proposed research and/or extension activity outlined in this application.\n\n(5) Additionally, where practicable (not required), center of excellence applicants should describe proposed efforts to improve teaching capacity and infrastructure at colleges and universities (including land-grant colleges and universities, cooperating forestry schools, certified Non-Land Grant Colleges of Agriculture (NLGCA) (list of certified NLGCA is available at  http://www.nifa.usda.gov/funding/pdfs/nlgca_colleges.pdf ), and schools of veterinary medicine)."], ["7:7:15.1.13.2.13.2.1.8", 7, "Agriculture", "XXXIV", "", "3430", "PART 3430\u2014COMPETITIVE AND NONCOMPETITIVE NON-FORMULA FEDERAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS\u2014GENERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS", "B", "Subpart B\u2014Pre-award: Solicitation and Application", "", "\u00a7 3430.18 Submission of an application.", "NIFA", "", "", "", "(a)  When to submit.  The RFA will provide deadlines for the submission of letters of intent, if requested and required, and applications. NIFA may issue separate RFAs and/or establish separate deadlines for different types of applications, different award instruments, or different topics or phases of the Federal assistance programs. If applications are not received by applicable deadlines, they will not be considered for funding. Exceptions will be considered only when extenuating circumstances exist, as determined by NIFA, and justification and supporting documentation are provided to NIFA.\n\n(b)  What to submit.  The contents of the applicable application package, as well as any other information, are to be submitted by the due date.\n\n(c)  Where to submit.  The RFA will provide addresses for submission of letters of intent, if requested or required, and applications. It also will indicate permissible methods of submission ( i.e.,  electronic, e-mail, hand-delivery, U.S. Postal Service, courier). Conformance with preparation and submission instructions is required and will be strictly enforced unless a deviation had been approved. NIFA may establish additional requirements. NIFA may return without review applications that are not consistent with the RFA instructions."], ["7:7:15.1.13.2.13.2.1.9", 7, "Agriculture", "XXXIV", "", "3430", "PART 3430\u2014COMPETITIVE AND NONCOMPETITIVE NON-FORMULA FEDERAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS\u2014GENERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS", "B", "Subpart B\u2014Pre-award: Solicitation and Application", "", "\u00a7 3430.19 Resubmission of an application.", "NIFA", "", "", "", "(a)  Previously unfunded applications.  (1) Applications that are resubmitted to a program, after being previously submitted but not funded by that program, must include the following information:\n\n(i) The NIFA-assigned proposal number of the previously submitted application.\n\n(ii) Summary of the previous reviewers' comments.\n\n(iii) Explanation of how the previous reviewers' comments or previous panel summary have been addressed in the current application.\n\n(2) Resubmitting an application that has been revised based on previous reviewers' critiques does not guarantee the application will be recommended for funding.\n\n(b)  Previously funded applications.  (1) NIFA competitive programs are generally not designed to support multiple Federal assistance awards activities that are essentially repetitive in nature. PDs who have had their projects funded previously are discouraged from resubmitting relatively identical applications for further funding. Applications that are sequential continuations or new stages of previously funded projects must compete with first-time applications, and should thoroughly demonstrate how the proposed project expands substantially on previously funded efforts and promotes innovation and creativity beyond the scope of the previously funded project.\n\n(2) An application may be submitted only once to NIFA. The submission of duplicative or substantially similar applications concurrently for review by more than one program will result in the exclusion of the redundant applications from NIFA consideration."], ["7:7:15.1.13.2.13.3.1.1", 7, "Agriculture", "XXXIV", "", "3430", "PART 3430\u2014COMPETITIVE AND NONCOMPETITIVE NON-FORMULA FEDERAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS\u2014GENERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS", "C", "Subpart C\u2014Pre-award: Application Review and Evaluation", "", "\u00a7 3430.31 Guiding principles.", "NIFA", "", "", "", "The guiding principle for Federal assistance application review and evaluation is to ensure that each proposal is treated in a consistent and fair manner regardless of regional and institutional affiliation. After the evaluation process by the review panel, NIFA, through the program officer, ensures that applicants receive appropriate feedback and comments on their proposals, and processes the awards in as timely a manner as possible."], ["7:7:15.1.13.2.13.3.1.2", 7, "Agriculture", "XXXIV", "", "3430", "PART 3430\u2014COMPETITIVE AND NONCOMPETITIVE NON-FORMULA FEDERAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS\u2014GENERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS", "C", "Subpart C\u2014Pre-award: Application Review and Evaluation", "", "\u00a7 3430.32 Preliminary application review.", "NIFA", "", "", "", "Prior to technical examination, a preliminary review will be made of all applications for responsiveness to the administrative requirements set forth in the RFA. Applications that do not meet the administrative requirements may be eliminated from program competition. However, NIFA retains the right to conduct discussions with applicants to resolve technical and/or budget issues, as deemed necessary by NIFA."], ["7:7:15.1.13.2.13.3.1.3", 7, "Agriculture", "XXXIV", "", "3430", "PART 3430\u2014COMPETITIVE AND NONCOMPETITIVE NON-FORMULA FEDERAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS\u2014GENERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS", "C", "Subpart C\u2014Pre-award: Application Review and Evaluation", "", "\u00a7 3430.33 Selection of reviewers.", "NIFA", "", "", "", "(a)  Requirement.  NIFA is responsible for performing a review of applications submitted to NIFA competitive award programs in accordance with section 103(a) of AREERA (7 U.S.C. 7613(a)). Reviews are undertaken to ensure that projects supported by NIFA are of high quality and are consistent with the goals and requirements of the funding program. Applications submitted to NIFA undergo a programmatic evaluation to determine the worthiness of Federal support. The scientific peer review or merit review is performed by peer or merit reviewers and also may entail an assessment by Federal employees.\n\n(b)  NIFA Peer Review System.  The NIFA Application Review Process is accomplished through the use of the NIFA Peer Review System (PRS), a Web-based system which allows reviewers and potential reviewers to update personal information and to complete and submit reviews electronically to NIFA.\n\n(c)  Relevant training and experience.  Reviewers will be selected based upon training and experience in relevant scientific, extension, or education fields taking into account the following factors:\n\n(1) Level of relevant formal scientific, technical education, and extension experience of the individual, as well as the extent to which an individual is engaged in relevant research, education, or extension activities.\n\n(2) Need to include as reviewers experts from various areas of specialization within relevant scientific, education, and extension fields.\n\n(3) 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.\n\n(4) Need to include as reviewers experts from a variety of organizational types (e.g., colleges, universities, industry, State and Federal agencies, private profit and nonprofit organizations) and geographic locations.\n\n(5) Need to maintain a balanced composition of reviewers with regard to minority and female representation and an equitable age distribution.\n\n(6) Need to include reviewers who can judge the effective usefulness to producers and the general public of each application.\n\n(d)  Confidentiality.  The identities of reviewers will remain confidential to the maximum extent possible. Therefore, the names of reviewers will not be released to applicants. If it is possible to reveal the names of reviewers in such a way that they cannot be identified with the review of any particular application, this will be done at the end of the fiscal year or as requested. Names of submitting institutions and individuals, as well as application content and peer evaluations, will be kept confidential, except to those involved in the review process, to the extent permitted by law. Reviewers are expected to be in compliance with NIFA Confidentiality Guidelines. Reviewers provide this assurance through PRS.\n\n(e)  Conflicts of interest.  During the evaluation process, extreme care will be taken to prevent any actual or perceived conflicts of interest that may impact review or evaluation. For the purpose of determining conflicts of interest, the academic and administrative autonomy of an institution shall be determined. Reviewers are expected to be in compliance with NIFA Conflict-of-Interest Guidelines. Reviewers provide this assurance through PRS."], ["7:7:15.1.13.2.13.3.1.4", 7, "Agriculture", "XXXIV", "", "3430", "PART 3430\u2014COMPETITIVE AND NONCOMPETITIVE NON-FORMULA FEDERAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS\u2014GENERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS", "C", "Subpart C\u2014Pre-award: Application Review and Evaluation", "", "\u00a7 3430.34 Evaluation criteria.", "NIFA", "", "", "[74 FR 45740, Sept. 4, 2009, as amended at 82 FR 21109, May 5, 2017]", "(a)  General.  To ensure any project receiving funds from NIFA is consistent with the broad goals of the funding program, the content of each proposal/application submitted to NIFA will be evaluated based on a pre-determined set of review criteria. It is the responsibility of the Program Officer to develop, adopt, adapt, or otherwise establish the criteria by which proposals are to be evaluated. It may be appropriate for the Program Officer to involve other scientists or stakeholders in the development of criteria, or to extract criteria from legislative authority or appropriations language. The review criteria are described in the RFA and shall not include criteria concerning any cost sharing or matching requirements per section 103(a)(3) of AREERA (7 U.S.C. 7613(a)(3)).\n\n(b)  Guidance for reviewers.  In order that all potential applicants for a program have similar opportunities to compete for funds, all reviewers will receive from the Program Officer a description of the review criteria. Reviewers are instructed to use those same evaluation criteria, and only those criteria, to judge the merit of the proposals they review.\n\n(c)  Center of Excellence status.  All eligible applicants will be competitively peer reviewed (as described in Part V, A. and B. of the RFA), and ranked in accordance with the evaluation criteria. Those that rank highly meritorious and requested to be considered as a center of excellence will be further evaluated by the peer panel to determine whether they have met the criteria to be a center of excellence. In instances where they are found to be equally meritorious with the application of a non-center of excellence, based on peer review, selection for funding will be weighed in favor of applicants meeting the center of excellence criteria. NIFA will effectively use the center of excellence prioritization as a \u201ctie breaker\u201d. Applicants that rank highly meritorious but who did not request consideration as a center of excellence or who are not deemed to have met the center of excellence standards may still receive funding."], ["7:7:15.1.13.2.13.3.1.5", 7, "Agriculture", "XXXIV", "", "3430", "PART 3430\u2014COMPETITIVE AND NONCOMPETITIVE NON-FORMULA FEDERAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS\u2014GENERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS", "C", "Subpart C\u2014Pre-award: Application Review and Evaluation", "", "\u00a7 3430.35 Review of noncompetitive applications.", "NIFA", "", "", "", "(a)  General.  Some projects are directed by either authorizing legislation and/or appropriations to specifically support a designated institution or set of institutions for particular research, education, or extension topics of importance to the nation, a State, or a region. Although these projects may be awarded noncompetitively, these projects or activities are subject to the same application process, award terms and conditions, Federal assistance laws and regulations, reporting and monitoring requirements, and post-award administration and closeout policies and procedures as competitive Federal assistance programs. The only difference is these applications are not subject to a competitive peer or merit review process at the Agency level.\n\n(b)  Requirements.  All noncompetitive applications recommended for funding are required to be reviewed by the program officer and, as required, other Departmental and NIFA officials; and the review documented by the NIFA program officer. For awards recommended for funding at or greater than $10,000, an independent review and a unit review by program officials are required."], ["7:7:15.1.13.2.13.3.1.6", 7, "Agriculture", "XXXIV", "", "3430", "PART 3430\u2014COMPETITIVE AND NONCOMPETITIVE NON-FORMULA FEDERAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS\u2014GENERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS", "C", "Subpart C\u2014Pre-award: Application Review and Evaluation", "", "\u00a7 3430.36 Procedures to minimize or eliminate duplication of effort.", "NIFA", "", "", "", "NIFA may implement appropriate business processes to minimize or eliminate the awarding of NIFA Federal assistance that unnecessarily duplicates activities already being sponsored under other awards, including awards made by other Federal agencies. Business processes may include the review of the Current and Pending Support Form; documented CRIS searches prior to award; the conduct of PD workshops, conferences, meetings, and symposia; and agency participation in Federal Government-wide and other committees, taskforces, or groups that seek to solve problems related to agricultural research, education, and extension and other activities delegated to the NIFA Director."], ["7:7:15.1.13.2.13.3.1.7", 7, "Agriculture", "XXXIV", "", "3430", "PART 3430\u2014COMPETITIVE AND NONCOMPETITIVE NON-FORMULA FEDERAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS\u2014GENERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS", "C", "Subpart C\u2014Pre-award: Application Review and Evaluation", "", "\u00a7 3430.37 Feedback to applicants.", "NIFA", "", "", "", "Copies of individual reviews and/or summary reviews, not including the identity of reviewers, will be sent to the applicant PDs after the review process has been completed."], ["7:7:15.1.13.2.13.4.1.1", 7, "Agriculture", "XXXIV", "", "3430", "PART 3430\u2014COMPETITIVE AND NONCOMPETITIVE NON-FORMULA FEDERAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS\u2014GENERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS", "D", "Subpart D\u2014Award", "", "\u00a7 3430.41 Administration.", "NIFA", "", "", "[74 FR 45740, Sept. 4, 2009, as amended at 79 FR 76001, Dec. 19, 2014; 82 FR 21110, May 5, 2017; 85 FR 72913, Nov. 16, 2020]", "(a)  General.  Within the limit of funds available for such purpose, the NIFA ADO shall make Federal assistance awards to those responsible, eligible applicants whose applications are judged most meritorious under the procedures set forth in the RFA. The date specified by the NIFA ADO as the effective date of the award shall be no later than September 30th of the Federal fiscal year in which the project is approved for support and funds are appropriated for such purpose, unless otherwise permitted by law. It should be noted that the project need not be initiated on the award effective date, but as soon thereafter as practical so that project goals may be attained within the funded project period. All funds awarded by NIFA shall be expended solely for the purpose for which the funds are awarded in accordance with the approved application and budget, the regulations, the terms and conditions of the award, the applicable Federal cost principles, and the Department's assistance regulations (e.g., 2 CFR part 200).\n\n(b)  Notice of Award.  The notice of award document ( i.e.,  Form NIFA-2009, Award Face Sheet) will provide pertinent instructions and information noted in 2 CFR 200.211.\n\n(c)  Center of Excellence.  Applicant's Notice of Award will reflect that, for that particular grant program, the applicant meets all of the requirements of a center of excellence. Entities recognized as a center of excellence will maintain that distinction for the duration of their award or as identified in the terms and conditions of that award."], ["7:7:15.1.13.2.13.4.1.2", 7, "Agriculture", "XXXIV", "", "3430", "PART 3430\u2014COMPETITIVE AND NONCOMPETITIVE NON-FORMULA FEDERAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS\u2014GENERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS", "D", "Subpart D\u2014Award", "", "\u00a7 3430.42 Special award conditions.", "NIFA", "", "", "", "(a)  General.  NIFA may, with respect to any award, impose additional conditions prior to or at the time of any award when, in the judgment of NIFA, such conditions are necessary to ensure or protect advancement of the approved project, the interests of the public, or the conservation of grant or cooperative agreement funds. NIFA may impose additional requirements if an applicant or recipient has a history of poor performance; is not financially stable; has a management system that does not meet prescribed standards; has not complied with the terms and conditions of a previous award; or is not otherwise responsible.\n\n(b)  Notification of additional requirements.  When NIFA imposes additional requirements, NIFA will notify the recipient in writing as to the following: The nature of the additional requirements; the reason why the additional requirements are being imposed; the nature of the corrective actions needed; the time allowed for completing the corrective actions; and the method for requesting reconsideration of the additional requirements imposed.\n\n(c)  Form NIFA-2009, Award Face Sheet.  These special award conditions, as applicable, will be added as a special provision to the award terms and conditions and identified on the Form NIFA-2009, Award Face Sheet, for the award.\n\n(d)  Removal of additional requirements.  NIFA will promptly remove any additional requirements once the conditions that prompted them have been corrected."], ["7:7:15.1.13.2.13.5.1.1", 7, "Agriculture", "XXXIV", "", "3430", "PART 3430\u2014COMPETITIVE AND NONCOMPETITIVE NON-FORMULA FEDERAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS\u2014GENERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS", "E", "Subpart E\u2014Post-Award and Closeout", "", "\u00a7 3430.51 Payment.", "NIFA", "", "", "", "(a)  General.  All payments will be made in advance unless a deviation is accepted (see \u00a7 3430.3) or as specified in paragraph (b) of this section. All payments to the awardee shall be made via the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Payment Management System (DHHS-PMS), U.S. Department of the Treasury's Automated Standard Application for Payments (ASAP) system, or another electronic funds transfer (EFT) method, except for awards to other Federal agencies. Awardees are expected to request funds via DHHS-PMS, ASAP, or other electronic payment system for reimbursement basis in a timely manner.\n\n(b)  Reimbursement method.  NIFA shall use the reimbursement method if it determines that advance payment is not feasible and that the awardee does not maintain or demonstrate the willingness to maintain written procedures that minimize the time elapsing between the transfer of funds and disbursement by the awardee, and financial management systems that meet the standards for fund control and accountability."], ["7:7:15.1.13.2.13.5.1.10", 7, "Agriculture", "XXXIV", "", "3430", "PART 3430\u2014COMPETITIVE AND NONCOMPETITIVE NON-FORMULA FEDERAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS\u2014GENERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS", "E", "Subpart E\u2014Post-Award and Closeout", "", "\u00a7 3430.60 Suspension, termination, and withholding of support.", "NIFA", "", "", "", "(a)  General.  If an awardee has failed to materially comply with the terms and conditions of the award, NIFA may take certain enforcement actions, including, but not limited to, suspending the award pending corrective action, terminating the award for cause, and withholding of support.\n\n(b)  Suspension.  NIFA generally will suspend (rather than immediately terminate) an award to allow the awardee an opportunity to take appropriate corrective action before NIFA makes a termination decision. NIFA may decide to terminate the award if the awardee does not take appropriate corrective action during the period of suspension. NIFA may terminate, without first suspending, the award if the deficiency is so serious as to warrant immediate termination. Termination for cause may be appealed under the NIFA award appeals procedures specified in \u00a7 3430.62.\n\n(c)  Termination.  An award also may be terminated, partially or wholly, by the awardee or by NIFA with the consent of the awardee. If the awardee decides to terminate a portion of the award, NIFA may determine that the remaining portion of the award will not accomplish the purposes for which the award was originally made. In any such case, NIFA will advise the awardee of the possibility of termination of the entire award and allow the awardee to withdraw its termination request. If the awardee does not withdraw its request for partial termination, NIFA may initiate procedures to terminate the entire award for cause.\n\n(d)  Withholding of support.  Withholding of support is a decision not to make a non-competing continuation award within the current competitive segment. Support may be withheld for one or more of the following reasons: Adequate Federal funds are not available to support the project; an awardee failed to show satisfactory progress in achieving the objectives of the project; an awardee failed to meet the terms and conditions of a previous award; or for whatever reason, continued funding would not be in the best interests of the Federal Government. If a non-competing continuation award is denied (withheld) because the awardee failed to comply with the terms and conditions of a previous award, the awardee may appeal that determination under \u00a7 3430.62."], ["7:7:15.1.13.2.13.5.1.11", 7, "Agriculture", "XXXIV", "", "3430", "PART 3430\u2014COMPETITIVE AND NONCOMPETITIVE NON-FORMULA FEDERAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS\u2014GENERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS", "E", "Subpart E\u2014Post-Award and Closeout", "", "\u00a7 3430.61 Debt collection.", "NIFA", "", "", "", "The collection of debts owed to NIFA by awardees, including those resulting from cost disallowances, recovery of funds, unobligated balances, or other circumstances, are subject to the Department's debt collection procedures as set forth in 7 CFR part 3, and, with respect to cost disallowances, \u00a7 3430.59."], ["7:7:15.1.13.2.13.5.1.12", 7, "Agriculture", "XXXIV", "", "3430", "PART 3430\u2014COMPETITIVE AND NONCOMPETITIVE NON-FORMULA FEDERAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS\u2014GENERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS", "E", "Subpart E\u2014Post-Award and Closeout", "", "\u00a7 3430.62 Award appeals procedures.", "NIFA", "", "", "[74 FR 45740, Sept. 4, 2009, as amended at 79 FR 76001, Dec. 19, 2014]", "(a)  General.  NIFA permits awardees to appeal certain post-award adverse administrative decisions made by NIFA. These include: termination, in whole or in part, of an award for failure of the awardee to carry out its approved project in accordance with the applicable law and the terms and conditions of award or for failure of the awardee otherwise to comply with any law, regulation, assurance, term, or condition applicable to the award; denial (withholding) of a non-competing continuation award for failure to comply with the terms of a previous award; and determination that an award is void ( i.e.,  a decision that an award is invalid because it was not authorized by statute or regulation or because it was fraudulently obtained). Appeals of determinations regarding the allowability of costs are subject to the procedures in \u00a7 3430.59.\n\n(b)  Appeal Procedures.  The formal notification of an adverse determination will contain a statement of the awardee's appeal rights. As the first level in appealing an adverse determination, the awardee must submit a request for review to the NIFA official specified in the notification, detailing the nature of the disagreement with the adverse determination and providing supporting documents in accordance with the procedures contained in the notification. The awardee's request to NIFA for review must be received within 60 days after receipt of the written notification of the adverse determination; however, an extension may be granted if the awardee can show good cause why an extension is warranted.\n\n(c)  Decision.  If the NIFA decision on the appeal is adverse to the awardee or if an awardee's request for review is rejected, the awardee then has the option of submitting a request to the NIFA Office of Grants and Financial Management (OGFM) Deputy Director for further review. The decision of the NIFA Office of Grants and Financial Management (OGFM) Deputy Director is considered final."], ["7:7:15.1.13.2.13.5.1.13", 7, "Agriculture", "XXXIV", "", "3430", "PART 3430\u2014COMPETITIVE AND NONCOMPETITIVE NON-FORMULA FEDERAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS\u2014GENERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS", "E", "Subpart E\u2014Post-Award and Closeout", "", "\u00a7 3430.63 Expiring appropriations.", "NIFA", "", "", "", "(a)  NIFA awards supported with agency appropriations.  Most NIFA awards are supported with annual appropriations. On September 30th of the 5th fiscal year after the period of availability for obligation ends, the funds for these appropriations accounts expire per 31 U.S.C. 1552 and the account is closed, unless otherwise specified by law. Funds that have not been drawn through DHHS-PMS, ASAP, or other electronic payment system by the awardee or disbursed through any other system or method by August 31st of that fiscal year are subject to be returned to the U.S. Department of the Treasury after that date. The August 31st requirement also applies to awards with a 90-day period concluding on a date after August 31st of that fifth year. Appropriations cannot be restored after expiration of the accounts. More specific instructions are provided in the NIFA award terms and conditions.\n\n(b)  NIFA awards supported with funds from other Federal agencies (reimbursable funds).  NIFA may require that all draws and reimbursements for awards supported with reimbursable funds (from other Federal agencies) be completed prior to June 30th of the 5th fiscal year after the period of availability for obligation ends to allow for the proper billing, collection, and close-out of the associated interagency agreement before the appropriations expire. The June 30th requirement also applies to awards with a 90-day period concluding on a date after June 30th of that fifth year. Appropriations cannot be restored after expiration of the accounts. More specific instructions are provided in the NIFA award terms and conditions."], ["7:7:15.1.13.2.13.5.1.2", 7, "Agriculture", "XXXIV", "", "3430", "PART 3430\u2014COMPETITIVE AND NONCOMPETITIVE NON-FORMULA FEDERAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS\u2014GENERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS", "E", "Subpart E\u2014Post-Award and Closeout", "", "\u00a7 3430.52 Cost sharing and matching.", "NIFA", "", "", "[74 FR 45740, Sept. 4, 2009, as amended at 81 FR 6414, Feb. 8, 2016]", "(a)  General.  Awardees may be required to match the Federal funds received under a NIFA award. The required percentage of matching, type of matching (e.g., cash and/or in-kind contributions), sources of match (e.g., non-Federal), and whether NIFA has any authority to waive the match will be specified in the subpart applicable to the specific Federal assistance program, as well as in the RFA.\n\n(1) A recipient of a NIFA competitive grant programs that are awarded under a covered law provided in section 3371 of under the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 must provide funds, in-kind contributions, or a combination of both, from sources other than funds provided through such grant in an amount that is at least equal to the amount awarded by NIFA unless an exception applies. NIFA will determine program applicability of this match and include in the RFA for those programs: The match requirement, exceptions, waivers, and any other information necessary to determine applicability of the match requirement. In accordance with section 1492 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3371), as added by section 7128 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (Pub. L. 113-79), for grants awarded after October 1, 2014, the recipient of an award must provide funds, in-kind contributions, or a combination of both, from sources other than funds provided through such grant in an amount that is at least equal to the amount awarded by NIFA unless one of the exemptions described herein is applicable.\n\n(2) The matching funds requirement does not apply to grants awarded:\n\n(i) To a research agency of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA); or\n\n(ii) To an entity eligible to receive funds under a capacity and infrastructure program (as defined in section 251(f)(1)(C) of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994, 7 U.S.C. 6971(f)(1)(C)), including a partner of such an entity. Entities eligible to receive funds under a capacity and infrastructure program and exempt from the matching funds requirement include:\n\n(A) 1862 Land-grant Institutions, including State Agricultural Experiment Stations receiving funding under the Hatch Act of 1887;\n\n(B) 1890 Land-grant Institutions;\n\n(C) 1994 Land-grant Institutions;\n\n(D) Entities eligible to receive funds under the of Continuing Animal Health and Disease, Food Security, and Stewardship Research, Education, and Extension Program Funds\u2014Capacity and Infrastructure Program (CIP);\n\n(E) Hispanic-Serving Agricultural Colleges and Universities (HSACU);\n\n(F) Insular Area Schools Eligible to Receive Funds from the Distance Education/Resident Instruction Grant Programs;\n\n(G) Entities eligible to receive funds under the of McIntire-Stennis Cooperative Forestry Program Funds;\n\n(H) Non-Land Grant Colleges of Agriculture (NLGCA)\u2014(for exemption from the new matching requirement, these applications must include NLGCA certification, see instructions for requesting certifications at  http://www.nifa.usda.gov/form/form.html,  and for attaching the certification in Part IV, B. of this RFA);\n\n(I) Entities eligible to receive funds under a program established under section 1417(b) of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3152(b)), including:\n\n( 1 ) 1890 Institution Teaching, Research, and Extension Capacity Building Grants Program;\n\n( 2 ) Higher Education Challenge Grants Program;\n\n( 3 ) Higher Education Multicultural Scholars Program; and\n\n( 4 ) Food and Agricultural Sciences National Needs Graduate and Postgraduate Fellowship Grants Program.\n\n(J) Individual public or private, nonprofit Alaska Native-Serving and Native Hawaiian-Serving Institutions of higher education (see 20 U.S.C. 1059d).\n\n(b)  Indirect Costs as in-kind matching contributions.  Indirect costs may be claimed under the Federal portion of the award budget or, alternatively, indirect costs may be claimed as a matching contribution (if no indirect costs are requested under the Federal portion of the award budget). However, unless explicitly authorized in the RFA, indirect costs may not be claimed on both the Federal portion of the award budget and as a matching contribution, unless the total claimed on both the Federal portion of the award budget and as a matching contribution does not exceed the maximum allowed indirect costs or the institution's negotiated indirect cost rate, whichever is less. An awardee may split the allocation between the Federal and non-Federal portions of the budget only if the total amount of indirect costs charged to the project does not exceed the maximum allowed indirect costs or the institution's negotiated indirect cost rate, whichever is less. For example, if an awardee's indirect costs are capped at 22 percent pursuant to section 1462(a) of NARETPA (7 U.S.C. 3310(a)), the awardee may request 11 percent of the indirect costs on both the Federal portion of the award and as a matching contribution. Or, the awardee may request any similar percentage that, when combined, does not exceed the maximum indirect cost rate of 22 percent."], ["7:7:15.1.13.2.13.5.1.3", 7, "Agriculture", "XXXIV", "", "3430", "PART 3430\u2014COMPETITIVE AND NONCOMPETITIVE NON-FORMULA FEDERAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS\u2014GENERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS", "E", "Subpart E\u2014Post-Award and Closeout", "", "\u00a7 3430.53 Program income.", "NIFA", "", "", "", "(a)  General.  NIFA shall apply the standards set forth in this subpart in requiring awardee organizations to account for program income related to projects financed in whole or in part with Federal funds.\n\n(b)  Addition method.  Unless otherwise provided in the authorizing statute, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the award, program income earned during the project period shall be retained by the awardee and shall be added to funds committed to the project by NIFA and the awardee and used to further eligible project or program objectives. Any specific program deviations will be identified in the individual subparts.\n\n(c)  Award terms and conditions.  Unless the program regulations identified in the individual subpart provide otherwise, awardees shall follow the terms and conditions of the award."]], "truncated": false, "filtered_table_rows_count": 146, "expanded_columns": [], "expandable_columns": [], "columns": ["section_id", "title_number", "title_name", "chapter", "subchapter", "part_number", "part_name", "subpart", "subpart_name", "section_number", "section_heading", "agency", "authority", "source_citation", "amendment_citations", "full_text"], "primary_keys": ["section_id"], "units": {}, "query": {"sql": "select section_id, title_number, title_name, chapter, subchapter, part_number, part_name, subpart, subpart_name, section_number, section_heading, agency, authority, source_citation, amendment_citations, full_text from cfr_sections where \"part_number\" = :p0 and \"title_number\" = :p1 order by section_id limit 101", "params": {"p0": "3430", "p1": "7"}}, "facet_results": {"title_number": {"name": "title_number", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/openregs/cfr_sections.json?part_number=3430&title_number=7", "results": [{"value": 7, "label": 7, "count": 146, "toggle_url": "https://www.pawtectors.org/openregs/cfr_sections.json?part_number=3430", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "agency": {"name": "agency", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/openregs/cfr_sections.json?part_number=3430&title_number=7", "results": [{"value": "NIFA", "label": "NIFA", "count": 146, "toggle_url": "https://www.pawtectors.org/openregs/cfr_sections.json?part_number=3430&title_number=7&agency=NIFA", "selected": false}], "truncated": false}, "part_number": {"name": "part_number", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/openregs/cfr_sections.json?part_number=3430&title_number=7", "results": [{"value": "3430", "label": "3430", "count": 146, "toggle_url": "https://www.pawtectors.org/openregs/cfr_sections.json?title_number=7", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}}, "suggested_facets": [{"name": "subpart", "toggle_url": "https://www.pawtectors.org/openregs/cfr_sections.json?part_number=3430&title_number=7&_facet=subpart"}, {"name": "subpart_name", "toggle_url": "https://www.pawtectors.org/openregs/cfr_sections.json?part_number=3430&title_number=7&_facet=subpart_name"}, {"name": "amendment_citations", "toggle_url": "https://www.pawtectors.org/openregs/cfr_sections.json?part_number=3430&title_number=7&_facet=amendment_citations"}], "next": "7~3A7~3A15~2E1~2E13~2E2~2E13~2E5~2E1~2E3,7~3A7~3A15~2E1~2E13~2E2~2E13~2E5~2E1~2E3", "next_url": "https://www.pawtectors.org/openregs/cfr_sections.json?part_number=3430&title_number=7&_next=7~3A7~3A15~2E1~2E13~2E2~2E13~2E5~2E1~2E3%2C7~3A7~3A15~2E1~2E13~2E2~2E13~2E5~2E1~2E3&_sort=section_id", "private": false, "allow_execute_sql": true, "query_ms": 447.0357639947906, "source": "Federal Register API & Regulations.gov API", "source_url": "https://www.federalregister.gov/developers/api/v1", "license": "Public Domain (U.S. Government data)", "license_url": "https://www.regulations.gov/faq"}