Agriculture and Food Research Initiative - Education and Workforce Development - Food and Agricultural Non-Formal Education (FANE)

Overview

The Agriculture and Food Research Initiative - Education and Workforce Development (EWD) focuses on developing the next generation of research, education, and extension professionals in the food and agricultural sciences. The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) requests applications for the AFRI’s Education and Workforce Development (EWD) Program areas to support:
 

1. professional development opportunities for K-14 educational professionals;
2. non-formal education that cultivates food and agricultural interest in youth;
3. workforce training at community, junior, and technical colleges;
4. training of undergraduate students in research and extension; and
5. fellowships for predoctoral candidates and postdoctoral scholars.

 
Food and Agricultural Non-Formal Education (FANE) 

This program area priority will support content development and activities for non-formal education to foster development of technology-savvy youth. Projects must develop activities that cultivate interest and competencies in STEM and in food and agricultural sciences supported by the six Farm Bill Priority areas of AFRI. Data science, including artificial intelligence, automation, and robotics as well as gene editing and biotechnology will be supported in this program area priority.
FANE applications must address the following: 

a.    Develop content and activities to enhance youth’s understanding of gene editing, biotechnology, data science, artificial intelligence, robotics, automation, and other technologies that enhance the food and agricultural enterprise and prepares them to help meet the needs of the future workforce through enhanced non-formal education modules. 

b.    Develop outreach materials that clearly communicate the demonstrated benefits of agricultural technologies and biotechnology. 

c.    Complement and build upon programs that have successfully demonstrated positive youth development strategies and outcomes (i.e., 4-H programming, Agriculture in the Classroom, FDA’s Agricultural Biotechnology Education and Outreach Initiative, etc.). 

d.    Involve youth in the design, execution, and evaluation of activities that lead to the development of consumer-friendly content that builds public confidence in the safe use of biotechnology in agriculture and the food system.

All applications to the AFRI EWD program areas must be aligned with one of the six AFRI Farm Bill priorities and must address the stated Program Area Priorities described subsequently.

Six priority areas of Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI): 

1. Plant health and production and plant products; 
2. Animal health and production and animal products; 
3. Food safety, nutrition, and health; 
4. Bioenergy, natural resources, and environment; 
5. Agriculture systems and technology; and 
6. Agriculture economics and rural communities

Cost Sharing or Matching: Applicants MUST provide matching contributions on a dollar-for-dollar basis for all Federal funds awarded under AFRI for applied research grants or equipment grants unless a waiver applies. If the applied research or integrated project with an applied research project is not commodity specific or is national in scope, no match is required.

• Project Type(s): Extension, Education, or Integrated Projects only
• Grant Duration: 36-48 months 
• Maximum Award Amount(s): Including indirect costs: $750,000