Farm Business Management and Benchmarking Competitive Grants Program
Program Funding
Annual program obligations reported to SAM.gov.
Funded Projects
Examples of what this program has supported.
Program Objective
To establish a competitive research and extension grants program for the purpose of: (1) improving the farm management knowledge and skills of agricultural producers; and (2) maintaining and expanding a national, publicly available farm financial management database to support improved farm management.
Eligibility
Eligible Applicants
- U.S. Federal Government
- U.S. State Government
- Nonprofit Organization
- Other
Applications may be submitted by qualified public and private entities. Pursuant to 7 U.S.C. 450i(7), this includes:
(A) State agricultural experiment stations;
(B) colleges and universities;
(C) university research foundations;
(D) other research institutions and organizations;
(E) Federal agencies;
(F) national laboratories;
(G) private organizations or corporations;
(H) individuals; or
(I) any group consisting of 2 or more of the entities described in subparagraphs (A) through (H).
Award recipients may subcontract to organizations not eligible to apply provided such organizations are necessary for the conduct of the project. An applicant’s failure to meet an eligibility criterion by the time of an application deadline may result in the application being excluded from consideration or, even though an application may be reviewed, will preclude NIFA from making an award.
Beneficiaries
- U.S. Federal Government
- State
- Nonprofit Organization
- For-Profit Organization
- Not-for-Profit Organization
- Other
Applications may be submitted by qualified public and private entities. Pursuant to 7 U.S.C. 450i(7), this includes:
(A) State agricultural experiment stations;
(B) colleges and universities;
(C) university research foundations;
(D) other research institutions and organizations;
(E) Federal agencies;
(F) national laboratories;
(G) private organizations or corporations;
(H) individuals; or
(I) any group consisting of 2 or more of the entities described in subparagraphs (A) through (H).
Award recipients may subcontract to organizations not eligible to apply provided such organizations are necessary for the conduct of the project. An applicant’s failure to meet an eligibility criterion by the time of an application deadline may result in the application being excluded from consideration or, even though an application may be reviewed, will preclude NIFA from making an award.
How to Apply
Award Procedure
Within the limit of funds authorized, the NIFA awarding official will make grants to eligible applicants whose applications are judged most meritorious under the procedures set forth in this NOFO.
Successful applicants receive two types of notifications in the award phase: informal and formal. After award recommendations are complete, NIFA will provide an informal notification to the potential awardee. This informal notification is not an authorization to begin performance.
After the award is finalized, a formal notification in the form of a Notice of Award (NoA), signed by the Authorized Departmental Officer, will be provided to the applicant organization for successful applications. The NoA is the authorizing document and will be sent via email to the recipient's Authorized Representative.
The NoA will provide pertinent instructions and information including, at a minimum, the information described in 2 CFR 200.211 (see NIFA’s Terms and Conditions).
Decision Timeline
- Approval: From 30 to 60 days
Contact the National Program Leader (NPL) regarding dates for specific deadlines, start and end dates, and range of approval/disapproval time.
Program details & compliance
Description
Notice of Funding Opportunities (NOFO) are generally released annually. See the program NOFO for specific and detailed information. Specific instructions in the NOFOs supersede the general information provided in the Assistance Listing.
Mission Categories
Primary: General Collection and Communication of Statistical Data
Use of Funds
Allowed Uses
In general:
The Secretary may make competitive research and extension grants for the purpose of:
(1) improving the farm management knowledge and skills of agricultural producers;
and
(2) establishing and maintaining a national, publicly available farm financial
management database to support improved farm management.
Selection criteria:
In allocating funds made available to carry out this section, the Secretary may give priority to grants that:
(1) demonstrate an ability to work directly with agricultural producers;
(2) collaborate with farm management and producer associations;
(3) address the farm management needs of a variety of crops and regions of the United
States; and
(4) use and support the national farm financial management database.
Administration:
Paragraphs (4), (7), (8), and (11)(B) of subsection (b) of section 450i of this title shall apply with respect to the making of grants under this section.
Authorization of appropriations:
There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out this section.
Required Documentation
Applicants (unless excepted under 2 CFR § 25.110(b) or (c), or has an exception approved by the Federal awarding agency under 2 CFR § 25.110(d)) must (1): Have an active SAM registration prior to applying; (2) Provide a valid Unique Entity Identifier number in its application; and (3) Continue to maintain an active SAM registration with current information at all times during which it has an application under consideration or an active federal award.
Applicants must furnish the information required in the Competitive Notice of Funding Opportunities (NOFOs).
Successful applicants recommended for funding must furnish the information and assurances requested during the award documentation process.
Reporting & Compliance
Applicable 2 CFR 200 Subparts
- Subpart B — General Provisions
- Subpart C — Pre-Federal Award Requirements
- Subpart D — Post-Federal Award Requirements
- Subpart E — Cost Principles
- Subpart F — Audit Requirements