Secondary Education, Two-Year Postsecondary Education, and Agriculture in the K-12 Classroom
Program Funding
Annual program obligations reported to SAM.gov.
Funded Projects
Examples of what this program has supported.
Program Objective
The Secondary Education, Two-Year Postsecondary Education, and Agriculture in the K-12 Classroom Challenge Grants (SPECA) program seeks to: (a) promote and strengthen secondary education and two-year postsecondary education in the food and agriculture sciences in order to help ensure the existence of a workforce in the United States that's qualified to serve the food and agriculture sciences system; and (b) promote complementary and synergistic linkages among secondary, two-year postsecondary, and higher education programs in the food and agriculture sciences in order to advance excellence in education and encourage more young Americans to pursue and complete a baccalaureate or higher degree in the food and agriculture sciences.
Eligibility
Eligible Applicants
- State
- Other
- Nonprofit Organization
(1) public secondary schools 20 U.S.C. 7801(45), (2) public or private nonprofit junior and community colleges, (3) institutions of higher education (20 U.S.C. 1001), or (4) nonprofit organizations
Beneficiaries
- Other
-Private nonprofit institution/organization
-Quasi-public nonprofit organization
-State
-Public nonprofit institution/organization
-Other public institution/organization
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.
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 and it provides pertinent instructions and information about the award.
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).
From 30 to 60 days.
Contact the National Program Leader (NPL) - Headquarters Office regarding dates for specific deadlines, start and end dates, and range of approval/disapproval time.
Program details & compliance
Description
The SPECA program is intended to help K-12 educators enhance curricula in ag. education, increase faculty competencies, as well as boost the interest in young people to pursue agri-science and agribusiness careers. SPECA projects support joint initiatives and collaborations between secondary schools, and institutions of higher learning to maximize the use of facilities, resources, and equipment in K-12 classrooms.
Mission Categories
Primary: Food Nutrition
Other categories:
Teacher EducationHigher Education
Use of Funds
Allowed Uses
Funds may be used only in targeted areas, e.g., curricula design and materials development, promotion of teaching competencies, promotion of agriscience and agribusiness career information, instruction delivery systems, student experiential learning, and educational activities that increase the diversity of students pursuing degrees in agriscience and agribusiness.
Restrictions
Grant funds must be used for allowable costs necessary to conduct approved fundamental and applied research, extension and education objectives to address food and agricultural sciences. Indirect Cost (IDC) is not to exceed 30 percent of the recipient’s Total Federal Funds Awarded (TFFA). 7 U.S.C. 3310 limits the recovery of IDC for the overall award to 30 percent of the TFFA under a research, education, or extension grant. Please refer to the RFA, Part III.E and F – Program Description – Funding Restrictions for specific details.
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 Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). 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