Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative

Background
The Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative (OREI) seeks to solve critical organic agriculture issues, priorities, or problems through the integration of research, education, and extension activities. The purpose of this program is to fund projects that will enhance the ability of producers and processors who have already adopted organic standards to grow and market high quality organic agricultural products. Priority concerns include biological, physical, and social sciences, including economics. The OREI is particularly interested in projects that emphasize research, education and outreach that assist farmers and ranchers with whole farm planning by delivering practical research-based information.

Grant Details
The OREI program funds integrated projects that enhance the ability of producers and processors who have adopted organic standards. It supports research, education, and extension programs related to organic agriculture production, breeding, processing methods, economic benefits of organic agricultural production, international trade opportunities for organically grown and processed agricultural commodities, desirable traits for organic commodities, marketing and policy constraints on the expansion of organic agriculture, on-farm research and development for working organic farms, conservation outcomes relating to organically produced agricultural products, development of new and improved seed varieties suited for organic agriculture. Priority concerns for FY 2024 include advanced on-farm crop, livestock or integrated livestock-crop research; educational tools development for Cooperative Extension personnel; evaluation and improvement of allowable post-harvest handling practices; strengthening organic crop propagation systems; exploration of technologies meeting National Organic Program requirements; improvement of animal production systems; curriculum development for organic agriculture; identification of marketing barriers to the expansion of organic agriculture in the United States.

Eligibility Requirements
Applicants eligible for this grant opportunity include state agricultural experiment stations, colleges and universities, university research foundations, other research institutions and organizations, federal agencies, national laboratories, private organizations, foundations or corporations, individuals who are United States citizens or nationals. Award recipients may subcontract to organizations not eligible to apply provided such organizations are necessary for the conduct of the project.

Period of Performance
The grant duration ranges from 12-48 months with an anticipated number of awards at 30. Project types include integrated proposals with project periods ranging from 3 to 4 years with maximum awards ranging from approximately $1 million to $3.5 million depending on the tier level. Other project types include curriculum development proposals with a maximum award of $750,000 for up to four years; conference proposals with a maximum award of $75,000 for one year; planning proposals with a maximum award of $50,000 for one year.

Grant Value
The anticipated funding available for the Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative (OREI) in FY 2024 and 2025 is approximately $44 million each year with an average award range from $50,000 to $3.5 million.

Place of Performance
Projects must be conducted in USDA certified organic land or facilities or in transition to USDA organic certification as appropriate to project goals.