Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program

Background
The Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program is a regionally delivered program with four regions (Northeast, North Central, South, and West). Each region offers a portfolio of five core competitive grant programs and administers the Professional Development Program state programs. The program is administered by USDA-NIFA in conjunction with four regional Administrative Councils and implemented by the Regional Host Institutions (RHIs).

The Sustainable Agriculture Technology Development and Transfer Program has two key components: the production of technical guides and handbooks, which has evolved into the SARE Outreach Program administered by the National Reporting, Coordinating, and Communications Office (NRCCO), and a National Training Program known as the Professional Development Program (PDP) that is administered through the four SARE regions.

Grant Details
NIFA is soliciting applications under the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program from institutions to serve as a Regional Host Institution (RHI) or as the National Reporting, Coordinating, and Communications Office (NRCCO). The RFA is to select the institution that will serve as a SARE Regional Host Institution (RHI) in each of the four regions and the institution that will serve as the National Reporting, Coordinating, and Communications Office (NRCCO) for the program. Selected institutions are expected to serve in the role for FYs 2023 through 2032. Budgetary information being requested at this time should allow reviewers to assess the staff, contractual, and equipment costs that will be needed to administer the SARE program if the institution is selected.

Applications are solicited to serve as a SARE RHI; one in each of the four regions (Northeast, North Central, South, and West). Subject to appropriations, each fiscal year approximately $10.1 million will be awarded to each RHI through a cooperative agreement. Applications are also solicited to serve as the NRCCO for the SARE program. Subject to appropriations, each fiscal year approximately $1.5 million will be awarded to the NRCCO through a cooperative agreement.

Eligibility Requirements
The SARE legislation requires USDA to carry out the program through agreements entered into with land grant colleges or universities, other universities, State agricultural experiment stations, State cooperative extension services, nonprofit organizations with demonstrable expertise, or Federal or State governmental entities. Applicants must meet all requirements discussed in this RFA.

Period of Performance
Selected institutions are expected to serve in their roles for FYs 2023 through 2032. Each award will be for a 5-year period; no-cost extensions beyond this period will not be allowed for any cooperative agreement administered as part of this award.

Grant Value
$10.1 million will be awarded annually to each Regional Host Institution (RHI) through a cooperative agreement. Additionally, approximately $1.5 million will be awarded annually to the National Reporting, Coordinating, and Communications Office (NRCCO) through a cooperative agreement.

Place of Performance
The Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program is regionally delivered with four regions: Northeast, North Central, South, and West.