Opportunity Information: Apply for 7200AA21RFA00018
USAID released a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) titled "Soybean Value Chain Research" under the Feed the Future initiative, formally named the Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Soybean Value Chain Research. The opportunity was issued on July 6, 2021, and it seeks applications to implement a five-year Leader with Associates cooperative agreement focused on soybean value chain research. The funding instrument is a cooperative agreement, which typically means USAID expects substantial involvement during implementation (for example, participation in planning, coordination, and oversight activities) rather than a hands-off grant.
The total estimated program size is up to $30 million across the five-year period. The notice breaks that overall figure into three broad components: $10 million in Development Assistance funding, $10 million intended for Associate awards, and an additional $10 million anticipated through mission buy-ins. In practice, this structure signals that the central award (the "Leader") is expected to catalyze and coordinate additional aligned funding from USAID missions and associated awards in different locations, expanding the program footprint beyond the core funding.
Eligibility is restricted to qualified U.S.-based Title XII universities, meaning institutions that meet the criteria associated with USAID's longstanding higher education partnership framework for agricultural and food security development. The NOFO also lists eligible applicant types as public and state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education, but the key limiting condition is Title XII qualification as described in Section C of the NOFO. Applicants are expected to follow the merit review criteria laid out in the announcement, and USAID indicates it will select the applicant that best meets the objectives of the opportunity, subject to a risk assessment and the availability of funds.
Key dates include an August 9, 2021 deadline for submitting questions (by 4:00 pm Washington, D.C. time) and an October 18, 2021 application closing deadline (also by 4:00 pm Washington, D.C. time). Questions were to be directed to the listed point of contact, Kyle Davis, at kydavis@usaid.gov. USAID notes that responses to timely questions would be shared with all potential applicants via an amendment posted to Grants.gov, emphasizing that applicants should monitor the posting for updates and amendments.
The announcement stresses standard federal submission and compliance requirements, including having the required unique entity identifier and an active System for Award Management (SAM) registration as detailed in the NOFO. It also cautions that SAM registration can take weeks, so applicants should start early to avoid disqualification or late submission problems. The opportunity is posted on www.grants.gov, and applicants are responsible for ensuring they are working from the complete, most current version of the NOFO. USAID also disclaims responsibility for transmission or conversion errors when downloading the notice.
Finally, the NOFO includes the usual federal disclaimer that publishing the opportunity is not a commitment to make an award and does not obligate the government to reimburse any costs associated with preparing or submitting an application. All proposal development and submission costs are borne by the applicant. The opportunity is cataloged under CFDA 98.001 and is categorized as discretionary funding in the agriculture activity area, with an award ceiling listed as $30,000,000.Apply for 7200AA21RFA00018
- The Agency for International Development in the agriculture sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Soybean Value Chain Research" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 98.001.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2021-07-06.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2021-10-18. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $30,000,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): USAID Soybean Value Chain Research NOFO
What is this funding opportunity?
This is a USAID Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) titled "Soybean Value Chain Research" under the Feed the Future initiative, formally named the Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Soybean Value Chain Research.
Who is the issuing agency and initiative?
The issuing agency is the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). The opportunity is under the Feed the Future initiative.
When was the NOFO issued?
The NOFO was issued on July 6, 2021.
What is the main purpose of the award?
The purpose is to implement a five-year Leader with Associates cooperative agreement focused on soybean value chain research.
What type of funding instrument is being used?
The funding instrument is a cooperative agreement.
What does a cooperative agreement mean in practical terms?
In this opportunity, a cooperative agreement indicates USAID expects substantial involvement during implementation, such as participation in planning, coordination, and oversight activities, rather than operating as a fully hands-off grant.
What is the period of performance?
The NOFO describes a five-year program period.
How much funding is available?
The total estimated program size is up to $30 million across the five-year period, with an award ceiling listed as $30,000,000.
How is the estimated $30 million structured in the NOFO?
The NOFO breaks the overall estimate into three broad components: $10 million in Development Assistance funding, $10 million intended for Associate awards, and an additional $10 million anticipated through mission buy-ins.
What is meant by "Leader with Associates" in this NOFO?
The NOFO seeks a central "Leader" award that is expected to catalyze and coordinate additional aligned funding through Associate awards and USAID mission buy-ins, expanding the program footprint beyond the core funding.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is restricted to qualified U.S.-based Title XII universities, meaning institutions that meet the criteria associated with USAID's Title XII higher education partnership framework, as described in Section C of the NOFO.
Are non-university organizations eligible?
Based on the information provided, eligibility is limited to qualified U.S.-based Title XII universities. Other organization types are not listed as eligible under the key limiting condition described.
What types of higher education institutions are listed as eligible applicant types?
The NOFO lists eligible applicant types as public and state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education, with the key restriction that the applicant must be a qualified Title XII university.
How will USAID choose the awardee?
USAID states it will select the applicant that best meets the objectives of the opportunity, using the merit review criteria in the announcement, and subject to a risk assessment and the availability of funds.
What are the key submission deadlines?
Key dates include an August 9, 2021 deadline for submitting questions and an October 18, 2021 application closing deadline. Both deadlines are at 4:00 pm Washington, D.C. time.
When were questions due, and what time zone applies?
Questions were due by August 9, 2021 at 4:00 pm Washington, D.C. time.
When was the application due, and what time zone applies?
Applications were due by October 18, 2021 at 4:00 pm Washington, D.C. time.
Who was the point of contact for questions?
Questions were to be directed to Kyle Davis at kydavis@usaid.gov.
How will USAID share answers to applicant questions?
USAID indicates that responses to timely questions would be shared with all potential applicants via an amendment posted to Grants.gov.
Where is the opportunity posted?
The opportunity is posted on www.grants.gov.
Do applicants need to monitor Grants.gov for updates?
Yes. USAID emphasizes that applicants should monitor Grants.gov for updates and amendments, including responses to questions issued by amendment.
What registration or identifiers are required for submission?
The NOFO references standard federal submission and compliance requirements, including having the required unique entity identifier and an active System for Award Management (SAM) registration, as detailed in the NOFO.
How long can SAM registration take?
USAID cautions that SAM registration can take weeks and advises applicants to start early to avoid disqualification or late submission problems.
What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?
The opportunity is cataloged under CFDA 98.001.
How is this funding categorized?
The NOFO categorizes this as discretionary funding in the agriculture activity area.
Is USAID required to make an award because the NOFO was published?
No. The NOFO includes a standard federal disclaimer that publishing the opportunity is not a commitment to make an award.
Will USAID reimburse proposal preparation or submission costs?
No. The NOFO states the government does not obligate itself to reimburse any costs associated with preparing or submitting an application. Proposal development and submission costs are borne by the applicant.
What responsibility do applicants have regarding the version of the NOFO they use?
Applicants are responsible for ensuring they are working from the complete, most current version of the NOFO.
Does USAID take responsibility for download or file conversion issues?
No. USAID disclaims responsibility for transmission or conversion errors when downloading the notice.
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