Feed the Future Innovation Labs5 , formerly known as the Collaborative Research Support Programs, or CRSPs, are led by U.S. Title XII Universities and are intended to be collaborative research programs between U.S. universities and host-country universities or national research institutions. Historically, and for many current Innovation Labs, one U.S. university serves as the Management Entity (ME) or prime recipient of the USAID award, and the ME establishes sub-awards to other institutions or consortia, through competitive and noncompetitive processes. USAID’s mission is international assistance and outreach; however, the collaborative nature of the Innovation Labs also brings benefits back to the United States. Through the establishment of strong relationships with national agricultural research institutions overseas, U.S. researchers gain access to international knowledge and expertise, raised awareness of the global investment landscape, and an appreciation of the challenges and technologies used in those countries. Partnering with NGOs, international agricultural research centers, other advanced research institutions and private sector practitioners is also encouraged.
The Peanut Research Innovation Lab will be the successor to the Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Collaborative Research on Peanut Productivity and Mycotoxin Control (PMIL), led by the University of Georgia, which comes to an end in 2017. The goal of PMIL was to improve peanut production through the development and use of advanced genetic and genomic technologies, complemented by an agronomy and plant protection research agenda that was focused on reducing aflatoxin contamination at the field-level. In addition, the program examined key areas in mycotoxin contamination during food processing, with an emphasis on peanut and maize, and studied the effectiveness of a peanut-based therapeutic food to treat malnourished pregnant and breastfeeding women and their children. This NFO is designed to identify PMIL’s successor and to launch a new Feed the Future Innovation Lab focused on peanut research at strategic points along the value chain. The Peanut Research Innovation Lab shall develop a program that builds upon previous USAID investments and other relevant investments from other federal granting agencies, in addition to other investments in developing country peanut value chains.
USAID seeks the expertise of the agricultural research community to identify which challenges and opportunities hold the best promise to advance the goals of the GFSA and how those challenges and opportunities should be addressed in the context of the Areas of Inquiry described in Section A.II.c and the Cross-Cutting Themes in Section A.II.d. The Applicant is encouraged to raise and justify other technical issues that may not be mentioned in this NFO but are related and should be considered for inclusion in the Peanut Research Innovation Lab program; hence the following program description should not be interpreted as restrictive. As the Feed the Future Innovation Labs are mandated to benefit both partner countries and the U.S., the Peanut Research Innovation Lab program must consider peanut research priorities among U.S. stakeholders and propose how U.S. stakeholder perspectives are reflected in the program.
There is a limit of one application per eligible institution as defined in Section C.I. USAID does not require and does not encourage exclusivity contracts between proposed key personnel and the applying institution. As such, the proposed key personnel may be listed on more than one application.
Duke Internal Deadline: August 8, 2017
Sponsor Deadline: Sep. 6, 2017
This program is authorized under Title XII of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended. Applications may only be submitted by eligible U.S. colleges and universities as defined under Section 296(d) of Title XII of the Foreign Assistance Act, as amended: “... those colleges or universities in each State, territory, or possession of the United States, or the District of Columbia, now receiving, or which may hereafter receive, benefits under the Act of July 2, 1862 (known as the First Morrill Act) or the Act of August 30, 1890 (known as the Second Morrill Act), which are commonly known as ‘land-grant’ universities; institutions now designated or which may hereafter be designated as sea-grant colleges under the Act of October 5, 1966 (known as the National Sea Grant College and Program Act), which are commonly known as sea-grant colleges; Native American land-grant colleges as authorized under the Equity in Educational Land-Grant Status Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 301 note); and other United States colleges and universities which— (1) have demonstrable capacity in teaching, research, and extension (including outreach) activities in the agricultural sciences; and (2) can contribute effectively to the attainment of the objectives of this title.”
Subject to funding availability, USAID intends to provide up to $14 million in total USAID funding over a 5 year period. The ceiling for this program is up to $35 million. It is estimated that up to $2.0 million will be obligated to the Leader Award in the first year as core funding from BFS, and up to $3.0 million per year thereafter, for a total up to $14 million in core funding from BFS. For the purposes of this NFO, applicants should prepare a budget reflecting the ceiling of $14 million. Actual funding amounts are subject to availability of funds.
Owing to the sponsor's restriction on the number of applications that may be submitted from Duke, anyone wishing to pursue nomination should submit the following materials as one PDF.
* A letter of support from dean or chair - 1 to 1.5 pages
* Project summary - 2 to 4 pages
* CV or Biosketch of project leader
Please submit internal materials through My Research Proposal.(Code ILN) https://www.grantinterface.com/Common/LogOn.aspx?eqs=ApVvmgXCk2Uj7AzWyDE...
Instructions for setting up your account and uploading internal applications can be found here: https://ors.duke.edu/sites/default/files/Applicant Instructions_FINAL.pdf
