OPPORTUNITY:
SAC Competitive Grants Program supports projects that lead to expanded adaptation and increased acres of canola grown in the United States for oil and industrial hemp grown for value-added products. SAC supports breeding, testing, and developing superior performing canola and industrial hemp varieties and production practices that result in improved cost efficiencies reduced grower risks, and wider use in production systems. Research results and technology developed are expected to be rapidly transferred to producers and other users through effective extension outreach and other engagement efforts. This is an integrated research and extension program that will produce results to increase the cost-effectiveness and competitiveness of these two crops grown as components of production systems across the country
DESCRIPTION:
Canola grown for oil and industrial hemp grown for value-added product crops are important to U.S. agriculture in that these can provide new and profitable cropping options in response to low commodity prices and changes in consumer demand for new agricultural-based products. The U.S. does not produce enough canola oil to meet its annual domestic consumption needs. Modern canola has major uses in healthy human foods and animal feeds, as a natural pest control when used as a cover crop, and as a feedstock in industrial chemical manufacture and biofuel production.
The purpose of this integrated research and extension program is to adapt these multiple-purpose crops to diverse growing regions in the U.S. so that domestic canola oil and industrial hemp production can be significantly increased and be profitable nationwide. Such efforts require strategically designed, region-based research approaches and effective communication of useful information and transfer of technologies to users as rapidly as possible. SAC supports research and extension in conventional and organic production systems.
NIFA is soliciting applications for the FY 2022 SAC under the following two areas:
Canola:
- Testing germplasm and breeding to develop superior performing canola varieties that increase productivity, profitability, and adaptation to an expanded range of U.S. growing environments;
- Conducting fundamental and applied research and extension activities to develop innovative planting, cultivating, and harvesting methods for use in production systems that include superior performing canola varieties to improve input cost efficiencies and reduce producer and other supply chain participant risks;
- Conducting fundamental and applied research and extension activities to develop canola production practices that enhance the use of canola as a pollinator-friendly crop.
Industrial Hemp:
- Fundamental and applied research to develop production systems for hemp grown for grain or fiber with a THC content of 0.3% or less, including cultivar evaluation and development, plant spacing and harvesting techniques.
- Economic research and extension that lead to expanded development of markets for industrial hemp grown for grain or fiber, including the current size of the markets, the potential for market increases, prices that can be expected by growers, and potential bottlenecks in the supply chain.
ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS:
- Colleges and universities
- Other Federal agencies
- Private sector entities
COST SHARING:
No Match Required
FUNDING AVAILABLE AND APPLICATION WINDOW:
FUNDING AVAILABILITY: $938,000. Maximum Award Amount: $250,000 per year
APPLICATION DEADLINE: Notice of Intent Deadline: June 7, 2022; Application Deadline: June 29, 2022