NIFA supports research, education, and/or Extension activities through three primary funding mechanisms: competitive grants, capacity grants, and non-competitive grants.
The Four-Phase Process
Competitive grants proceed through Pre-Award, Award, Post-Award, and Close-Out phases. Each of these includes multiple steps that need to be completed for the grant cycle to be finalized.
While non-competitive grants follow similar steps to those outlined below, they do not include a competitive review process.
Pre-Award
This phase begins with the announcement of grant funding opportunities and involves the preparation, submission, and review of applications submitted in response to those announcements.
Award
This phase involves making funding decisions based on merit reviews, notifying recommended applicants of their selection for a grant, and completing the administrative requirements for initiating the grant.
Post-Award
This phase involves setting up accounts in the financial payment system and monitoring awardees for programmatic requirements as well as compliance with applicable laws, regulations, policies, and submission of required reports.
Closeout
This grant lifecycle phase involves the submission, review, and approval of all final reports as required by specific program policies and regulations.
