Due to the disruptions arising from the national response to COVID-19, NIFA is extending the following deadlines. NIFA will continue to monitor the situation and post updates to this guidance on our web site.
Check out our main Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resources for Partners page.
Changes as of 18 March 2020:
Higher Education Challenge Grant Program
Previous deadline: March 23, New deadline: April 2
Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program
Previous deadline: March 19, New deadline: April 2
NIFA’s goal is to provide applicant institutions additional time as they work through any operational challenges within their institutions arising from COVID-19. Even with increased flexibilities for applicants, NIFA still recommends applicants submit their applications as soon as possible.
Conclusion
At this time, the only other deadlines that have been extended are the Higher Education Challenge Grants, Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program, and those announced on March 17 (see below).
NIFA’s policies for accepting late applications are available at https://nifa.usda.gov/resource/late-application-consideration. If your application is delayed for a valid extenuating circumstance, please let the program contact listed in the Request for Application (RFA) know about the potential delay and submit all the required documentation after your application had been submitted to us. NIFA will consider your request at that time based on the information provided.
Changes as of 17 March 2020:
AFRI
The following Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) application submission deadlines will be adjusted, as follows:
Previous deadline: March 19, New deadline: April 2
Previous deadline: March 26, New deadline: April 9
Previous deadline: April 2, New deadline: April 9
Previous deadline: April 9, New deadline: April 16
AREERA
Furthermore, NIFA has also extended the submission deadline for the 2021 Plan of Work for Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (AREERA) capacity funded projects and programs from April 1st to June 1st.
NIFA’s goal is to provide applicant institutions additional time as they work through any operational challenges within their institutions arising from COVID-19. Even with increased flexibilities for applicants, NIFA still recommends applicants submit their applications as soon as possible.
Conclusion
At this time, no other deadlines have been extended.
NIFA’s policies for accepting late applications are available at https://nifa.usda.gov/resource/late-application-consideration. If your application is delayed for a valid extenuating circumstances, please let the program contact listed in the Request for Application (RFA) know about the potential delay and submit all the required documentation after your application had been submitted to us. NIFA will consider your request at that time based on the information provided.
