A National Science Foundation Artificial Intelligence (AI) Solicitation, released on March 25, prominently mentioned the Land-grant universities and Cooperative Extension. AI-Ready America is a national-scale initiative to accelerate Artificial Intelligence (AI) readiness and adoption across the U.S. by strengthening coordination, leveraging partnerships and resources, filling gaps, and scaling what works — so local and state priorities can lead in shaping an AI-driven economy that benefits all Americans. Unlike initiatives centered around K – 16 education, AI-Ready America additionally reaches businesses, public-serving organizations, and individuals, among others, expanding access to AI knowledge, tools, and resources. The program also emphasizes practical implementation through hands-on assistance and workforce up-skilling, including experiential learning such as internships, project-based work, and apprenticeships, to ensure stakeholders can effectively apply and innovate with AI. The solicitation calls for each state and territory to receive $3 Million to fund a coordination hub. The Cooperative Extension System is a prominently mentioned potential cooperator, along with American Job Centers, Small Business Development Centers and Veteran Business Outreach Centers. A webinar on this program is scheduled for 1:00 on April 14.
NIFA has launched a new competitive grant opportunity
designed to rapidly address emerging and re-emerging pest and disease threats
across the nation’s food and agricultural systems. The program, Rapid Response to Emerging and Re-emerging Pest and Disease Events Across Food and Agricultural Systems, aims to deliver timely, science-based solutions that
protect agricultural productivity, ecosystem health and food security.
With awards of up to $500,000 and project durations of 12 to
24 months, this opportunity supports research, Extension and integrated
projects. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis within 180 days of a
qualifying pest or disease event, ensuring that resources can be mobilized
quickly when new threats arise. Read more about this new funding opportunity.
USDA has fully implemented the use of SciENcv for
preparing the USDA Biographical Sketch and USDA Current and Pending (Other)
Support common forms, in alignment with the new U.S. Department of Agriculture General Terms and Conditions for Federal Awards and
the government‑wide research security efforts under NSPM‑33. Applicants should now prepare these documents
using SciENcv.
For proposals currently in development, applicants may
submit the biographical sketch and current and pending support documents they
have already collected. However, if selected for funding, all senior personnel
are required to provide SciENcv-certified versions of both forms prior to award
issuance.
NIFA encourages applicants and collaborators to begin using
SciENcv as early as possible. The system is rapidly becoming the federal
standard, and early adoption will streamline future submissions and reduce
administrative burden.
For more information and detailed instructions, please refer
to the NIFA Application Guide or email policyguide@usda.gov.
NIFA will host a webinar on Wednesday, April 15 at
1p.m. CDT to introduce the newly established USDA General Terms and Conditions
and discuss updates to NIFA’s agency‑specific Terms and Conditions. The session
will also provide guidance on using SciENcv and is designed to help applicants,
awardees and research administrators prepare for these changes.
Register here: USDA’s New General Terms and Conditions and NIFA’s Updated Requirements: A Comprehensive Overview
