Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NIFA BRAP 008702
The Biotechnology Risk Assessment Research Grants (BRAG) Program is a discretionary grant opportunity run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), focused on producing practical, science-based evidence to help federal regulators evaluate the environmental impacts of genetically engineered (GE) organisms. The central goal is not product development, but risk assessment research that fills key knowledge gaps regulators face when deciding how GE organisms may affect environments if they are introduced or released. The program emphasizes generating new information that directly supports regulatory decision-making, meaning proposed studies should be framed around questions that matter for oversight, safety, and environmental review.
BRAG supports investigations involving a wide range of genetically engineered organisms, including GE plants and GE microorganisms such as fungi, bacteria, and viruses, as well as GE arthropods, fish, birds, mammals, and other animals (explicitly excluding humans). Research can address impacts in both managed environments (for example, farms, aquaculture operations, or other human-influenced settings) and natural environments (such as forests, wetlands, grasslands, or other ecosystems). In practice, this allows projects that examine topics like ecological interactions, persistence and spread, gene flow, effects on non-target organisms, ecosystem-level consequences, or other environmental outcomes relevant to regulatory review.
Eligibility is limited to public or private research or educational institutions or organizations, and applicants must meet all requirements described in the program’s Request for Applications (RFA). Applications that do not satisfy eligibility rules by the deadline may be excluded from consideration or prevent NIFA from issuing an award. The opportunity also prohibits duplicate or multiple submissions: if the same lead project director submits duplicate or multiple applications, NIFA will disqualify both, so applicants need to ensure they submit only one proposal as lead for this opportunity.
Key administrative details from the listing include the funding opportunity title "Biotechnology Risk Assessment Research Grants Program" with opportunity number USDA NIFA BRAP 008702. The assistance instrument is a grant, categorized under agriculture (CFDA/Assistance Listing 10.219). The agency is NIFA, the original closing date listed is 2022-02-15, and the maximum award amount (award ceiling) is $500,000. The notice was created on 2021-11-10. The announcement also references a Centers of Excellence (COE) webpage, which provides information on a COE designation process, including criteria and a list of programs offering COE opportunities; applicants interested in that designation are expected to consult those materials and the RFA for full details.Apply for USDA NIFA BRAP 008702
- The National Institute of Food and Agriculture in the agriculture sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Biotechnology Risk Assessment Research Grants Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.219.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2021-11-10.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2022-02-15. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $500,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
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Biotechnology Risk Assessment Research Grants (BRAG) Program FAQs
What is the Biotechnology Risk Assessment Research Grants (BRAG) Program?
The Biotechnology Risk Assessment Research Grants (BRAG) Program is a discretionary grant opportunity run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). It funds practical, science-based research intended to help federal regulators evaluate the environmental impacts of genetically engineered (GE) organisms.
What is the main purpose of BRAG funding?
The central goal is risk assessment research that fills key knowledge gaps regulators face when deciding how GE organisms may affect environments if introduced or released. The program is focused on generating new information that directly supports regulatory decision-making.
Is BRAG intended to support product development?
No. The program is explicitly centered on risk assessment research, not product development. Proposals should be framed around questions that matter for oversight, safety, and environmental review.
What kinds of questions should BRAG projects be designed to answer?
Projects should be designed around questions relevant to regulatory review of environmental impacts. Examples mentioned include ecological interactions, persistence and spread, gene flow, effects on non-target organisms, ecosystem-level consequences, and other environmental outcomes that regulators need to evaluate.
What types of genetically engineered organisms are eligible for study under BRAG?
BRAG supports investigations involving a wide range of genetically engineered organisms, including GE plants and GE microorganisms (such as fungi, bacteria, and viruses) as well as GE animals, including arthropods, fish, birds, mammals, and other animals. Humans are explicitly excluded.
Are studies involving genetically engineered microorganisms allowed?
Yes. The program description explicitly includes GE microorganisms such as fungi, bacteria, and viruses.
Can BRAG support research on genetically engineered animals?
Yes. The program includes GE arthropods, fish, birds, mammals, and other animals (excluding humans).
Can research address both managed and natural environments?
Yes. Research can address impacts in managed environments (for example, farms or aquaculture operations) and natural environments (such as forests, wetlands, grasslands, or other ecosystems).
What are examples of managed environments mentioned in the opportunity?
Examples provided include farms, aquaculture operations, and other human-influenced settings.
What are examples of natural environments mentioned in the opportunity?
Examples provided include forests, wetlands, grasslands, and other ecosystems.
Who is eligible to apply for BRAG funding?
Eligibility is limited to public or private research or educational institutions or organizations. Applicants must also meet all requirements described in the program's Request for Applications (RFA).
What happens if an application does not meet eligibility requirements by the deadline?
Applications that do not satisfy eligibility rules by the deadline may be excluded from consideration or may prevent NIFA from issuing an award.
Are duplicate or multiple submissions allowed?
No. The opportunity prohibits duplicate or multiple submissions. If the same lead project director submits duplicate or multiple applications, NIFA will disqualify both.
What should applicants do to avoid disqualification related to multiple submissions?
Applicants should ensure only one proposal is submitted with the same individual serving as the lead project director for this opportunity.
What agency administers the BRAG Program?
The administering agency is the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA).
What is the official funding opportunity title and number?
The funding opportunity title is "Biotechnology Risk Assessment Research Grants Program" and the opportunity number is USDA NIFA BRAP 008702.
What type of financial assistance instrument is used?
The assistance instrument listed for this opportunity is a grant.
What is the Assistance Listing (CFDA) number for this program?
The program is listed under agriculture with CFDA/Assistance Listing number 10.219.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling listed is $500,000.
What is the original closing date shown in the listing?
The original closing date listed is 2022-02-15.
When was the notice created?
The notice was created on 2021-11-10.
What is the Centers of Excellence (COE) reference in the announcement?
The announcement references a Centers of Excellence (COE) webpage that provides information on a COE designation process, including criteria and a list of programs offering COE opportunities.
If an applicant is interested in a Centers of Excellence (COE) designation, what should they do?
Applicants interested in that designation are expected to consult the COE webpage materials and the program RFA for full details.
Where are the complete requirements for applying described?
The complete requirements are described in the program's Request for Applications (RFA), which applicants must follow to meet eligibility and submission rules.
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