Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative

The Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative (OREI) is a competitive grant program administered by the United States Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). For Fiscal Year (FY) 2025, OREI aims to fund projects that address critical organic agriculture issues, priorities, and problems by integrating research, education, and extension activities. Approximately $44,000,000 is anticipated for funding, and applications are due by **5:00 PM Eastern Time on February 13, 2025**. The program supports projects that enhance the capacity of organic producers and processors to meet organic certification standards, improve production methods, and address challenges in marketing and environmental sustainability. The program's objectives focus on advancing organic agriculture through eight primary goals: improving organic production, breeding, and processing methods; identifying economic benefits; exploring trade opportunities; determining desirable organic commodity traits; addressing marketing and policy constraints; conducting advanced on-farm research; optimizing conservation and soil health; and developing seed varieties suited for organic production. For FY 2025, NIFA encourages projects that include on-farm research, soil health, climate change adaptation, post-harvest processing improvements, organic breeding programs, pest and disease management, animal health systems, curriculum development, and socioeconomic analyses. Proposals are expected to align with USDA organic standards, with fieldwork conducted on USDA-certified organic land or facilities, except in cases where special justifications apply. The program offers five types of grants: **Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 Integrated Projects**, **Curriculum Development Projects**, **Conference Proposals**, and **Planning Proposals**. Integrated projects require research combined with education or extension and are divided into funding tiers based on scope and budget, ranging from $1,000,000 to $3,500,000 over three to four years. Curriculum Development proposals focus on innovative undergraduate or graduate programs with budgets up to $750,000 for up to four years. Conference proposals, capped at $75,000, fund workshops or symposia to advance understanding of organic agriculture. Planning proposals, with a maximum award of $50,000, assist in developing future multi-regional OREI applications. All projects must include plans for data management, stakeholder involvement, and dissemination of results. Eligible applicants include state agricultural experiment stations, colleges and universities, university research foundations, and other research institutions and organizations. NIFA encourages partnerships with 1890 and 1994 Land-grant Institutions, Hispanic-serving institutions, minority-serving institutions, small and mid-sized colleges, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) working in organic agriculture. Collaboration with international partners is permitted if proposals demonstrate clear benefits to U.S. organic agriculture. Projects involving producers and processors must include active engagement in project planning, implementation, and evaluation, with appropriate compensation for their participation and land or facility use. Applications must include a clear description of project relevance to U.S. organic agriculture, adherence to USDA organic certification standards, and measurable outcomes. Submission requirements include a project narrative, data management plan, and a budget reflecting the project's scope. Resubmitted applications must address prior review panel feedback. Proposals will be evaluated based on their potential to address program priorities, scientific and technical merit, stakeholder involvement, and expected impact on organic agriculture systems. The FY 2025 application deadline is **February 13, 2025**, and awards are expected to be announced later in the year. Projects are expected to align with USDA's strategic goals, such as combating climate change, fostering resilient ecosystems, and supporting economic development in rural communities. For additional information, applicants are encouraged to consult USDA organic program resources, attend informational webinars, and collaborate with stakeholders to ensure project relevance and success.