Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NIFA ICGP 006690
The Methyl Bromide Transition (MBT) Program is a competitive grant opportunity run by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) that supports agriculture-focused research and extension work aimed at replacing methyl bromide, a pesticide that was widely relied on for decades to manage serious soilborne and postharvest pests and diseases. Because methyl bromide has been scheduled for phase-out, many growers and industries have faced immediate practical and financial challenges in keeping pest management programs effective without it. This program is designed to help address those transition pressures by funding projects that move viable alternatives from the research stage into real-world, commercial-scale use.
At its core, MBT emphasizes integrated, commercial-scale research paired with extension activities that speed up adoption of workable solutions. Rather than focusing on small lab-only studies, the program targets applied work that can be implemented by producers and postharvest handlers dealing with high-impact pest problems where methyl bromide may have been the only consistently effective option. Proposed projects are expected to explore a broad set of approaches, which can include new methodologies, technologies, production systems, and pest-control strategies that reduce dependence on methyl bromide while maintaining effective control of economically important pests.
A key requirement is that projects must focus on commodities facing critical methyl bromide replacement challenges, and they must include a focused economic analysis that looks directly at the costs of making the transition at commercial scale. In other words, it is not enough to show that an alternative can work biologically; proposals need to address what it will cost growers or businesses to implement the new approach in practice, which often determines whether adoption is realistic and sustainable.
Eligibility is limited to colleges and universities as defined under Section 1404 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (NARETPA), including updates that expanded who qualifies. Those updates include recognition of Hispanic-serving Agricultural Colleges and Universities (HSACUs) and allow research foundations maintained by eligible institutions to be included. Additional statutory changes also clarified that 1994 Land-Grant Institutions are eligible to apply under this authority. The opportunity is categorized as a discretionary grant in the agriculture funding area (CFDA 10.303) and is offered through NIFA as part of the MBT Competitive Grants Program.
For the specific opportunity listing provided (Funding Opportunity Number USDA NIFA ICGP 006690), the original closing date was April 15, 2019, and the maximum award amount listed was $500,000. The goal of the funding is to produce practical, scalable pest management alternatives and deliver them to the field through strong extension components, so affected industries can transition away from methyl bromide with workable tools and a clear understanding of the economic implications of adoption.Apply for USDA NIFA ICGP 006690
- The National Institute of Food and Agriculture in the agriculture sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Methyl Bromide Transition Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.303.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2019-03-01.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2019-04-15. (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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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Methyl Bromide Transition (MBT) Program
What is the Methyl Bromide Transition (MBT) Program?
The Methyl Bromide Transition (MBT) Program is a competitive grant opportunity run by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). It supports agriculture-focused research and extension efforts designed to replace methyl bromide, a pesticide that was used for decades to manage serious soilborne and postharvest pests and diseases.
Why does this program exist?
The program exists because methyl bromide has been scheduled for phase-out, creating immediate practical and financial challenges for growers and industries that relied on it. MBT funds projects that help industries transition to effective, workable alternatives that can be used at commercial scale.
What kinds of projects does MBT fund?
MBT emphasizes applied, integrated, commercial-scale research paired with extension activities. The focus is on moving viable alternatives from research into real-world use, rather than funding small, lab-only studies.
Does MBT require an extension component?
Yes. Projects are expected to pair commercial-scale research with extension activities that speed up adoption of workable solutions by producers and postharvest handlers.
Is the program focused on lab research or real-world implementation?
The program targets applied work that can be implemented in real production and postharvest settings, especially where methyl bromide may have been the only consistently effective option for high-impact pest problems.
What types of alternative approaches can a project propose?
Proposed projects may explore a broad range of approaches, including new methodologies, technologies, production systems, and pest-control strategies that reduce dependence on methyl bromide while maintaining effective control of economically important pests.
Do projects need to focus on specific crops or commodities?
Yes. A key requirement is that projects must focus on commodities facing critical methyl bromide replacement challenges.
Is an economic analysis required?
Yes. Proposals must include a focused economic analysis that directly evaluates the costs of making the transition at commercial scale. The program is not limited to showing biological effectiveness; it also expects applicants to address what adoption will cost in practice.
Why is economic analysis emphasized?
Because costs often determine whether adoption is realistic and sustainable. MBT expects projects to address not only whether an alternative works, but also whether growers or businesses can afford to implement it at commercial scale.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is limited to colleges and universities as defined under Section 1404 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (NARETPA), including updates that expanded who qualifies.
Are Hispanic-serving Agricultural Colleges and Universities (HSACUs) eligible?
Yes. Updates to the eligibility definition include recognition of Hispanic-serving Agricultural Colleges and Universities (HSACUs).
Are 1994 Land-Grant Institutions eligible?
Yes. Additional statutory changes clarified that 1994 Land-Grant Institutions are eligible to apply under this authority.
Can a research foundation apply?
Yes. Research foundations maintained by eligible institutions are included under the expanded eligibility updates.
Which agency runs this funding opportunity?
The opportunity is offered through USDA NIFA as part of the MBT Competitive Grants Program.
Is this a competitive or formula-based grant?
This is a competitive grant opportunity.
How is this opportunity categorized?
It is categorized as a discretionary grant in the agriculture funding area, listed under CFDA 10.303.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number for the listing described?
The listing provided references Funding Opportunity Number USDA NIFA ICGP 006690.
What was the original closing date for this specific listing?
The original closing date listed for this opportunity was April 15, 2019.
What is the maximum award amount listed for this opportunity?
The maximum award amount listed was $500,000.
What outcomes is MBT trying to achieve?
MBT aims to produce practical, scalable pest management alternatives and deliver them into the field through strong extension components, helping affected industries transition away from methyl bromide with workable tools and a clear understanding of the economic implications of adoption.
What pest issues is the program concerned with?
The program targets serious soilborne and postharvest pests and diseases, especially economically important pests where methyl bromide had been heavily relied upon.
Does MBT focus only on pest control effectiveness?
No. The program expects projects to address both effective pest management and the real-world costs and feasibility of implementing alternatives at commercial scale.
What does "commercial-scale" mean in the context of MBT?
Based on the opportunity description, "commercial-scale" refers to approaches that can be implemented by producers and postharvest handlers in real operating conditions, not just tested in small or purely laboratory settings.
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