Rapid Outcomes from Agricultural Research

No, ROAR funds cannot be used for weather, natural disaster or food safety response efforts. ROAR grants aim to support research and coordination to halt pre-farm gate pest or pathogen outbreaks.

Yes,  funding up to $150,000 may be available to support diagnostic tool development, outreach, research and other efforts to mitigate, contain or prevent a pest or pathogen outbreak. FFAR determines the funding amount by evaluating several criteria including the geographic range, the number of animals or plants impacted, economic impact and the likelihood of an outbreak occurring. Funding is also contingent upon providing matching funds.

Generally, the majority of FFAR’s research grants support the United States; however, FFAR reserves the right to pursue and consider research on international outbreaks with the potential for significant impact. FFAR will pursue these opportunities through direct solicitation. Please do not contact the organization regarding these issues.

No, diagnostic tools must be specific to an imminent or ongoing disease or pest outbreak and must have a high potential for dissemination to industry.

No, ROAR grants do not support research on new application practices and technologies for conventional or organic pesticides.

Yes, applicants are encouraged to submit a one-page concept note via FFAR’s Grants Management portal outlining:

1. The research team members including researchers, industry representatives and government officials;
2. The source and amount of matching funds for the project; and
3. A brief description of the pest or pathogen threat and why it should be considered for rapid funding.

The team must designate a lead organization to enter into the potential grant agreement with FFAR. Based upon the concept note, we may invite the team to submit an application for the ROAR program. Upon invitation, applicants will have 8 weeks to submit their application.

Yes, federally funded groups can participate in a ROAR project and can contribute financially to our research programs; however, these funds cannot be used as a match for the release of FFAR funds. Non-federal dollars must be included as a source of matching funds.

How to Apply
The application process is designed to provide swift deployment of funding in response to an outbreak. Applicants are required to submit a concept for consideration via FFAR’s online portal. If the concept is accepted, applicants must submit a full application within 8 weeks of invitation.

Timeline
The ROAR program is open year-round to eligible applicants.

The following types of organizations are invited to apply:

• Public and private institutions of higher education
• Nonprofit organizations
• For-profit organizations

Eligibility Criteria include:

• Requested funds should not address weather, natural disaster or food safety response efforts.
• The pest or pathogen should be an emerging or unanticipated threat to the nation’s food supply or agricultural systems.
• The pest or pathogen will result in a significant negative impact of regional or national significance (Please consider: pathogenicity, potential geographic range, potential economic impact of outbreak, potential for outbreak to occur).
• The suggested research should be short-term and focused on one of the following: diagnostics, monitoring protocols, coordinating response teams and/or developing prevention/mitigation strategies that will be applied quickly through extension or other outreach methods.
• If the project includes diagnostic tools, the tools should be specific to an imminent or ongoing disease or pest outbreak and have a high potential for dissemination to industry.
• Matching funds should be confirmed and able to be certified within eight weeks of concept submission.

ROAR grant recipients must provide equal or greater matching funds from non-U.S. federal government sources. Match should be confirmed at the time of concept submission.

FFAR accepts matching funds from non-federal sources, including state, university, industry and private organizations. We cannot count U.S. federal funding as matching funds; however, federal funds can still be used to supplement the budget for a ROAR project.

We encourage applicants to form broad-based coalitions that include industry participation to increase research collaboration and maximize the adoption of outcomes by the agriculture sector.

In the event of a pest or pathogen outbreak, submit a one-page concept note outlining:

1. Your research team, including academic scientists, industry representatives and/or government officials;
2. The source and amount of matching funds for the project; and
3. A brief description of the pest or pathogen threat and why it should be considered for rapid funding.

Based on the concept note, we decide whether to invite a full application. If the concept is accepted, applicants must submit a full application within 8 weeks of invitation.

The ROAR program does not support research on food-borne diseases or weather-related disasters. The pest or pathogen outbreaks must be imminent, detected within 1-2 years or re-emerging at significantly greater prevalence. These issues must present a threat to a multi-state region of the US with the potential to cause significant losses and economic harm.

For applications concerning both plant and animal pests and pathogens, submit your concept note via FFAR’s Grants Management portal here . For any questions related to the ROAR program, contact Dr. LaKisha Odom, scientific program director for the Soil Health Challenge Area at lodom@foundationfar.org.