Rapid Outcomes from Agricultural Research

The following types of organizations are invited to apply:

• Public and private institutions of higher education
• Non-profit 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 U.S. food supply or agricultural systems.
  • A pest or pathogen is considered emerging if within the last 2 years it was 1) a newly detected pest, pathogen or strain, 2) a pest or pathogen spreading to a new geographic location, 3) a new presentation of a known pest or pathogen, or 4) incidence of a pest or pathogen rapidly increased. The pest or pathogen may be within the U.S. or a potential threat to U.S. agriculture.
• The pest or pathogen will result in a significant negative impact of regional or national significance in the U.S. Please consider pathogenicity, potential geographic range, potential economic impact of an outbreak and the potential for an outbreak to occur.
• Matching funds should be confirmed and able to be certified within eight weeks of concept submission.
• Concepts quantifying the economic impacts of emerging pests or pathogen threats to the agriculture industry are encouraged.

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. Requests for the maximum amount of $250,000 in FFAR funding must have $250,000 in matching funds secured. Applicants can request any amount of funding from FFAR up to $250,000 as long as matching funds are equal to or greater than the requested amount. For example, an applicant requesting $150,000 in FFAR funding must have at least $150,000 in secured matching funds.

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 supplement the budget for a ROAR project.

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.

Program Duration & Funding

FFAR awards one- to two-year grants, up to $250,000.

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;
3. A problem statement;
4. A brief description of the pest or pathogen threat and why it should be considered for rapid funding;
5. A brief description of the proposed project methods; and
6. A brief description of the proposed project objectives and outcomes.

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. 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 U.S. 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. For questions about the ROAR program, contact Dr. Kathy Munkvold or Dr. Miriam Martin LeValley at ROAR@foundationfar.org.

ROAR funds cannot be used for weather, natural disaster or food safety response efforts. ROAR grants support research and coordination to halt pre-farm gate pest or pathogen outbreaks.

ROAR does not support fundamental science and development of general-use diagnostic platforms. Diagnostic tools must be specific to an imminent or ongoing disease or pest outbreak and must have a high potential for dissemination to the industry.

ROAR also does not support research on new application practices and technologies for conventional or organic pesticides.

Generally, most of FFAR’s research grants support the U.S.; however, FFAR reserves the right to pursue and consider research on international outbreaks with the potential for significant impact in the U.S. Potential projects should demonstrate a clear relevance to U.S. agriculture.

Yes,  funding up to $250,000 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.

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

1. 1. The research team members;
   2. The source and amount of matching funds; and
   3. A problem statement;
   4. A brief description of the pest or pathogen threat and why it should be considered for rapid funding;
   5. A brief description of the proposed project methods; and
   6. A brief description of the proposed project outcomes.

Based on the concept note, FFAR may invite applicants to apply for the ROAR program. Upon invitation, applicants will have eight weeks to apply.

The team must designate a lead organization to enter into the potential grant agreement with FFAR.

Yes, federally funded groups can participate in a ROAR project and 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.

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.