New Law Modifies Specialty Crop Research Initiative Competitive Grants Program

Media Contact:
Scott Elliott, (202) 720-7185

WASHINGTON, March 16, 2009 – The FY 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Act, signed into law March 11 by President Obama, modifies language detailing in-kind support for grants under the Specialty Crop Research Initiative (SCRI).

In accordance with the new legislation, for the purposes of a grant made under section 412 of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998, which established the SCRI, in-kind support from non-federal sources in the form of unrecovered indirect costs may be used to meet the matching requirements under 412(e)(3). These indirect costs are those that are not otherwise charged against the grant and must be consistent with the approved indirect cost rate of the organization.

This constitutes a change for the program and the SCRI request for applications (RFA) has been modified accordingly. Applicants may review updated information regarding SCRI matching fund requirements. Applications are due April 15. More information about the SCRI RFA is available.

USDA’s Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES) announced $47.3 million in FY 2009 funds available for the SCRI. The SCRI was established to solve critical industry issues through research and extension activities. Specialty crops are defined as fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, and horticulture and nursery crops, including floriculture.  SCRI will give priority to projects that are multistate, multi-institutional or trans-disciplinary, and include explicit mechanisms to communicate results to producers and the public.

Through federal funding and leadership for research, education and extension programs, CSREES focuses on investing in science and solving critical issues impacting people's daily lives and the nation's future. For more information, visit www.csrees.usda.gov.

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