OpportunityTitle: New Era Rural Technology Competitive Grants Program (RTP)
CategoryExplanation: Agriculture-based renewable energy offers many rural areas a means of strengthening their economy while helping meet the nation&#146;s energy demands. Many rural communities have struggled for decades with the loss of jobs and income from restructuring in the agricultural and manufacturing sectors. Rural community colleges and postsecondary, degree-granting advanced technological centers promote access to educational programs and aid in workforce development that is vital to creating rural economies that are competitive in the global marketplace.
AdditionalInformationOnEligibility: Applications may be submitted by either: (1) public or private nonprofit community colleges, or (2) postsecondary, degree-granting advanced technological centers, either of which must:  a. be located in a rural area (see definition in Part VIII, E.); and b. have been in existence as of June 18, 2008; and c. participate in agricultural or bioenergy research and applied research; and d. have a proven record of development and implementation of programs to meet the needs of students, educators,  business, and industry to supply the agriculture-based, renewable energy or pulp and paper manufacturing fields with certified technicians; as determined by the Secretary and e. have the ability to leverage existing partnerships and occupational outreach and training programs for secondary schools, 4-year institutions, and relevant nonprofit organizations.    Applicant Eligibility Verification: To verify the applicant institution is located in a rural area and is eligible to receive RTP funding, NIFA requires a signed statement from the Authorized Representative (AR) of the applicant institution that signifies compliance with the rural area definition in Part VIII. E.  Please submit this verification on signed letterhead as an attachment in Field 12 of the Other Project Information Form.    Applicant institutions/organizations must demonstrate capacity for and a significant ongoing commitment to, the teaching of agriscience or agribusiness generally, and to the specific need and/or discipline(s) for which this grants program supports.     In accordance with 7 CFR Part 3430, for community colleges, as defined in this RFA,  applying as an Eligible Applicant, individual branches of a State university system or public system of higher education that are separately accredited by nationally recognized accrediting agencies or associations as degree granting institutions are treated as separate institutions, and are therefore eligible for RTP.  Separate branches or campuses of a college not individually accredited as degree-granting institutions are not treated as separate institutions.
Description: The New Era Rural Technology Competitive Grants Program will make grants available to community colleges or advanced technological centers, located in a rural area, for technology development, applied research, and training necessary to produce graduates capable of strengthening the Nation&apos;s technical, scientific and professional workforce in the fields of bioenergy, pulp and paper manufacturing, and agriculture-based renewable energy resources. (Note: see definitions of these terms in Part VIII. E., of the Request for Applications (RFA) document to ensure eligibility).
GrantorContactEmailDescription: If you have any questions related to preparing application content
GrantorContactText: NIFA Help Desk  &lt;br/&gt;Phone: 202-401-5048  &lt;br/&gt;Business hours are M-F, 7:00 am -5:00 pm ET, excluding Federal holidays  &lt;br/&gt;