[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 7, Volume 15]
[Revised as of January 1, 2008]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 7CFR3411.3]

[Page 407-408]
 
                          TITLE 7--AGRICULTURE
 
  CHAPTER XXXIV--COOPERATIVE STATE RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND EXTENSION 
                   SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
 
PART 3411_NATIONAL RESEARCH INITIATIVE COMPETITIVE GRANTS PROGRAM--Table of Contents
 
                            Subpart A_General
 
Sec. 3411.3  Eligibility requirements.

    (a) For research projects, except where otherwise prohibited by law, 
State agricultural experiment stations, all colleges and universities, 
other research institutions and organizations, Federal agencies, private 
organizations or corporations, and individuals shall be eligible to 
apply for and receive a competitive grant under this part, provided that 
the applicant qualifies as a responsible grantee under the criteria set 
forth in paragraph (b) of this section.
    (b) To qualify as responsible, an applicant must meet the following 
standards as they relate to a particular project:
    (1) Adequate financial resources for performance, the necessary 
experience, organizational and technical qualifications, and facilities, 
or a firm commitment, arrangement, or ability to obtain some (including 
by proposed subagreements);
    (2) Ability to comply with the proposed or required completion 
schedule for the project;
    (3) Satisfactory record of integrity, judgment, and performance, 
including, in particular, any prior performance under grants and 
contracts from the Federal government;
    (4) Adequate financial management system and audit procedures that 
provide efficient and effective accountability and control of all funds, 
property, and other assets; and
    (5) Otherwise qualified and eligible to receive a grant under the 
applicable laws and regulations; eligibility for specific program areas 
or categories of competitive grants to improve research capabilities 
will be outlined in the program solicitation.
    (c) Any applicant who is determined to be not responsible will be 
notified in writing of such finding and the basis therefor.
    (d) Agricultural Research Enhancement Awards. In addition to 
paragraphs (a), (b), and (c) of this section, the following eligibility 
requirements apply to Agricultural Research Enhancement Awards for 
research projects (Program reserves the right to specify funding 
limitations and administrative requirements each year in the program 
solicitation):
    (1) Postdoctoral Fellowships. In accordance with Section 2(b)(3)(D) 
of the Act of August 4, 1965, as amended, individuals who recently have 
received or will soon receive their doctoral degree may submit proposals 
for postdoctoral fellowships. The following eligibility requirements 
apply:
    (i) The doctoral degree of the applicant must be received not 
earlier than January 1 of the fiscal year three years prior to the 
submission of the proposal and not later than nine months after the 
proposal due date;
    (ii) The individual must be a citizen of the United States; and
    (iii) The proposal must contain:
    (A) documentation that arrangements have been made with an 
established investigator to serve as mentor;
    (B) documentation that arrangements have been made for the necessary 
facilities, space, and materials for conduct of the research; and
    (C) documentation from the host institution's authorized 
organizational representative indicating that the host institution 
concurs with these arrangements.
    (2) New Investigator Awards. Pursuant to Section 2(b)(3)(E) of the 
Act of August 4, 1965, as amended, Project Directors who are beginning 
their research careers, do not have an extensive research publication 
record, and have less than 5 years of post-graduate, career-track 
research experience, may submit proposals as new investigators. 
Applicants may not have received competitively-awarded Federal research 
funds beyond the level of pre or postdoctoral research awards or USDA 
NRICGP seed grants.

[[Page 408]]

    (3) Strengthening Awards. Applicants that are eligible for any grant 
under this part may also be eligible for Equipment Grants, Research 
Career Enhancement Awards, Seed Grants, and Strengthening Standard 
Research Project Awards pursuant to Sections 2(b)(3) (D) and (F) of the 
Act of August 4, 1965, as amended, subject to the following limitations 
on such eligibility:
    (i) Equipment Grants. The following organizations are ineligible to 
apply for Equipment grants:
    (A) Institutions which are among the top 100 universities and 
colleges for receiving Federal funds for science and engineering 
research as specified in the annual program solicitation; or
    (B) non-degree granting institutions.
    (ii) Research Career Enhancement Awards, Seed Grants, and 
Strengthening Standard Research Project Awards. The following 
eligibility requirements apply to Research Career Enhancement Awards, 
Seed Grants, and Strengthening Standard Research Project Awards:
    (A) The Project Director listed on the Application For Funding must 
be from a small or mid-sized institution that is not among the top 100 
universities and colleges for receiving Federal funds for science and 
engineering research as specified in the annual program solicitation or 
must be from an institution located in a USDA-EPSCoR state.
    (B) Every investigator listed on the Application For Funding must 
have an appointment at a degree granting institution.

[56 FR 57952, Nov. 14, 1991. Redesignated and amended at 60 FR 63368, 
63369, Dec. 8, 1995; 71 FR 54896, Sept. 20, 2006]