Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NIFA BRAP 006674
The Biotechnology Risk Assessment Grants (BRAG) Program is a discretionary grant opportunity run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture through the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA NIFA). Its core goal is to fund research that produces new, credible scientific information needed by federal regulatory agencies when they evaluate the environmental impacts of genetically engineered (GE) organisms. In practical terms, BRAG is meant to strengthen the evidence base behind regulatory decisions, so agencies can make science-based determinations about potential risks, safety, and environmental outcomes associated with introducing GE organisms outside of contained laboratory settings.
The scope of organisms covered by BRAG is broad. It explicitly includes genetically engineered plants and microorganisms, with examples such as fungi, bacteria, and viruses, and it also extends to engineered arthropods and animals such as fish, birds, mammals, and other non-human animals. The program is focused on what happens when these organisms are introduced into the environment, so it emphasizes environmental interactions and consequences rather than human clinical or medical applications. Research can address both managed environments (for example, agricultural fields, aquaculture facilities, or other production systems) and natural environments (such as surrounding ecosystems where engineered organisms or their genetic traits could potentially spread, persist, or interact with wildlife and habitats).
From a regulatory relevance standpoint, BRAG-funded studies are expected to connect directly to real oversight questions faced by federal agencies. That can include generating data on how a GE organism behaves in the environment, how it might affect non-target species, whether and how gene flow could occur, what ecological shifts might follow introduction, how long the organism or engineered trait persists, and what conditions influence containment, dispersal, or unintended effects. The overarching emphasis is on producing results that regulators can use when assessing environmental release, permits, compliance requirements, monitoring strategies, and risk management decisions.
Administratively, the opportunity is identified as USDA NIFA BRAP 006674 and is associated with CFDA number 10.219 under the Agriculture funding activity category. The funding instrument is a grant. The posted award ceiling is up to $500,000 per award, and the opportunity anticipated around 50 awards. The listing indicates it was created on November 21, 2018, with an original closing date of February 20, 2019. Eligibility is not limited to a single applicant type in the summary provided and is listed as "Others" with additional clarification referenced in the full eligibility section of the original announcement.
Overall, BRAG is best understood as a targeted research funding program designed to fill knowledge gaps that matter for environmental biotechnology oversight. It prioritizes studies that translate into actionable, science-based evidence for federal decision-makers who must evaluate the ecological implications of releasing or managing genetically engineered organisms in real-world settings.Apply for USDA NIFA BRAP 006674
- The Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture in the agriculture sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Biotechnology Risk Assessment Grants Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.219.
- This funding opportunity was created on Nov 21, 2018.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Feb 20, 2019. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $500,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 50 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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Biotechnology Risk Assessment Grants (BRAG) Program - FAQs
What is the BRAG Program?
The Biotechnology Risk Assessment Grants (BRAG) Program is a discretionary grant opportunity run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture through the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA NIFA). It funds research intended to produce credible scientific information that federal regulatory agencies can use when evaluating the environmental impacts of genetically engineered (GE) organisms.
What is the main goal of BRAG funding?
The core goal is to strengthen the scientific evidence base behind environmental regulatory decisions involving GE organisms, especially decisions about potential risks, safety, and environmental outcomes when GE organisms are introduced outside contained laboratory settings.
What kind of research does BRAG support?
BRAG supports research that directly informs real oversight questions faced by federal agencies about environmental impacts of GE organisms. The emphasis is on generating data that regulators can use in environmental assessments, permitting decisions, compliance requirements, monitoring strategies, and risk management decisions.
Which federal department and agency administer this opportunity?
This opportunity is administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) through the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA).
What types of genetically engineered organisms are within scope?
The scope is broad and explicitly includes genetically engineered plants and microorganisms (including fungi, bacteria, and viruses). It also extends to engineered arthropods and animals such as fish, birds, mammals, and other non-human animals.
Does BRAG focus on environmental or medical applications?
BRAG is focused on environmental interactions and consequences associated with introducing GE organisms into the environment. It emphasizes environmental outcomes rather than human clinical or medical applications.
What does "introduced into the environment" mean in this context?
It refers to introducing GE organisms outside of contained laboratory settings. The program is concerned with what happens in real-world settings where organisms can interact with ecosystems, species, habitats, and environmental conditions.
Are managed environments included, or only natural ecosystems?
Both are included. Research can address managed environments (such as agricultural fields, aquaculture facilities, and other production systems) and natural environments (such as surrounding ecosystems where engineered organisms or traits could spread or interact with wildlife and habitats).
What are examples of regulatory-relevant questions BRAG research might address?
Examples include how a GE organism behaves in the environment, how it might affect non-target species, whether and how gene flow could occur, what ecological shifts might follow introduction, how long the organism or engineered trait persists, and what conditions influence containment, dispersal, or unintended effects.
Why does BRAG emphasize "credible scientific information"?
The program is designed to generate new, credible data that regulators can rely on when evaluating environmental impacts. The priority is producing science-based evidence that can be used in actual regulatory decision-making.
How is BRAG different from general biotechnology research funding?
BRAG is targeted toward filling knowledge gaps that matter for environmental biotechnology oversight. It prioritizes studies that translate into actionable evidence for federal decision-makers evaluating ecological implications of environmental release or management of GE organisms.
What is the funding instrument for this opportunity?
The funding instrument listed is a grant.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The posted award ceiling is up to $500,000 per award.
How many awards were anticipated?
The opportunity anticipated around 50 awards.
What is the opportunity identifier?
The opportunity is identified as USDA NIFA BRAP 006674.
What is the CFDA number associated with this program?
The listing references CFDA number 10.219 under the Agriculture funding activity category.
When was this listing created?
The listing indicates it was created on November 21, 2018.
What was the original closing date listed for the opportunity?
The original closing date shown in the listing was February 20, 2019.
Who is eligible to apply based on the summary provided?
In the summary provided, eligibility is listed as "Others," with additional clarification referenced in the full eligibility section of the original announcement.
Does the summary specify a single applicant type (for example, only universities or only nonprofits)?
No. The summary does not limit eligibility to a single applicant type and instead lists eligibility as "Others," with details referenced in the full eligibility section.
What is the intended use of results from BRAG-funded projects?
Results are expected to be usable by federal regulatory agencies when assessing environmental release, permits, compliance requirements, monitoring approaches, and risk management decisions related to GE organisms.
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