The purpose of the Research Facilities Act Program (RFAP) is to assist qualifying institutions with the costs related to constructing, purchasing, updating, renovating, or modifying agricultural research buildings to conduct research in the areas of agriculture and food sciences. The proposed agricultural research facility must expand the institution's capacity for long-term impactful research and must be the result of thorough strategic planning. Awards may be used to fund the construction of buildings or sites for agricultural research facilities or other facilities that store agricultural research experimental samples or specimens, as well as the purchase of real estate or durable equipment. Activities might include, but are not limited to:
- Evaluating infrastructure and sites
- Conceptual planning and design for a newly constructed, restored, or rebuilt structure or place
- Creating construction plans and schematics for the facility or site that is being built, restored, or rebuilt.
- Building, restoring, or remodeling a facility or location.
- Investing in and putting in permanent equipment for research monitoring and safeguarding samples and specimens.
- Investing in and putting in essential building systems like electricity, climate control, security, life safety, lighting, utilities, telecommunications, and energy management.
The technical assistance webinar related to this FY 2024 funding opportunity is now scheduled. Please see details about the webinar, including the registration link, date, and time, via the technical assistance webinar button below. The recording and supporting documents will also be posted to this page after the event.
Applicants must be eligible to receive funds under a capacity and infrastructure program as program (as defined in section 7 U.S.C. 6971(f)(1)(C)).