USDA is announcing this funding opportunity for a cooperative agreement to support the coordination, implementation, and management of model intercomparison studies in agricultural systems.  The model intercomparison study supports the Inflation Reduction Act greenhouse gas quantification efforts.  The Inflation Reduction Act greenhouse gas quantification work for agriculture is a collaboration among several USDA agencies but is supported through USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).   

The purpose of the cooperative model intercomparison study is to assess and advance the state of science for carbon sequestration and greenhouse gas emission modeling for agriculture.  Soil carbon sequestration and greenhouse gas emissions in cropland and grassland systems and their interactions with different climate-smart mitigation practices will be the focus of the study.  The awardee will work with up to 8 independent modeling groups to implement the study. 

Proposals from interested parties to lead the study are requested by October 4, 2024, for competitive consideration of the award with $1.9 million total funding available for a 4-year agreement to support the study lead and up to 8 independent modeling groups. Eligibility is limited to institutions in the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) network (http://www.cesu.psu.edu/).  

For more information and to submit a proposal, see the Notice of Funding Opportunity.