Search Grant Opportunities

Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Competitive Grants Program Foundational and Applied Science Program

ID: USDA-NIFA-AFRI-011134 • Type: Posted
Opportunity Assistant

Hello! Please let me know your questions about this opportunity. I will answer based on the available opportunity documents.

Sign in to upload a capability statement or catalogue for your company

Popular Questions:
Generate a draft:
Loading

Description

The AFRI Foundational and Applied Science Program supports grants in six AFRI priority areas to advance knowledge in both fundamental and applied sciences important to agriculture. The six priority areas are: Plant Health and Production and Plant Products; Animal Health and Production and Animal Products; Food Safety, Nutrition, and Health; Bioenergy, Natural Resources, and Environment; Agriculture Systems and Technology; and Agriculture Economics and Rural Communities. Research-only, extension-only, and integrated research, education and/or extension projects are solicited in this Request for Applications (RFA). See Foundational and Applied Science RFA for specific detail.

Background
The Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) Foundational and Applied Science Program is a competitive grants program administered by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) under the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The program aims to advance knowledge in both fundamental and applied sciences critical to agriculture, focusing on six priority areas:

1. Plant Health and Production and Plant Products;
2. Animal Health and Production and Animal Products;
3. Food Safety, Nutrition, and Health;
4. Bioenergy, Natural Resources, and Environment;
5. Agriculture Systems and Technology; and
6. Agriculture Economics and Rural Communities.

The goal is to invest in agricultural production research, education, and extension projects for sustainable, productive, and economically viable systems.

Grant Details
The AFRI Foundational and Applied Science Program solicits applications for research-only, extension-only, and integrated research, education, or extension projects. The program has an anticipated funding amount of approximately $300 million for FY 2026.

Projects must address one or more of the following priority areas:
1. Plant health and production;
2. Animal health;
3. Food safety;
4. Bioenergy;
5. Agricultural systems;
6. Agricultural economics.

Specific tasks include developing innovative management strategies for livestock and crops, enhancing food safety measures, improving agricultural productivity through advanced technologies, and addressing economic sustainability in agriculture. The program encourages collaboration with institutions eligible for Strengthening Grants.

Eligibility Requirements
Eligible applicants include institutions of higher education, state agricultural experiment stations, nonprofit organizations, private sector entities, individuals, or other entities that can contribute to the goals of the program. Special consideration is given to applications from new investigators or those involving collaborations with strengthening-eligible institutions.

Period of Performance
The period of performance varies by grant type but generally ranges from 12 months for Seed Grants to up to 60 months for Workshop Grants. Standard Grants typically last between 36-60 months.

Grant Value
The total value of the grant opportunity is approximately $300 million for FY 2026. Individual grant awards can be up to $650,000 for Standard Grants or $750,000 for Integrated Projects. Seed Grants are capped at $300,000.

Place of Performance
The geographic location(s) where the grant activities will be performed are expected to align with U.S. agricultural systems.

Overview

Category of Funding
Agriculture
Funding Instruments
Grant
Grant Category
Discretionary
Cost Sharing / Matching Requirement
False
Source
On 8/1/25 the National Institute of Food and Agriculture posted grant opportunity USDA-NIFA-AFRI-011134 for Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Competitive Grants Program Foundational and Applied Science Program with funding of $300.0 million. The grant will be issued under grant program 10.310 Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI).

Timing

Posted Date
Aug. 1, 2025, 12:00 a.m. EDT
Closing Date
Dec. 31, 2026, 12:00 a.m. EST Due in 205 Days
Last Updated
Aug. 1, 2025, 3:30 p.m. EDT
Version
1
Archive Date
Jan. 30, 2027

Eligibility

Eligible Applicants
Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification)
Additional Info
Eligibility Requirements Applicants for AFRI must meet all the requirements discussed in this RFA. Failure to meet the eligibility criteria by the application deadline may result in exclusion from consideration or, preclude NIFA from making an award. For those new to Federal financial assistance, NIFA’s About Grants provides highly recommended information about grants and other resources to help understand the Federal awards process. Eligibility is linked to the project type as specified below. 1. Research, Education or Extension Projects Eligible applicants for single-function Research, Education or Extension Projects include: a) State Agricultural Experiment Station; b) colleges and universities (including junior colleges offering associate degrees or higher); c) university research foundations; d) other research institutions and organizations; e) Federal agencies; f) national laboratories; g) private organizations or corporations; h) individuals who are U.S. citizens, nationals, or permanent residents; and i) any group consisting of two or more entities identified in a) through h). Eligible institutions do not include foreign and international organizations. 2. Integrated Projects Eligible applicants for Integrated Projects include: a) colleges and universities; b) 1994 Land-Grant Institutions; and c) Hispanic-serving agricultural colleges and universities (see NIFA's Hispanic-Serving Agricultural Colleges and Universities page). For item a) under Integrated Projects, the terms "college" and "university" mean an educational institution in any state which a) admits as regular students only persons having a certificate of graduation from a school providing secondary education, or the recognized equivalent of such a certificate; b) is legally authorized within such state to provide a program of education beyond secondary education; c) provides an educational program for which a bachelor’s degree or any other higher degree is awarded; d) is a public or other nonprofit institution; and e) is accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency or association. A research foundation maintained by a college or university is eligible to receive an award under this program. 3. Food and Agricultural Science Enhancement Grants Part II § C.2 contains the eligibility details for Food and Agricultural Science Enhancement (FASE) Grants. Note that under the FASE program, New Investigator Standard, New Investigator Seed, Strengthening Standard, Strengthening Workshop, Strengthening Seed, Equipment and Sabbatical Grants are solicited by specific program area priorities in this RFA. Not all grant types are solicited by every program area priority in this RFA and only grant types specifically solicited by each specific program area priority, as identified in the Program Area Descriptions of Part I § C, will be considered for review.

Award Sizing

Ceiling
$10,000,000
Floor
$10,000
Estimated Program Funding
$300,000,000
Estimated Number of Grants
Not Listed

Contacts

Contact
Joseph Perez Program Analyst
Email Description
If you have questions about preparing application content, contact grantapplicationquestions@usda.gov
Contact Phone
(202) 445-5402
Additional Information
Agriculture and Food Research Initiative - Foundational and Applied Science Program

Documents

Posted documents for USDA-NIFA-AFRI-011134

Opportunity Assistant


AI Analysis

AI Generate

Grant Awards

Grants awarded through USDA-NIFA-AFRI-011134

Incumbent or Similar Grants

Grants similar to USDA-NIFA-AFRI-011134

Similar Active Opportunities

Open grant opportunities similar to USDA-NIFA-AFRI-011134

Experts for Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Competitive Grants Program Foundational and Applied Science Program

Recommended subject matter experts available for hire