Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Sustainable Agricultural Systems

Background
The Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) is USDA’s flagship competitive grant program that provides funding for fundamental and applied research, education, and extension projects in the food and agricultural sciences. The long-term purpose of the Sustainable Agricultural Systems (SAS) Request for Applications (RFA) is to help transform the U.S. food and agricultural system to increase agricultural production while also reducing its environmental footprint.

Grant Details
The AFRI Sustainable Agricultural Systems (SAS) program area promotes a sustainable supply of accessible, healthy, safe, and affordable food and other agricultural products, while enhancing rural economic development, employment and economic opportunities, and improving the long-term health and well-being of individuals, families, and communities.
The program uses a definition of sustainable agriculture as an integrated system of plant and animal production practices that will satisfy human food and fiber needs, enhance environmental quality, make efficient use of resources, sustain the economic viability of farm operations, and enhance the quality of life for farmers and society as a whole.
The program will fund projects that significantly advance foundational and applied sciences for food and nutrition security, strengthening the bioeconomy, and climate-smart agriculture and forestry.
Projects must use transdisciplinary systems approaches to promote blending science, technology, and societal considerations to solve challenges to current and future food and agricultural systems.

Eligibility Requirements
Requests exceeding budgetary guidelines will not be reviewed. Unless otherwise stated, grants are issued for a period of up to 5 years.
Letter of Intent (LOI) submission is not required for FY2024.
Competitive proposals will present a clear explanation of the system(s) chosen that will be selected and the associated problems that will be addressed through research, extension, or education.
Projects should enhance access and interest in food and agricultural education for communities, especially those underrepresented in food, agriculture, natural resources and human sciences (FANH).
Applications from small to mid-sized institutions, minority-serving institutions, and/or institutions within EPSCoR states are welcome.

Period of Performance
Grant Duration: Up to 60 Months

Grant Value
Anticipated Program Funding: $80,000,000; Average Individual Award Range: $50,000 – 10,0000; Maximum Award Amount: $10,000,000