Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NIFA AFRI 011677
The Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) Strengthening Agricultural Systems (SAS) grant opportunity, offered by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), is designed to push forward practical, high-impact work that helps transform the U.S. food and agricultural system. The long-term aim is twofold: increase agricultural production while also improving farmer prosperity. NIFA frames this as more than just boosting yields or output; projects are expected to recognize the real-world conditions that shape agriculture, including the economic viability of farm operations, the quality of life of farmers and communities, and the need to use resources as efficiently as possible. Because of that, the program emphasizes transdisciplinary approaches, meaning proposals should bring together expertise across fields and connect research to real on-the-ground challenges and outcomes.
Within SAS, NIFA is specifically soliciting applications that align with at least one of several stated sub-priorities. These include developing new uses and expanding markets for agriculture and forestry products, which can involve value-added products, new supply chains, or innovative market opportunities that increase returns to producers. Another priority area focuses on solutions to pests and diseases of plants or animals, supporting work that strengthens prevention, detection, management, and resilience across crop and livestock systems. A third priority targets combating food and diet-related chronic diseases, reflecting the connection between agricultural systems, food availability and quality, and long-term public health outcomes. In addition to those SAS sub-priorities, the NOFO also highlights a separate emphasis area: Artificial Intelligence for K-12 Food and Agricultural Sciences, supporting efforts that bring AI concepts and tools into K-12 learning tied specifically to food and agriculture, helping build the future workforce and agricultural literacy pipeline.
The opportunity includes at least two main funding pathways described in the notice: Integrated Projects and Food and Agricultural Science Enhancement (FASE) Grants. Integrated Projects have specific eligibility categories, including colleges and universities, 1994 Land-grant Institutions, and Hispanic-serving agricultural colleges and universities. For the general college and university category, NIFA clarifies that eligible institutions must admit students with a secondary school diploma (or equivalent), be legally authorized to provide education beyond secondary school, offer programs leading to a bachelors degree or higher, be public or nonprofit, and be accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency. The NOFO also notes that a research foundation maintained by a college or university may apply and receive an award, which can be important for institutions that route sponsored research through affiliated foundations.
For FASE Grants, eligibility and requirements are detailed elsewhere in the NOFO (Part II, section C.2). The notice also flags that, under the FASE program, Strengthening Coordinated Agricultural Project Grants are solicited through this same funding opportunity, which signals that applicants should pay close attention to the specific FASE track structure, budget limits, and project-type rules as defined in the full announcement.
Key administrative details from the listing include that this is a discretionary grant program under CFDA 10.310, with the funding opportunity number USDA NIFA AFRI 011677. The application deadline is March 26, 2026. NIFA anticipates making about 18 awards, with an award ceiling listed at $10,000,000, indicating that larger, ambitious projects are possible under the right project type and scope. Overall, the SAS NOFO is aimed at funding projects that can credibly strengthen agricultural systems in ways that are scientifically sound, integrated across disciplines, and directly responsive to both producer realities and broader societal needs.Apply for USDA NIFA AFRI 011677
- The National Institute of Food and Agriculture in the agriculture sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Strengthening Agricultural Systems" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.310.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-01-29.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-03-26. (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 $10,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 18 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
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AFRI Strengthening Agricultural Systems (SAS) Grant - FAQs
1) What is the AFRI Strengthening Agricultural Systems (SAS) grant opportunity?
The Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) Strengthening Agricultural Systems (SAS) opportunity is a USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) grant program that supports practical, high-impact projects intended to help transform the U.S. food and agricultural system.
2) What is the long-term goal of the SAS program?
The program has a two-part long-term aim: (1) increase agricultural production and (2) improve farmer prosperity. NIFA emphasizes that success is not just about higher yields, but also about improving real-world outcomes tied to farm viability and community well-being.
3) What types of real-world conditions are projects expected to consider?
Projects are expected to recognize conditions that shape agriculture in practice, including economic viability of farm operations, farmer and community quality of life, and the need to use resources efficiently.
4) What does NIFA mean by "transdisciplinary approaches" in SAS?
In SAS, transdisciplinary approaches refer to proposals that bring together expertise across fields and connect research to on-the-ground challenges and measurable outcomes, rather than staying within a single discipline or focusing only on theory.
5) Do applications need to align with specific SAS priority areas?
Yes. NIFA is soliciting applications that align with at least one of the stated SAS sub-priorities described in the notice.
6) What are the SAS sub-priorities mentioned in the opportunity description?
The SAS sub-priorities listed include: (1) developing new uses and expanding markets for agriculture and forestry products, (2) solutions to pests and diseases of plants or animals, and (3) combating food and diet-related chronic diseases.
7) What kinds of projects fit the "new uses and expanding markets" sub-priority?
This sub-priority can include work related to value-added products, new supply chains, or innovative market opportunities that increase returns to producers, as described in the notice.
8) What kinds of projects fit the "pests and diseases" sub-priority?
This area supports work that strengthens prevention, detection, management, and resilience related to pests and diseases affecting plant or animal systems, across crop and livestock contexts.
9) What does the "food and diet-related chronic diseases" sub-priority focus on?
This sub-priority reflects the link between agricultural systems and long-term public health outcomes, including how food availability and food quality can relate to chronic disease.
10) Is Artificial Intelligence (AI) included anywhere in this funding opportunity?
Yes. The notice highlights a separate emphasis area titled Artificial Intelligence for K-12 Food and Agricultural Sciences, supporting efforts that bring AI concepts and tools into K-12 learning tied to food and agriculture.
11) Is the AI for K-12 emphasis part of the SAS sub-priorities or separate?
Based on the information provided, it is described as a separate emphasis area highlighted in the NOFO in addition to the SAS sub-priorities.
12) What are the main funding pathways mentioned for this opportunity?
The listing describes at least two main funding pathways: Integrated Projects and Food and Agricultural Science Enhancement (FASE) Grants.
13) Who is eligible to apply under the Integrated Projects pathway?
Integrated Projects have specific eligibility categories mentioned in the notice, including colleges and universities, 1994 Land-grant Institutions, and Hispanic-serving agricultural colleges and universities.
14) What makes a college or university eligible under the general category described?
For the general colleges and universities category, eligible institutions must admit students with a secondary school diploma (or equivalent), be legally authorized to provide education beyond secondary school, offer programs leading to a bachelors degree or higher, be public or nonprofit, and be accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency.
15) Can a university-affiliated research foundation apply?
Yes. The NOFO notes that a research foundation maintained by a college or university may apply and receive an award, which may matter for institutions that route sponsored research through affiliated foundations.
16) What should applicants know about eligibility and requirements for FASE Grants?
The notice indicates that eligibility and requirements for FASE Grants are detailed elsewhere in the NOFO (Part II, section C.2), so applicants are expected to follow the specific rules in that section.
17) Are Strengthening Coordinated Agricultural Project Grants included under this opportunity?
Yes. The notice flags that, under the FASE program, Strengthening Coordinated Agricultural Project Grants are solicited through this same funding opportunity.
18) What does the notice suggest about budgeting and rules for the FASE track?
It signals that applicants should pay close attention to the FASE track structure, budget limits, and project-type rules as defined in the full announcement.
19) What is the funding opportunity number for this NOFO?
The funding opportunity number listed is USDA NIFA AFRI 011677.
20) What CFDA number is associated with this program?
The listing identifies the program as a discretionary grant under CFDA 10.310.
21) What is the application deadline?
The application deadline provided is March 26, 2026.
22) How many awards does NIFA expect to make?
NIFA anticipates making about 18 awards under this opportunity.
23) What is the maximum award amount listed?
The award ceiling is listed at $10,000,000, indicating that larger projects may be supported depending on the project type and scope.
24) What kind of projects is SAS ultimately trying to fund?
Overall, SAS is aimed at funding projects that credibly strengthen agricultural systems in ways that are scientifically sound, integrated across disciplines, and directly responsive to producer realities and broader societal needs.
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| Coordinating Agricultural Development & Innovation (CADI) Uzbekistan: U.S. Soy Marketing Promotion Apply for USDA FAS 10960 0700 10 25 0011 Funding Number: USDA FAS 10960 0700 10 25 0011 Agency: Foreign Agricultural Service Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $115,000 |
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| Specialty Crop Multi-State Grant Program 2026 Apply for USDA AMS TM SCMP G 26 0020 Funding Number: USDA AMS TM SCMP G 26 0020 Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
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| Rural Health and Safety Education Competitive Grants Program Apply for USDA NIFA RHSE 011696 Funding Number: USDA NIFA RHSE 011696 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $350,000 |
| Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program competition for Federal fiscal year (FY) 2026 Apply for USDA NRCS#8211NHQ VPA 26 NOFO001448 Funding Number: USDA NRCS#8211NHQ VPA 26 NOFO001448 Agency: Natural Resources Conservation Service Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $3,000,000 |
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