Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Strengthening Agricultural Systems
Closed Posted
- Opportunity number
- USDA-NIFA-AFRI-011677
- Agency
-
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Department of Agriculture
- Applications due
- Award size
- $1,000,000 to $10,000,000
Opportunity facts
- Assistance listings
- Funding instrument
- Grant
- Category
-
- Agriculture
- Eligible applicants
-
- Other
- Points of contact
- Full announcement
Opportunity details come from Grants.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
The Agriculture and Food Research Initiative - Strengthening Agricultural Systems (AFRI SAS) program, administered by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) under the U.S. Department of Agriculture, seeks competitive grant applications for integrated research, education, and extension projects that advance agricultural systems and food production. Applicants must address at least one of three sub-priorities: New Uses and Expanding Markets for Agriculture and Forestry Products; Solutions to Pests and Diseases of Plants or Animals; or Combating Food and Diet-Related Chronic Diseases, with an additional focus track available for Artificial Intelligence in K-12 Food and Agricultural Sciences. Eligible applicants include colleges and universities, 1994 Land-grant institutions, and Hispanic-serving agricultural colleges and universities, and all projects must align with USDA Secretary Memorandum 1078-020 priorities and demonstrate direct benefits to farmers, ranchers, producers, and forest landowners. Applications will undergo a two-stage peer review process evaluating scientific merit, innovation, and relevance to targeted beneficiaries, with evaluation conducted by qualified scientists and specialists in relevant fields. Application deadlines are February 26, 2026 for Letters of Intent, followed by full proposal deadlines of March 26, 2026 and April 23, 2026 (both at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time), with submissions required through Grants.gov.
The program anticipates awarding approximately $140 million in competitive grants across fiscal years 2025 and 2026, with individual awards ranging from $2.5 million to $10 million and grant periods extending up to 60 months. Applicants selecting Coordinated Agricultural Project (CAP) or Food and Agricultural Science Enhancement (FASE) Strengthening CAP grants can expect 10-12 awards for the primary Strengthening Agricultural Systems program and 6 awards for the Artificial Intelligence for K-12 program. Matching funds on a dollar-for-dollar basis are required for applied research components that are commodity-specific and not national in scope, with indirect costs capped at 30 percent of total federal funds awarded. Projects will be performed at eligible applicant institutions, including university research facilities, agricultural experimental stations, and field sites across the United States.
Synopsis
2 versions
Update #2 · Latest ·
The long-term goal of the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative - Strengthening Agricultural Systems (SAS) Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is to help transform the U.S. food and agricultural system to increase agricultural production while enhancing farmer prosperity. Achieving this goal will require transdisciplinary approaches to address current and future food and agricultural challenges within the context of the economic viability of farm operations, quality of life for farmers and society as a whole, and the most efficient use of resources. NIFA is soliciting applications to support:
1. At least one of the following Strengthening Agricultural Systems sub-priorities:
a. New Uses and Expanding Markets for Agriculture and Forestry Products
b. Solutions to Pests and Diseases of Plants or Animals
c. Combating Food and Diet-Related Chronic Diseases
2. Artificial Intelligence for K-12 Food and Agricultural Sciences
*See AFRI SAS NOFO for each program area specific application due date.
Update #1 ·
The long-term goal of the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative - Strengthening Agricultural Systems (SAS) Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is to help transform the U.S. food and agricultural system to increase agricultural production while enhancing farmer prosperity. Achieving this goal will require transdisciplinary approaches to address current and future food and agricultural challenges within the context of the economic viability of farm operations, quality of life for farmers and society as a whole, and the most efficient use of resources. NIFA is soliciting applications to support:
1. At least one of the following Strengthening Agricultural Systems sub-priorities:
a. New Uses and Expanding Markets for Agriculture and Forestry Products
b. Solutions to Pests and Diseases of Plants or Animals
c. Combating Food and Diet-Related Chronic Diseases
2. Artificial Intelligence for K-12 Food and Agricultural Sciences
See AFRI SAS NOFO for details.
Files
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| FY26-AFRI-SAS-NOFO-P.pdf |
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