Alfalfa Seed and Alfalfa Forage Systems
Closed Posted
- Opportunity number
- USDA-NIFA-OP-011738
- Agency
-
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Department of Agriculture
- Applications due
- Award size
- $150,000 to $300,000
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 National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) within the U.S. Department of Agriculture is soliciting integrated research and extension project applications to develop improved alfalfa seed and forage production systems, practices, and supporting technologies. Applicants must address one or more of five priority areas: increasing alfalfa forage and seed yields and quality through improved management and breeding; improving harvest and storage systems; developing methods to estimate forage yield and quality for marketing; exploring novel uses for alfalfa such as fish feeds, nutritive supplements, and alternative proteins; and developing improved insect, disease, and weed management strategies. Projects must include regional coordination with at least two states from the same region, or national coordination involving at least two regions with two states each. Applicants will be evaluated on conceptual adequacy, design quality, regional and interdisciplinary approach, outreach plan, probability of success, budget appropriateness, and data and mentoring plans. Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on June 12, 2026.
The total anticipated program funding for FY 2026 is $3,702,297, with an average individual award of $300,000 per year for a maximum of three years and a minimum of $150,000 per year. Approximately 4-5 awards are anticipated. Applicants must provide matching contributions on a dollar-for-dollar basis, though NIFA may waive this requirement for projects with broad applicability or involving minor commodities, with indirect costs capped at 30 percent of total federal funds awarded. Eligible applicants include state agricultural experiment stations, colleges and universities, university research foundations, other research institutions, federal agencies, national laboratories, private organizations, and individuals who are U.S. citizens or nationals, with projects performed across multiple participating states.
Synopsis
In FY 2026, under Assistance Listing 10.330, ASAFS will support the development of improved alfalfa seed and forage production systems, practices, and supporting technologies. NIFA is soliciting applications for FY 2026 under the following areas:
1. Increasing alfalfa forage and seed yields and forage quality through improved management practices, plant breeding, and other strategies to reduce biotic and abiotic stresses and costs of production.
2. Improving alfalfa forage and seed harvest and storage systems, including mechanization and automation that reduces labor costs, to optimize economic returns to alfalfa producers as well as end-users including milk producers.
3. Developing methods to estimate alfalfa forage yield and quality to support marketing as a livestock feed and instruments to reduce producer risks.
4. Exploring new uses for alfalfa such as fish feeds, nutritive supplements, alternative protein sources for human consumption, high-value chemical manufacturing, or other novel uses.
5. Developing improved insect, disease and weed management strategies, including spotted aphid, in alfalfa seed production and potential herbicide carry-over issues.
Files
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| FY26-AFRP-NOFO-P.pdf |
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