Fertilizer Investment & Expansion for Long-term Domestic Supply (FIELDS)

The Department of Agriculture Rural Business-Cooperative Service seeks applications for the Fertilizer Investment & Expansion for Long-term Domestic Supply (FIELDS) program by August 17, 2026, awarding $500 million in competitive cost-share grants to expand or establish new independent domestic fertilizer production capacity, with awards capped at $150 million and approximately 10 awards anticipated.

Eligible applicants include Tribes, Tribal entities, Alaska Native Corporations, for-profit entities, non-profit entities, producer-owned cooperatives, and state or local government entities that are domestically owned and independently operated. Applicants cannot hold a market share in production greater than or equal to the fourth-largest process manufacturer of nitrogen, sulfur, phosphate, potash, or any combination thereof. All applicants must demonstrate 50 percent matching funds before award execution.

Individual awards range from $15 million to $150 million. The maximum performance period is 60 months with up to 24 months of no-cost extensions available on a case-by-case basis. Awards are anticipated in December 2026 through January 2027.

Eligible project activities include constructing new facilities, purchasing and modernizing existing facilities, pre-development costs, working capital, equipment purchases and installation, safety and compliance upgrades, and logistics improvements. Pre-development costs cannot be the primary use of funds. Projects must involve process manufacturing of fertilizer—including nitrogen, sulfur, phosphate, and potash products—with production capacity located within the United States and its territories.

Competitive scoring is based on financial viability and technical merit (0–25 points), market impact and demand (0–30 points), work plan and budget (0–25 points), major risks and mitigation (0–6 points), plus up to 5 bonus points each for nitrogen or sulfur products and executed off-take agreements, and up to 10 discretionary points for projects assisting rural economic recovery, lacking prior awards, or offering geographic diversity.

Applications require a feasibility study dated within three years, business plan, three years of historical financial statements, current financial statements within 90 days, two years of pro forma projections, completed federal forms (SF-424, SF-424A or SF-424C, SF-424D, SF-LLL if applicable), environmental documentation, and certifications. Recipients must maintain active SAM registration and submit semiannual performance reports and outcome reports one year after project completion documenting processing volume increases, farmers served, and acreage impacted.

CFDA 10.383 (Fertilizer Product Expansion Program).