Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Sustainable Agricultural Systems
ID: 352615Type: Posted
Overview

Buyer

National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA-NIFA)

Award Range

$50K - $10M

Eligible Applicants

Others

Funding Category

Agriculture

Funding Instrument

Grant

Opportunity Category

Discretionary

Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement

Yes

Original Source

https://grants.gov/search-results-detail/352615

Additional Information

https://www.nifa.usda.gov/grants/funding-opportunities/agriculture-food-research-initiative-sustainable-agricultural-systems
Timeline
    Description

    The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) is inviting proposals for the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) Sustainable Agricultural Systems (SAS) grant program, which aims to enhance agricultural productivity while addressing environmental impacts through innovative, transdisciplinary approaches. Applicants are required to focus on promoting Climate-Smart Agriculture and Forestry, strengthening the bioeconomy, and improving food and nutrition security, with an emphasis on diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. The funding available ranges from $50,000 to $10 million, with a total program funding of approximately $80 million, and the application deadline is June 6, 2024. For further inquiries, applicants can contact NIFA Support at grantapplicationquestions@usda.gov.

    Files
    Title
    Posted
    FY24-AFRI-SAS-RFA-P.pdf
    The Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) Sustainable Agricultural Systems Request for Applications (RFA) for Fiscal Year 2024 invites proposals to receive a share of approximately $80 million in funding. The application deadline is June 6, 2024, with funding ranging from $50,000 to $10 million. This initiative aims to enhance agricultural productivity while simultaneously reducing environmental impacts through transdisciplinary approaches that address future food system challenges. Key goals include promoting Climate-Smart Agriculture and Forestry, strengthening the bioeconomy, and improving food and nutrition security. New for 2024 is the requirement for a Mentoring Plan for projects involving students or postdoctoral scholars, while letters of intent are no longer required. The program strongly emphasizes diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility, encouraging participation from underserved communities. The RFA outlines specific project types, eligibility criteria, evaluation processes, and funding restrictions. Successful applicants will be held to high standards of research integrity and collaboration, aiming to transform the U.S. food and agricultural system for sustainable growth and resilience in overcoming emerging challenges.
    Similar Opportunities
    Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Competitive Grants Program Foundational and Applied Science Program
    National Institute of Food and Agriculture
    The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) is offering the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) Competitive Grants Program for its Foundational and Applied Science Program, with an estimated total funding of approximately $300 million for Fiscal Year 2025-2026. This program seeks applications for projects that address six priority areas: plant health, animal health, food safety, bioenergy, agricultural systems and technology, and agricultural economics, while emphasizing diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in research initiatives. The AFRI program aims to enhance sustainability in agricultural practices and improve food security, particularly in rural communities, by encouraging innovative approaches and collaboration with underserved populations. Interested applicants can find more information and submit inquiries via email at grantapplicationquestions@usda.gov, with the application deadline set for December 31, 2025.
    1890 Institution Teaching, Research, and Extension Capacity Building Grants Program
    National Institute of Food and Agriculture
    The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) is offering the 1890 Institution Teaching, Research, and Extension Capacity Building Grants Program, aimed at enhancing the institutional capacities of eligible 1890 Land-Grant Institutions. This program seeks to strengthen teaching, research, and extension programs in food and agricultural sciences, with a focus on advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA), as well as promoting leadership skills and engagement with artificial intelligence technologies. With an estimated total funding of $28 million, awards will range from $100,000 to $750,000, and applications are due by May 8, 2025. Interested applicants can find more information and submit inquiries via email at grantapplicationquestions@usda.gov.
    The Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program - Nutrition Incentive Program
    National Institute of Food and Agriculture
    The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) is offering grants through the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP) to enhance the purchase of fruits and vegetables among participants of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The program aims to incentivize these purchases at the point of sale, thereby improving food security and nutrition for underserved communities across the United States. With an estimated total funding of $36.3 million available for fiscal year 2025, eligible applicants include governmental agencies and non-profit organizations, and applications are due by April 15, 2025. Interested parties can direct inquiries to grantapplicationquestions@usda.gov for further assistance.
    Plant Biotic Interactions
    National Science Foundation
    The National Science Foundation (NSF) is offering a grant opportunity titled "Plant Biotic Interactions," aimed at supporting research on the interactions between plants and their various symbionts, pathogens, and pests. Proposals are invited from eligible applicants, including non-profit organizations, institutions of higher education, and USDA/NIFA eligible entities, focusing on both fundamental biological processes and their agricultural applications. This program, with an estimated total funding of $18.5 million and approximately 30 expected awards, seeks to enhance understanding of plant interactions and advance agricultural practices. Proposals can be submitted at any time, and interested parties can reach out to NSF grants.gov support at grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov for assistance.
    2025 Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops Program
    Foreign Agricultural Service
    The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Foreign Agricultural Service is offering a grant opportunity through the 2025 Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops Program, aimed at addressing sanitary, phytosanitary, or technical barriers that impede the export of U.S. specialty crops. This program seeks applications from U.S. organizations, including trade associations, cooperatives, and universities, to fund projects that benefit the broader industry rather than individual entities, with a focus on specific foreign markets. With an estimated total program funding of $9 million and awards of up to $500,000 each, the program plans to grant 15-20 awards for projects lasting up to five years. Interested applicants should note that the initial application deadline is June 14, 2024, with additional deadlines for subsequent funding considerations, and can contact Curt Alt at Curt.Alt@usda.gov for further information.
    Alaska Native-Serving and Native Hawaiian-Serving Institutions Education Competitive Grants Program
    National Institute of Food and Agriculture
    The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) is offering the Alaska Native-Serving and Native Hawaiian-Serving Institutions Education Competitive Grants Program (ANNH) to enhance educational capacities at eligible institutions for Fiscal Year 2025. This program aims to promote educational equity, strengthen institutional capabilities, and prepare students for careers in food and agricultural sciences, with a total funding pool of approximately $5.49 million available for awards ranging from $150,000 to $1.5 million. Eligible applicants must be designated as Alaska Native-Serving or Native Hawaiian-Serving institutions, and applications will be evaluated based on their potential impact and alignment with strategic educational goals. Interested parties should submit their applications electronically by March 27, 2025, and can direct any questions to grantapplicationquestions@usda.gov.
    Tribal Colleges Research Grants Program
    National Institute of Food and Agriculture
    The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) is offering the Tribal Colleges Research Grants Program (TCRGP) to enhance research capacity at 1994 American Indian Land-grant Institutions. This program aims to support diverse research projects that address tribal, state, or national issues, with individual grants ranging from $150,000 to $3 million, and a total funding pool of $5 million available for Fiscal Year 2025. The TCRGP emphasizes advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in research, requiring collaborations with approved research institutions and encouraging projects that incorporate Traditional Ecological Knowledge. Interested applicants must adhere to specific eligibility criteria and submission processes, with application deadlines on May 1, September 1, and December 31, 2025. For further inquiries, applicants can contact NIFA Support via email at grantapplicationquestions@usda.gov.
    NRCS NJ Community Gardens/Farm Agreement FY2025
    Natural Resources Conservation Service
    The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is offering a funding opportunity titled "NRCS NJ Community Gardens/Farm Agreement FY2025" aimed at promoting environmental stewardship and sustainable agriculture in urban and underserved communities in New Jersey. This initiative seeks applications for projects that focus on conservation education, resource support, and engagement of historically underserved growers, with funding amounts ranging from $5,000 to $20,000, and a total program funding of $75,000 available for approximately 10 awards. Interested applicants, including private institutions of higher education, local government entities, and nonprofit organizations, must submit their proposals via Grants.gov by June 6, 2025, with selections expected by June 20 and awards anticipated to commence by September 15, 2025. For further inquiries, applicants can contact Alberto Aviles at alberto.aviles@usda.gov.
    Environmental Sustainability
    National Science Foundation
    The National Science Foundation (NSF) is offering a federal grant opportunity titled "Environmental Sustainability," aimed at promoting sustainable engineered systems that support human well-being while being compatible with natural environmental systems. The program encourages research across five principal areas: Circular Bioeconomy Engineering, Industrial Ecology, Green Engineering, Ecological Engineering, and Earth Systems Engineering, with a focus on innovative approaches that balance ecological protection and economic stability. With an estimated total program funding of $7,066,000 and an expected 103 awards, proposals can be submitted anytime, and interested applicants can reach out to NSF grants.gov support at grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov for assistance. For more details, visit the NSF Program Description at http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgmsumm.jsp?pimsid=506053.
    Building Synthetic Microbial Communities for Biology, Mitigating Climate Change, Sustainability and Biotechnology
    National Science Foundation
    The National Science Foundation (NSF) is offering a federal grant opportunity titled "Building Synthetic Microbial Communities for Biology, Mitigating Climate Change, Sustainability and Biotechnology." This grant aims to support research that explores the formation, maintenance, and evolution of synthetic microbial communities, as well as their applications in addressing fundamental biological questions and societal challenges, particularly in biotechnology and environmental engineering. The initiative emphasizes the importance of understanding the mechanisms behind these communities and their potential to produce novel biorenewable chemicals, enhance sustainable agriculture, and mitigate climate change impacts. The estimated total program funding is $9.5 million, with approximately 12 awards expected. Proposals are due by August 3, 2026, and interested applicants can reach out to NSF grants.gov support at grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov for assistance.