Specialty Crop Research Initiative
Grant Opportunity Analysis
The USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture is funding the FY 2026 Specialty Crop Research Initiative to support research and extension that address critical needs in the specialty crop industries. The program seeks integrated projects that tackle national, regional, and multi-state challenges, with project types including Coordinated Agricultural Projects, Standard Research and Extension Projects, Workforce Readiness and Talent Pipeline Projects, and Research and Extension Planning Projects. It emphasizes transdisciplinary approaches, stakeholder engagement, merit and efficiency, and gives special emphasis to projects involving automation, artificial intelligence, mechanization, and sensors; applicants must also provide a Stakeholder Relevance Statement and dollar-for-dollar matching contributions unless waived under specific conditions. Pre-applications are due June 15, 2026, and the program makes approximately $175 million available.
Eligible Applicants
Pre-applications may only be submitted by federal agencies, national laboratories, colleges and universities, research institutions and organizations, private organizations or corporations, State Agricultural Experiment Stations, individuals, or groups consisting of two or more of these entities.