Agriculture Grants

National Institute of Food and Agriculture · $923.3K

Applications are accepted only from organizations, not individuals; eligible organizations broadly include state agricultural experiment stations, colleges and universities, research institutions, private organizations, foundations or corporations, federal agencies, and national laboratories. This USDA NIFA Open Data Framework program funds building neutral, secure data repositories and cooperatives where producers, universities, and nonprofits can store and share agricultural data, with a single award of about $923,325. The award is large.

National Institute of Food and Agriculture-eRA · $20K–$50K

Eligibility is broad: state agricultural experiment stations, colleges and universities, university research foundations, other research institutions, federal agencies, national laboratories, private organizations/foundations/corporations, individuals, and consortia of these may apply. This USDA NIFA Agricultural Genome to Phenome Initiative funds workshop grants supporting its agricultural genomics and phenomics goals, with awards of roughly $20,000 to $50,000. The award is small and individuals are explicitly eligible.

National Institute of Food and Agriculture · $500K

Applications may only be submitted by colleges and universities (as defined in the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act), Hispanic-serving agricultural colleges and universities, and 1994 Institutions; awardees may subcontract to otherwise-ineligible organizations as needed. This USDA NIFA Methyl Bromide Transition program funds discovery and implementation of practical pest-management alternatives to methyl bromide in agricultural production, post-harvest, processing, and transport systems, with a single award of about $500,000. Eligibility is restricted to qualifying higher-education institutions.

National Institute of Food and Agriculture-eRA · $300K–$900K

Eligibility is broad: state agricultural experiment stations, colleges and universities, university research foundations, other research institutions, federal agencies, national laboratories, private organizations/foundations/corporations, individuals, and consortia of these may apply. This USDA NIFA Agricultural Genome to Phenome Initiative funds research grants studying crop and animal genetics and phenomics to support U.S. agricultural production and genetic improvement, with awards of roughly $300,000 to $900,000. The award is large and individuals are explicitly eligible.

National Institute of Food and Agriculture · $250K–$500K

This USDA NIFA program funds efforts to increase retention and graduation of Tribal students at Land-grant institutions, supporting recruiting, tuition assistance, and student services. Eligibility is restricted to 1862, 1890, or 1994 Land-grant Colleges or Universities, and applicants must generally be U.S. citizens, nationals, or lawful permanent residents. Awards range from about $250,000 to $500,000. It is not open to other higher-ed institutions, nonprofits, or businesses.

Rural Utilities Service · $0

This USDA Rural Utilities Service program provides grants to qualified private nonprofit entities to capitalize revolving funds that finance pre-development and small capital costs for water and wastewater projects. Eligibility is limited to qualified private nonprofit entities; full eligibility details are on the program website. Award amounts are not specified in this listing.

Foreign Agricultural Service · $28M–$35M

Open to a wide range of applicants, including governments of emerging agricultural countries, intergovernmental and nongovernmental organizations, private voluntary organizations, nonprofit agricultural organizations and cooperatives, colleges and universities, and other private entities. The Food for Progress program donates U.S. agricultural commodities to developing countries, with proceeds funding agricultural development, and awards from about $28 million to $35 million. This is a large international development program.

National Institute of Food and Agriculture · $300K–$1.2M

Eligibility is limited to colleges and universities (as defined by statute), Hispanic-serving agricultural colleges and universities, and 1994 Institutions; recipients may subcontract to otherwise-ineligible organizations if needed. The program funds integrated research, Extension, and education on integrated pest management, with awards from about $300,000 to $1.15 million and priority for invasive-species management. This is a higher-education-only opportunity.

Agricultural Marketing Service · $200K–$500K

Eligibility is limited to states, tribal governments, and research institutions (such as colleges, universities, and research centers) in the 50 states, DC, and listed territories. The program supports promotion of the domestic maple syrup industry through research, education, market promotion, and natural-resource sustainability, with awards from about $200,000 to $500,000. Private individuals and businesses are not directly eligible.

Food and Nutrition Service · $1–$3M

Eligibility is limited to the 88 State agencies that currently administer the WIC program; agencies may apply individually or as part of a consortium. Funds support program integrity, connecting farmers to WIC, and modernizing WIC management information and EBT systems. The maximum award is about $3 million, with a deadline of July 13, 2026.

National Institute of Food and Agriculture · $20K–$1M

Applications are accepted only from colleges and universities, 1994 Institutions, and Hispanic-serving agricultural colleges and universities; other organizations may participate only as subcontractors. The Organic Transitions program funds integrated research, education, and extension to improve the competitiveness of U.S. organic livestock and crop producers. Awards range from about $20,000 to $1 million, with a deadline of July 13, 2026.

National Institute of Food and Agriculture · $25K–$650K

The USDA NIFA Biotechnology Risk Assessment Research Grants Program funds research generating information to help federal regulators make science-based decisions about the ecological effects of genetically engineered organisms. Applications are accepted only from public or private research or educational institutions or organizations. Awards range from about $25,000 to $650,000. The deadline is July 13, 2026, within about a month.

Food and Drug Administration · $0–$750K

This FDA opportunity is limited to national organizations or associations that represent state/local/tribal retail food regulatory programs or the retail food/foodservice industry as a primary purpose, to collaboratively advance retail food safety initiatives and reduce foodborne illness. Eligibility is narrow: applicants must be qualifying national associations with the membership and standing to build national consensus, and must hold (or be able to obtain) an information-sharing agreement with FDA. Maximum award is up to $750,000. The deadline is July 14, 2026, within about a month.

Food and Nutrition Service · $150K–$750K

This opportunity is open only to State agencies that administer SNAP; county-administered applicants must include a letter of commitment from the relevant SNAP agency, and only one application per State agency is considered. The program funds state efforts to prevent, detect, and investigate SNAP recipient fraud, with awards up to about $750,000. Organizations other than SNAP state agencies are not eligible. The deadline is within about three weeks.

National Institute of Food and Agriculture · $25K–$400K

Eligibility is limited to public food program service providers, tribal organizations, and private nonprofit entities; individuals and for-profit entities cannot apply. Applicants must demonstrate relevant experience in community food work, food-related job training, or reducing food insecurity. The program funds community food projects designed to become self-reliant, with awards from about $25,000 up to $400,000. Nonprofits that cannot accept federal funds directly must use a fiscal agent. The deadline is within about three weeks.

National Institute of Food and Agriculture · $500K

Eligibility is limited to governmental agencies and nonprofit organizations; individuals and for-profit entities cannot be the lead applicant. Applicants must partner with a qualifying healthcare partner (such as a hospital, federally qualified health center, VA clinic, or provider group) and a letter of support is required. The program funds produce prescription projects that provide fresh fruits and vegetables to participating households to improve nutrition and reduce food insecurity, with awards up to roughly $500,000. Nonprofits that cannot accept federal funds directly must use a fiscal agent. The deadline is within about three weeks.

National Institute of Food and Agriculture · $100K–$30M

Eligibility is limited to specific institution types, including 1862, 1890, and 1994 Land-Grant Institutions, state agricultural experiment stations, Hispanic-Serving Agricultural Colleges and Universities, Non-Land-Grant Colleges of Agriculture, accredited veterinary schools, insular-area institutions of higher education, and certain other capacity-program-eligible entities. Organizations with active awards under this program cannot receive additional awards, and gain-of-function research is excluded. This USDA NIFA program funds construction, renovation, and modernization of agricultural research facilities, with awards from roughly $100,000 up to $30 million. The application deadline is July 17, 2026, which is soon.

National Institute of Food and Agriculture-eRA · $200K–$230K

Eligibility is limited to a defined list: state agricultural experiment stations; colleges and universities; university research foundations; other research institutions and organizations; federal agencies; national laboratories; private or nonprofit organizations, foundations, or corporations; individuals; or groups of two or more of these. The USDA NIFA Food and Agriculture Service Learning Program funds projects to increase children's knowledge of agriculture and improve their nutritional health. Awards range from roughly $200,000 to $230,000. The application deadline is July 20, 2026, which is soon.

National Institute of Food and Agriculture-eRA · $75K–$300K

Open to a range of entities including State Cooperative Extension Services; federal, state, local, or Tribal agencies; nonprofit community-based or non-governmental organizations; organizations representing farms or small food processors; institutions of higher education or their foundations; or collaborations of two or more of these. This USDA NIFA Food Safety Outreach Program funds new technical assistance projects focused on grant-writing skills to expand food safety training and outreach. Awards range from roughly $75,000 to $300,000. The application deadline is July 20, 2026, which is soon.

National Institute of Food and Agriculture-eRA · $200K–$450K

Open to a broad list of entities: state agricultural experiment stations; colleges and universities; university research foundations; other research institutions and organizations; federal agencies; national laboratories; private organizations or corporations; individuals; or groups of two or more of these. This USDA NIFA program supports extension and collaborative efforts to maintain and expand the national farm financial management database (FINBIN) and build farm management knowledge. Awards range from roughly $200,000 to $450,000. The application deadline is July 20, 2026, which is soon.