Agriculture Grants for Schools & universities

Department of Pesticide Regulation · $100K–$1M

California's Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) 2027 Sustainable Pest Management Grants Program is open to a broad range of applicants, including nonprofits, businesses, individuals, universities, and government and tribal agencies. It funds projects that advance integrated pest management practices, such as alternatives to weed, rodent, and fumigant use, through research, outreach, and implementation in agricultural, urban, or wildland settings, with award budgets ranging from $100,000 to $1,000,000. Principal investigators may submit at most two proposals per year, and all applicants must meet DPR's specific eligibility requirements outlined in the official solicitation. Applications are due by September 2, 2026.

Agricultural Marketing Service · $250K–$1M

This USDA Agricultural Marketing Service program funds collaborative multi-state partnerships that enhance the competitiveness of U.S. specialty crops through projects addressing regional or national issues such as food safety, plant pests and disease, research, and marketing. Eligible applicants are federally recognized tribal governments, state governments, public and state-controlled higher-education institutions, and 501(c)(3) nonprofits other than institutions of higher education. Projects must benefit two or more states or territories. Awards range from about $250,000 to $1,000,000.

National Institute of Food and Agriculture · $10K–$650K

The USDA AFRI Education and Workforce Development program funds projects that develop the next generation of food and agricultural sciences professionals, including K-14 educator development, youth education, community-college training, undergraduate research, and pre/postdoctoral fellowships. Eligibility is broad and includes colleges and universities, experiment stations, research institutions, private organizations, federal agencies, and U.S.-citizen or permanent-resident individuals; foreign and international organizations are not eligible. Awards range from about $10,000 to $650,000. Eligibility varies by project type, so applicants should check the NOFO.

National Institute of Food and Agriculture · $150K–$2.5M

This USDA NIFA Tribal Colleges Research Grants Program builds research capacity at the 1994 Land-Grant Tribal Colleges in agriculture, natural resources, and human sciences. Eligibility is narrow: only the named list of eligible 1994 Tribal Colleges may apply. Awards range from about $150,000 to $2.5 million. It is restricted to those specific institutions, and gain-of-function research is excluded.

National Institute of Food and Agriculture · $10K–$10M

The USDA AFRI Foundational and Applied Science program funds research, education, and extension projects across six agricultural priority areas. Eligibility is broad and includes universities and colleges, state agricultural experiment stations, research institutions, private organizations or corporations, federal agencies, and U.S.-citizen or permanent-resident individuals; foreign and international organizations are not eligible. Awards range widely from about $10,000 up to $10 million depending on project type. Eligibility for specific grant types varies by program area, so applicants should check the RFA.

Food and Drug Administration · Up to $600K

This FDA award (up to $600,000) funds natural history studies that generate high-quality data to support medical product development for rare diseases with unmet needs. Eligibility is very broad, covering universities, nonprofits (with or without 501(c)(3) status), small and other for-profit businesses, tribal and local/state governments, and even foreign organizations and their non-U.S. components. No unusual disqualifiers are noted, and the deadline is not imminent.

DOC NOAA - ERA Production · $15K–$75K

Open to individuals (as legal entities), commercial organizations, state/local/tribal governments, universities, and nonprofits; federal agencies and employees can't apply, and projects must be conducted in Alaska. Funds marine workforce training, seafood-safety and management education, fishing innovation, and consumer outreach. Awards are small, roughly $15,000–$75,000.

Food and Drug Administration · Up to $1.3M

Open to public and private higher-education institutions, including HBCUs, tribal colleges, and other minority-serving institutions. This FDA U18 forms long-term academic partnerships to research avian influenza and emerging zoonotic threats, intentional genomic alterations in animals, and products for minor and veterinary species. Awards up to about $1,250,000.

Food and Drug Administration · Up to $900K

Open to nearly any organization — universities, nonprofits (with or without 501(c)(3)), for-profits and small businesses, state/local/tribal governments, and foreign organizations. This FDA R01 funds clinical trials of orphan products evaluating safety and efficacy to address unmet needs in rare diseases. Awards up to about $900,000; clinical trials are required.

Food and Drug Administration · $225K–$2.5M

This FDA grant (U18, $225,000 to $2,500,000) funds veterinary diagnostic laboratories in the Vet-LIRN network to build capacity for animal food safety and antimicrobial resistance testing, including equipment and method development. Eligibility is broad, covering nonprofits (with or without 501(c)(3) status), small businesses, for-profit organizations, universities, tribal governments, and state/local governments. No unusual disqualifiers are noted, and the deadline is not imminent.