Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative - OREI Workshop Projects

The Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative (OREI) Workshop Projects is a federal grant opportunity administered by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). This program is authorized under Section 7210 of the Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018 and codified under 7 U.S.C. 5925b. Its primary mission is to support organic agriculture through integrated research, education, and extension/outreach activities. The initiative focuses on addressing issues and opportunities unique to producers and processors who already adhere to USDA organic standards. The OREI supports projects that help organic producers grow and market high-quality organic products, contributing to the sustainability and resilience of U.S. agricultural systems. OREI Workshop Grants are a distinct project type within the larger OREI framework. These grants are designed to fund short-term events—specifically workshops and symposia—that aim to foster collaboration and knowledge exchange among researchers, extension agents, and organic producers. The goal is to identify and prioritize research and extension needs, disseminate updated information, and advance understanding of key challenges in organic agriculture. These workshops must be conducted within 12 months of the award start date and should ideally align with meetings commonly attended by organic producers. Each workshop is expected to generate tangible outputs such as white papers, fact sheets, and other publicly available materials to extend the impact of the convening. The program has an anticipated total funding pool of $450,000 for fiscal years 2025 and 2026, with award sizes ranging from $5,000 to $75,000. A total of six awards are expected to be made. The performance period for each grant is 12 months. Importantly, all awards under this opportunity require a 100% matching contribution from applicants. While matching requirements may be waived under certain conditions—such as work that broadly benefits agriculture or addresses minor commodities—the default expectation is that grantees will provide non-federal matching funds equal to the federal award amount. Eligible applicants include a broad range of U.S.-based entities: state agricultural experiment stations, colleges and universities, research institutions, nonprofit organizations, private corporations, federal agencies, and individuals who are U.S. citizens or nationals. Applicants may apply individually or as part of a consortium. Subawards to otherwise ineligible entities are permitted if necessary for the project. All applicants must ensure compliance with USDA organic certification requirements for project fieldwork, which must occur on certified organic land or facilities unless specific exceptions apply. Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov. No Letter of Intent is required for this opportunity. The final application deadline is May 14, 2026, at 5:00 PM Eastern Time. A detailed application package must be prepared in accordance with the NIFA Grants Application Guide and the requirements listed in the NOFO. The application must include a seven-page narrative detailing the workshop's goals, approach, personnel, timeline, and outcomes, along with supporting materials such as CVs and budget justifications. Applications will be evaluated by a scientific peer review panel using five major criteria: justification of the workshop, stakeholder engagement, conceptual adequacy and quality of the proposed program, outreach and impact potential, and the qualifications of project personnel. Applicants are expected to clearly articulate workshop objectives, demonstrate stakeholder involvement in workshop planning, and outline how outputs will support organic producers and processors. Contact details for agency support include the general program email ([email protected]) and Grants.gov assistance resources. Successful applicants will be notified after the review process concludes. Awards are anticipated to begin in the fall of 2026, with a required performance start date of September 1, 2026.

Emphasize stakeholder engagement throughout planning and implementation; ensure public-facing outcomes such as fact sheets or proceedings are well-articulated and measurable.