Special Research Grants Program Potato Breeding Research

The Potato Breeding Research Program, administered by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) within the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), supports the development and commercialization of new potato varieties through integrated research and extension projects. This Special Research Grant Program is authorized under 7 U.S.C. 3157(c)(1) and is designed to facilitate breakthroughs in food and agricultural sciences by fostering regional collaboration and leveraging diverse institutional and industry partnerships. For Fiscal Year 2025, the total anticipated funding for this opportunity is approximately $3,703,050, with individual award amounts ranging between $500,000 and $1,500,000. Four awards are expected to be issued under this program. This funding opportunity is focused on projects that enhance the commercial viability of potatoes by developing superior-performing varieties. Eligible activities must emphasize varietal development using classical breeding, molecular, and biotechnological methods. Funded projects must integrate both research and extension activities to address priority national or regional needs. The USDA encourages multi-location and multi-state breeding networks, involving collaboration among universities, federal agencies, and industry groups. The application must propose a two-year work plan, although funding for the second year is contingent on progress, continued Congressional appropriations, and submission of required documentation. Applicants must demonstrate the capacity to lead collaborative breeding efforts and are required to include at least one letter of support from an industry partner to confirm relevance and stakeholder engagement. Additional required attachments include a scientific peer review certification, a detailed data management plan adhering to FAIR principles, and a mentoring plan for projects involving student or participant training. Applications must also detail plans for germplasm release and intellectual property handling, including engagement with relevant crop germplasm committees and consideration of Plant Variety Protection Certificates where applicable. Only specific entities are eligible to apply: State agricultural experiment stations, land-grant institutions, accredited colleges and universities, and specific veterinary colleges or research foundations associated with eligible institutions. Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov by 5:00 PM Eastern Time on August 14, 2025. There is no matching requirement for this program, although cost-sharing is encouraged and may strengthen proposals. Indirect costs are not permitted. All expenditures must occur within the project period, and no funds may be used for construction, renovation, or equipment installation. The evaluation process involves administrative screening followed by scientific peer review conducted by panels of experts from various backgrounds, including academia, federal and state agencies, and industry. Applications will be judged on alignment with program goals, scientific merit, regional and stakeholder engagement, outreach plans, and the clarity and feasibility of the proposed work plan. The performance measures include metrics such as the number of new potato varieties released, adoption by growers, acreage planted, yield improvements, and workforce development impacts. Program contacts for technical questions include Jessica Shade and Vance Owens, both serving as National Program Leaders. General grant administration inquiries can be directed to grantapplicationquestions@usda.gov. The application package can be accessed using the funding opportunity number USDA-NIFA-SRGP-011275 on Grants.gov. All applicants are encouraged to initiate the submission process early to allow time for any required registrations and troubleshooting. The effective date of awarded projects must be on or before September 30, 2025, though work may begin thereafter. Progress and financial reporting requirements will be outlined in the final award documentation.

Peer review prior to submission is strongly encouraged to improve proposal quality. Reviewers should include faculty and industry representatives. Submit early to avoid Grants.gov issues.