Targeted Grants for the Study of PFAS in Agricultural Systems

The Fund to Address PFAS Contamination, administered by the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF), was created to support Maine farmers facing the challenges of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination. The program's Targeted Research Grants aim to fund scientific studies that help agricultural producers make informed decisions about the use and viability of their land and operations following PFAS detection. These grants are one component of a broader PFAS response initiative and are designed to generate applied research data that can be directly useful to the farming community. The current opportunity, titled *Targeted Grants for the Study of PFAS in Agricultural Systems, Round 1* (RFA #PFNDT2025001), is the third funding announcement from the PFAS Fund. DACF anticipates awarding approximately $500,000 through this cycle, supporting multiple projects valued under $100,000 each. The funding supports research over a 12–18 month project period and is intended to produce actionable insights for commercial farmers whose properties are impacted by PFAS. There is no match requirement. Applicants must submit a mandatory pre-proposal via the online form by November 10, 2025. Full proposals are due February 13, 2026, by 11:59 PM EST. To be eligible, applicants must be U.S.-based nonprofit or public institutions, higher education entities, or state, local, or Tribal governments. Projects must align with one or more of the targeted research questions or three thematic research priorities identified in the RFA, such as PFAS in soil and water, animal systems, or management strategies on PFAS-contaminated farms. Collaborative proposals between researchers and affected farmers are strongly encouraged. The review process involves a non-technical compliance check, followed by external scientific peer review and a final selection by the DACF Commissioner. Evaluation is based on scientific merit, project feasibility, relevance to Maine agriculture, collaborative strength, clarity of deliverables, and data-sharing plans. Proposals must include a project narrative, budget, letters of support, and other required attachments. Indirect costs are capped at 10% unless a reduced federally negotiated rate applies. All projects must submit quarterly updates and provide raw data and metadata to DACF in an open file format. Deliverables also include academic and public-facing outputs. Award notifications are expected by May 8, 2026. The DACF encourages submissions from individuals of all backgrounds and career stages. An optional online information session will be held on October 16, 2025. For additional questions, contact the RFA Coordinator, Sarah Wilcox, at PFASFund.DACF@maine.gov.

Ensure your project aligns with a stated research priority or targeted question. Prepare a clear plan for data sharing, stakeholder collaboration, and demonstrate benefit to Maine agriculture.