Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Competitive Grants Program Foundational and Applied Science Program

The Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) Competitive Grants Program, Foundational and Applied Science (FAS) Program for Fiscal Year 2026 is administered by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) within the U.S. Department of Agriculture. AFRI is the flagship federal competitive grants program that supports research, education, and extension projects in the food and agricultural sciences. Its overarching purpose is to address challenges in agricultural productivity, food security, environmental stewardship, and economic viability for U.S. farmers, ranchers, foresters, and rural communities. This program is authorized under Section 2(b) of the Competitive, Special, and Facilities Research Grant Act (7 U.S.C. 3157) and is identified under Assistance Listing number 10.310. The FY 2026 AFRI Foundational and Applied Science Program will make available approximately $300 million to support fundamental and applied science across six core priority areas: plant health and production and plant products; animal health and production and animal products; food safety, nutrition, and health; bioenergy, natural resources, and environment; agricultural systems and technology; and agricultural economics and rural communities. In addition, several crosscutting programs will address themes such as agricultural microbiomes, data science, biosecurity, and rapid response to emerging threats. The program is designed to stimulate innovation, support workforce development, strengthen partnerships, and ensure that U.S. agriculture remains globally competitive while delivering safe and healthy food to consumers. Funding will be distributed through Standard Grants, Workshop Grants, and Food and Agricultural Science Enhancement (FASE) Grants, which include Strengthening Grants, Seed Grants, Equipment Grants, and Sabbatical Grants. Project types may include research-only, education-only, extension-only, or integrated projects that combine research, education, and extension. Acceptable expenditures include direct project costs and allowable indirect costs within specified caps. Certain program areas encourage collaborative or international partnerships, as well as participation by small and medium-sized farms, minority-serving institutions, and EPSCoR-eligible entities. Eligibility for AFRI FAS grants is broad and includes public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private higher education institutions, nonprofits, for-profit entities (other than small businesses), small businesses, individuals, independent school districts, Native American tribal organizations, state and local governments, and other special district governments. Specific eligibility requirements may vary by program area or grant type, and applicants are advised to carefully review program area guidance. Cost sharing or matching is generally not required unless explicitly stated in the program guidelines. Application deadlines vary by program area priority and fall between October 2, 2025, and November 13, 2025, with certain rapid response programs accepting proposals on a continuous basis. Letters of Intent are required for Workshop Grant applications and some program areas, and must be submitted at least 195 days before the proposed event, with full applications due a minimum of 150 days before the start of the workshop. Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov following the instructions in Part IV of the RFA. All submissions must be received by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on the deadline date. Applications will be evaluated through a peer review process based on scientific merit, relevance to USDA priorities, and potential for advancing agricultural sustainability, productivity, and economic viability. Proposals may also be considered for designation as Centers of Excellence, which provide an opportunity for additional funding and recognition. Stakeholders are encouraged to provide input on the RFA to improve program efficiency and responsiveness. Program area-specific contacts are listed throughout the RFA, with dedicated email addresses for each priority area. General inquiries about the AFRI FAS program can be directed to the National Institute of Food and Agriculture at Policy@usda.gov. The full program solicitation provides detailed descriptions of each funding priority, application requirements, restrictions on use of funds, and review criteria. With $300 million in anticipated funding, this program represents one of the largest federal investments in agricultural research and education, ensuring continued innovation and resilience in U.S. food and agricultural systems through 2026 and beyond:contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}:contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}.