Commercial Nitrogen Optimization Pilot Grant Program

The Commercial Nitrogen Optimization Pilot Grant Program is administered by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) in partnership with the Universities of Wisconsin System. The program is intended to fund on-farm research projects that improve nitrogen management through optimized application of commercial nitrogen fertilizers. The initiative supports a minimum of two years of field trials, and awards are designed to foster collaboration between agricultural producers and university researchers. The maximum award amount is $40,000 per agricultural producer, and up to $1 million is available in this cycle for awards across three project types. Three funding options are available, each with its own requirements and ceiling: Option 1 is the most comprehensive, requiring a full nitrogen rate study and permitting budgets up to $40,000; Option 2 supports new producers in conducting Nitrogen Use Efficiency studies with awards of up to $2,500 per producer and requires at least three producers per project; Option 3 allows new producers to run management comparison trials with awards of up to $5,000 per producer. All participating producers must either own or have written permission to use the study land, and all projects must involve the Universities of Wisconsin for data collection, monitoring, and research validation. Applicants are required to first submit an Intent to Apply form to Monica Schauer at UW-Madison by December 19, 2025. This pre-approval step ensures that the proposed research design meets program requirements. Full applications are due by January 16, 2026, and must be submitted electronically to DATCP. Projects must include a zero-nitrogen control strip unless an exception is approved by the UW research director. All project activities must begin no earlier than January 1, 2026, and will span at least two growing seasons unless otherwise stated in the contract. DATCP requires detailed data collection for all funded projects, including soil samples, yield data, and field management histories. Funds are distributed via reimbursement after submission of eligible expense documentation. Eligible costs include stipends, laboratory fees, consultant services, equipment, and outreach expenses. Certain costs such as real estate, unrelated inputs, and lobbying are ineligible. Grant recipients are required to submit an annual report and may request a project extension if needed. All final payments are contingent on submission of final reports. Eligibility is limited to agricultural producers in Wisconsin, and applications must demonstrate that the project is not funded by other federal or state sources. Priority is given to projects located in diverse geographic areas, using innovative nitrogen management strategies, or addressing gaps in existing data. All applicants must agree to allow access to the study site for both DATCP and university personnel throughout the project. For technical questions or research design consultation, applicants may contact Monica Schauer at [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]). Administrative inquiries can be directed to Susan Mockert at [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]) or 608-224-4648. The program guidelines and application documents are available on the DATCP website, including research protocols, budget spreadsheets, and data collection templates.

Address data gaps in commodity/soil regions; clearly define project management roles; submit Intent to Apply early; design yield-monitored, randomized trials with full documentation