Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) – Rapid Response to Weather Events Across Food & Agricultural Systems (A1712) – USDA NIFA

Below is a brief summary. Please check the full solicitation before applying (link in resources section).

Executive Summary:

The USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) is awarding up to $300,000 for extension and integrated (extension + applied research) projects that address urgent impacts of recent weather-related disasters on agricultural production systems, food supply chains, and rural communities. Applications must be submitted within 45 calendar days of a qualifying weather event. Awards support 12-month rapid deployment projects.

How much funding is available?

Maximum award: $300,000 (including indirect costs). Grant duration: 12 months. Grant types: Standard and FASE (Strengthening Standard) only. Project types: Extension or Integrated (extension + applied research) only.

What could I use the funding for?

Funding supports rapid, solution-driven efforts that address impacts from naturally occurring weather hazards such as heat, drought, wildfires, tornados, floods, hurricanes, tropical storms, and blizzards.

1. Producer Stabilization & Extension Deployment

Projects that deliver rapid extension programs, technical assistance, and training to farmers, ranchers, and producers impacted by recent weather disasters.

Examples:

·        On-farm technical assistance and recovery protocols

·        Thermal stress mitigation strategies for livestock

·        Drought management tools for crop producers

·        Emergency feed or input optimization guidance

2. Tools & Technology for Rapid Adoption

Projects implementing tools and technologies that can be deployed within 90 days to mitigate disaster impacts.

·        Decision-support software for weather adaptation

·        Remote sensing or monitoring systems

·        Precision irrigation or water conservation technologies

·        Emergency disease or pest monitoring systems triggered by extreme weather

3. Supply Chain & Food System Resilience

Projects addressing disruptions across production, processing, distribution, and food safety logistics caused by weather events.

·        Alternative distribution models during disaster recovery

·        Cold chain stabilization strategies

·        Regional food access logistics

·        Processing infrastructure recovery support

4. Community & Rural Impact Mitigation

Projects supporting individuals, families, and communities to buffer disaster impacts and maintain safe, nutritious, and accessible food supplies.

·        Community resilience planning

·        Localized disaster-response communication strategies

·        Rapid recovery outreach programs

·        Food access coordination in affected regions

At least one activity must be implemented within 90 days of award, and all deliverables must be completed within 12 months.

Are there any additional benefits I would receive?

Beyond the formal funding award, there are significant indirect benefits to receiving a USDA AFRI Rapid Response award:

·        Federal validation tied to disaster resilience and food system stabilization

·        Positioning as a trusted partner for state and regional recovery efforts

·        Strengthened credibility with producers and agricultural stakeholders

·        Non-dilutive capital that extends runway during market uncertainty

·        Enhanced positioning for future USDA and federal resilience funding opportunities

What is the timeline to apply and when would I receive funding?

• Applications must be submitted within 45 calendar days of a qualifying weather event. No Letter of Intent is required. Application review and processing are expedited to ensure timely project startup. Awards have a 12-month performance period.

Where does this funding come from?

Funding comes from Congressional appropriations to the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) through USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). Assistance Listing: 10.310.

Who is eligible to apply?

·        Colleges and universities

·        State Agricultural Experiment Stations

·        University research foundations

·        Federal agencies and national laboratories

·        Private organizations and corporations

·        Eligible individuals (U.S. citizens, nationals, permanent residents)

·        Consortia of eligible entities

Foreign and international organizations are not eligible as primary applicants.

What companies and projects are likely to win?

·        Projects clearly tied to a recent documented weather event

·        Strong justification of urgency and stakeholder need

·        Solutions deployable within 90 days of award

·        High likelihood of rapid adoption by producers or food system operators

·        Clearly defined geographic scope linked to the disaster impact

Are there any restrictions I should know about?

·        Budget requests exceeding $300,000 will not be reviewed.

·        Projects must focus on short-term, urgent disaster response.

·        At least one deliverable must occur within 90 days of award.

·        All projects must include a data management plan.

·        If applied research is commodity-specific and not national in scope, matching funds may be required.

How long will it take me to prepare an application?

Due to the 45-day submission window, preparation timelines are compressed. Competitive applications typically require 3–6 weeks of focused development, including event documentation, stakeholder justification, and rapid deployment planning.

How can BW&CO help?

Our team specializes in complex federal R&D proposals and can:

• Triple your likelihood of success through proven strategy and insider-aligned proposal development

• Reduce your time spent on the proposal by 50–80%, letting your team focus on technology and operations

• Ensure you are targeting the best opportunity for your project and positioning your company for long-term growth under Federal & State R&D Initiatives.

How much would BW&CO Charge?

Flat fee pricing available upon request.

Fractional support is $300 per hour.

For startups, we offer a discounted rate of $250 per hour to make top-tier consulting more accessible while maintaining the same level of strategic guidance and proposal quality.

Additional Resources

See the solicitation here.

Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI): Strengthening Agricultural Systems – USDA NIFA

Below is a brief summary. Please check the full solicitation before applying (link in resources section).

Executive Summary:

The USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) is awarding up to $10 million per project through the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) Strengthening Agricultural Systems (SAS) program to support large-scale, integrated research, education, and extension projects that transform U.S. food and agricultural systems, increase agricultural production, and enhance farmer prosperity. Applications are due March 26, 2026 (or April 23, 2026 for the AI for K-12 priority).

How much funding is available?

Awards range from $1 million to $10 million per project, with total anticipated FY 2026 program funding of approximately $140 million. Grant durations may be up to 60 months.

What could I use the funding for?

See a detailed description here.

New Uses and Expanding Markets for Agriculture and Forestry Products Sub-priority:

Proposals should focus on the most pressing challenges faced by agricultural producers, farmers, ranchers, and foresters with a focus on creating new and expanding existing markets for agriculture and forestry products to ensure a strong U.S. economy and protect the fuel and fiber supply. Proposals responding to this sub-priority must address items a) and b). Proposals may also address item c) below:

a) Work with established U.S. commodity crops, specialty crops, or forest products that develop new uses for crop residues for meal, feed, or oils will be considered. Pursuit of this goal depends on the development of new innovative solutions and initiatives that bring more jobs, economic opportunities, and expand existing markets to new regions particularly to rural communities. The focus should be on equipping and empowering current and next generations of American farmers, ranchers, producers, and foresters; and

b) Address the long-term efforts necessary for growth of agriculture and/or forestry products markets while preserving our nation’s natural resources through conservation, restored forests, improved watersheds, and healthy private working lands.

c) May also address: Develop or enhance systems to produce reliable sources of biofuels, biomaterials, or biobased chemical intermediates, including emphasis on high-value or value-added products from agricultural and/or forestry products to foster rural prosperity and enhance national security.

Solutions to Pests and Diseases of Plants or Animals Sub-priority:

Proposals responding to this sub-priority must address at least two (2) of the following:

a) Protect the food, fuel, and/or fiber supply as well as enhance national security by developing innovative solutions to combat pests, diseases, or weeds (invasive/established species) negatively affecting plant and/or animal agricultural systems.

b) Address important crop, livestock, or forest losses due to pest and/or pathogen damage.

c) Develop effective disease or pest solutions, including weed management solutions in grasslands/rangelands, as they occupy a substantial portion of the United States and impact both plant and animal production and are critical to the nation’s economy.

d) Drive innovation, promote proven agricultural or forest production practices, reduce input costs, and increase outputs that result in maximizing productivity of American farmers, ranchers, and foresters.

Combating Food and Diet-Related Chronic Diseases Sub-priority:

Proposals responding to this sub-priority must address item a) or item b). Proposals must also address at least two (2) of the following items: c), d), and/or e):

a) Address factors linked to achieving healthy diets from sustainable food production systems with the goal of increasing nutrient content and bioavailability of nutrients from plant and/or animal food products to improve human health.

b) Identify and implement innovative solutions that result in healthy dietary patterns, support the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, and lead to long-term large population-level reductions of diet-related chronic diseases.

c) Upscale or maximize impacts of existing scientifically proven interventions/solutions.

d) Incorporate stakeholders’ perspectives, particularly American farmers’ or ranchers’ voices as they play a critical role in ensuring an abundant, healthy and safe food supply.

e) Explore value-add solutions that benefit agricultural producers, farmers, ranchers, or foresters.

Artificial Intelligence for K-12 Food and Agricultural Sciences:

Proposals responding to this priority must address at least four (4) of the following:

a) Develop and/or strengthen the pipeline of AI-literate and skilled next-generation agriculturalists, with special emphasis in K-12 youth, to support the advancements in food, agricultural, and forest sciences.

b) Adapt or develop AI-based tools and modalities that can be effectively integrated into classrooms, non-formal educational experiences, and/or curriculums to support the understanding and training of the next generation of agriculturalists and foresters.

c) Build and expand comprehensive teacher and non-formal educator training in AI in food, agricultural, and/or forest sciences to equip them with knowledge to train students about AI and to utilize AI in their classrooms to improve educational outcomes.

d) Support AI resource sharing mechanisms that make curriculum, training materials and courses, and resources accessible for the nation’s K-12 teachers and Cooperative Extension educators in food and agricultural sciences.

e) Equip learners to become future innovators of agricultural AI.

f) Advance the scientific, economic, environmental, social, and/or workforce training innovations in food, agriculture, and/or forestry to keep U.S. farmers, ranchers, producers, and foresters at the forefront of productivity by leveraging AI.

g) Use AI to help strengthen youth’s understanding of the importance of America’s food, fuel, and fiber supply and its role in national security.

Are there any additional benefits I would receive?

Beyond the funding itself, AFRI SAS awards provide substantial indirect value. Selection by USDA-NIFA signals strong technical merit and national relevance, which can enhance credibility with partners, stakeholders, and future funders. Awardees gain visibility within the federal agricultural innovation ecosystem and may benefit from collaboration opportunities across universities, industry, government, and extension networks. Long-term, this type of nondilutive funding can strengthen institutional capacity and position organizations for future large-scale federal awards.

What is the timeline to apply and when would I receive funding?

• Letter of Intent (optional): February 26, 2026

• Application Deadline:

  • March 26, 2026 (Strengthening Agricultural Systems)

  • April 23, 2026 (AI for K-12 Food and Agricultural Sciences)

Awards are expected to be made within the FY 2026 federal fiscal year, with project start dates no later than September 30, 2026, subject to appropriations.

Where does this funding come from?

Funding is provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) through the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) under the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI), Assistance Listing 10.310.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligible applicants for Integrated Projects include:

• Colleges and universities

• 1994 Land-Grant Institutions

• Hispanic-Serving Agricultural Colleges and Universities

Only public or nonprofit, accredited institutions are eligible to apply directly.

Other entities may participate as subcontractors or partners. If you are a for profit business with technology relevant and need assistance finding a partner, please contact robert@bwcoconsulting.com.

What companies and projects are likely to win?

Successful projects typically:

• Address a clearly defined SAS sub-priority aligned with USDA priorities

• Demonstrate full integration of research, education, and extension

• Use a systems-based and transdisciplinary approach

• Engage farmers, producers, and stakeholders from project inception

• Show measurable, long-term economic and agricultural impact

Are there any restrictions I should know about?

• Projects must include research, education, and extension components

• Indirect costs are capped at 30% of total federal funds awarded

• Funds may not be used for construction, renovation, or facility acquisition

• Certain applied research projects may require dollar-for-dollar matching funds, depending on scope and commodity specificity

How long will it take me to prepare an application?

Applicants should expect a significant preparation effort, typically 8–12+ weeks, due to the scale of funding, required partnerships, integrated project design, and extensive narrative, budget, data management, and management plan requirements.

How can BW&CO help?

Our team specializes in complex federal R&D proposals and can:

• Triple your likelihood of success through proven strategy and insider-aligned proposal development

• Reduce your time spent on the proposal by 50–80%, letting your team focus on technology and operations

• Ensure you are targeting the best opportunity for your project and positioning your company for long-term growth under Federal & State R&D Initiatives.

How much would BW&CO Charge?

Flat fee pricing available upon request.

Fractional support is $300 per hour.

For startups, we offer a discounted rate of $250 per hour to make top-tier consulting more accessible while maintaining the same level of strategic guidance and proposal quality.

Additional Resources

See the solicitation here.

The AFWERX & SpaceWERX Open Topic Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program

Executive Summary:

AFWERX & SpaceWERX’s Open Topic provides SBIR/STTR awards to small businesses to validate feasibility (Phase I) and build prototypes with Air Force or Space Force partners (Phase II or D2P2). Any technology could potentially be funded if it provides real value to the military. Phase I awards are up to $75K/$110K for 3 months; Phase II up to $1.25M/$1.8M; Direct to Phase II up to $1.25M. The next deadlines are estimated to be Q4 of 2025 or Q1 of 2026.

How much funding would I receive?

1. Phase I (Feasibility Study): Up to $75K (SBIR) or $110K (STTR) for a 3-month effort.

2. Phase II (Prototype Development): Up to $1.25M (SBIR) or $1.8M (STTR) for up to 21 months.

3. Direct to Phase II (D2P2): Up to $1.25M (SBIR) for up to 21 months, available to companies that can skip Phase I by providing prior feasibility evidence and a signed Customer Memorandum.

What could I use the funding for?

• Phase I funds a feasibility study and/or customer discovery to identify an Air Force or Space Force end user and customer, culminating in a preliminary and final report.

• Phase II/D2P2 funds R&D to adapt and prototype your dual-use solution with an Air Force or Space Force Technical Point of Contact and the Customer/End User who signed the Customer Memorandum.

See sample projects here.

Are there any additional benefits I would receive?

Beyond the formal funding award, AFWERX/SpaceWERX Open Topic participants gain several strategic advantages:

• Government Validation and Credibility: Selection for an AFWERX or SpaceWERX SBIR/STTR award demonstrates strong technical merit and alignment with Department of the Air Force priorities. This validation builds trust among primes, defense customers, and private investors.

• Enhanced Visibility and Market Recognition: Awardees are often highlighted in AFWERX communications, SpaceWERX showcases, and federal innovation reports—raising profile across defense, aerospace, and venture communities.

• Access to the National Defense Innovation Network: Recipients gain entry into the AFVentures ecosystem, connecting with Air and Space Force end users, program offices, and transition partners to accelerate dual-use commercialization and follow-on contracting opportunities.

• Stronger Commercial and Exit Potential: By advancing technology with nondilutive funding and government-backed validation, companies enhance valuation, de-risk product development, and increase attractiveness for acquisition or follow-on investment

What is the timeline to apply and when would I receive funding?

The next deadlines are expected to be Q4 of 2025 and Q1 of 2026. Funding is generally received 4-5 months after the deadline.

Where does this funding come from?

Awards are made under the Department of the Air Force SBIR/STTR program via AFWERX/AFVentures and the Air Force Research Laboratory.

Who is eligible to apply?

Applicants must be U.S. small business concerns (SBCs) that:

• Are organized for profit with a U.S. place of business.

• Have ≤ 500 employees including affiliates.

• Are > 50% owned by U.S. citizens or permanent residents, qualifying U.S. entities, or combinations thereof.

What companies and projects are likely to win?

Proposals are evaluated based on three primary criteria:

• Technical Approach: The soundness, feasibility, and innovation of your proposed solution—how effectively it addresses the problem and advances the state of the art.

• Defense Need: The strength of alignment between your technology and an identified Air Force or Space Force capability gap, as demonstrated through end-user engagement or a signed Customer Memorandum.

• Commercialization Potential: The dual-use viability and market readiness of your solution—its potential to scale in both defense and commercial sectors.

Strong applications clearly articulate all three dimensions, showing technical excellence, a validated Air Force or Space Force use case, and a credible path to commercial success.

Are there any restrictions I should know about?

• Proposal Template Compliance: You must use the required proposal template; any content placed outside designated pages will not be evaluated.

• U.S.-Based R/R&D Requirement: All research and development activities funded under the award must be conducted within the United States.

• ITAR Restrictions: Projects involving ITAR-controlled materials limit the participation of foreign nationals.

• Customer Memorandum Requirement: A signed Customer Memorandum is mandatory for all Phase II and Direct to Phase II (D2P2) submissions.

How long will it take me to prepare an application?

For a first-time applicant, preparing a competitive submission will likely take 120–200 hours in total.

How can BW&CO help?

Our team specializes in complex federal R&D proposals and can:

• Triple your likelihood of success through proven strategy and insider-aligned proposal development

• Reduce your time spent on the proposal by 50–80%, letting your team focus on technology and operations

• Ensure you are targeting the best opportunity for your project and positioning your company for long-term growth.

How much would BW&CO Charge?

Our full service support is available for

• Phase I: $9,000 Flat Fee + a 5% Success Fee.

• Phase II/D2P2: $15,000 Flat Fee + a 5% Success Fee.

Fractional support is $300 per hour.

For startups, we offer a discounted rate of $250 per hour to make top-tier grant consulting more accessible while maintaining the same level of strategic guidance and proposal quality.

Additional Resources

Access the AFWERX Website here.