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.