AFRI Strengthening Agricultural Systems

Overview

The long-term goal of the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative - Strengthening Agricultural Systems (SAS) Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is to help transform the U.S. food and agricultural system to increase agricultural production while enhancing farmer prosperity. Achieving this goal will require transdisciplinary approaches to address current and future food and agricultural challenges within the context of the economic viability of farm operations, quality of life for farmers and society as a whole, and the most efficient use of resources.

NIFA is soliciting applications under two Program Area Priorities:

• Strengthening Agricultural Systems
  • New Uses and Expanding Markets for Agriculture and Forestry Products
  • Solutions to Pests and Diseases of Plants or Animals
  • Combating Food and Diet-Related Chronic Diseases
• Artificial Intelligence for K-12 Food and Agricultural Sciences

See AFRI SAS NOFO for each program area specific application due date.

Apply For Grant

Apply For Grant

Download NOFO

Download NOFO

Dates may vary

Please see NOFO for exact details.

Reasonable Accommodation

If you need a reasonable accommodation to access information related to this grant opportunity, please contact the Information Contact listed on this page no later than ten (10) days before the closing date. If you need a reasonable accommodation for the webinar or event related to this grant opportunity, please contact the event host.

Language Access Services

NIFA offers language access services, such as interpretation and translation of vital information, free of charge. If you need interpretation or translation services, please visit NIFA Language Access Services and request service no later than ten (10) days before the closing date.

Programs

• Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI)
• Aquaculture

Eligibility

1. 1862 Land-grant Institutions
2. 1890 Land-grant Institutions
3. 1994 Land-grant Institutions
4. Hispanic-Serving Institutions
5. State Agricultural Experiment Stations
6. State Controlled Institutions of Higher Ed

Posted Date

Thursday, January 29, 2026

For more Information Contact

AFRI Strengthening Agricultural Systems Team

Closing Date

Thursday, April 23, 2026

Letter/Notice of intent due

Thursday, February 26, 2026

Contact for Electronic Access Problems

grantapplicationquestions@usda.gov

Funding Opportunity Number

USDA-NIFA-AFRI-011677

Assistance Listing Number

10.310

Previously Funded Awards

Strengthening Agricultural Systems Funded Projects

Estimated Total Program Funding

$140,000,000

Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement

Matching required if commodity specific. See NOFO for details.

Range of Awards

$1,000,000 - $10,000,000

Topics

• Advanced Technologies
• Bioeconomy
• Natural Resource Economics
• Education
• Minority Serving Institutions
• Environment
• Ecosystems
• Invasive Pests and Diseases
• Organic Agriculture
• Sustainable Agriculture
• Natural Resources
• Forests
• Soil
• Water
• Crop Production
• Pest Management
• Plant Breeding
• Plant Health
• Food Safety

*Page last updated: March 23, 2026