Agriculture and Food Research Initiative - Foundational and Applied Science Program

The AFRI Foundational and Applied Science Program supports grants in six AFRI priority areas to advance knowledge in both fundamental and applied sciences important to agriculture.

The AFRI Foundational and Applied Science Program supports grants in six AFRI priority areas to advance knowledge in both fundamental and applied sciences important to agriculture. The six priority areas are: Plant Health and Production and Plant Products; Animal Health and Production and Animal Products; Food Safety, Nutrition, and Health; Bioenergy, Natural Resources, and Environment; Agriculture Systems and Technology; and Agriculture Economics and Rural Communities. Research-only, extension-only, and integrated research, education and/or extension projects are solicited in this Notice of Funding Opportunities (NOFO). See Foundational and Applied Science NOFO for specific detail.

NIFA has extended the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) Competitive Grants Program Foundational and Applied Science (FAS) Program Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) deadlines to ensure that potential applicants have the opportunity to receive technical assistance from NIFA staff. Please do not submit a duplicate application to one already submitted if there are no changes. If an application has already been submitted and the applicant was not able to receive technical assistance from NIFA staff, the applicant may revise and resubmit prior to the new deadline. If an applicant did not submit an application, they may submit prior to the new deadline.

Links to AFRI FAQs and AFRI Resources.

Apply For Grant 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

AFRI Foundational and Applied Science Program Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) Animal Breeding, Genetics, and Genomics Aquaculture Rapid Response to Emerging and Re-emerging Pest and Disease Events Across Food and Agricultural Systems (A1713)

Eligibility

1862 Land-grant Institutions 1890 Land-grant Institutions 1994 Land-grant Institutions For-profit Organizations Other Than Small Businesses Hispanic-Serving Institutions Individuals Native American Tribal Orgs, not Federally recognized Tribal Governments Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) IRS status, other than Institutions of Higher Ed Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) IRS status, other than Institutions of Higher Ed Other or Additional Information (See below) Small Business State Agricultural Experiment Stations State Controlled Institutions of Higher Ed

More Information on Eligibility

The list above is abbreviated. Others may be eligible to apply. Eligibility may differ based on project types. See Program Area Priorities in the current Foundational and Applied Science NOFO for the requested project types. Please refer to Part III, A of the current Foundational and Applied Science Program NOFO for eligibility requirements. Note that restrictions apply to integrated projects applicants. Applications from ineligible institutions will not be reviewed.

Posted Date: Friday, August 1, 2025

For more Information Contact: AFRI Coordination Team

Closing Date: Thursday, December 31, 2026

Contact for Electronic Access Problems: grantapplicationquestions@usda.gov

Funding Opportunity Number: USDA-NIFA-AFRI-011134

Assistance Listing Number: 10.310

Estimated Total Program Funding: $300,000,000

Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement: For equipment grants and if commodity specific. See NOFO for details.

Range of Awards: $10,000 - $10,000,000

Topics

Advanced Technologies Animals Business and Economics Education Environment Food and Nutrition Security Human Sciences Community Vitality Natural Resources Plants

Page last updated: October 9, 2026