Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Competitive Grants Program Education and Workforce Development
This grant supports education, training, and professional development programs to build the future workforce in food and agricultural sciences, from K-14 to postdoctoral levels.
Funder: National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Due Dates: March 19, 2026 (Professional Development for Agricultural Literacy; Agricultural Workforce Training at Community Colleges; Food and Agricultural Non-formal Education; Research and Extension Experiences for Undergraduates) | April 16, 2026 (Predoctoral Fellowships) | April 30, 2026 (Postdoctoral Fellowships) | December 31, 2026 (Final closing date for all applications)
Funding Amounts: $10,000–$650,000 per award (varies by program area); ~$39.7M total program funding; typical duration: 1–5 years
Summary: Supports research, education, and extension projects to develop the next generation of professionals in food and agricultural sciences.
Key Information: Matching funds required for some projects; eligibility and project types vary by program area.
Description
This opportunity funds projects that build workforce capacity and advance education in the food and agricultural sciences. The program supports a broad range of activities, including professional development for K-14 educators, non-formal youth education, workforce training at community colleges, undergraduate research experiences, predoctoral and postdoctoral fellowships, and education/workforce development workshops. Projects must align with one or more of the six AFRI Farm Bill Priority Areas: plant health, animal health, food safety/nutrition, bioenergy and environment, agricultural systems/technology, and agricultural economics/rural communities. The initiative aims to address projected workforce shortages and cultivate future leaders and innovators in U.S. agriculture.
