Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Strengthening Agricultural Systems
This grant funds projects that boost U.S. agricultural production and farmer prosperity through innovative solutions in markets, pest management, chronic disease, and AI in K-12 food and agricultural sciences.
This grant is no longer accepting proposals
National Institute of Food and Agriculture has archived this opportunity.
Funder: National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Due Dates: February 26, 2026: Letter of Intent deadline | March 26, 2026: Full application deadline (Strengthening Agricultural Systems, A9201) | April 23, 2026: Full application deadline (Artificial Intelligence for K-12 Food and Agricultural Sciences, A9231)
Funding Amounts: Total program funding ~$140M; awards range from $1M to $10M (A9201), $1M to $2M (A9231); up to 5 years duration
Summary: Supports integrated research, education, and extension projects to transform U.S. food and agricultural systems and address critical challenges through transdisciplinary approaches.
Key Information: Requires matching funds for certain projects; only integrated projects including research, education, and extension are eligible.
Description
This opportunity from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) funds large-scale, integrated projects under the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) Strengthening Agricultural Systems (SAS) program. The goal is to help transform U.S. food and agricultural systems to increase production, enhance farmer prosperity, and address pressing agricultural challenges through transdisciplinary, systems-based approaches. Projects must combine research, education, and extension activities and directly or indirectly benefit farmers, ranchers, producers, and forest landowners.
Two program area priorities are solicited:
- Strengthening Agricultural Systems (A9201): Focus on new uses and expanding markets for agricultural and forestry products, solutions to pests and diseases of plants or animals, and combating food and diet-related chronic diseases.
- Artificial Intelligence for K-12 Food and Agricultural Sciences (A9231): Focus on building AI literacy and skills for the next generation of agriculturalists, especially K-12, through educational innovation.
