Major Grants for the Study of PFAS in Agricultural Systems, Round 2
Funds research to help Maine farmers manage PFAS-contaminated land, focusing on PFAS movement in soil, water, crops, livestock, and on-farm mitigation strategies.
Funder: Maine Department of Agriculture Conservation and Forestry
Due Dates (Anticipated): August 2026 (Researcher Access to DACF-owned property) | November 2026 (Pre-proposal, Major Grants) | November 2026 (Researcher Access to DACF-owned property) | February 2027 (Full application, Major Grants) | February 2027 (Researcher Access to DACF-owned property) | May 2027 (Researcher Access to DACF-owned property)
Funding Amounts: Multiple awards; $100,000–$500,000 per project; project period up to 24 months.
Summary: Supports multi-year research to help commercial farmers manage PFAS-contaminated agricultural land, focusing on soil, water, crops, livestock, and on-farm PFAS management strategies.
Key Information: Mandatory pre-proposal required for full application; open to US-based public/private academic, nonprofit, and government entities.
Description
This opportunity, administered by the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF), funds research to address the impacts of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in agricultural systems. The program seeks to generate scientific knowledge and practical tools to help commercial farmers make informed decisions about the use, management, and remediation of PFAS-impacted agricultural properties. Research priorities include the fate and transport of PFAS in soils, water, and crops; PFAS uptake and movement in livestock and their products; and the development of management and mitigation strategies for on-farm PFAS contamination.
Projects should be designed to deliver actionable results for Maine’s agricultural producers and may include field, laboratory, modeling, or social science components. Collaboration with Maine-based institutions, farmers, or agricultural service providers is encouraged and will be positively reviewed.
