Funder: Agricultural Marketing Service
Due Dates: July 7, 2025 (11:59 PM ET)
Funding Amounts: ~$72.9 million total; state allocations range from ~$243,000 to $24 million; project period up to 3 years
Summary: USDA provides grants to state agriculture departments to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops through marketing, research, and access initiatives.
Key Information: Only state departments of agriculture are eligible direct applicants; researchers must apply through their state agency.
Description
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) administers this program to support projects that enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops—including fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops (including floriculture). The program funds state-level projects that address marketing, research, food safety, access, and other challenges facing specialty crop producers.
Researchers and organizations interested in funding must partner with or apply through their state department of agriculture, which manages the competitive sub-award process.
Due Dates
- Application deadline for state departments of agriculture: July 7, 2025, 11:59 PM Eastern Time
- Sub-award deadlines for researchers and organizations vary by state; check with your state department of agriculture for internal timelines.
Funding Amount
- Total available funding: Approximately $72.9 million for FY25
- State allocations: Each state/territory receives a base grant (~$243,000) plus a variable amount based on specialty crop production and acreage. For example:
- California: ~$24.2 million
- Florida: ~$3.8 million
- Most states: $250,000–$2 million
- Project period: Up to 3 years (September 30, 2025 – September 29, 2028)
- Indirect costs: Capped at 8% of total federal funds per project
Eligibility
- Eligible applicants: Only state departments of agriculture in the 50 states, District of Columbia, and U.S. territories (American Samoa, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, Guam, U.S. Virgin Islands).
- For researchers/organizations: Must apply as sub-awardees through their state department of agriculture’s competitive process.
- Project requirements:
- Must benefit the specialty crop industry or the public, not a single organization or individual.
- Projects must enhance the competitiveness of U.S.-grown specialty crops.
- Multi-state partnerships are encouraged for issues crossing state boundaries.
Application Process
For State Departments of Agriculture
- Submit a full application via Grants.gov by July 7, 2025.
- Application must include:
- SF-424 and SF-424A forms
- Project Abstract
- State Plan Narrative (using required templates)
- Grant Administration Narrative
- All applications must be submitted as a PDF portfolio.
For Researchers/Organizations
- Contact your state department of agriculture for their internal application process and deadlines.
- Prepare a project proposal according to your state’s requirements (often using the SCBGP Project Profile Template).
- Projects are selected through a competitive review process at the state level.
Additional Information
- Allowable activities: Marketing and promotion, research and development, food safety, expanding access, pest/disease control, nutrition education, and more.
- Unallowable activities: Projects benefiting only a single organization/individual, or those that duplicate other federal programs.
- No cost share required.
- Indirect costs: Limited to 8% of total federal funds.
- Reporting: Annual and final performance and financial reports required.
External Links
Contact Information
| Purpose | Contact Details |
|---|
| AMS Program (general) | Email: SCBlockGrants@usda.gov
Website: AMS SCBGP |
| Grants.gov technical support | Email: support@grants.gov
Phone: 1-800-518-4726 (24/7) |
| AMS main office | U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing Service
1400 Independence Ave SW, Room 1510-S, Stop 0264, Washington, DC 20250-0269 |
| General AMS contact | Email: AMSAdministratorOffice@usda.gov
Phone: (202)-720-8998 |
| State-level inquiries | Contact your state department of agriculture (see AMS SCBGP Contacts) |