Supplemental and Alternative Crops
This grant supports projects that expand the use and acreage of alternative crops in the U.S. for food, animal feed, industrial products, and biofuels, offering new options and benefits for agriculture.
Funder: National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Due Dates: June 25, 2026: Full application deadline (Applications due by 5:00 P.M. Eastern Time)
Funding Amounts: $230,000–$460,000 per award (24–48 months); ~$1.8M total program funding; ~8 awards expected
Summary: Supports integrated research and extension projects to expand adaptation and acreage of alternative crops for food, feed, oil, and industrial uses in the U.S.
Description
The Supplemental and Alternative Crops (SAC) program funds projects aimed at expanding the adaptation and increased acreage of alternative crops grown in the United States for food, feedstuff, oil, and industrial value-added products. The program is designed to help farmers diversify operations, improve economic stability, and respond to changing commodity prices and consumer demand. Projects must integrate research and extension activities to develop superior crop cultivars, innovative production practices, and effective outreach strategies. Target crops include oilseeds (e.g., canola, castor beans), grains/pseudocereals (e.g., buckwheat, quinoa), legumes/pulses (e.g., lentils, mung beans), and industrial crops such as hemp and sunflowers. The goal is to increase the profitability, sustainability, and adoption of these crops across diverse U.S. regions.
