Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Competitive Grants Program Foundational and Applied Science Program
Last verified by NonDilute: 2026-04-29. Official notice and agency instructions control.
If you're developing ag science solutions in plant/animal health, food systems, or farm technology, AFRI offers substantial federal funding with flexibility for research teams and institutions of all sizes.
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What this is
The Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) Foundational and Applied Science Program funds competitive grants in plant health, animal health, food safety/nutrition, bioenergy/natural resources, farm systems/technology, and rural economics. Projects can be research-only, extension-only, or integrated across research, education, and extension. This is a broad, mission-driven program aimed at advancing both foundational knowledge and practical agricultural solutions, with significant flexibility in project scope and institution type.
Who can apply
Eligibility is broad and varies by institution type; review the full RFA for specifics, but generally includes universities, non-profits, government agencies, and qualified private entities. Domestic U.S. institutions and organizations are eligible. Solo founders should verify their organizational structure meets USDA requirements.
Eligible applicant types
- Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification)
Full description — from the agency
The AFRI Foundational and Applied Science Program supports grants in six AFRI priority areas to advance knowledge in both fundamental and applied sciences important to agriculture. The six priority areas are: Plant Health and Production and Plant Products; Animal Health and Production and Animal Products; Food Safety, Nutrition, and Health; Bioenergy, Natural Resources, and Environment; Agriculture Systems and Technology; and Agriculture Economics and Rural Communities. Research-only, extension-only, and integrated research, education and/or extension projects are solicited in this Request for Applications (RFA). See Foundational and Applied Science RFA for specific detail.
Topics: agricultural research · food safety · plant health · bioenergy · rural development · farm systems · usda grants
Public-source funding discovery only. This summary is generated from public agency data and may be incomplete or stale. NonDilute is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or acting on behalf of any government agency. Official notices and agency instructions control. NonDilute does not determine eligibility, provide grant-writing advice, or guarantee funding.