The Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) Foundational and Applied Science Program, administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), is a competitive grant program supporting research, education, and extension projects in food and agricultural sciences. The initiative aims to address critical societal challenges, foster innovation, and promote sustainability in agricultural systems. For fiscal years 2025-2026, the program anticipates funding of approximately $300 million, with funding distributed across six priority areas: plant health and production, animal health and production, food safety and nutrition, bioenergy and natural resources, agricultural systems and technology, and agricultural economics and rural communities.

The AFRI Foundational and Applied Science Program supports fundamental and applied research to improve agricultural productivity, resilience, and sustainability. It also emphasizes projects that address critical issues such as climate change, food and nutrition security, equity for underserved producers, and the expansion of markets for agricultural producers. In addition to research, the program supports educational and extension activities that ensure scientific knowledge is effectively transferred to end-users. Applications are encouraged to address cross-cutting themes, including precision agriculture, data science, and traditional ecological knowledge.

Eligible applicants include institutions of higher education, non-profit organizations, for-profit organizations, and government agencies. Minority-serving institutions, small to mid-sized institutions, and institutions located in Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) states are strongly encouraged to apply. Collaborations with international partners are permitted if they demonstrate a clear benefit to U.S. agriculture. Special emphasis is placed on projects that engage historically underserved and underrepresented communities.

The program offers several grant types, including Standard Grants, Conference Grants, and Food and Agricultural Science Enhancement (FASE) Grants. Projects can span research, education, and extension activities, and their funding limits and durations vary by program area. For example, research grants may receive funding up to $1 million, while seed grants are capped at $300,000. Applications must clearly define their objectives, expected outcomes, and potential impacts on the agricultural sector.

Applications must adhere to specific deadlines, which vary by program area. For example, deadlines for program priorities under Plant Health and Production range from August to September 2025, while other categories have unique timelines. Applicants must submit proposals electronically through Grants.gov and follow all formatting and submission requirements outlined in the Request for Applications (RFA).

Evaluation criteria for AFRI proposals include scientific merit, relevance to program priorities, potential for significant impact, feasibility, and the expertise and capabilities of the project team. Proposals are subject to a rigorous peer-review process, and final funding decisions are based on merit, programmatic relevance, and available resources.

Additional information, including specific program area descriptions, key dates, and application instructions, can be found on NIFA’s AFRI RFA Resources webpage. Interested applicants are encouraged to thoroughly review the RFA and reach out to program contacts for guidance.