The AGRI Crop Research Grant, administered by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, is part of the Agricultural Growth, Research, and Innovation (AGRI) Program. It is designed to advance Minnesota’s agricultural and renewable energy sectors by funding applied crop research aimed at improving agricultural product quality, quantity, or value. Applied research projects funded through this grant should focus on developing practical applications of existing knowledge, such as new technologies, techniques, or innovations that benefit Minnesota's agricultural community.

Eligible applicants include any Minnesota-based organization, research entity, individual, or business with the capability to conduct agricultural research. The grant prioritizes projects that show near-term potential for benefiting Minnesota agriculture within three to seven years. Projects must be conducted within Minnesota, with research outcomes that can benefit agricultural stakeholders statewide. Priority is given to research on crops with limited access to other funding sources and projects with outreach plans to meaningfully engage or inform farmers and rural communities, especially those with limited economic opportunities.

The AGRI Crop Research Grant offers a total of $1.2 million for fiscal year 2025, with a maximum award of $250,000 per project. Funded projects may extend up to three years. Matching funds are not required, though evidence of additional funding sources can demonstrate stakeholder support and strengthen applications. Suggested sources for these funds include grower associations, research and promotion councils, and private companies. Applicants may submit multiple proposals, and there is no organizational limit on submissions, although funding distribution may consider diversity across crop types, locations, and applicant backgrounds.

Applications must be submitted by 4 p.m. CT on October 29, 2024, through the Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s online portal, where applicants must create an account if they are new users. A Request for Proposals (RFP) document details eligibility and submission requirements, and applicants are encouraged to review this document, the grant Q&A, and past recipients’ results for preparation guidance. The application process is competitive, with proposals reviewed by a panel of experts who score applications based on evaluation criteria outlined in the RFP. The selected projects will receive notification of approval by late January 2025, with funds potentially accessible as early as mid-February.

Eligible costs under this grant include reasonable honorariums or stipends to farmers participating in research on their land, graduate student tuition as part of project personnel fringe, and costs for services provided by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, such as lab testing. Ineligible costs include salaries or fringe benefits for Minnesota Department of Agriculture employees. Project results are required to be publicly disseminated, though applicants may designate certain data as proprietary in their application to protect trade secrets.

For additional assistance, prospective applicants may reach out to the Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s Ag Marketing & Development team, though the department can only provide general guidance due to the competitive nature of the grant. Contact details, as well as the Q&A section on the grant’s webpage, offer further insights into commonly asked questions and specific eligibility clarifications.