Written by Applications are open for the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) Grant Program, a major competitive funding initiative supporting innovative projects in agriculture, food systems, and rural development.
The program is administered by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture under the United States Department of Agriculture.
About the AFRI Grant Program
The Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) is the flagship competitive grants program for agricultural sciences in the United States. It funds projects focused on research, education, and extension activities that address major challenges in agriculture and food systems.
The initiative supports efforts that improve food production, environmental sustainability, rural economies, and agricultural innovation, while also helping train the next generation of scientists and agricultural professionals.
AFRI funding opportunities are released annually through several Notices of Funding Opportunities (NOFOs) that applicants can apply to depending on their project focus.
Key Focus Areas
The program supports projects in six major agricultural priority areas:
- Plant Health and Production
- Animal Health and Production
- Food Safety, Nutrition, and Health
- Bioenergy, Natural Resources, and Environment
- Agriculture Systems and Technology
- Agriculture Economics and Rural Communities
These priority areas address global challenges such as climate change, food security, sustainable agriculture, and rural economic development.
Types of AFRI Grants
AFRI provides several funding tracks, including:
- Research-only grants
- Education and workforce development grants
- Extension/outreach grants
- Integrated projects combining research, education, and extension
Large multi-institution projects such as Coordinated Agricultural Projects (CAP) and Food and Agricultural Science Enhancement (FASE) grants are also supported.
Funding Amount
Funding varies depending on the project type.
- Awards may range from $10,000 to $10,000,000 for different project categories.
- Large collaborative projects may receive multi-million-dollar funding.
Who Can Apply
Eligible applicants may include:
- Universities and colleges
- Research institutions
- Nonprofit organizations
- Government agencies
- Private companies
- Individuals and collaborative research teams
Eligibility requirements may vary depending on the specific funding call.
Why This Program Matters
With the global population projected to reach 10 billion by 2050, AFRI supports innovations that improve food production, agricultural efficiency, and environmental sustainability.
Funded projects contribute to agricultural productivity, climate resilience, biotechnology innovation, and rural economic growth.
How to Apply
Interested applicants should review the current AFRI Request for Applications (RFA) and submit proposals through the official portal.
Applicants should carefully review the specific funding opportunity notice relevant to their research area before submitting an application.