Agricultural Research and Education Council Grant

Agricultural Research and Education Council Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA)
Amount: Up to US $1,200,000
Last Updated: October 20, 2025

Summary

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is inviting proposals for the Agricultural Fertilizer Research and Education Program, aimed at enhancing agricultural practices and environmental health. With a funding opportunity of up to $1,200,000, eligible applicants can include farmers, research institutions, and non-profits. The program focuses on research related to fertilizer application, soil amendments, and best management practices to safeguard water quality. This initiative supports innovative projects that align with updated legislative priorities for the 2024 cropping season.

Overview

About The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) has served our state for more than 125 years. The work we do touches every Minnesota citizen every day. Our mission is to enhance all Minnesotans’ quality of life by equitably ensuring the integrity of our food supply, the health of our environment, and the strength and resilience of our agricultural economy. Our three general areas of responsibility include: Protecting our food supply; Protecting our natural resources; and, Cultivating our agricultural economy. Minnesota Agricultural Fertilizer Research and Education Program The MDA is requesting proposals for directing fertilizer research and outreach programs. The Minnesota Legislature established the Minnesota Agricultural Fertilizer Research and Education Program for directing fertilizer research and outreach program. The enabling legislation establishing the governing Agricultural Fertilizer Research and Education Council (AFREC) is Minnesota Statute 18C.70 and 18C.71. The Minnesota Legislature also established the funding mechanism for the program. This year, up to $1,200,000 generated by fertilizer sales from July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024, is available for this Request for Proposals (RFP).  Any organization, research entity, individual, or business with agricultural research capability is eligible to apply and receive funding. This includes farmers/farmer networks, institutions of higher education, research institutions, nonprofit organizations, urban agriculture, agricultural cooperatives, and agricultural businesses with research capabilities. Eligible Projects Eligible project activities include research that addresses one or more of the activities as defined by the Minnesota Agricultural Fertilizer Research and Education Program Minnesota Statute 18C.71. These activities include research, education, technology transfer related to the production and application of commercial fertilizer, soil amendments, and other plant amendments. AFREC’s goal is to have projects selected and contracts executed prior to the 2024 cropping season. As directed by the 2024 state legislature, the council updated research priorities and requested guidance related to: (1) the availability of nitrogen by manure type and livestock species based on management; and (2) manure management and fertilizer best management practices for areas where surface water or groundwater are vulnerable to nitrate losses.

Eligibility

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