Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Competitive Grants Program Foundational and Applied Science Program

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.

Details

• Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture
• Department: Department of Agriculture
• Opportunity #: USDA-NIFA-AFRI-011134
• Total Funding: $300,000,000
• Instrument: grant

Eligibility

Eligibility Requirements Applicants for AFRI must meet all the requirements discussed in this RFA. Failure to meet the eligibility criteria by the application deadline may result in exclusion from consideration or, preclude NIFA from making an award. For those new to Federal financial assistance, NIFA’s About Grants provides highly recommended information about grants and other resources to help understand the Federal awards process. Eligibility is linked to the project type as specified below. 1. Research, Education or Extension Projects Eligible applicants for single-function Research, Education or Extension Projects include: a) State Agricultural Experiment Station; b) colleges and universities (including junior colleges offering associate degrees or higher); c) university research foundations; d) other research institutions and organizations; e) Federal agencies; f) national laboratories; g) private organizations or corporations; h) individuals who are U.S. citizens, nationals, or

FY2026 - Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Competitive Grants Program Foundational and Applied Science Program - RFA-MOD1

REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS
Agriculture and Food Research Initiative
Competitive Grants Program
Foundational and Applied Science Program
MODIFICATIONS: 11/14/25 — This RFA has been modified from the original announcement.
Changes are indicated using track changes and red font so the public/potential applicants can
identify the changes within the solicitation.
The APPLICATION DEADLINE has been extended for various AFRI Program Area Priorities.
Table 2 on page 5 provides a summary of all changes. Individual edits appear on pages: 6, 14,
16, 18, 20, 21, 23, 25, 28, 29, 31, 33, 35, 37, 39, 41, 43, 45, 49, 52, 54, 56, 59, 60, 62, 65, 68,
70, 71, 74, 75, 77, 79, 81, and 84.
FUNDING YEAR: Fiscal Year (FY) 2026
APPLICATION DEADLINE: Varies by Program Area (see Part I § C)
ANTICIPATED FUNDING: $300,000,000
FUNDING OPPORTUNITY NUMBER: USDA-NIFA-AFRI-011134
ASSISTANCE LISTING NUMBER: 10.310
LETTER OF INTENT DEADLINE: Varies by Program Area (see Part I § C)
1

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ANNOUNCEMENT
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
United States Department of Agriculture
Assistance Listing Number: The Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) Competitive
Grants Program Foundational and Applied Science (FAS) is listed in the Assistance Listings
under number 10.310.
Table 1: Key Dates and Deadlines
Task Description Deadline
Application: 5:00 P.M. Eastern Time, on the 2026 deadline dates indicated in
Part I § C
Letter of Intent: If applicable, 5:00 P.M.