Crop-Animal Systems Research Grant

The Crop-Animal Systems Research Grant, offered by the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research (FFAR), encourages innovative research that enhances the interconnection between crop and animal systems. Projects must demonstrate transformative potential with a focus on themes such as crop resilience, animal health, and sustainable agricultural practices. Grants require matching contributions, fostering collaboration across scientific disciplines to tackle critical challenges in agriculture. This initiative aims to support advancements that benefit both crop and animal productivity effectively.

The Crop-Animal Systems Research Request for Applications (RFA) supports innovative and transformative research that explores these interconnections to advance both crop AND animal systems.
FFAR seeks projects that foster innovation with the potential for transformative impact to crop and animal systems.
All grants funded through this opportunity require matching contributions from an entity other than the U.S. federal government. Dairy Management Inc. and the United Soybean Board are interested in exploring the potential to offer matching funding for relevant research projects.
Research Themes Supported
FFAR seeks projects that foster innovation with the potential for transformative impact to crop and animal systems. Through the Thriving Production Systems Priority Area, FFAR funds crop and animal systems research to develop knowledge and tools that support the following themes:
Crop Resilience & Productivity – Advances research that delivers crop productivity and resilience against biotic and abiotic stress.Integrated Animal Health, Welfare & Productivity – Supports research to improve animal health and welfare while maintaining or increasing productivity.Economically Viable Systems – Advances research that designs and assesses adaptive production systems to advance farmers’ and ranchers’ profitability now and in the future.Agricultural Stewardship – Supports research to cultivate efficient crop and animal systems that protect and restore natural resources.
Research Areas of Interest Supported
The objective of this RFA is to simultaneously advance crop and animal systems. Therefore, applicants must demonstrate how their proposed research aligns with one or more of the above themes to advance both systems. Cross-disciplinary collaborative teams that leverage the strength and expertise of diverse scientific fields are essential to both crop and animal research. Research areas of interest include, but are not limited to the following:
Resource-efficient animal feedImproved animal nutritionBioaccumulation of environmental contaminants (e.g., per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances, etc.) in crop and animal systemsEfficient cycling of nutrients between crops and livestockOptimal rotations of crops with grazing periods to maintain soil health, control pests and maximize forage availability for livestockIncorporation of circular agriculture principlesOther relevant topics that advance crop and animal systems