Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Competitive Grants Program Sustainable Agricultural Systems (SAS) | USDA NIFA AFRI 007892

Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NIFA AFRI 007892

The Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) Competitive Grants Program Sustainable Agricultural Systems (SAS) opportunity, offered by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), funds ambitious, systems-based projects meant to drive transformational change across the U.S. food and agriculture system. Rather than supporting narrow, single-issue studies, the SAS program looks for creative, forward-looking proposals that connect multiple parts of the food and agriculture value chain, from production and processing through distribution, consumer use, and nutrition outcomes. The overall aim is to strengthen the supply of agricultural products that are affordable, safe, nutritious, and accessible, while also supporting economic development, rural prosperity, and improved quality of life for people and communities involved across the system.

Projects must align with one or more themes from the USDA Science Blueprint. These include sustainable agricultural intensification (improving productivity and efficiency while reducing negative environmental impacts), agricultural climate adaptation (helping farms, ranches, and related systems remain resilient under changing climate conditions), value-added innovation (creating new products, processes, markets, or business models that increase the value and competitiveness of agricultural goods), and food and nutrition translation (moving research into practice so that healthier diets and better nutrition outcomes are more achievable and widespread). Competitive applications are expected not only to address current problems but also to anticipate future social, cultural, behavioral, economic, health, and environmental impacts. In other words, applicants need to show they understand both the immediate needs and the longer-term consequences of changes in agricultural and food systems.

A major emphasis in SAS is demonstrating clear societal benefits. NIFA is looking for outcomes that translate into real-world improvements such as stronger rural economies, better livelihoods across the value chain, and measurable enhancements to community well-being. Successful proposals typically frame their work in terms of broad, integrated impacts, for example improving farm profitability while reducing resource use, increasing climate resilience while maintaining food affordability, or linking agricultural practices to improved dietary quality and public health.

Eligibility depends on the type of project being proposed. For single-function projects (Research-only, Education-only, or Extension-only), a wide range of applicants may apply, including State Agricultural Experiment Stations, colleges and universities (including junior colleges offering associate degrees or higher), university research foundations, other research institutions and organizations, federal agencies, national laboratories, private organizations or corporations, and individual applicants who are U.S. citizens, nationals, or permanent residents. Groups or partnerships composed of two or more eligible entities may also apply. Foreign and international organizations are not eligible as applicant institutions under these categories, though they may sometimes be involved through other allowable mechanisms if permitted by the RFA and the applicant remains an eligible U.S.-based entity.

For Integrated Projects (those that combine two or three components among research, education, and extension), eligibility is more limited. Applicants must be colleges and universities (as defined in the RFA), 1994 Land-Grant Institutions, or Hispanic-serving agricultural colleges and universities. The RFA definition of an eligible college or university is specific: the institution must admit students with a secondary school completion credential (or equivalent), be legally authorized to provide post-secondary education in the state, offer bachelor’s degrees or higher, be public or other nonprofit, and be accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting body. A research foundation maintained by a college or university is also eligible to receive an award under this program.

The opportunity also references Food and Agricultural Science Enhancement (FASE) Grants, with details provided in the RFA. Under the FASE framework, the solicitation includes options such as Strengthening Coordinated Agricultural Project and Strengthening Standard Grants, which are generally designed to broaden participation and build capacity in food and agricultural sciences. Applicants interested in these tracks must follow the specific eligibility and requirements described in the relevant RFA sections and respond to the program area priorities and deadlines listed in the solicitation.

Administratively, this is a discretionary grant opportunity under CFDA 10.310, posted under funding opportunity number USDA NIFA AFRI 007892. The original closing date listed for the opportunity is July 1, 2021. The award ceiling listed is up to $10,000,000, indicating the program can support large-scale, multi-partner efforts when justified. While only eligible entities may apply directly, award recipients are allowed to subcontract to organizations that are not themselves eligible applicants, as long as those partners are necessary to carry out the project. Eligibility compliance is treated strictly: if an applicant does not meet the eligibility criteria by the application deadline, the application can be excluded from consideration or otherwise prevented from receiving an award even if it is reviewed.

• The National Institute of Food and Agriculture in the agriculture sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Competitive Grants Program Sustainable Agricultural Systems (SAS)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.310.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2020-11-09.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2021-07-01. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $10,000,000.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: Others.

Apply for USDA NIFA AFRI 007892

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