Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Strengthening Agricultural Systems

The Strengthening Agricultural Systems (SAS) grant program, administered by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) under the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), represents a major funding initiative under the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI). This competitive funding program supports projects that integrate research, education, and extension to address pressing challenges within U.S. food and agricultural systems. The SAS program is authorized under the Competitive, Special, and Facilities Research Grant Act and falls within the broader statutory framework of the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative, identified under Assistance Listing Number 10.310. The SAS program aims to transform the U.S. food and agricultural landscape by increasing productivity and enhancing the economic viability of farms while ensuring sustainability and resilience. It targets systemic, transdisciplinary approaches that address challenges ranging from pest and disease management to chronic food-related illnesses, and seeks innovative pathways to develop new uses for agricultural products and expand market opportunities. Key priorities include supporting solutions that directly benefit American farmers, ranchers, producers, and foresters. Projects must demonstrate alignment with USDA’s R&D directive priorities, including improving profitability, expanding markets, and protecting agricultural integrity. The FY 2026 funding opportunity invites proposals under two primary program codes: A9201, Strengthening Agricultural Systems, and A9231, Artificial Intelligence for K–12 Food and Agricultural Sciences. For Program Code A9201, applicants must focus on one or more of three sub-priorities: New Uses and Expanding Markets for Agriculture and Forestry Products, Solutions to Pests and Diseases of Plants or Animals, and Combating Food and Diet-Related Chronic Diseases. These sub-priorities reflect USDA's national security and public health priorities, and proposals must include detailed plans around metrics, stakeholder engagement, integration of research-education-extension, and a systems science and transdisciplinary approach. Funding under this opportunity totals approximately $140 million, with individual awards ranging from $2.5 million to $10 million over a project period of up to five years. The program anticipates making 10–12 awards. Matching requirements apply to certain projects, particularly those involving applied research that is commodity-specific and not of national scope. Applicants must ensure their eligibility based on their institution type and must confirm if they qualify for Strengthening Grants under the FASE program. Eligible applicants include colleges, universities, 1994 Land-grant Institutions, and Hispanic-serving agricultural colleges and universities. In select cases, research foundations affiliated with universities are also eligible. Submission to this opportunity requires several components. A letter of intent, while optional, is requested by February 26, 2026, and should be submitted to [email protected]. Full applications are due by March 26, 2026, and must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov using the funding opportunity number USDA-NIFA-AFRI-011677. Applications must include a project narrative, abstract, logic model, management plan, data management plan, mentoring plan (if applicable), curriculum vitae, budget and justification, and additional forms such as conflict of interest lists and current/pending support. Project narratives must highlight stakeholder engagement, detail expected impacts beyond the life of the project, and provide measurable performance metrics. Proposals are reviewed through NIFA’s dual-phase review process, involving administrative screening followed by scientific peer review. Evaluation criteria include the integration of research, education, and extension; transdisciplinary and systems approaches; and the potential for long-term, scalable impact. Higher priority may be given to applicants designated as Centers of Excellence (COE), if the COE status is requested and justified. Final award decisions will be made based on merit, alignment with priorities, and available funding. Contact for program-specific inquiries is [email protected]. Questions about application logistics can be directed to [email protected]. Successful applicants will be notified by September 30 of the fiscal year in which their project is approved. This grant opportunity is not subject to Executive Order 12372 and does not permit use of funds for facility construction or renovation. Projects are expected to begin as soon as possible after award and continue for up to five years.

Emphasize full integration of research, education, and extension; design with systems and transdisciplinary approaches; show stakeholder co-production from inception.