USDA NIFA Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI)
USDA's flagship competitive grants program for food, agriculture, natural resources, and human sciences research.
Official program page- Sponsor
- U.S. Department of Agriculture
- Mechanism
- AFRI
- Typical award
- Varies by program area and project type, from single-investigator grants to large coordinated agricultural projects.
- Deadlines
- AFRI releases requests for applications on an annual cycle, with deadlines staggered by program area.
What it funds
- Foundational and applied research
- Education and workforce development
- Integrated research-education-extension projects across agricultural priority areas
Who can apply
Universities, colleges, research institutions, and other eligible organizations; specific eligibility is set by each request for applications.
Best for
Research addressing USDA priorities in agriculture, food, natural resources, or the agricultural workforce.
Figures and deadlines change year to year: always confirm current details on the official program page before applying.
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Managing a USDA AFRI proposal?
GrantsManager tracks the deadline, budget, and submission from first draft to award.