USDA-NIFA Agriculture and Food Research Initiative - Education and Workforce Development 2026

Deadline: Dec 31, 2026

other

partially funded

United States

To Apply

Please visit the application link below to apply.

Opportunity Overview

📖 About

The Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) – Education and Workforce Development (EWD) program is a flagship funding opportunity administered by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) under the U.S. Department of Agriculture. This program aims to strengthen the education and training pipeline for the food and agricultural sciences by supporting initiatives that prepare the next generation of researchers, educators, extension professionals, and skilled workers.

💰 Benefits

The AFRI EWD program represents a substantial federal investment in education and workforce development:

Estimated total program funding: USD 39.7 million
Award range: USD 10,000 to USD 650,000
Cost sharing: Matching funds are required for some project types (refer to the NOFO for details).

Funding amounts and requirements vary by project category, scope, and duration.

✅ Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility for AFRI EWD funding varies depending on the project type. A broad range of institutions and organizations may apply, including:

1862, 1890, and 1994 Land-grant Institutions
State-controlled institutions of higher education
Hispanic-Serving Institutions
Nonprofit organizations (with or without 501(c)(3) status)
For-profit organizations (excluding small businesses, unless specified)
Small businesses
Individuals
Native American Tribal organizations (non-federally recognized)

Applicants are advised to carefully review the current Request for Applications (RFA), as eligibility requirements and restrictions may differ across funding tracks. Applications from ineligible entities will not be reviewed.

📅 Application Date and Process

Application Deadline: 31 December, 2026
Interested applicants can apply via the official application portal.

🌐 Scholarship Application Portal

View details of the USDA-NIFA Agriculture and Food Research Initiative - Education and Workforce Development here.
Apply directly via Grants.gov.

For more information, visit the official USDA-NIFA website or refer to the Request for Applications (RFA).

Benefits

Estimated total program funding: USD 39.7 million
Award range: USD 10,000 to USD 650,000
Cost sharing: Matching funds are required for some project types (see NOFO for details)

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