Funding Opportunities
Featured Funding Opportunities
- Research and Education (Chapter 1) Grants - Pre-proposal applications due June 13, 2008
- Farmer/Rancher Grants -- Applications due: December 5, 2008
- Professional Producer Grants -- Applications due: December 5, 2008
- Professional Development Program -- Applications due: November 3, 2008
- Graduate Student Grants - Applications due: May 30, 2008
Packard Foundation: Agriculture Sub-Program Area
Funding available for projects in three categories: U.S. Agriculture, Nitrogen Science, and Biofuels. Letters of Inquiry due no later than August 15, 2008.
National Research Initiative
The FY 2008 National Research Initiative request for applications is now available. Consult the main NRI page for more details on program areas, research priorities, and due dates.
Funding Sources for Projects in Sustainable Agriculture, Food Systems, and Organic Farming
Western Region SARE
SARE grants are used to increase knowledge about sustainable agricultural practices and to help farmers and ranchers adopt those practices. The Western SARE program administers grants in several categories that help it achieve those aims. Each grant operates on an annual cycle and is selected through a competitive process. Dispersal of funds rests on Congressional budget decisions.
Western Region IPM Center Funding Opportunities List
The Western IPM Center has released a Request for Applications (RFAs) for Addressing Western IPM Issues. Applications are due on October 26, 2007. Other funding opportunities and grant programs for Western Region researchers and educators also listed.
USDA CSREES Funding Opportunities List
Sort by due date to get current Requests for Proposals
USDA CSREES National Emphasis Areas
- USDA CSREES: Agricultural Systems and Organic Farming
- USDA CSREES: Food, Nutrition, Health
- USDA CSREES: Pest Management
US EPA Region 9
Calls for proposals on a number of target issues and topics; variable funding cycles.
Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems Funders
SAFSF is a national working group of grant-makers that seeks to promote a more sustainable agriculture and food system.
Organic Farming Research Foundation / Scientific Congress on Organic Agriculture Research
OFRF is dedicated to promoting organic farming through funding of on-farm research and dissemination of the results. Proposals are considered twice a year. See their Web site for most current deadlines.
Building Better Rural Places: Federal Programs for Sustainable Agriculture, Forestry, Conservation and Community Development
Publication written for those seeking help from federal programs to foster innovative enterprises in agriculture and forestry in the United States. The guide addresses program resources in community development, sustainable land management, and value-added and diversified agriculture and forestry.
Community of Science (COS) Funding Opportunities
A comprehensive database of published grants, scholarships, fellowships and awards with more than 23,000 entries. Other services available are COS Expertise, a worldwide database of profiles of researchers, scholars and other experts, and COS Abstract Management System, a comprehensive Web-based system for managing the submission, review and approval of abstracts.
Previous SAREP Requests for Proposals (RFPs)
The following RFPs from past funding cycles are available here for reference only.
2007 RFP
Agricultural Sustainability Competitive Grants Program - targeted to UC Cooperative Extension personnel (CE advisors and directors). Collaborations with UCCE specialists, AES scientists, USDA-ARS scientists, California graduate students, farmers, ranchers, community groups and/or other participants from non-profit organizations or public agencies are strongly encouraged. Proposals are being requested for research and/or extension projects in three thematic areas: Energy Costs in Agriculture, Innovative Agricultural Marketing Strategies, and Impacts of Global Climate Change. Awards are for one-year projects only. Total funding available-approximately $100,000; project budget requests may not exceed $25,000 per project. Proposals were due April 11, 2007
2006 RFP
Sustainable Community Food Systems Grants - targeted to county-based UC Cooperative Extension personnel (CE Advisors and Directors). Applicants must partner with community-based organizations (e.g., grower groups, consumer groups, local governmental agencies or others) to show community engagement. Awards are for one-year projects only; typical awards $5,000-10,000. Total funding available approximately $60,000. Proposals were due March 15, 2006.
2003 RFPs
Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Grants - Requesting targeted research and education proposals on sustainable food systems. Awards typically range from $10,000 - $20,000. Proposals were due May 1, 2003.
2002 RFPs
Request for Proposals,
University of California Specialty Crops Research Program- Proposals
were due August 1, 2002
Grants for Educational Events - Awards limited to $1,500 per event. Funds available for events held between July 1, 2002 and June 30, 2003. Proposals were due March 13, 2002.
2001 RFPs
Biologically Integrated Farming Systems (BIFS) Projects for Field Crops, Row Crops, Orchards, Vineyards, or Livestock - Awards typically range from $50,000 - $100,000 per year. Proposals were due October 2, 2001.
Grants for Educational Events - Awards limited to $1,500 per event. Funds available for events held between August 1, 2001 and June 30, 2002. Proposals were due May 22, 2001.
Sustainable Agriculture Grants Research and Education Grants - Research and Education Grants for targeted proposals on, optimizing organic production, optimizing biologically integrated farming systems, and sustainable community food systems. Proposals were due April 3, 2001.
1999-2000 RFPs
Grants for Educational Events - Awards limited to $1,200 per event. Funds available for events held between July 1, 2000 and June 30, 2001. (Proposals were due April 11, 2000; funds available July 1, 2000.)
Sustainable Agriculture Graduate Awards - Awards up to $3,000 for research projects available to registered graduate students of any accredited institution of higher learning in California. (Proposals were due April 11, 2000; funds available July 1, 2000.)
- 1998-1999 RFPs
Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Grants for Crop and Livestock Production, Agroforestry, Community Development, and Public Policy. Proposals were due January 6, 1999.
Research to Develop Alternatives to Methyl Bromide for Pre-Plant Soil Fumigation and Post-Harvest Treatment of Commodities. Optional pre-proposals were due December 11, 1998, full proposals were due February 19, 1999.
Biologically Integrated Farming Systems (BIFS) Projects for Field Crops, Row Crops, Orchards, Vineyards, and Livestock. Optional pre-proposals were due December 11, 1998, full proposals were due March 15, 1999.