USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture logo
Funder · Federal agency

USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture

Funds food, agriculture, and rural innovation by supporting research programs for universities, farmers, and small businesses.

United Stateswww.nifa.usda.gov
Key stats
Annual funding$1.89B
Programs6
Active grants2
Total grants6
About

The USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture, or USDA NIFA, is USDA's extramural research-grant agency. It sits within the Research, Education, and Economics mission area and provides leadership and funding for agriculture-related science, food systems, rural communities, and environmental stewardship. NIFA was established by the 2008 Farm Bill and began operating in October 2009, and its F…

Programs & grants under this funder
USDA SBIR Phase I

Provides seed grants to small businesses solving agricultural science and rural community challenges.

1 grant
USDA SBIR Phase I
Between cycles
$15.5M pool
USDA SBIR Phase II

Connects Followon commercialization grant for I awardees over to develop agricultural innovations through the USDA II.

1 grant
USDA SBIR Phase II
Between cycles
— pool
AFRI Education and Workforce Development (EWD)

Supports workforce and educational training for early-career researchers through fellowships and skill programs.

1 grant
AFRI Education and Workforce Development
Open
— pool·130 days
AFRI Foundational and Applied Science (FAS)

Funds United States agricultural science innovation through a national framework spanning many research priority pathways.

1 grant
AFRI Foundational and Applied Science
Open
$300M pool·130 days
Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative (OREI)

Funds organic farming research and extension services that strengthen sustainable practices and farmer expertise.

1 grant
Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative
Between cycles
$66M pool
Specialty Crop Research Initiative (SCRI)

Funds interdisciplinary agriculture projects for specialty crops across production, processing, and market readiness.

1 grant
Specialty Crop Research Initiative
Between cycles
$175M pool
Last verified: 1 Jun 2026Source: www.nifa.usda.gov