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Specialty Crop Research Initiative (SCRI)

Specialty Crop Research Initiative

Supports specialty crop innovation in fruits, vegetables, and nuts through integrated grants for breeding, productivity, and safety.

Between cyclesUSDA National Institute of Food and AgricultureUnited States

The Specialty Crop Research Initiative, administered by USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture, provides up to $175 million per year for transdisciplinary integrated research and extension projects addressing the most critical challenges facing the U.S. specialty crop industry. Specialty crops covered include fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, and horticulture — commodity crops are excluded…

Transdisciplinary integrated research and extension grants for US specialty crops — fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, and horticulture — addressing breeding, pest threats, production efficiency, mechanization, and food safety.

CycleiHow often this grant runs — e.g. annually, on a rolling basis, or a one-off call.Annual
Next deadlineiThe next date applications are due. Rolling means you can apply any time.—
Decision timeiTypical time from the deadline to the funder's decision.—
Project durationiHow long the funded work is expected to run.—
Award typeiThe form of funding — grant, equity, loan, tax credit, etc.Grant
Match fundingiThe share of project costs you must cover yourself. 0% = fully funded.0%
Funding pooliThe total budget available across all awards in this round.$175M

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Last verified: 22 Jul 2026Source: www.nifa.usda.gov