Agriculture and Food Research Initiative - Foundational and Applied Science Program

Funding Agency:
US Department of Agriculture

The Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) is America’s flagship competitive grants program that provides funding for fundamental and applied research, education, and extension projects in the food and agricultural sciences. In this RFA, NIFA requests applications for the six AFRI priority areas through the Foundational and Applied Science Program for 2023-2024. The goal of this program is to invest in agricultural production research, education, and extension projects for more sustainable, productive, and economically-viable plant and animal production systems. The global agricultural output needs to be expanded significantly to meet the food needs of the population expected in 2050; thus, it is imperative to develop innovative, safe, and sustainable management strategies for livestock (including poultry and aquaculture species), crops, and critical underlying resources. Applications that address climate change, food and nutrition security, expanding markets for producers, indigenous traditional ecological knowledge, and equity for underserved producers are welcome. Also welcome are applications that incorporate virtual learning options, where appropriate and practical for integrated programs.

In 2023, applications are sought in the following priority areas:

1. Plant health and production and plant products;

2. Animal health and production and animal products;

3. Food safety, nutrition, and health;

4. Bioenergy, natural resources, and environment;

5. Agriculture systems and technology; and

6. Agriculture economics and rural communities

LETTER OF INTENT DEADLINE: Varies by Program Area

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Varies by Program Area

Agency Website

Areas of Interest

Plant Health and Production and Plant Products 

  • 1a. Foundational Knowledge of Agricultural Production Systems Deadline – Sep 14, 2023
  • 1b. Foundational Knowledge of Plant Products Application Deadline – Aug 17, 2023
  • 1c. Pests and Beneficial Species in Agricultural Production Systems Application Deadline – Sep 21, 2023
  • 1d. Physiology of Agricultural Plants Application Deadline –  Aug 24, 2023
  • 1e. Plant Breeding for Agricultural Production Application Deadline –  Oct 13, 2023 
  • 1f. Pollinator Health: Research and Application Application Deadline – Aug 24, 2023
  • 1g. Conventional Plant Breeding for Cultivar Development Deadline -- October 12, 2023

Animal Health and Production and Animal Products

  • 2a. Animal Reproduction Application Deadline – Aug. 10, 2023
  • 2b. Animal Nutrition, Growth and Lactation Application Deadline – Aug 10, 2023
  • 2c. Welfare of Agricultural Animals Application Deadline – Aug 10, 2023
  • 2d. Diseases of Agricultural Animals Application Deadline – Aug 10, 2023
  • 2e. Animal Breeding, Genetics, and Genomics Application Deadline – Aug 10, 2023

Food Safety, Nutrition, and Health

  • 3a. Food Safety and Defense Application Deadline – Aug 24, 2023
  • 3b. Novel Foods and Innovative Manufacturing Technologies Application Deadline – Sep 28, 2023
  • 3c. Diet, Nutrition, and the Prevention of Chronic Diseases  Application Deadline – Aug 24, 2023
  • 3d. Food and Human Health Application Deadline – Aug 10, 2023
  • 3e. Mitigating Antimicrobial Resistance Across the Food Chain Application Deadline – Sep 21, 2023

Bioenergy, Natural Resources, and Environment (BNRE) 

  • 4a. Soil Health Application Deadline – Sep 14, 2023
  • 4b. Water Quantity and Quality Application Deadline – Sep 7, 2023
  • 4c. Sustainable Bioeconomy through Biobased Products Application Deadline – Sep 7, 2023
  • 4d. Sustainable Agroecosystems Deadline – Sep 14, 2023
  • 4e. Environmental Justice Deadline -- Sep 14, 2023

Agriculture Systems and Technology (AST)

  • 5a. Engineering for Agricultural Production and Processing Deadline – Oct 5, 2023
  • 5b. Biorefining and Biomanufacturing Deadline – Sep 28, 2023
  • 5c. Nanotechnology for Agricultural and Food Systems Deadline – Sep 14, 2023
  • 5d. Engineering for Precision Crop and Water Management Deadline -- Oct 12, 2023

Agriculture Economics and Rural Communities (AERC)

  • 6a. Small and Medium-Sized Farms Deadline – Aug 17, 2023
  • 6b. Economics, Markets and Trade Deadline – Oct 5, 2023
  • 6c. Social Implications of Food and Agricultural Technologies Deadline – Nov 2, 2023
  • 6d. Rural Economic Development Deadline – Sep 14, 2023
  • 6e. Environmental and Natural Resource Economics Deadline -- Sep 14, 2023

Crosscutting Programs

  • 7a. Agricultural Microbiomes in Plant Systems and Natural Resources Deadline – Oct 5, 2023
  • 7b. Critical Agricultural Research and Extension (CARE) Deadline – Sep 14, 2023
  • 7c. Data Science for Food and Agricultural Systems (DSFAS) Deadline – Nov 16, 2023
  • 7d. Inter-Disciplinary Engagement in Animal Systems (IDEAS) Deadlines – Oct 5, 2023
  • 7e. Agricultural Biosecurity Deadline -- Aug 10, 2023
  • 7f. Extension, Education & USDA Climate Hubs Partnership Deadline -- Sep 7, 2023
  • 7g. AFRI Commodity Board Co-funding Topics -- Aug 3, 2023
  • 7h. Rapid Response to Extreme Weather Events Across Food and Agricultural Systems (Standard, Strengthening Standard) -- Accepted on a continuous basis after this RFA is published
  • 7i. Center for Research, Behavioral Economics, and Extension on Food Loss & Waste -- Sep 14, 2023

Eligibility Requirements

Eligible applicants for single-function Research, Education or Extension Projects include: a) State Agricultural Experiment Station; b) colleges and universities (including junior colleges offering associate degrees or higher); c) university research foundations; d) other research institutions and organizations; e) Federal agencies; f) national laboratories; g) private organizations or corporations; h) individuals who are U.S. citizens, nationals, or permanent residents; and i) any group consisting of two or more entities identified in a) through h)

Eligible applicants for Integrated Projects include: a) colleges and universities; b) 1994 Land-Grant Institutions; and c) Hispanic-serving agricultural colleges and universities (see NIFA's HispanicServing Agricultural Colleges and Universities page).

Duplicate or Multiple Submissions – submission of duplicate or predominantly overlapping applications is not allowed. NIFA will disqualify both applications if an applicant submits multiple applications that are duplicative or substantially overlapping to NIFA programs within the same fiscal year.

Funding Type

Grant

Eligibility

Faculty

Category

Curriculum Development
Engineering and Physical Sciences
Environmental & Life Sciences
Interdisciplinary
Medical
Medical - Basic Science
Medical - Clinical Science
Medical - Translational
Social Sciences

External Deadline

August 10, 2023