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 six AFRI priority areas through the Foundational and Applied Science Program for 2021 and 2022. Applicants considering applying to the second year should check the AFRI RFA webpage and www.grants.gov. 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, crops, and critical underlying resources.

In 2021 and 2022, 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

https://nifa.usda.gov/funding-opportunity/agriculture-and-food-research-initiati…

Areas of Interest

Plant Health and Production and Plant Products 

  • Foundational Knowledge of Agricultural Production Systems Application Deadline – June 17, 2021; Sep. 15, 2022
  • Foundational Knowledge of Plant Products Application Deadline – May 20, 2021, Aug. 18, 2022
  • Pests and Beneficial Species in Agricultural Production Systems Application Deadline – May 27, 2021; Aug. 25, 2022
  • Physiology of Agricultural Plants Application Deadline –  May 20, 2021, Aug. 18, 2022
  • Plant Breeding for Agricultural Production Application Deadline –  May 20, 2021, Aug. 18, 2022
  • Pollinator Health: Research and Application Application Deadline – June 17, 2021; Sep. 15, 2022

Animal Health and Production and Animal Products

  • Animal Reproduction Application Deadline – May 6, 2021, Aug. 11, 2022
  • Animal Nutrition, Growth and Lactation Application Deadline – May 6, 2021, Aug. 11, 2022
  • Welfare and Well-being of Agricultural Animals Application Deadline – May 6, 2021, Aug. 11, 2022
  • Diseases of Agricultural Animals Application Deadline – May 6, 2021, Aug. 11, 2022
  • Animal Breeding and Functional Annotation of Genomes Application Deadline – May 6, 2021, Aug. 11, 2022

Food Safety, Nutrition, and Health

  • Food Safety and Defense Application Deadline –  May 27, 2021; Aug. 25, 2022
  • Novel Foods and Innovative Manufacturing Technologies Application Deadline – June 10, 2021, Sep. 1, 2022
  • Diet, Nutrition and the Prevention of Chronic Diseases  Application Deadline – May 27, 2021; Aug. 25, 2022
  • Food and Human Health Application Deadline – June 10, 2021, Sep. 1, 2022
  • Mitigating Antimicrobial Resistance Across the Food Chain Application Deadline – June 10, 2021, Sep. 1, 2022

Bioenergy, Natural Resources, and Environment (BNRE) 

  • Soil Health Application Deadline – June 10, 2021, Sep. 1, 2022
  • Water Quantity and Quality Application Deadline – June 10, 2021, Sep. 1, 2022
  • Sustainable Biomass Feedstock Systems Application Deadline –June 10, 2021, Sep. 1, 2022
  • Sustainable Agroecosystems: Health, Functions, Processes and Management – June 17, 2021, Sep. 15, 2022

Agriculture Systems and Technology (AST)

  • Engineering for Agricultural Production Systems Application Deadline – July 15, 2021; Oct. 6, 2022
  • Bioprocessing and Bioengineering Application Deadline – July 1. 2021; Sep. 29, 2022
  • Nanotechnology for Agricultural and Food Systems Application Deadline – May 27, 2021; Aug. 25, 2021

Agriculture Economics and Rural Communities (AERC)

  • Small and Medium-Sized Farms Application Deadline – June 24, 2021; Sep. 22, 2022
  • Economics, Markets and Trade Application Deadline – July 15, 2021; Oct. 6, 2022
  • Economic and Social Implications of Food and Agricultural Technologies Application Deadline – July 15, 2021; Oct. 6, 2022
  • Rural Economic Development Application Deadline – June 17, 2021, Sep 15, 2022

Crosscutting Programs

  • Agricultural Microbiomes in Plant Systems and Natural Resources Deadlines – July 15, 2021; Oct. 6, 2022
  • Critical Agricultural Research and Extension (CARE) Application Deadline – June 17, 2021, Sep 15, 2022
  • Data Science for Food and Agricultural Systems (DSFAS) Application Deadline – July 29, 2021; Oct. 20, 2022
  • Inter-Disciplinary Engagement in Animal Systems (IDEAS) Deadlines – July 15, 2021; Oct. 6, 2022
  • Tactical Sciences for Agricultural Biosecurity Required Letter of Intent Deadlines –July 22, 2021; Oct. 20, 2022

Amount Description

This RFA solicits applications for two funding cycles (FY 2019 or FY 2020). The anticipated amounts available to support the AFRI program in FY 2019 and FY 2020 are approximately $415 million and $415 million respectively. NIFA anticipates $192.585 million and $192.585 million will be available to support program areas in this AFRI RFA for FY 2019 and FY 2020 respectively.

Funding Type

Grant

Eligibility

Faculty

Category

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

External Deadline

May 6, 2021