AFRI Sustainable Agricultural Systems Program

March 14, 2024

Agriculture In The US Economic Development Green Initiative

Unlock up to $10 million to address critical challenges in agriculture, food security, and sustainability

The Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) – Sustainable Agricultural Systems program aims to catalyze transformative change in the US food and agricultural system by funding innovative projects aligned with USDA priority outcomes. With $80 million available in funding, this program presents a valuable opportunity for researchers, institutions, and organizations to address pressing challenges in agriculture, food security, and sustainability while contributing to economic development and rural prosperity in the United States.

Eligible Projects

Eligible projects for the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) – Sustainable Agricultural Systems program should align with the program's overarching goal of promoting transformational change in the US food and agricultural system. These projects should address at least one of the specified USDA priority outcomes, which include:

  1. Food and Nutrition Security:

    • Enhancing local and regional food systems to improve access to nutritious and safe food.
    • Implementing nutrition-sensitive and climate-smart agricultural practices to enhance food security.
    • Addressing nutrition security and reducing diet-related health disparities, particularly in underserved communities.

  2. Strengthening the Bio-economy:

    • Developing sustainable bioenergy sources and bio-based products to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and promote environmental sustainability.
    • Enhancing the resilience and robustness of bioeconomic systems to mitigate risks and increase productivity.
    • Establishing partnerships and regional resource hubs to support the development and dissemination of bio-economy innovations.

  3. Climate-Smart Agriculture and Forestry:

    • Implementing strategies for greenhouse gas mitigation in agriculture and forestry practices to mitigate climate change.
    • Analyzing markets and socio-economic factors to promote the adoption of climate-smart agricultural practices.
    • Developing regionally appropriate climate adaptation and resilience measures to mitigate the impacts of climate change on agriculture and forestry.

Eligible projects should demonstrate a visionary approach to improving the supply of affordable, safe, nutritious, and accessible agricultural products. They should also contribute to economic development and rural prosperity in the United States. Examples of eligible projects may include:

  • Research studies investigating innovative agricultural practices that enhance crop yields while reducing environmental impact.
  • Pilot programs implementing local and regional food distribution networks to improve access to fresh produce in underserved communities.
  • Development of new bioenergy technologies that utilize agricultural waste products to produce renewable energy.
  • Initiatives to promote sustainable land management practices that improve soil health and water conservation.
  • Collaborative efforts to address food insecurity through community-based interventions and educational programs.
  • Projects exploring the socio-economic impacts of climate change on agricultural communities and developing adaptation strategies.

Eligibility Criteria
 

Eligible applicants may include research institutions, universities, non-profit organizations, and other entities engaged in agricultural research and development.

  • Applicants must aim for visionary approaches to improving the supply of affordable, safe, nutritious, and accessible agricultural products.
  • Projects should foster economic development and rural prosperity in the United States.
  • Projects should align with the specified USDA priority outcomes.
 
Funding Information 
 

Total Funding Available: $80 million

  • Allocation: The $80 million is available for projects that promote transformational change in the US food and agricultural system. This funding is distributed among projects that address the specified USDA priority outcomes, which include areas such as food and nutrition security, bio-economy strengthening, and climate-smart agriculture and forestry.
  • Funding Amounts: Awards range from $50,000 to $10 million per project.

Deadline
 
Deadline to Apply is June 6th, 2024.

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