Agricultural Genome to Phenome Initiative - Workshop Grants

The Agricultural Genome to Phenome Initiative Workshop Grants program is administered by the United States Department of Agriculture through the National Institute of Food and Agriculture. This federal initiative is authorized under federal statute and is part of a broader effort to advance agricultural innovation by connecting genomic data with observable traits in crops and livestock. The program is designed to support interdisciplinary collaboration across scientific and engineering domains, emphasizing the integration of genetics, phenomics, data science, and agricultural production systems. It aligns with national priorities to enhance agricultural productivity, sustainability, and resilience while supporting farmers, ranchers, and related stakeholders. The purpose of this funding opportunity is to support workshops that bring together diverse experts to address critical challenges in genome-to-phenome research. These workshops are intended to foster collaboration, generate new ideas, and advance the development of predictive tools and models that improve the selection and management of agricultural species. Projects are expected to address key priorities such as improving genetic understanding, enhancing data integration, developing high-throughput phenotyping methods, and strengthening agricultural data infrastructure. The program also emphasizes workforce development and encourages partnerships that include academic institutions, industry participants, and international collaborators where appropriate. Funding under this opportunity is limited and targeted. Approximately fifty thousand dollars is available for the workshop grant component, with individual awards ranging from twenty thousand to fifty thousand dollars. Only one award is anticipated. The period of performance for funded projects is twelve months. Funds are intended to support the organization and execution of workshops rather than ongoing conferences or recurring events. Applicants must also include a data management plan that ensures compliance with federal requirements for data sharing and accessibility, particularly adherence to FAIR data principles. A significant requirement of this program is the expectation of cost sharing. Applicants must provide matching contributions equal to one hundred percent of the federal funds requested, although waivers may be considered under specific conditions such as broader applicability of results or financial limitations related to minor commodities. Indirect costs are capped at thirty percent of total federal funds awarded. These financial requirements underscore the program’s emphasis on leveraging both federal and non-federal resources to maximize impact. Eligibility for this opportunity is broad and inclusive, allowing applications from individuals and a wide range of organizations. Eligible entities include universities, research institutions, private companies, nonprofit organizations, federal agencies, and consortia composed of multiple eligible partners. Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov and require completion of standard federal registration processes, including SAM and eRA Commons registration. Required application components include a project summary, narrative, budget justification, and data management plan, all of which must adhere to strict formatting and content guidelines. Applications are evaluated through a two-step process involving administrative screening followed by scientific peer review. Evaluation criteria focus on the significance and relevance of the proposed workshop, the quality and feasibility of the program design, and the qualifications of the organizing team. Review panels consider factors such as stakeholder engagement, anticipated outputs, and alignment with program priorities. Awards are made based on merit and available funding, with final decisions made by NIFA officials. The application deadline for this funding opportunity is June 29, 2026 at 5:00 PM Eastern Time. No letter of intent is required. Applicants are encouraged to begin registration processes early due to their complexity and duration. Following submission, applicants can expect a review process involving expert panels, with notifications issued after evaluation is complete. The program does not explicitly state a recurring cycle, indicating that this opportunity may not be offered annually. For questions or assistance, applicants may contact program staff via the provided email address or consult the detailed guidance available through the NIFA Grants Application Guide.

Focus on interdisciplinary collaboration and clearly demonstrate alignment with AG2PI priorities; emphasize stakeholder relevance and measurable workshop outcomes