Research Facilities Act Program

The Research Facilities Act Program is administered by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture within the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The program is designed to strengthen the infrastructure supporting food and agricultural sciences by providing competitive grant funding to eligible institutions for the construction, modernization, and enhancement of research facilities. The program aligns with federal priorities to advance agricultural innovation, improve food systems, and support the long-term competitiveness of American agriculture. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to assist qualifying institutions in building or upgrading facilities that directly support research, education, and extension activities in agricultural sciences. Projects may include the construction of new buildings, renovation or expansion of existing facilities, acquisition of property, or installation of permanently affixed equipment necessary for research operations. The program emphasizes projects that demonstrate strategic planning, address infrastructure gaps, and contribute to national or multistate agricultural research needs. Funding is available across four project levels, ranging from planning activities to large-scale research complexes. Allowable uses of funds include site assessments, architectural design, construction, renovation, and installation of essential infrastructure systems such as climate control, utilities, and safety systems. However, portable equipment is not eligible for funding. The program requires a strict non federal cost share, mandating a one to one cash match from non federal sources, which must be documented and aligned with project timelines and expenditures. Eligibility is limited to specific categories of institutions, including land grant universities, state agricultural experiment stations, accredited veterinary schools, and other designated higher education institutions involved in agricultural research. Applicants must demonstrate that their proposed facility will complement existing infrastructure, align with national priorities, and be supported by long term institutional commitment for operations and maintenance. Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov using the designated funding opportunity number. Required components include a project summary, project narrative, budget justification, institutional profile, and supporting documentation such as design plans and letters of commitment. The review process includes an administrative screening followed by a scientific peer review panel evaluation, which assesses criteria such as project significance, planning, financial capacity, and long term impact. The application deadline for this funding opportunity is July 24, 2026 at 5 PM Eastern Time. Awards are expected to support projects lasting between 12 and 48 months, with funding amounts ranging from 100000 to 30000000 dollars depending on project scope. The program is not explicitly stated as recurring, and applicants are encouraged to ensure compliance with all federal requirements, including environmental and procurement regulations, throughout the lifecycle of the project.

Align project with USDA priorities demonstrate long term institutional commitment provide clear matching funds strategy and ensure facility is non duplicative