Supplemental and Alternative Crops

The Supplemental and Alternative Crops program is administered by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture within the U.S. Department of Agriculture. This federal funding opportunity supports research and extension activities that strengthen agricultural systems through the development and adoption of nontraditional crops. The program is grounded in statutory authority that enables USDA to fund both fundamental and applied research focused on creating new commercial products from plant materials. It reflects national priorities to enhance agricultural profitability, expand markets, and support innovation across the food and agricultural sectors. The primary purpose of the program is to increase the acreage, adaptability, and profitability of supplemental and alternative crops across the United States. These crops include oilseeds, grains, legumes, and industrial feedstocks such as hemp, which can diversify farming operations and improve economic resilience for producers. Funded projects are expected to address regional production challenges, improve crop performance, and create new market opportunities. The program emphasizes integrated approaches that combine research with extension activities to ensure that findings are rapidly transferred to producers and industry stakeholders. Funding under this opportunity is intended for integrated projects that must include both research and extension components, with education as an optional addition. Projects should focus on developing improved cultivars, optimizing production practices, enhancing supply chain efficiency, and expanding market opportunities. Applicants are encouraged to form multi-state collaborations involving universities, federal agencies, and private industry partners. The program also requires stakeholder engagement throughout project development and implementation to ensure that outcomes are relevant and applicable to real-world agricultural systems. The total anticipated funding for the fiscal year is approximately 1,815,036 dollars, with individual awards typically ranging from 230,000 to 460,000 dollars. The program expects to make between four and eight awards, with project durations ranging from 24 to 48 months. Funds may be used for research, extension, personnel, and related project costs, subject to federal guidelines. Indirect costs are capped at 30 percent of total federal funds awarded. There is no cost-sharing or matching requirement, which lowers barriers for eligible applicants to participate. Eligibility for the program includes colleges and universities, other federal agencies, and private sector entities. Applicants must submit proposals electronically through Grants.gov and follow detailed application guidelines provided in the funding opportunity package. Required application components include a project summary, a detailed project narrative, a data management plan, and a mentoring plan if applicable. The project narrative must outline objectives, methodology, stakeholder engagement, expected outcomes, and a comprehensive timeline. Applications are evaluated through a two-step process involving administrative screening followed by peer review based on criteria such as scientific merit, outreach effectiveness, and alignment with program priorities. The application deadline for this funding opportunity is June 25, 2026, with submissions due by 5:00 PM Eastern Time. Awards are expected to be issued before the end of the federal fiscal year, with project start dates determined shortly thereafter. The program is offered on a recurring basis, reflecting ongoing federal investment in agricultural innovation. Interested applicants can direct programmatic inquiries to SAC@usda.gov and administrative questions to grantapplicationquestions@usda.gov. Additional guidance and application materials are available through the Grants.gov platform.

Focus on integrated research and extension design with strong stakeholder engagement and measurable outcomes; ensure alignment with USDA priorities and include clear outreach and technology transfer plans