Specialty Crop Multi-State Grant Program

The Specialty Crop Multi-State Program (SCMP) is administered at the state level through the South Carolina Department of Agriculture (SCDA) as part of a broader initiative supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service. The program is designed to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops by supporting collaborative, multi-state projects that address issues extending beyond a single state. Specialty crops include fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops, including floriculture. Through SCDA, applicants in South Carolina can access and participate in this funding opportunity while coordinating with partners in other states. The purpose of the program is to fund projects that strengthen specialty crop industries through regional or national collaboration. Eligible projects must address shared challenges such as food safety, plant pests and disease, research priorities, crop-specific production issues, and marketing and promotion efforts. The program emphasizes outcomes that provide measurable benefits across multiple states, requiring applicants to design initiatives that extend impact beyond local or single-state concerns. Funding for the program ranges from 250000 to 1000000 dollars per project, with a maximum project duration of up to three years. These funds may be used to support a wide range of activities aligned with program goals, including applied research, development of best practices, educational outreach, and coordinated marketing campaigns. A cost-share requirement applies, requiring applicants to contribute matching funds equal to 25 percent of the federal award amount. This ensures that applicants have a financial stake in the success and sustainability of their projects. Eligibility is open to a broad group of applicants, including specialty crop producer associations, state agencies, Tribal government entities, universities, nonprofit organizations, and other stakeholder groups. A key requirement of the program is that all proposals must include at least two organizations located in different states, referred to as multi-state partners, with substantive involvement in the project. For applicants submitting through SCDA, at least one partner must be based in South Carolina. Projects that do not include a South Carolina partner must apply directly through the federal administering agency rather than through the state. The application process requires submission of a complete proposal package using specific templates provided by the program. Required components include a project narrative, a letter verifying the required cost-share contribution, and letters from partner organizations confirming their participation. Applications must be submitted via email to the SCDA program contact, after which SCDA will review submissions for completeness and forward eligible applications to the federal agency through Grants.gov. SCDA does not provide feedback on applications prior to submission and does not participate in the final award decision process. The application deadline is August 31, 2026 at 5:00 PM Eastern Time. After submission, SCDA will transmit completed applications to the federal agency by mid-October. The anticipated period of performance for awarded projects is from September 30, 2026 through September 29, 2029. The program operates on a recurring basis, and future funding cycles are expected, though applicants should consult updated notices for specific timelines. For questions or submission details, applicants may contact SCDA using the provided email address or phone number.

Ensure strong multi-state collaboration with clearly defined partner roles and align project with regional or national specialty crop issues such as food safety, pest management, research, or marketing