Grants for Public and State controlled institutions of higher education - Agriculture

The 2025 Sea Scallop Research Set Aside Program is a grant that awards scallop quota to successful applicants for conducting research to enhance knowledge about the scallop fishery resource and contribute to scallop management decisions, with funding generated from the sale of the awarded quota.

The North Central Region SARE (NCR-SARE) Research and Education (R&E) Grant Program is a competitive funding opportunity offering $100,000 to $500,000 for up to 3 years to researchers, educators, and organizations exploring sustainable agriculture, with the aim of improving economic viability, environmental quality, and quality of life in the North Central Region's agricultural sector.

This track of the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) program provides approximately $1 million for grants aimed at purchasing equipment necessary for the middle of the food supply chain activities in Vermont. The grants range from $30,000 to $100,000 with no match requirement. Applications for this track are set to open in late August 2024 and close in early October 2024, with grant activities beginning in early 2025.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA/FAS), Global Programs, Agricultural Economic Development announces this competitive notice of funding opportunity to support the Technical Agricultural Assistance Program by issuing a new award(s). This opportunity is available to State cooperative institutions or other colleges and universities in the United States, as defined at 7 USC 3103. It is intended to enhance African women farmers capacity to participate in school meals value chains, through agricultural education following a Home Grown School Feeding (HGSF) program approach.

This grant provides funding to agricultural organizations and institutions to improve farm management education and expand a national financial management database for farmers across the United States.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for agricultural development projects in developing countries and emerging democracies, focusing on increasing productivity and trade through the monetization of U.S. agricultural commodities.

This grant provides funding to California-based researchers, universities, government agencies, and nonprofits to develop innovative pest management strategies for addressing invasive agricultural pests.

This program provides funding to Hispanic-Serving Institutions to improve educational and community development initiatives in food, agriculture, natural resources, and human sciences, with a focus on supporting underrepresented students and enhancing workforce readiness.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Foreign Agricultural Service, Trade and Regulatory Capacity Building, announces this funding opportunity to support the Assisting Specialty Crop Exports Initiative. This opportunity is to promote the export of U.S. specialty crops to current and prospective foreign markets.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Foreign Agricultural Service, Trade Policy and Geographic Affairs, announces this funding opportunity to support the Assisting Specialty Crop Exports initiative. This opportunity is intended to promote the development of sustainable packaging of U.S. specialty crops exported to current and prospective foreign markets.

Administered by the North Dakota Department of Agriculture, this grant focuses on utility improvements necessary for the support of value-added agriculture businesses. It offers financial assistance for water and wastewater line improvements, as well as electrical and gas supply enhancements to accommodate the unique needs of agriculture businesses aiming for development or expansion. Grants are available up to $350,000 or 80% of the utility project cost, with a commitment to supporting projects that bolster the infrastructure required for sustainable agriculture growth and efficiency. Rolling application. Deadline is 04/01/2025 unless funds are depleted earlier

This funding opportunity provides financial support for colleges and universities to develop innovative pest management strategies that enhance food security and address environmental and health risks associated with pest control.

Federal Awarding Agency Name: U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) Funding Opportunity Title: Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) Alternative Funding Arrangements (AFA) for fiscal year (FY) 2024 Funding Opportunity Number: USDA-NRCS-NHQ-RCPPAFA-24-NOFO0001355 Assistance Listing: 10.932, Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) Due Date: NRCS must receive proposals by 4:59 p.m. Eastern Time on July 2, 2024. Note: The RCPP AFA and Classic FY 2024 notices of funding opportunity (NFO) will run concurrently. For information on Classic proposals please see USDA-NRCS-NHQ-RCPP-24-NOFO0001354. The RCPP promotes the coordination of NRCS conservation activities with partners that offer valueadded contributions to expand our ability to address on-farm, watershed, and regional natural resource concerns. Through the RCPP, NRCS seeks to co-invest with partners to implement projects that provide solutions to conservation challenges thereby measurably improving the resource concerns they seek to address. RCPP promotes collaboration with partners, stakeholders, and various communities, which is paramount to achieving equity in NRCS programs and services. Using guidance contained in this notice, partners propose projects that generate conservation benefits by addressing specific natural resource concerns in a state or multistate area or by addressing one or more priority resource concerns within an NRCS-designated critical conservation area (CCA). RCPP proposals are evaluated through a competitive proposal process based on three criteria: impact, partner contributions, and partnership and management. Up to $1.5 billion is available for RCPP projects through this announcement and the FY 2024 Classic announcement, which includes $300 million of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (2018 Farm Bill) funding and $1.2 billion of Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) funding. Proposals will be accepted from all 50 States, the Caribbean Area (Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands), and U.S. territories in the Pacific Island Areas (Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands). NRCS will prioritize using IRA funds for projects that will implement climate-smart agriculture and forestry conservation activities as described in section F.3.a. of this announcement. Up to $100 million is being made available specifically for NRCS to enter into programmatic partnership agreements with Indian tribes. This set aside will be shared by this announcement and the FY 2024 Classic announcement. Any unused funds may be available for other partnership agreements. RCPP AFAs are intended to support project structures and approaches that cannot be carried out as effectively through the RCPP Classic NFO. RCPP AFA applicants must describe the innovative nature of the conservation approach they are proposing to justify potential funding through an RCPP AFA NFO rather than an RCPP Classic NFO. Moreover, applicants should consider the additional administrative and technical assistance responsibilities that accompany receipt of an RCPP AFA award. The 2018 Farm Bill provides the following examples of project types that might be implemented through RCPP AFA: projects that use innovative approaches to leverage the Federal investment in conservation; projects that deploy a pay-for-performance conservation approach; and projects that seek large-scale infrastructure investments that generate conservation benefits for agricultural producers and nonindustrial private forest owners. Although RCPP AFA provides flexibilities to partners, these projects share the overarching focus of RCPP, which is to engage with producers and landowners to implement conservation practices, systems, and approaches on (or for the benefit of) agricultural and nonindustrial private forest lands. NRCS can make up to 15 awards through this funding opportunity through Farm Bill funding. This limit does not apply to projects funded through the Inflation Reduction Act. Submissions: Proposals must be submitted through the RCPP portal. See section E of this announcement for information on using the RCPP portal to submit proposals. Access to the RCPP portal requires a level 2 eAuthentication credential or a Login.gov credential. Obtaining a new Login.gov credential involves multiple steps and can take several days to complete. Instructions are posted on the How to Apply to RCPP web page listed below. For More Information: Applicants are expected to contact the appropriate state conservationists and state RCPP coordinators prior to submitting a proposal. NRCS will use a state conservation questionnaire to record the results of these conversations. Proposals without a completed questionnaire may have their score and ranking reduced. A list of state RCPP coordinators (as of the date of this announcements posting) is on the NRCS How to Apply to RCPP web page. Applicants can also email the RCPP inbox (rcpp@usda.gov) with any questions about the announcement. The NRCS RCPP website is also a great source of current information about the program. Interested applicants are encouraged to participate in one or more of the webinars below to learn about the program and how to apply. 2024 RCPP NFO Applicant Outreach Webinar This webinar will provide general information for applicants submitting proposals for the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). The same material will be covered at both webinars followed by a question-and-answer section. Please refer to the RCPP website for more information. Regional Conservation Partnership Program Natural Resources Conservation Service (usda.gov) April 23, 2024, RCPP Applicant Outreach Webinar Registration Link 2pm to 4pm EDT - https://events.gcc.teams.microsoft.com/event/e2f45f75-7ea4-410b-b1c9-567537cd2454@ed5b36e7-01ee-4ebc-867e-e03cfa0d4697 May 30, 2024, RCPP Applicant Outreach Webinar Registration Link 2pm to 4pm EDT - https://events.gcc.teams.microsoft.com/event/226dcb51-0b57-43b1-b340-95e535238713@ed5b36e7-01ee-4ebc-867e-e03cfa0d4697 NRCS will schedule additional webinars on RCPP easements and providing outreach to tribal applicants. Information on all webinars will be posted to the RCPP how to apply page.

Notice of Funding Opportunity Summary This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NFO) is being released prior to appropriation and/or apportionment of funds for fiscal year 2024. Enactment of additional continuing resolutions or an appropriations act may affect the availability or level of funding for this program. The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), an agency under the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), is announcing the potential availability of funding for agreements for the purpose of leveraging NRCS resources, addressing local natural resource issues, encouraging collaboration and developing state-and-community-level conservation leadership. Proposals must be for projects based in Iowa and focus on conservation issues. Collaborative projects that provide on-the-ground support for Iowa NRCS Field Offices are highly encouraged. Research proposals will not be accepted, nor considered. NRCS anticipates that the amount available for support of this program in FY 2024 will be up to $5,000,000.00, however, budget constraints may prevent NRCS from funding 2024 proposals. Proposals are requested from City or township governments, county governments, federally recognized Native American tribal governments, state governments, nonprofits having a 501 (c)(3) status with the IRS (other than institutions of higher education), or institutions of higher education for competitive consideration of awards for projects between 2 and 5 years in duration. Awarded organizations may be required to present project updates in the form of a formal presentation to the Iowa NRCS Leadership. Organizations may use this opportunity to request additional funding for existing Iowa IPC agreements. For new users of Grants.gov, see Section D. of the full Notice of Funding Opportunity for information about steps required before submitting an application via Grants.gov. Key Dates Applicants must submit their applications via Grants.gov by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on May 7th, 2024. For technical issues with Grants.gov, contact Grants.gov Applicant Support at 1-800-518-4726 or support@grants.gov. Awarding agency staff cannot support applicants regarding Grants.gov accounts. For inquiries specific to the content of the NFO requirements, contact the federal awarding agency contact (section G of this NFO). Please limit questions to those regarding specific information contained in this NFO (such as dates, page numbers, clarification of discrepancies, etc.). Questions related to eligibility, or the merits of a specific proposal will not be addressed. The agency anticipates making selections by June 7th, 2024, and expects to execute awards by September 16, 2024. These dates are estimates and are subject to change.

The OCCF Community Investment Grant Program is accepting applications throughout the year, with no specific due dates or deadlines. The grants aim to provide broad and diverse funding to support a strong and vibrant Owen County community. Eligible applicants include charitable organizations, schools, churches, and governmental agencies in or serving Owen County. If an organization does not meet the criteria but their project aligns with OCCF's charitable goals, they may be able to partner with a fiscal sponsor. The grant awards range from $1,001 to $5,000, with the option for organizations to crowdfund up to $10,000 or leverage OCCF's dollars through a matching campaign. The application deadlines for the Grants Committee review in 2024 are May 31st and September 30th. The funding categories include improving access to information on local issues and events, parks, trails, recreational programs, high-quality childcare and early childhood education. Additionally, requests for initiatives related to community wellness, culture, economic development, transportation, agriculture, natural resources, broadband access, historic & archaeological resources, hazard mitigation, innovation & entrepreneurship, and quality of place will be considered. Organizations that have previously received grants must submit a final report before applying again. For more information and to access the application form: [Link](https://www.grantinterface.com/Form/Preview?form=1113651&urlkey=occf)

This grant provides funding to U.S. organizations to help overcome barriers that hinder the export of specialty crops like fruits and vegetables, ensuring better market access for American farmers.

This program provides funding to U.S. agricultural organizations and businesses to help them develop and expand export markets for American agricultural products in emerging markets.

The Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP) is offering $57 million in grant funds for in-person before-school, after-school, before-and-after-school, and/or summer programming for children in grades K-12. This initiative aligns with MiLEAP's mission to prioritize education from preschool through postsecondary, focusing on kindergarten readiness and helping individuals earn skills or degrees for good-paying jobs. The grant specifically supports Out-of-School Time (OST) Programs that provide educational programming in core subjects such as mathematics, reading, and science. The target beneficiaries are children in grades K-12. The impact goals are to improve school attendance, academic outcomes, attitudes toward school, positive behaviors, skill development and retention, and higher education aspirations, as well as to enhance family engagement. MiLEAP's strategic priority is to prepare children for kindergarten and help more people earn a skill certificate or degree, and this grant directly contributes to that by funding programs that offer expanded learning opportunities and academic enrichment. The grant prioritizes the expansion of existing programs, establishment of new programs, hands-on academic enrichment, field trips, professional learning, and the development of school-community partnerships. It also supports expanded learning opportunities in areas like mentoring, leadership, community engagement, agriculture, visual and performing arts, financial literacy, STEM, health and wellness, recreation, career and college exploration, youth voice, 21st-century skills, social-emotional learning, and cultural engagement. Expected outcomes include measurable improvements in areas such as improved school attendance and academic performance, enhanced positive behaviors and skill development, and increased aspirations for higher education. The grant's theory of change posits that by investing in comprehensive OST programming that addresses both academic and social-emotional needs, children will be better prepared for academic success and future career opportunities, thereby contributing to MiLEAP's broader goal of lifelong education and advancement.

This funding opportunity supports research projects that improve agricultural sustainability and productivity by integrating genetics, environmental data, and advanced analytics, targeting universities, research institutions, and private organizations.

This grant provides funding to support small farmers and public entities in Maryland to aggregate local food products for sale to wholesale and institutional markets, enhancing the local food system.