Part B · Startup-relevant scheme
Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI)
US Department of Agriculture (National Institute of Food and Agriculture)
Grant
IdeationPrototype / PoC
Agriculture & Food
AFRI, established in the 2008 Farm Bill, funds research, education, and extension projects spanning farm productivity, renewable energy, food safety, human nutrition, biotechnology, and rural entrepreneurship.
Type of support
Grant
Best suited for
Ideation / Prototype
Headline amount
Varies by program area
How much
Varies by program area (up to $700M/year authorized)
Objectives
Advance both fundamental and applied agricultural science to strengthen rural economies, expand the bioeconomy, and address climate and food-security challenges.
Who can apply?
- State agricultural experiment stations, land-grant universities, other colleges/universities, and in some tracks, private research organizations or businesses working with them.
- Specific eligibility varies by AFRI program area and annual request for applications.
What do you get?
- Authorized at up to $700M/year.
- Funds foundational research, applied/translational projects, and workforce-development/extension programs.
- Ag-tech startups often participate as project partners or subaward recipients rather than sole applicants.
How to apply
Watch NIFA's AFRI request-for-applications listings for the specific program area matching your project, and apply — often via a university partner — through Grants.gov.
Key links
Details as most recently confirmed against the official source linked above. Deadlines, amounts and windows change — verify on the official portal before applying.