AFRI Strengthening Agricultural Systems Program

AFRI Strengthening Agricultural Systems Program is sponsored by National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). Supports projects that enhance agricultural systems, including those involving probiotics.

AFRI Strengthening Agricultural Systems (SAS) | NIFA The lifecycle of grants and cooperative agreements consists of four phases: Pre-Award, Award, Post-Award, and Close Out. The National Institute of Food and Agriculture is committed to serving its stakeholders, Congress, and the public by using new technologies to advance greater openness.

The Data Gateway enables users to find funding data, metrics, and information about research, education, and Extension projects that have received grant awards from NIFA. This website houses a large volume of supporting materials. In this section, you can search the wide range of documents, videos, and other resources.

Technical Assistance Webinar: The Equipment Grants Program (EGP) The Equipment Grants Program seeks to provide eligible institutions with the opportunity to acquire a shared-use piece of equipment/instrument that supports their research, research training, and extension goals. The National Institute of Food and Agriculture provides leadership and funding for programs that advance agriculture-related sciences.

AFRI Strengthening Agricultural Systems (SAS) The Strengthening Agricultural Systems (SAS) program supports fully integrated research, education, and extension projects that seek to develop and improve agricultural practices in support of American Agriculture and Farmers.

SAS projects focus on strengthening food and agricultural systems that solve key problems of local, regional, and national importance faced by farmers, ranchers, and foresters. The long-term goal of the SAS program is to transform the U.S. food and agricultural systems by increasing agricultural production and optimizing its financial and human capital gains.

Achieving this goal requires systems and transdisciplinary approaches to address current and future challenges in food and agriculture. SAS and AFRI support USDA’s research and development priorities below with the goal to strengthen national security, protect U.S. agriculture, and support American farmers and consumers.

Increasing Profitability of Farmers and Ranchers Expanding Markets and Creating New Uses of U.S. Agricultural Products Protecting the Integrity of American Agriculture from Invasive Species Promoting Soil Health to Regenerate Long-Term Productivity of Land Improving Human Health through Precision Nutrition and Food Quality FY26 Program Area Priorities Strengthening Agricultural Systems (Program Code A9201) : supports projects with the goal of advancing agricultural practices and innovation in support of American Agriculture and Farmers.

Artificial Intelligence for K-12 Food and Agricultural Sciences (Program Code A9231) : supports projects that develop and/or strengthen the pipeline of AI-literate and skilled next-generation agriculturalists with special emphasis in K-12 youth. Colleges and universities For additional eligibility information, see the NOFO.

AFRI Strengthening Agricultural Systems The long-term goal of the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative - Strengthening Agricultural Systems (SAS) Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is to help transform the U.S. food and agricultural system to increase agricultural production while enhancing farmer prosperity. Achieving this goal... What is a Coordinated Agricultural Project (CAP) Grant Type?

The SAS CAP grants support large-scale, multi-million-dollar systems-oriented projects that promote collaboration toward a stated outcome and coordinate activities among academic, government, state, regional, non-governmental, and private sector institutions.

Components of a Coordinated Agricultural Project The project participants (Project Director, Co-Project Director(s), partners, etc.) serve as a team that, together, conducts integrated research, education, and Extension/outreach activities in response to emerging areas of state, regional, or national need.

The project team organizes and coordinates efforts to receive upfront input and guidance from communities and individuals who will be impacted by and included in the project. These communities and individuals are likely to be principal stakeholders and partners. The project is overarched by economic, environmental, and social sustainability analyses that contribute to action and investment beyond the project performance period.

Successful applications will clearly articulate how a CAP will complement and/or link with existing programs or projects at the regional or national level. The project contains the needed science-based expertise and experience from principal stakeholders and partners to accomplish project goals and objectives. Successful applications clearly outline the potential of the project, the structure, coordination, and plan of implementation.

Previously Funded Projects AFRI Strengthening Agricultural Systems (SAS) Contact Competitive Grant Programs Page last updated: July 9, 2026 Your feedback is important to us.