AI Agriculture Grants

The USDA NRCS Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) program is a competitive program that drives public and private sector innovation in natural resource conservation through projects that develop new tools, approaches, practices, and technologies for application on private lands. The program has three components: CIG Classic for national-scale innovation projects, CIG On-Farm Conservation Innovation Trials for field-testing new conservation approaches with farmers, and state-level CIG for localized innovation. CIG is increasingly funding AI and precision agriculture technologies, including machine learning-based irrigation scheduling, AI-enhanced soil health monitoring, precision application systems, drone and satellite-based crop monitoring using computer vision, and predictive analytics for conservation planning. Recent awards have included a $2.4 million University of Hawaii project for an AI-enhanced weather-based irrigation scheduling tool that uses machine learning to optimize water use. The program specifically targets innovative technologies not yet commonly adopted, making cutting-edge AI agricultural tools a strong fit. Projects must demonstrate on-the-ground conservation benefits addressing water quality, air quality, soil health, or wildlife habitat while improving agricultural operations. The 2026 cycle deadline has not yet been announced but typically falls in spring-summer, with announcements on Grants.gov. All projects require at least 1:1 non-federal matching funds, and NRCS evaluates proposals based on innovation, conservation impact, scalability, and partnership quality.

Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I – AgTech (including precision farming, drone-based technologies) is sponsored by USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA-NIFA). This grant funds early-stage research and development in agricultural technology, including precision farming and drone-based technologies, to strengthen U. S. agriculture. It is a competitive program for small businesses.

AI-ENGAGE launched by NSF in early 2026 as a Quad-nation collaboration with Australia, India, and Japan supporting multinational research teams developing AI tools for agriculture, engineering, scientific discovery, and societal benefit. The inaugural cohort of six awards totaled $6M+ across the four partner countries. Funded research includes precision agriculture AI, AI for crop disease detection in tropical climates, multinational AI safety benchmarks, and AI for scientific discovery. Strong fit for U.S. universities with established collaborations in Quad partner countries. The program expects continued cycles in 2026-2027 with growing scope. Strong fit for AI faculty working in food systems AI, climate-resilient crop AI, AI for scientific discovery, and engineering AI with international research partners.

The Klarna AI for Climate Resilience Program funds organizations developing practical AI solutions to help vulnerable communities in lower-middle-income countries adapt to climate change. The program supports three categories of projects: (1) harnessing and elevating local knowledge by using AI to organize and analyze community insights into concise, actionable information; (2) developing novel AI applications for climate adaptation in real-world settings such as smartphone-based AI advisory systems for smallholder farmers and AI-powered climate-risk assessments for vulnerable regions; and (3) enhancing existing AI climate solutions through improved adoption, cost-effectiveness, sustainability, or by contributing open datasets and benchmarks. The program is administered through Milkywire and encourages early-stage ideas that need support to refine technical or implementation details. Currently funded projects include disaster resilience and compensation systems, water security and quality improvement using AI, agricultural adaptation and precision irrigation, climate advisory services, environmental data collection, and conservation access. The program represents a significant corporate commitment to deploying AI technology for climate adaptation where it is most needed.

Agriculture is a grant and economic development resource from PA Dept. of Community & Economic Development that supports Pennsylvania's thriving agriculture sector, which generates over $132 billion annually and employs more than 593,000 workers. The program offers a range of funding and technical assistance tools including the First Industries Fund for low-interest loans, the Agricultural Business Development Center (ABDC), the Agricultural Innovation Grant Program, and the PA Preferred branding program. It also promotes AgTech adoption, organic farming, and food manufacturing growth statewide, making it a key resource for farms, agribusinesses, and startups looking to scale operations or access state investment.

The USDA Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program, administered by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), funds U.S. small businesses developing high-risk, high-reward agricultural technology. Eligible AI-relevant topics include precision farming, crop and livestock monitoring, food safety, aquaculture, forestry, sustainable agriculture, and rural economic development, with projects required to link technical innovation to farm-level benefits and positive outcomes for agricultural producers and rural communities. Phase I awards reach up to $125,000 and Phase II awards up to $450,000, all non-dilutive. USDA distributes roughly $40-50 million in SBIR funding annually, with the FY2026-2027 solicitation expected to open in the summer of 2026 and close in early autumn.

Biological and Environmental Research (BER) program - AI applications at the intersection of agriculture and energy is sponsored by DOE Biological and Environmental Research. This program funds AI applications at the intersection of agriculture and energy, including feedstock optimization, biomass supply chain modeling, and machine learning for bioenergy crop yields. Starting in FY2026, the program shifted to an open call model, allowing researchers to propose AI-agriculture-energy crossover projects on a rolling basis.

Rainbow Crops Grant for Climate-Resilient Crops is sponsored by Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. A grant awarded to Rainbow Crops, a Belgian agtech company, to support research on climate-resilient crops for global food security, with a focus on Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. The funding will expand research efforts to develop crops performing better under extreme environmental conditions.

USDA SBIR Program for AgTech Startups is sponsored by U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). The USDA's SBIR program funds companies building technologies that improve agricultural productivity, food safety, natural resource management, and rural economic development. NIFA manages the program through a single annual solicitation with specific topic areas.

The USDA NIFA Small Business Innovation Research / Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) program provides non-dilutive funding to small businesses developing innovative, commercially viable technologies for agriculture and food systems. AI and machine learning applications are increasingly funded across topic areas including precision agriculture, crop and livestock production, food safety and quality, natural resource and water management, agricultural manufacturing, and rural economic development. The program moves discoveries from concept (Phase I feasibility) to market (Phase II development), distributing roughly $40-50 million annually. AgTech startups applying AI to sensing, robotics, decision support, and supply chain modeling are well-aligned with current priorities.

USDA's SBIR/STTR program administered by NIFA funds small businesses developing innovative agricultural technologies including AI-driven precision farming, crop and soil monitoring using machine learning and remote sensing, autonomous harvesting robots, smart sensors for pathogen detection, pest identification systems, and food supply chain analytics. Relevant SBIR topics include Plant Production and Protection (8.2), Plant Production and Engineering (8.13), and Management of Natural Resources (8.4). Proposals evaluated on scientific merit (40%), commercial potential (30%), and team qualifications (30%). Expect solicitations in the May to June 2026 window. Companies developing agricultural sensor systems, drone platforms, or AI-driven crop analytics are encouraged to prepare topic-specific proposals.

USDA NIFA Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program for AgTech Precision Agriculture and AI is sponsored by U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) - National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). USDA's SBIR/STTR program administered by NIFA funds small businesses developing innovative agricultural technologies including AI-driven precision farming, crop and soil monitoring using machine learning and remote sensing, autonomous harvesting robots, smart sensors for pathoge…

Drones Uplifting California Communities (DUCC) is sponsored by CITRIS Initiative for Drone Education and Research (CIDER) at University of California, Santa Cruz (funded by California Jobs First initiative via California AgTech Alliance). This program expands workforce development programming to prepare Californians for drone-related careers, including training teachers and instructors to reach over 2,000 students in precision agriculture, infrastructure, logistics, and environmental monitoring.

USDA NIFA Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program for AgTech Precision Agriculture and AI is sponsored by U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). USDA's SBIR/STTR program, administered by NIFA, funds small businesses developing innovative agricultural technologies including AI-driven precision farming, crop and soil monitoring using machine learning and remote sensing, autonomous harvesting robots, smart sensors for patho…

USDA SBIR Phase I – AgTech (including precision farming, drone-based technologies) is sponsored by USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA-NIFA). This grant funds early-stage research and development in agricultural technology, including precision farming and drone-based technologies. While not directly 'counter-UAS defense,' it supports innovation in drone technology which could have dual-use applications or contribute to a broader understanding of UAS for defense purposes.

USDA NIFA SBIR/STTR Program for AgTech Including AI and Precision Agriculture is sponsored by USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). This program provides non-dilutive funding to small businesses developing innovative, commercially viable technologies for agriculture and food systems. AI and machine learning applications are increasingly funded across topic areas including precision agriculture, crop and livestock production, food safety and quality, natural resource and water management, agricultural manufacturing, and rural economic development. AgTech startups applying AI to sensing, robotics, decision support, and supply chain modeling are well-aligned with current priorities.

The Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme is sponsored by Tony Elumelu Foundation. The Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme offers non-refundable seed capital, comprehensive business training, and mentorship to African entrepreneurs developing scalable technology solutions. The program provides essential foundation support for tech entrepreneurs addressing Africa's most pressing development challenges through innovative digital solutions across various sectors like fintech, digital health, agtech, climate tech, education technology, and connectivity innovations.

USDA SBIR/STTR Program for AgTech Innovation in Precision Agriculture, Food Systems, and AI-Driven Farm Technology is sponsored by U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA NIFA). The USDA Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program, administered by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), funds U. S. small businesses developing high-risk, high-reward agricultural technology.

Agtech Growth Fund (AGF) (Saskatchewan) is sponsored by Innovation Saskatchewan. The Agtech Growth Fund accelerates the commercialization of cutting-edge innovations in Saskatchewan's agriculture sector. It provides non-repayable grants for the development of novel technological solutions addressing industry challenges. Eligible projects include digital agriculture software and hardware (sensors, imagery, precision agriculture), robotics, automation, and machinery for smart farming.