Artificial Intelligence for K-12 Food and Agricultural Sciences (Program Code A9231)

Artificial Intelligence for K-12 Food and Agricultural Sciences (Program Code A9231) is sponsored by USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) - Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) Strengthening Agricultural Systems program.

This program supports projects that develop and/or strengthen the pipeline of AI-literate and skilled next-generation agriculturalists, with a special emphasis on K-12 youth, to support advancements in food, agricultural, and forest sciences. Projects must include integrated research, education, and extension components.

AFRI Strengthening Agricultural Systems | 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 The Strengthening Agricultural Systems (SAS) program area is part of the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI), USDA’s flagship competitive grant program that supports fundamental and applied research, education, and Extension/outreach projects in the food and agricultural sciences.

What Strengthening Agricultural Systems Funds The Strengthening Agricultural Systems [formerly Sustainable 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. 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 In FY26, the Strengthening Agricultural Systems program is offering two 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.

Read the SAS Notice of Funding Opportunity Read the SAS Frequently Asked Questions Project Type: Integrated projects only – must include all three components: Research, Education, and Extension Grant Type: Coordinated Agriculture Project (CAP) Grant Project Duration: Up to 60 months Award Range: $1 Million - $10 Million Eligibility: See SAS NOFO Part III Application Deadlines: Refer to NOFO A9201 — Strengthening Agricultural Systems.

A9231 — Artificial Intelligence for K-12 Food and Agricultural Sciences. Applicants must specify Program Code and SAS Program Priority Area in the abstract and narrative. A9201 - Strengthening Agricultural Systems New Uses and Expanding Markets for Agriculture and Forestry Products.

Solutions to Plant and Animal Pests and Diseases. Combating Food and Diet-Related Chronic Diseases (including childhood; excludes pharmaceutical development). A9231 - Artificial Intelligence for K-12 Food and Agricultural Sciences Develop and/or strengthen the pipeline of AI-literate and skilled next-generation agriculturalists, with special emphasis in K-12 youth, to support the advancements in food, agricultural, and forest sciences.

Adapt or develop AI-based tools and modalities that can be effectively integrated into classrooms, non-formal educational experiences, and curriculums to support the understanding and training of the next generation of agriculturalists and foresters.

Build and expand comprehensive teacher and non-formal educator training in AI in food, agricultural, and forest sciences to equip them with knowledge to train students about AI and to utilize AI in their classrooms to improve educational outcomes.

Support AI resource sharing mechanisms that make curriculum, training materials and courses, and resources accessible for the nation’s K-12 teachers and Cooperative Extension educators in food and agricultural sciences. Equip learners to become future innovators of agricultural AI.

Advance the scientific, economic, environmental, social, and workforce training innovations in food, agriculture, and forestry to keep U.S. farmers, ranchers, producers, and foresters at the forefront of productivity. Strengthening youth’s understanding of the importance of America’s food, fuel, and fiber supply and its role in national security.

Four Pillars for Project Success Full Integration (extension, education, and research) Transdisciplinary Approach 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 or priority area(s) 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.

Resources & Helpful Links Project Directors and teams who are interested in learning more about and/or applying to the SAS program area are encouraged to: Know what it takes to apply by reviewing the AFRI NOFO Resources (including Part IV, C. Content and Form of Application Submission) Previously Funded Projects AFRI Strengthening Agricultural Systems Projects Due to the complexity of the AFRI SAS Program, email contact is preferred.

Email the AFRI SAS team to ask a question or to schedule a call with the subject matter expert: afri-sas@usda. gov . AFRI Strengthening Agricultural Systems Page last updated: January 30, 2026 Your feedback is important to us.