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Recurring annual program; FY26 deadline closed April 29, 2026. Watch foundationfar.org for 2027 RFA.
The FFAR New Innovator in Food and Agriculture Research Award supports early-career tenure-track faculty conducting innovative research in food and agriculture, including AI, precision agriculture, and computational approaches. The award provides up to $150,000 per year for up to 3 years ($450,000 total), making it one of the most substantial early-career grants available in agricultural sciences.
FFAR's research priority areas include agroecosystems, food systems, production systems, and scientific workforce development — all of which increasingly involve AI and data-driven technologies. Research must directly benefit U.S. agricultural interests.
The program follows a nomination-based application process: the nomination period opened February 11, 2026, with nominations due March 18, 2026, and full applications due April 29, 2026. FFAR was established through the 2014 Farm Bill and builds public-private partnerships to match congressional funding with private sources.
The foundation supports research addressing major food and agriculture challenges including precision agriculture technologies, crop monitoring systems, and data-driven farm management tools. Note: This award is contingent on funding availability as FFAR has limited programmatic funds remaining.
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Or search similar grants →According to the current listing, eligibility includes: Tenure-track faculty members hired on or after August 1, 2022. Must be within 8 years of earning a PhD. No significant prior research experience defined as substantial 3-5 year grants or $1 million or more in total funding. Research must directly benefit U.S. agricultural interests. Only one nominee per institution. Must be at a U.S. institution. Confirm the full requirements in the official notice before applying.
The current listing shows up to $150,000 per year for a maximum of 3 years ($450,000 total per award). Verify award ceilings, matching requirements, and allowable costs in the official notice.
The most recent published deadline was April 29, 2026, which has passed. This is an annual program, so a new cycle should follow. Check the funder's website for the next application window.
FFAR New Innovator in Food and Agriculture Research Award for Early-Career AI and Technology Researchers is funded by Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR). Verify program details on the funder's official page before applying.
Yes — this listing is flagged as national in scope, so applicants across the U.S. may apply, subject to the sponsor's other eligibility criteria.
Applications go through the funder's official portal — the Apply Now link on this page goes there directly.
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