Regional Food System Partnerships (RFSP) is sponsored by USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS). The RFSP program supports public-private partnerships that plan and develop local or regional food systems, focusing on building and strengthening the viability and resilience of the local or regional food economy. This program is highly relevant for cooperative purchasing and collective buying initiatives as it encourages collaboration among diverse partners across the regional food economy.

Small Business Innovation Research and Technology Transfer Programs (SBIR/STTR) is sponsored by USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). The USDA SBIR/STTR programs focus on transforming scientific discovery into products and services with commercial potential and/or societal benefit, particularly in agriculturally-related manufacturing and alternative and renewable energy technologies. These programs support small businesses in the creation of innovative, disruptive technologies and enable the application of research advancements from conception into the market.

Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) / Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Programs (Phase I) is sponsored by U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). The USDA SBIR/STTR programs focus on transforming scientific discovery into products and services with commercial potential and/or societal benefit in agriculturally-related areas. This can include app development for agricultural technology, rural development, and smart farming. Phase I aims to demonstrate technical feasibility.

Children, Youth, and Families at Risk (CYFAR) Grant Program is sponsored by USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). The CYFAR Grant Program provides funding to Land-grant university Cooperative Extension for comprehensive community-based programs that equip at-risk children, youth, and families with skills for positive, productive lives. It supports programs based on tools and resources that enhance positive development for at-risk children, youth, and families.

Farm to School Grant Program is sponsored by USDA Food and Nutrition Service. The Farm to School Grant Program aims to improve access to local foods in eligible Child Nutrition Program (CNP) sites through comprehensive farm to CNP programming that includes local sourcing and agricultural education efforts. Activities can include launching pilot programs, incorporating local meal components, readying producers to participate in the CNP marketplace, improving infrastructure, solving distribution bottlenecks, integrating agricultural education, and expanding experiential learning opportunities.

Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Programs (USDA NIFA) is sponsored by USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). The USDA SBIR and STTR programs offer competitively awarded grants to qualified small businesses for high-quality research related to important scientific problems and opportunities in agriculture that could lead to significant public benefits.

The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) – State Plan Requests and Allocations for FY 26 Farm to Food Bank Projects is sponsored by USDA Food and Nutrition Service. This program provides funding for TEFAP Farm to Food Bank projects and provides guidance to TEFAP state agencies on how to submit TEFAP state plan amendments to implement FY 2026 projects.

AFRI Education and Workforce Development: Food and Agricultural Non-formal Education (FANE) is a grant from USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) supporting non-formal education programs that cultivate interest and skills in food, agriculture, natural resources, and human sciences. Eligible applicants include universities, community organizations, and nonprofits developing programs such as 4-H, extension education, and hands-on agricultural learning experiences. Grants strengthen the pipeline of future agricultural professionals by engaging youth and adult learners outside traditional classroom settings.

The Agriculture Systems and Technology priority area within USDA's flagship Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) is the dedicated funding home for precision agriculture, robotics, data science, and sensor technology applied to farming systems. Part of the FY2026 AFRI Foundational and Applied Science program making $445.2 million available across six priority tracks. Supports AI-driven crop and soil monitoring using machine learning, remote sensing, satellite imagery, and drone platforms; autonomous harvesting and planting robots; smart sensor networks for pathogen and pest detection; variable-rate application systems for fertilizer, pesticide, and irrigation; and AI decision support tools for farm management. Strongest proposals validate technology in real production environments. Projects integrating research, education, and extension receive preference in review.

Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) - Foundational and Applied Science Program (A1661 Rural Economic Development program area priority) is sponsored by USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). This program area priority within AFRI supports rigorous theoretical and empirical efforts to create and examine innovative approaches for advancing economic opportunities for rural entrepreneurs and communities, with an aim to promote rural prosperity and well-being.

Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) - Artificial Intelligence for K-12 Food and Agricultural Sciences is sponsored by USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). This program area within AFRI's Strengthening Agricultural Systems supports projects that develop and/or strengthen the pipeline of AI-literate and skilled next-generation agriculturalists, with special emphasis on K-12 youth.

Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) Strengthening Agricultural Systems (SAS) - AI for K-12 Food and Agricultural Sciences is sponsored by U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). This program supports large-scale, integrated research, education, and extension projects that transform U. S. food and agricultural systems.

Rural Health and Safety Education (RHSE) Program is sponsored by USDA NIFA. This grant program seeks to foster quality of life and well-being in rural communities by addressing the relationship between rural prosperity and rural health and safety in the context of food, agriculture, natural resources, and the human sciences.

Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) Foundational and Applied Science Request for Applications - Artificial Intelligence for K-12 Food and Agricultural Sciences (Program Code A9231) is sponsored by USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). Supports projects that develop and/or strengthen the pipeline of AI-literate and skilled next-generation agriculturalists with special emphasis in K-12 youth.

Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) Foundational and Applied Science Request for Applications (including Artificial Intelligence for K-12 Food and Agricultural Sciences) is sponsored by USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). Supports integrated extension, education, and research grants applying AI in food and agricultural sciences, with a K-12 emphasis.

Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) Foundational and Applied Science Request for Applications (AI for K-12 Food and Agricultural Sciences priority) is sponsored by U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). This program supports large-scale, integrated research, education, and extension projects that transform U. S. food and agricultural systems.

USDA NIFA program (code A9231) within the AFRI Strengthening Agricultural Systems NOFO that funds projects to develop and strengthen the pipeline of AI-literate next-generation agriculturalists with emphasis on K-12 youth. Awards of $1M-$2M support fully integrated research, education, and extension projects that adapt or develop AI-based tools for agricultural classroom integration, build K-12 teacher training programs in agricultural AI, create AI resource sharing mechanisms for educators, and equip young learners as future agricultural AI innovators. NIFA anticipates funding one award in each of its six priority areas. Applications due April 23, 2026. Funding Opportunity Number: USDA-NIFA-AFRI-010653.

Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Competitive Grants Program Education and Workforce Development – Postdoctoral Fellowships (A7201) is sponsored by USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). This program area priority helps to develop new scientists and professionals to enter research, education, and/or extension fields within the food and agricultural sciences within the private sector, government, or academia.

Specialty Crop Block Grant Program is sponsored by Arkansas Department of Agriculture (funded by USDA). This program enhances the competitiveness of the Arkansas specialty crop industry. While not exclusively food security, it supports projects that benefit specialty crops (fruits, vegetables, horticulture, floriculture, and tree nuts), which can contribute to local food systems and access to nutritious food.

The Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative (OREI) is a competitive grant program from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) that funds projects supporting the organic agriculture sector through research, extension, and education. OREI supports work that enhances the sustainability and competitiveness of organic agricultural systems, addresses the needs of organic producers, and develops science-based tools and information. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations, institutions of higher education, and other entities with the capacity to conduct research and extension activities. Awards range from $50,000 to $3,500,000, with the application deadline on May 14, 2026.

Coordinating Agricultural Development & Innovation (CADI) Armenia Exchanges: U.S. Food Safety Regulations and Standards Training Program is sponsored by USDA – Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS). USDA/FAS is requesting the design and delivery of a training program on U. S. Food Safety regulations and standards for 9 Armenian mid- to senior-level officials from the public and private sector.

Hurricane Helene Disaster Assistance Block Grant - Farm Infrastructure is sponsored by USDA, administered by N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Provides cost-share assistance for farm structure repair or replacement and farm road or bridge repair and replacement due to Hurricane Helene losses in Presidentially-declared or Secretary of Agriculture-designated disaster counties in North Carolina.

Public Law-566 Watershed and Flood Prevention Operations Program is sponsored by U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). This program offers financial and technical assistance to address resource concerns related to watersheds and flood prevention. Applications are accepted year-round, with a specific ranking date for current cycle funding.

National School Lunch Program (NSLP) Equipment Assistance Grants is sponsored by U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS). These grants help schools modernize kitchen infrastructure to prepare and serve healthier meals. While not directly focused on HVAC for the entire school, it can support energy-efficient kitchen equipment like refrigerators and steamers, indirectly contributing to overall energy efficiency.

Fiscal Year 2026 National School Lunch Program Equipment Assistance Grants is sponsored by USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS). These grants aim to provide equipment assistance for the National School Lunch Program. While not directly focused on general food security programs, improved kitchen equipment can indirectly support the provision of nutritious meals in schools, which is a component of food security for children.

Agricultural Conservation Easement Program – Wetland Reserve Easements (ACEP-WRE) is sponsored by USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). ACEP-WRE helps private and tribal landowners protect, restore, and enhance wetlands that have been previously degraded due to agricultural uses. This program provides financial and technical assistance to restore, protect, and enhance wetlands.

NRCS Regenerative Pilot Program (through EQIP and CSP) is sponsored by USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). The NRCS Regenerative Pilot Program is a national USDA initiative designed to support regenerative agriculture practices through existing conservation programs like the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). It focuses on whole-farm planning to address soil, water, and natural vitality. Producers can bundle multiple regenerative practices into one application, streamlining the process. Technical assistance is available.

Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) - Agricultural Land Easements (ALE) is sponsored by USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). ACEP-ALE helps protect agricultural lands from conversion to non-agricultural uses, ensuring their availability for food production and conservation benefits. While not directly funding regenerative practices, it secures the land base upon which regenerative agriculture can be implemented.

Smith-Lever Special Needs Competitive Grants Program is sponsored by National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA NIFA). This program provides funding to the Cooperative Extension System to assist in preparing for, providing an educational response to, recovering from, and mitigating disasters and disaster threats. It supports innovative, education-based approaches to address disaster preparedness and specific responses related to disasters or threats caused by natural, human-made, or technological hazards.

Delta Health Care Service Grant Program is sponsored by USDA – Rural Business-Cooperative Service. Eligible applicants are a consortium/group of three or more entities that are Regional Institutions of Higher Education, Academic Health and Research Institutes, and/or Economic Development Entities, located in the Delta Region, with at least one year of prior experience in addr…