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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.
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Search similar grants →According to the current listing, eligibility includes: US land-grant universities, state agricultural experiment stations, colleges and universities, nonprofit organizations, and collaborative groups. Cost-sharing mandate typically requires 1:1 matching funds (federal dollars matched by institution). Individual investigators and multi-institutional teams eligible. Confirm the full requirements in the official notice before applying.
The current listing shows $36 million allocated to the Agriculture Systems and Technology priority area within the $445.2 million FY2026 AFRI program. Standard grants $500,000-$750,000. Larger Coordinated Agricultural Projects (CAPs) available. 1:1 cost-sharing typically required. Verify award ceilings, matching requirements, and allowable costs in the official notice.
The published deadline was March 19, 2026, which has passed. Check the official notice for any future application windows before investing time in a proposal.
USDA AFRI Agriculture Systems and Technology Program for AI Precision Agriculture Robotics and Data Science is funded by USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). Verify program details on the funder's official page before applying.
Start from the official opportunity page linked in this listing — it carries the sponsor's submission instructions.
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.
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.
While headlines chase AI and defense money, USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture runs a tight summer competitive cycle — Equipment Grants (June 25), Agricultural Genome to Phenome (June 29), New Beginning for Tribal Students (July 2), and Crop Protection and Pest Management (July 6). Here is how the four programs fit together, who is eligible, and why the land-grant system has a structural edge.
Read articleSecretary Rollins and NIFA opened the FY26 Research Facilities Act Program on June 15 with a four-tier award structure scaling from $100K planning grants to $30M facility complexes. The dollar-for-dollar cash match, the one-project-per-institution rule, and the 32-day application window are reshaping how land-grants will prioritize their long-deferred capital backlog.
Read articleUSDA NIFA's AFRI Strengthening Agricultural Systems program awards up to $10 million for integrated research, education, and extension projects. The letter of intent deadline is February 26, 2026.
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