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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.
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Search similar grants →Based on current listing details, eligibility includes: US small businesses with fewer than 500 employees. Must be organized for profit and at least 51% owned by US citizens or permanent resident aliens. The primary researcher must be employed by the small business at the time of award. Applicants should confirm final requirements in the official notice before submission.
Current published award information indicates Phase I: up to $175,000 for most topic areas ($125,000 for topics 8.6 and 8.12) over 8 months (SBIR) or 12 months (STTR). Total annual SBIR/STTR program budget of $40-50 million. Phase II awards available for successful Phase I projects. Always verify allowable costs, matching requirements, and funding caps directly in the sponsor documentation.
The current target date is rolling deadlines or periodic funding windows. Build your timeline backwards from this date to cover registrations, approvals, attachments, and final submission checks.
Federal grant success rates typically range from 10-30%, varying by agency and program. Build a strong proposal with clear objectives, measurable outcomes, and a well-justified budget to improve your chances.
Requirements vary by sponsor, but typically include a project narrative, budget justification, organizational capability statement, and key personnel CVs. Check the official notice for the complete list of required attachments.
Yes — AI tools like Granted can help research funders, draft proposal sections, and check compliance. However, always review and customize AI-generated content to reflect your organization's unique strengths and the specific requirements of the solicitation.
Review timelines vary by funder. Federal agencies typically take 3-6 months from submission to award notification. Foundation grants may be faster, often 1-3 months. Check the program's timeline in the official solicitation for specific dates.
Many federal programs offer multi-year funding or allow competitive renewals. Check the official solicitation for continuation and renewal policies. Non-competing continuation applications are common for multi-year awards.
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.
Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) Foundational and Applied Science Request for Applications is sponsored by USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). Supports research on big data analytics, machine learning, artificial intelligence, and predictive technologies needed in agriculture and food production. AI activities supported advance the ability of computer systems to perform tasks that have traditionally required human intelligence in agriculture and food production.