USDA grants
USDA grants cover farming, conservation, rural communities, nutrition and agricultural research. Many of them go to farmers, rural towns and nonprofits through state and county USDA offices rather than a national competition.
- Open now
- 19
- Upcoming
- 0
- Next deadline
- October 26, 2026
Open and forecast USDA opportunities
From Grants.gov, soonest deadline first.
- Closes26 OCT
Assisting Specialty Crop Exports: Low Oxygen Storage and Packaging Systems for U.S. Tree Nuts with Phytosanitary Traceability
USDA · Others
The occurrence of insects as well as pesticide residuals can be significant barriers for U.S. horticultural exports. Each importing country can have unique phytosanitary and maximum residue limit (MRL) requirements, which creates operational and logistical challenges. To maximize return to growers, U.S. shippers need tools that can universally address all su
- Closes02 NOV
Emergency Citrus Disease Research and Extension Pre-Applications
USDA · Others
In FY 2026, the ECDRE program, under Assistance Listing 10.309, is soliciting proposals to develop effective tactics and strategies to control HLB and its disease complex for financially sustainable citrus production in the United States. All projects funded by the ECDRE program will incorporate collaborative approaches that integrate available knowledge to
- Closes02 NOV
Tribal Colleges Extension Program Special Emphasis
USDA · Others
The TCEP-SE under assistance listing 10.517, provides informal, community-focused extension pilot projects at 1994 Institutions. Pilot projects may focus on community needs that address emerging issues such as agricultural productivity, improving food systems, community vitality, workforce and economic development, public health and well-being, engaging Trib
- Closes04 NOV
1890 Institution Teaching, Research, and Extension Capacity Building Grants Program
USDA · Others
The 1890 CBG program, under Assistance Listing Number 10.216 is designed specifically to build the institutional teaching, research, and extension capacities of the eligible institutions through cooperative programs with Federal and non-Federal entities. The 1890 CBG Program supports Executive Order 14283 , “White House Initiative to Promote Excellence and I
- Closes10 NOV
Capacity Building Grants for Non-Land-Grant Colleges of Agriculture Program
USDA · Others
The NLGCA Program, under assistance listing number 10.326, will assist NLGCA institutions in maintaining and expanding their capacity to conduct education, research, outreach, and integrated activities relating to agriculture, renewable resources, and other similar disciplines. NLGCA institutions may use the funds to maintain and expand capacity: 1. to succe
- Closes17 NOV
Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer Programs Phase II
USDA · Others
The USDA SBIR/STTR programs, Assistance Listing number 10.212, support scientific excellence and technological innovation through investment of Federal research funds to build a strong national economy by stimulating technological innovation in the private sector; strengthening the role of small business in meeting Federal research and development needs; and
- Closes19 NOV
Easement Restoration and Stewardship
USDA · Special districts, States, Counties, +9 more
The opportunities associated with this NOFO are for lands protected through the Wetland Reserve Easements (WRE) component of the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) and the Floodplain Easement (FPE) component of the Emergency Watershed Protection Program (EWPP). The types of work available through this opportunity fall into three primary catego
- Closes20 NOV
Affordable Rural Cooperative (ARC) Energy Program
USDA · Others
The Rural Utilities Service (RUS or the Agency), a Rural Development (RD) agency of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), is soliciting Letters of Interest (LOI) for applications under the Affordable Rural Cooperative (ARC) Program. In addition, the Agency is announcing the eligibility requirements, application process and deadlines, and the cr
- Closes01 DEC
Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives Program (DBI) Fiscal Year 2026
USDA · Others
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), requests applications for fiscal year (FY) 2026 from existing initiatives of the Dairy Business Innovation (DBI) Initiatives Program: the California State University Fresno Foundation, the University of Tennessee, the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets, and the Univ
- Closes03 DEC
Hispanic-Serving Institutions Education Grants Program
USDA · Others
The HSI Education Grants Program, under assistance listing number 10.223, will promote and strengthen the ability HSIs to carry out education, applied research, and related community development programs. This program encourages innovative teaching, education, or related community development proposals with the potential to impact and become models for other
- Closes04 DEC
Specialty Crop Multi-State Grant Program 2026
USDA · States, Nonprofits, Public colleges, Tribes
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), requests applications for the fiscal year (FY) 2026 Specialty Crop Multi-State Grant Program (SCMP). The SCMP supports collaborative multi-state partnerships to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops through competitively funded projects. A multi-state partnership is a p
- Closes07 DEC
MPPEP Phase 3 Invasive Wild-Caught Catfish
USDA · Counties, Tribes, Others, +6 more
The Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program (MPPEP) provides grants to help eligible meat and poultry processors expand their capacity, which creates new, better and more processing options for meat and poultry producers. The goal for MPPEP Phase 3 Round 2 is to support Processors of Invasive, Wild-Caught Catfish species by increasing Processing capaci
- Closes08 DEC
Great Lakes Restoration Initiative: Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program
USDA · Cities and towns, Counties, Tribes, Nonprofits
Federally recognized Indian Tribes, local government entities, and nonprofit organizations that are qualified to acquire and manage land may apply for up to $1,000,000 for the fee simple acquisition of private forest land in portions of the Lake Superior Basin of Michigan and Wisconsin. Projects submitted for funding consideration must be forested properties
- Closes31 DEC
Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Competitive Grants Program Education and Workforce Development
USDA · Others
The Agriculture and Food Research Initiative - Education and Workforce Development (EWD) focuses on developing the next generation of research, education, and extension professionals in the food and agricultural sciences. The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) requests applications for the AFRI’s Education and Workforce Development program are
- Closes31 DEC
Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Competitive Grants Program Foundational and Applied Science Program
USDA · Others
The AFRI Foundational and Applied Science Program supports grants in six AFRI priority areas to advance knowledge in both fundamental and applied sciences important to agriculture. The six priority areas are: Plant Health and Production and Plant Products; Animal Health and Production and Animal Products; Food Safety, Nutrition, and Health; Bioenergy, Natura
- Closes31 DEC
Solid Waste Management Grant Program
USDA · Others
Funds may be used to: (a) Provide technical assistance and/or training to reduce the solid waste stream through reduction, recycling, and reuse. (b) Provide training to enhance operator skills in maintaining and operating active landfills. (c) Provide technical assistance and/or training for operators of landfills which are closed or will be closed in the ne
- Closes31 DEC
Technical Assistance and Training Grant Program
USDA · Nonprofits
Funds may be used to pay expenses associated with providing technical assistance and/or training (TAT) to: Identify and evaluate solutions to water problems relating to source, storage, treatment, or distribution; identify and evaluate solutions to waste problems relating to collection, treatment, or disposal: assist applicants, that have filed a pre-applica
- Closes31 DEC
Tribal Colleges Research Grants Program
USDA · Others
TCRGP focuses on development of research capacity at Tribal colleges, specifically in agriculture, natural resources, and human sciences. The program aims to teach leadership skills, knowledge, and qualities that are necessary to prepare students to be competitive with other students for agricultural and related careers in the private sector, government, and
- Closes31 JAN
Agriculture Innovation Center Grant Program
USDA · Cities and towns, Small businesses, States, +7 more
The primary objective of the program is to provide grants to Agriculture Innovation Centers that will provide technical assistance to agricultural producers to market value-added agricultural products.
Where USDA grant money went in 2025
Awards from October 2024 to September 2025, from USAspending.gov.
| Program (Assistance Listing) | Awarded |
|---|---|
| National School Lunch Program 10.555 | $28 billion |
| WIC Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children 10.557 | $7.5 billion |
| State Administrative Matching Grants for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program 10.561 | $6.7 billion |
| Affordable Rural Cooperative 10.758 | $5.5 billion |
| Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer Program for Children 10.646 | $2.9 billion |
| Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grants 10.855 | $595 million |
| Water and Waste Disposal Systems for Rural Communities 10.760 | $518 million |
| Inflation Reduction Act - Forest Legacy Program 10.734 | $510 million |
| Recipient | Awarded |
|---|---|
| Great River Energy | $794 million |
| Basin Electric Power Cooperative | $597 million |
| East Kentucky Power Cooperative, INC. | $495 million |
| Central Electric Power Cooperative INC | $442 million |
| Arizona Electric Power Cooperative, INC. | $431 million |
| Seminole Electric Cooperative, INC | $332 million |
| Minnkota Power Cooperative, INC. | $260 million |
| San Miguel Electric Coop | $190 million |
Questions
When is the next USDA grant deadline?
The next deadline is October 26, 2026 for Assisting Specialty Crop Exports: Low Oxygen Storage and Packaging Systems for U.S. Tree Nuts with Phytosanitary Traceability.
How do I apply for a USDA grant?
Register your organization in SAM.gov to get a Unique Entity ID, create a Grants.gov account, then find the opportunity and submit before its deadline. Some agencies finish the application in their own system, such as JustGrants, eRA Commons or Research.gov.
Can individuals get USDA grants?
Rarely. Federal grants go mostly to organizations: nonprofits, local governments, tribes, schools, colleges and, in research programs, small businesses. Help for individuals usually comes through state and local agencies.
Do I have to pay to apply for a grant?
No. Real grant programs never charge to apply or to receive an award. Anyone asking for a fee before you get grant money is running a scam.