Acer Access and Development Program
🏛 Agricultural Marketing Service
Can you apply?
This grant is for States, Tribal governments, and research institutions that promote the domestic maple syrup industry. Eligible applicants include institutions in all 50 states, US territories, and freely associated nations. Research institutions are colleges, universities, federally funded research centers, and industrial laboratories. Activities supported include maple syrup research, natural resource sustainability, market promotion, and encouraging private landowners to expand maple operations or provide public access for sugaring.
⚖️ Cost sharing / matching required — applicants must contribute their own funds.
Program description
To support the efforts of States, Tribal governments, and research institutions to promote the domestic maple syrup industry through the following activities: promotion of research and education related to maple syrup production, promotion of natural resource sustainability in the maple syrup industry, market promotion for maple syrup and maple-sap products, Encouragement of owners and operators of privately held land containing species of trees in the genus Acer: to initiate or expand maple-sugaring activities on the land; or to voluntarily make the land available, including by lease or other means, for access by the public for maple-sugaring activities.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)
- SF-424 Supplement (if required)
- Project narrative/proposal
- Budget and budget narrative
- Letters of support from partners
- Proof of cost-sharing commitment
- Organizational documentation (bylaws, tax status for nonprofits)
Program contact
- 👤 Agricultural Marketing Service
- 📧 SAGPgrants@usda.gov
- 📞 202-260-8449
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 10.174 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$500,000
-
$500,000
-
$500,000
-
$500,000
-
$500,000
-
$500,000
-
$499,993
-
$499,985
-
$499,959
-
$499,947
Top States by Funding
- NY 4 awards $1.9M
- VT 3 awards $1.5M
- WV 2 awards $1.0M
- UT 2 awards $1.0M
- MT 2 awards $1.0M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 10.174). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $5,133,246 | |
| 2025 | $4,600,478 | |
| 2026 est. | $5,000,000 |
FAQ
Who can apply for this grant?
States, Tribal governments, and research institutions (colleges, universities, research centers, industrial labs). Applicants must be located in eligible US jurisdictions.
What activities does this grant support?
Research and education on maple production, natural resource sustainability, market promotion for maple products, and programs that encourage landowners to expand or share maple-sugaring access.
When is the application deadline?
June 22, 2026. This is a fixed deadline, not rolling.
What funding level should I expect?
Individual awards range from $200,000 to $500,000. The program has $5 million in total funding available.
Is cost sharing required?
Yes. Applicants must provide matching funds or in-kind contributions to supplement the federal grant.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Clearly connect your activities to at least one of the four eligible focus areas: research, sustainability, market promotion, or landowner engagement.
- Demonstrate support from your state, tribe, or institution leadership. Partnerships strengthen applications.
- Show how your project benefits the broader maple syrup industry, not just a single region or operator.
- Detail your cost-sharing plan early. Budget reviewers need clear documentation of matching contributions.
- Highlight any connections to natural resource management and forest health. Sustainability is a core program value.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applicants underestimate cost-sharing requirements and submit weak matching-fund documentation. Programs lose points when proposals lack clear industry partnerships or stakeholder buy-in. Unclear project scope or unfocused activities outside the four eligible categories often result in rejection.
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