Agricultural Genome to Phenome Initiative – Workshop Grants
🏛 National Institute of Food and Agriculture-eRA (USDA-NIFA-ERA)
Can you apply?
This grant is for institutions and organizations seeking to organize and conduct workshops that advance the Agricultural Genome to Phenome Initiative (AG2PI). Eligible applicants typically include universities, research institutions, land-grant colleges, and nonprofit organizations with expertise in plant or animal genomics, phenotyping technologies, or precision agriculture. The workshops should bring together scientists, farmers, extension professionals, and industry stakeholders to build research networks, share knowledge, and translate genomic advances into agricultural practice. Activities supported include organizing in-person or virtual workshops focused on emerging genomic tools, phenotyping methodologies, data management, or practical applications of genome-to-phenome research in crop and livestock production systems.
⚖️ Cost sharing / matching required — applicants must contribute their own funds.
This grant is for institutions and organizations seeking to organize and conduct workshops that advance the Agricultural Genome to Phenome Initiative (AG2PI). Eligible applicants typically include universities, research institutions, land-grant colleges, and nonprofit organizations with expertise in plant or animal genomics, phenotyping technologies, or precision agriculture. The workshops should bring together scientists, farmers, extension professionals, and industry stakeholders to build research networks, share knowledge, and translate genomic advances into agricultural practice. Activities supported include organizing in-person or virtual workshops focused on emerging genomic tools, phenotyping methodologies, data management, or practical applications of genome-to-phenome research in crop and livestock production systems.
Program description
The National Institute of Food and Agriculture”s Agricultural Genome to Phenome Initiative (AG2PI), Assistance Listing 10.332, is intended to:Study agriculturally significant crops and animals in production environments to achieve viable and secure agricultural production.Ensure that current gaps in existing knowledge of agricultural crops, animal genetics, and phenomics are filled.Identify and develop a functional understanding of relevant genes from animals and agronomically relevant genes from crops that are of importance to the agriculture sector of the United States.Ensure future genetic improvement of crops and animals of importance to the agriculture sector of the United States.Study the relevance of different germplasm as a source of unique genes that may be of importance in the future.Enhance genetics to reduce the economic impact of pathogens on crops and animals of importance to the agriculture sector of the United States.Disseminate findings to relevant audiences.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
Details
This grant is for institutions and organizations seeking to organize and conduct workshops that advance the Agricultural Genome to Phenome Initiative (AG2PI). Eligible applicants typically include universities, research institutions, land-grant colleges, and nonprofit organizations with expertise in plant or animal genomics, phenotyping technologies, or precision agriculture. The workshops should bring together scientists, farmers, extension professionals, and industry stakeholders to build research networks, share knowledge, and translate genomic advances into agricultural practice. Activities supported include organizing in-person or virtual workshops focused on emerging genomic tools, phenotyping methodologies, data management, or practical applications of genome-to-phenome research in crop and livestock production systems.
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance) and NIFA-specific forms
- Project narrative (typically 10-15 pages) describing workshop goals, target audience, agenda, expected outcomes, and evaluation plan
- Detailed budget and budget narrative justifying all costs (travel, venue, catering, personnel, materials)
- Institutional authorization and assurances
- Curriculum vitae or biosketches of key personnel and steering committee members
- Letters of support from partner institutions, industry collaborators, or stakeholder organizations
- Evaluation plan outlining metrics (attendance, participant feedback, follow-up collaboration)
Program contact
- 👤 National Institute of Food and Agriculture-eRA
- 📧 grantapplicationquestions@usda.gov
- 📞 202-445-5402
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 10.332 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$1,837,528
-
$1,174,382
-
$1,132,877
-
$956,429
-
$948,396
-
$930,000
-
$901,524
-
$877,553
-
$50,000
Top States by Funding
- IA 4 awards $4.0M
- CA 3 awards $3.0M
- MI 1 awards $0.9M
- TX 1 awards $0.9M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 10.332). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $1,857,553 | |
| 2025 | $1,825,317 | |
| 2026 est. | $1,827,495 |
FAQ
Who is eligible to apply for this workshop grant?
Typically, U.S. institutions including universities, colleges, research centers, and nonprofit organizations with relevant expertise in agricultural genomics or phenotyping can apply. Some programs may limit eligibility to land-grant institutions or require partnerships with USDA-aligned research priorities.
What should the workshop focus on?
Workshops should advance the Agricultural Genome to Phenome Initiative by fostering collaboration around genomic research, phenotyping technologies, data integration, or the practical adoption of these tools in farming systems. The workshop should bridge research and application.
When is the application deadline?
The application window typically opens April 30, 2026, with a fixed deadline of June 29, 2026. Plan to submit well before the deadline to allow time for internal review.
What is the typical funding range?
USDA-NIFA workshop grants typically range from $25,000 to $75,000 depending on workshop scope, duration, and participant numbers. Check the solicitation for exact funding caps and match requirements.
How competitive is this funding?
This is moderately competitive. Success depends on a clear research network-building objective, strong partnerships across institutions or with industry, and evidence that the workshop will have lasting impact on agricultural genomics research and adoption.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Assemble a diverse steering committee for your workshop that includes university researchers, extension specialists, farmers, and industry partners. NIFA values cross-sector collaboration and real-world relevance.
- Focus on a specific genomic challenge or opportunity (e.g., drought tolerance phenotyping, livestock genomic data standards) rather than a broad overview. Specificity demonstrates focus and measurable outcomes.
- Develop a concrete workshop agenda with clear learning outcomes, speaker list, and networking opportunities. Show how you will measure attendance, engagement, and follow-up outcomes.
- If proposing a virtual or hybrid format, explain how you will ensure meaningful interaction and relationship-building, not just passive viewing of presentations.
- Budget transparently for reasonable travel, venue, catering, and facilitation costs. Include support for early-career scientists and underrepresented groups to strengthen diversity and inclusion.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applicants often propose workshops that are too broad (e.g., "general genomics overview") without tying to specific AG2PI research priorities or problems. Applications also frequently underestimate the complexity of coordinating multi-institutional or cross-sector participation, leading to unclear budgets or unrealistic timelines. Finally, many fail to articulate concrete outcomes or mechanisms for sustaining research networks and collaboration beyond the workshop itself.
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