Plant Genome Research Program
🏛 U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Sep 12, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for academic researchers, research institutions, and organizations focused on plant genome research and related agricultural biotechnology. Eligible applicants include universities, colleges, research institutes, and other organizations capable of conducting scientific research. The program supports projects across the United States and may include collaborative international components. Funded activities typically include genome sequencing and assembly, functional genomics studies, development of genomic tools and databases, computational biology approaches, and breeding applications informed by genomic science. Priority is often given to research that addresses agricultural sustainability, food security, and development of new crop varieties.
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Program description
The Plant Genome Research Program (PGRP) supports genome-scale research that addresses challenging questions of biological, societal and economic importance. PGRP encourages the development of innovative tools, technologies, and resources that empower a broad plant research community to answer scientific questions on a genome-wide scale. Emphasis is placed on the scale and depth of the question being addressed and the creativity of the approach. Data produced by plant genomics should be usable, accessible, integrated across scales, and of high impact across biology. Training, broadening participation, and career development are essential to scientific progress and should be integrated in all PGRP-funded projects.
Two funding tracks are currently available:
- RESEARCH-PGR TRACK: Genome-scale plant research to address fundamental questions in biology, including processes of economic and/or societal importance.
- TRTech-PGR TRACK: Tools, resources, and technology breakthroughs that further enable functional plant genomics.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- NSF Form 1028 (Project Summary) with objectives and significance
- NSF Form 1030 (Project Description) with detailed research plan, methodology, and timeline
- Budget and budget justification with itemized costs for sequencing, computing, personnel, and equipment
- Letters of institutional support and commitment
- Data Management Plan addressing how genomic data will be stored, shared, and made publicly available
- Biographical sketches of key personnel (limited pages)
- Current and pending support documentation
- Facilities and equipment descriptions
- Signed SF-424 federal application form and supporting documents as specified in NSF instructions
Program contact
- 👤 U.S. National Science Foundation
- 📧 grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov
- 📞 703-292-4203
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 47.074 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$401,043,378
-
$268,297,107
-
$66,886,066
-
$59,000,000
-
$46,262,435
-
$39,723,283
-
$39,604,013
-
$31,000,000
-
$29,500,000
-
$22,800,000
Top States by Funding
- OH 2 awards $413.5M
- CO 4 awards $299.9M
- NY 6 awards $133.9M
- AZ 5 awards $103.1M
- CA 8 awards $93.9M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 47.074). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $813,390,000 | |
| 2025 | $789,240,000 | |
| 2026 est. | $221,290,000 |
FAQ
Who is eligible to apply for this grant?
Research institutions including universities, colleges, and nonprofit research organizations can apply. Individual researchers typically must have an institutional affiliation. Some programs may support postdoctoral researchers or graduate students as principal investigators if sponsored by their institution.
What is the application timeline for rolling deadlines?
Rolling deadlines mean applications can be submitted at various times throughout the year, typically with consistent review periods. Check the NSF website for specific submission windows and review timelines, as funding decisions may occur in batches.
What types of research activities are supported?
Typical activities include plant genome sequencing, functional genomics, development of genomic tools and databases, bioinformatics, comparative genomics, and applications to crop improvement and agricultural sustainability.
How competitive is this program?
NSF programs are highly competitive, with success rates typically ranging from 20-40% depending on program year and field. Strong preliminary data, clear innovation, and broad scientific impact are critical for competitiveness.
What is the typical funding range?
NSF plant genomics grants often range from $500,000 to $2 million+ depending on project scope and institutional match requirements, though awards vary by program track and complexity.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Emphasize scientific novelty and broader impact: NSF requires clear articulation of how your research advances plant science and has potential benefits to agriculture, food security, or the scientific community beyond your institution.
- Build strong institutional partnerships: Collaborations between universities, national laboratories, and industry strengthen applications; clearly define roles and data-sharing agreements for multi-institutional teams.
- Develop detailed genomic research plans with realistic timelines: NSF reviewers expect clear methodological approaches, computational resources, and timeline details; specify how you will handle and manage large genomic datasets.
- Demonstrate access to necessary infrastructure and facilities: Document that your institution has or will secure adequate computing resources, sequencing equipment, and storage capacity for large-scale genome projects.
- Plan for data management and public accessibility: NSF emphasizes open science; include detailed data management plans showing how genomic data will be stored, managed, and made publicly available through appropriate repositories and databases.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applications often fail because they lack clear scientific innovation or fail to justify genomic approaches over alternative methods. Weak project management plans, insufficient detail on computational infrastructure, and vague timelines for genome assembly or annotation phases are frequent issues. Additionally, poorly developed data management plans that don't address public accessibility of genomic resources can result in rejection, as NSF prioritizes open science and community resource development.
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