Research Facilities Act Program
🏛 National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA-NIFA)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Jul 16, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for universities and colleges to build or upgrade agricultural research facilities. Eligible institutions include 1862, 1890, and 1994 land-grant universities, state agricultural experiment stations, and Hispanic-serving agricultural colleges.
The grant supports construction, alteration, acquisition, modernization, renovation, or remodeling of facilities. Research must focus on food and agricultural sciences as defined in federal law.
Veterinary medicine schools and non-land-grant agriculture colleges may qualify if they meet specific criteria. Insular area institutions and McIntire-Stennis Act-eligible institutions are also eligible.
This is a federal grant program with no cost-sharing requirement. All eligible institutions with qualifying projects may apply.
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Program description
The RFAP is listed in the Assistance Listings under number 10.246. RFAP is designed to provide financial assistance to qualifying institutions for the construction, alteration, acquisition, modernization, renovation, or remodeling of agricultural research facilities to conduct research in the fields of food and agricultural sciences (as defined in 7 U.S.C. 3103, see Appendix III for definition).
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)
- Project Narrative and Facility Plans
- Detailed Budget and Cost Justification
- Institutional Commitment Letter
- Proof of Eligible Institution Status
Program contact
- 👤 Joseph Perez Lead Policy Analyst
- 📧 grantapplicationquestions@usda.gov
- 📞 202-445-5402
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 10.246 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$481,756
-
$481,756
-
$481,755
-
$242,500
-
$242,500
-
$242,500
-
$242,500
-
$241,450
-
$241,450
-
$182,045
Top States by Funding
- VT 2 awards $0.7M
- IL 1 awards $0.5M
- ID 1 awards $0.5M
- MS 2 awards $0.4M
- TX 2 awards $0.3M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 10.246). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $959,740 | |
| 2025 | $970,000 | |
| 2026 est. | $125,000,000 |
FAQ
Who can apply for the RFAP?
Land-grant universities (1862, 1890, 1994), state agricultural experiment stations, Hispanic-serving agricultural colleges, and veterinary medicine schools are eligible. Non-land-grant agriculture colleges and insular area institutions may also qualify if they meet criteria.
What can the funding be used for?
Funding supports construction, renovation, modernization, acquisition, or alteration of agricultural research facilities. Projects must focus on food and agricultural sciences research.
Is cost-sharing required?
No. Cost-sharing is not required for this grant.
What is the funding range?
Awards range from $100,000 to $30,000,000. Total program funding is approximately $121 million annually.
When is the deadline?
The deadline is July 17, 2026. This is a fixed deadline, not rolling.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Ensure your institution meets the specific land-grant or college designation required by NIFA before investing application time.
- Focus your project narrative on research impact and facility necessity. Explain how the improved facility will advance agricultural science.
- Provide detailed cost estimates and project timelines. RFAP reviewers scrutinize budget justification for large facility projects.
- Connect your project to priority research areas in agricultural science. Alignment with NIFA strategic goals strengthens competitiveness.
- Include letters of institutional support demonstrating leadership commitment and long-term funding for operations.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Institutions fail eligibility checks by not confirming their land-grant status or college designation before applying. Weak project narratives lack clear connection between facility improvements and research outcomes. Incomplete cost estimates and vague timelines for construction delay funded projects.
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