Supplemental and Alternative Crops
Can you apply?
This grant is for research and education on alternative and specialty crops that support agricultural diversification and economic development.
Eligible applicants include universities, research institutions, state agricultural departments, and nonprofits with agricultural expertise. Priority may be given to programs addressing underutilized crops, emerging markets, or sustainable production practices.
Funding supports research projects, farmer outreach, educational programs, and pilot demonstrations. Activities may include crop variety trials, market analysis, production optimization, and knowledge transfer to farmers and agricultural professionals.
Program description
The SAC program, Assistance Listing Number 10.200, supports projects that lead to expanded adaptation and increased acreage in the United States of alternative crops grown for food/feedstuff, oil, and feedstocks for industrial value-added products. Such crops are important to U.S. agriculture in that these can provide new and profitable cropping options in response to low commodity prices and changes in consumer demand for new agricultural-based products. Oilseed, grain, and feedstock crops have major uses in healthy human foods and animal feeds, as natural pest control when used as cover crops, and as a feedstock in industrial chemical manufacture and biofuel production. Grains/pseudocereals and legumes/pulses can play an important role in the cropping rotation for food/feedstuff and/or feedstock for industrial value-added purposes, as cover crops, and as habitat for pollinators.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)
- Project Narrative
- Budget and Budget Justification
- Curriculum Vitae of Key Personnel
- Letters of Support from Agricultural Partners or Stakeholders
- Summary of Prior Research or Extension Experience (if applicable)
Program contact
- 👤 Heidi Z Vanegas Grantor
- 📧 grantapplicationquestions@usda.gov
- 📞 7012700318
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 10.200 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$41,223,360
-
$13,874,400
-
$4,981,494
-
$4,918,877
-
$4,445,856
-
$3,907,838
-
$3,535,194
-
$2,351,830
-
$2,334,089
-
$2,284,747
Top States by Funding
- NC 6 awards $57.6M
- WA 10 awards $12.8M
- WI 3 awards $9.0M
- CO 2 awards $8.4M
- FL 4 awards $5.9M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 10.200). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $30,784,019 | |
| 2025 | $27,731,418 | |
| 2026 est. | $4,631,287 |
FAQ
Who can apply for this grant?
Universities, USDA partner institutions, state agencies, and nonprofit research organizations are eligible. Your organization should have demonstrated capacity in agricultural research or extension.
What types of projects are funded?
Research on alternative crops, variety testing, agronomic studies, market development, and farmer education programs. Pilot projects and feasibility studies are also supported.
What is the typical funding amount?
NIFA grants vary widely. This program typically funds individual projects in the $50,000–$500,000 range, though larger multi-year awards are possible.
When is the deadline and how competitive is this grant?
The deadline is June 25, 2026. This is moderately competitive. Strong applications address clear agricultural problems and include collaboration with farmers or agricultural partners.
What documentation do I need to submit?
Standard federal forms (SF-424), a detailed project narrative, budget and budget justification, CV of key personnel, and letters of support from partners or stakeholders are typical requirements.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Focus on crops with genuine market demand or sustainability benefits. Avoid proposals that lack clear farmer or industry adoption potential.
- Include letters of support from farmers, agricultural businesses, or state extension offices to demonstrate real-world relevance.
- Clearly explain how your project advances agricultural diversification or addresses a specific production, market, or sustainability challenge.
- Budget for Extension or outreach activities alongside research; NIFA values knowledge transfer to agricultural practitioners.
- Collaborate with established research partners or institutions to strengthen credibility and demonstrate feasibility of proposed work.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Proposing research on crops with no clear market demand or farmer interest. Funding goes to solutions farmers and agricultural businesses actually need.
Weak or missing stakeholder engagement. Applications without farmer feedback, state agency partnerships, or industry support rarely succeed.
Unclear pathway from research to adoption. Strong proposals show exactly how findings will reach farmers and improve agricultural practice.
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