Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program | USDA NIFA OP 009382

Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NIFA OP 009382

The Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Program is a discretionary grant opportunity administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), focused on building practical, science-based knowledge that helps U.S. agriculture become more environmentally sound, economically viable, and socially responsible over the long term. The program supports research and outreach efforts that improve understanding of agricultural production systems that protect and strengthen soil health and productivity, conserve key resources such as soil, water, and energy, and safeguard natural resources, including fish and wildlife habitat. A central goal is to advance farming and ranching approaches that maintain and enhance both surface water and groundwater quality while reducing harmful impacts from agricultural activities.

A key emphasis of this opportunity is linking research with real-world education and outreach so that results are translated into usable practices and decision tools for producers and communities. The program also highlights protecting the health and safety of people who work within or depend on the food and farm system, which can include farm labor, on-farm safety, exposure reduction, and safer production and handling practices. In addition, SARE explicitly includes animal well-being as a program purpose, encouraging production strategies that improve livestock management outcomes alongside environmental and economic performance. Another stated outcome is expanding employment opportunities in agriculture, reflecting the program's broader interest in resilient rural economies and sustainable agricultural livelihoods. The authorizing statutes cited for these purposes are 7 U.S.C. 5801 and 7 U.S.C. 5811.

Eligibility is limited to specific organizational types because the SARE legislation directs USDA to implement the program through formal agreements with established institutions and entities that have the capacity to manage research and outreach at scale. Eligible applicants include land-grant colleges and universities, other universities, State agricultural experiment stations, State cooperative extension services, nonprofit organizations with demonstrable expertise in relevant areas, and Federal or State governmental entities. Applications can only be submitted by organizations in these categories, meaning individuals and for-profit businesses generally would not apply directly under this particular listing unless partnering through an eligible lead organization.

In the source record, the funding opportunity is listed as "Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program" with Funding Opportunity Number USDA NIFA OP 009382. The agency is USDA-NIFA, the instrument type is a grant, and the activity category is agriculture. It is associated with CFDA number 10.215. The posted closing date in the record is 2022-11-14, and the opportunity shows an award ceiling of up to $10,000,000. The record was created on 2022-09-01.

• The National Institute of Food and Agriculture in the agriculture sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.215.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2022-09-01.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2022-11-14. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $10,000,000.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: Others.

Apply for USDA NIFA OP 009382

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