The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), through the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), has announced the 2026 Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) Education and Workforce Development (EWD) funding opportunity. The program aims to strengthen the future workforce in agriculture, food systems, environmental sciences, and related disciplines by supporting education, training, research, and professional development initiatives.

With an estimated total funding pool of $39.7 million, the AFRI Education and Workforce Development program seeks to develop the next generation of researchers, educators, extension professionals, and industry leaders who can address emerging challenges in agriculture, food security, sustainability, and technology.

About the AFRI Education and Workforce Development Program

The AFRI Education and Workforce Development program focuses on building a strong talent pipeline for the food and agricultural sciences sector. Through competitive grants and fellowships, the initiative supports institutions, organizations, and individuals working to improve educational opportunities and workforce readiness.

The program is designed to expand access to training and career development opportunities across multiple educational levels, from K-14 education to postgraduate research and professional development.

Areas Supported by the Program

The AFRI EWD program will support projects in the following areas:

Professional development opportunities for K-14 educational professionals
Non-formal agricultural and food science education programs for youth
Workforce training initiatives at community, junior, and technical colleges
Research and extension training opportunities for undergraduate students
Predoctoral fellowship programs
Postdoctoral fellowship programs
Education and workforce development workshop grants

These investments are intended to strengthen educational pathways while preparing students and professionals for careers in agriculture, science, technology, environmental management, and related sectors.

Funding Details

Applicants may compete for grants ranging from $10,000 to $650,000, depending on the project category and funding priorities.

Key Funding Information

Funding Opportunity Number: USDA-NIFA-AFRI-011596
Estimated Total Funding: $39,700,000
Award Range: $10,000 – $650,000
Posted Date: January 20, 2026
Closing Date: December 31, 2026
Cost Sharing Requirement: Matching funds are required for certain project categories

Applicants are encouraged to carefully review the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for detailed funding requirements and project-specific guidelines.

Who Can Apply?

The AFRI Education and Workforce Development program welcomes applications from a wide range of eligible institutions and organizations.

Eligible applicants include:

1862 Land-Grant Institutions
1890 Land-Grant Institutions
1994 Land-Grant Institutions
State-controlled institutions of higher education
Hispanic-Serving Institutions
Small businesses
For-profit organizations
Nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status
Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status
Tribal organizations
Individual applicants

Eligibility requirements may vary depending on the project type. Applicants should consult the current AFRI EWD Request for Applications (RFA) to determine their specific eligibility status.

Priority Areas and Research Topics

The program supports projects addressing a broad range of agricultural, environmental, technological, and educational priorities.

Key focus areas include:

Advanced technologies
Biotechnology
Nanotechnology
Agriculture technology
Sustainable agriculture
Organic agriculture
Food and nutrition security
Prevention of diet-related diseases
Crop production
Plant breeding
Plant health
Soil management
Water resources
Ecosystem sustainability
Natural resource economics
Markets and trade
Animal agriculture
Food safety
Bioeconomy

These themes reflect USDA’s commitment to supporting innovation and workforce development across the agricultural sector.

Benefits for Students and Early-Career Researchers

One of the major objectives of the AFRI EWD program is to create educational pathways for future agricultural leaders. Through fellowships, research experiences, and workforce training programs, students and researchers can gain valuable hands-on experience while contributing to solutions for global food and environmental challenges.

Program benefits may include:

Access to advanced research opportunities
Professional mentoring and career development
Workforce training in high-demand agricultural sectors
Support for graduate and postgraduate studies
Enhanced collaboration between educational institutions and industry partners
Development of practical skills relevant to emerging agricultural technologies

Accessibility and Language Support

USDA NIFA is committed to ensuring equitable access to funding opportunities.

Applicants requiring accommodations can request support for accessing grant-related information or participating in associated events and webinars. Language access services, including translation and interpretation, are also available at no cost to applicants who need assistance.

Why This Opportunity Matters

Agriculture continues to face significant challenges related to climate change, food security, technological transformation, workforce shortages, and sustainable resource management. The AFRI Education and Workforce Development program plays a critical role in preparing future professionals to address these issues through education, research, and innovation.

By investing in students, educators, researchers, and institutions, USDA seeks to strengthen agricultural systems while supporting economic growth, environmental sustainability, and public health outcomes.

Organizations and individuals interested in advancing agricultural education, workforce development, and scientific research are encouraged to explore this funding opportunity and submit applications before the December 31, 2026 deadline.

Application Deadline

Deadline: December 31, 2026
Funding Available: $39.7 Million
Award Range: $10,000 – $650,000

VISIT OFFICIAL WEBSITE TO APPLY

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Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the organization offering this opportunity. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications & CVs to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails, we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.