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§ Grant
Grant for researchers, startups, institutions. Funds novel foods, manufacturing, food science, ag innovation.
USDA NIFA Food Innovation is a federal grant program administered by the United States Department of Agriculture and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture to fund research and development in novel foods and manufacturing technologies. The initiative distributes non-dilutive capital through specific funding tracks, including the Small Business Innovation Research program and the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative. Award amounts vary by track, with Phase I grants providing up to $185,000 for eight-month proof-of-concept projects and Phase II offering up to $600,000. Larger foundational research grants range from $300,000 to over $1 million for projects addressing food safety, nutritional quality, and sustainable processing. Recent allocations include a $6.8 million investment specifically targeting novel foods and innovative manufacturing projects. This resource serves agtech startups, small businesses, academic researchers, and nonprofits seeking capital to commercialize agricultural innovations.
USDA NIFA Food Innovation provides up to $183,000 in Phase I and varying amounts in Phase II to U.S. small businesses pursuing food and agricultural innovation. Part of the USDA's Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program administered by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), this funding supports research and development of innovative technologies and products that advance American agriculture, food systems, and rural communities.
U.S. small businesses with fewer than 500 employees working on food and agricultural innovation are eligible. Companies must be for-profit, majority U.S.-owned, and the principal investigator must be employed by the company. Research topics span the full spectrum of food and agriculture including crop production, animal health, food safety, food processing, bioenergy, precision agriculture, and rural development technology.
Phase I awards of up to $183,000 fund feasibility studies and proof-of-concept research over approximately eight months. Phase II awards provide larger funding for full R&D and prototype development over approximately two years. Companies retain intellectual property rights to their innovations. Beyond funding, NIFA connects awardees with USDA research resources, Extension Service networks, and agricultural industry partners who can support commercialization.
Applications are submitted through Grants.gov in response to NIFA's annual SBIR program solicitation. The solicitation lists specific research topics organized by category. Proposals require a technical research plan, budget, team qualifications, and commercialization strategy. Applications are peer-reviewed by subject matter experts who evaluate scientific merit, innovation, commercial potential, and qualifications. Phase II applications require successful completion of Phase I objectives.
NIFA SBIR has funded innovations across American agriculture, including precision agriculture sensors, food safety detection technologies, sustainable packaging materials, animal health diagnostics, crop disease management tools, and value-added food processing technologies. Many funded technologies have been commercialized and adopted by American farmers, food processors, and agricultural businesses, contributing to the competitiveness and sustainability of U.S. agriculture.
USDA NIFA provides up to $183K (Phase I) and larger Phase II awards to U.S. small businesses for food and agricultural innovation R&D through the SBIR program.
U.S. for-profit small businesses under 500 employees, majority U.S.-owned, with the principal investigator employed by the company, working on food and agricultural innovation.
Phase I: up to $183,000 for feasibility over ~8 months. Phase II: larger awards for full R&D over ~2 years. Companies retain IP rights plus access to USDA resources.
Apply through Grants.gov responding to NIFA's annual SBIR solicitation with research plans, budgets, and commercialization strategies. Peer-reviewed by experts on scientific merit and innovation.
Precision agriculture sensors, food safety detection, sustainable packaging, animal health diagnostics, crop disease tools, and food processing technologies adopted across U.S. agriculture.