Two cows grazing with a river immediately behind them and a planted field beyond that Two cows grazing with a river immediately behind them and a planted field beyond that

FFAR Announces Grant Opportunity to Advance Crop & Animal Systems

  • Production Systems

Today, the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR) launched the Crop-Animal Systems Research Request for Applications (RFA), which will support innovative and transformative research into the interconnections between crop and animal systems to generate knowledge that advances both systems. FFAR is providing up to $4 million in funding through the Crop-Animal Systems RFA. Individual awards will range from $300,000 to $1 million in FFAR funds, to be supplemented by required matching funds.

Much of the research on the crops and animals contributing to our food supply examines each system independently. However, crop and animal systems are deeply interconnected — regardless of whether they occupy the same land — through feed and nutrient management, among other factors.

The objective of this RFA is to advance crop and animal systems simultaneously. Collaborative teams that utilize the strengths and expertise of researchers from a range of scientific fields are essential for both crop and animal research. Research areas of interest include, but are not limited to:

  • Resource-efficient animal feed
  • Improved animal nutrition
  • Bioaccumulation of environmental contaminants in crop and animal systems
  • Efficient cycling of nutrients between crops and livestock
  • Optimal rotations of crops with grazing periods
  • Incorporation of circular agriculture principles
  • Other relevant topics that advance crop and animal systems

All grants funded through this opportunity require matching contributions from an entity other than the U.S. federal government. Dairy Management Inc. and the United Soybean Board are interested in exploring the potential to offer matching funding for relevant research projects. Please read the RFA for more details and email the designated contacts to discuss your proposals and evaluate their capacity to provide matching funding support.

Pre-applications for this funding opportunity are due by June 11, 2025. FFAR welcomes applications from all domestic and international higher education institutions, nonprofit and for-profit organizations and U.S. government-affiliated research agencies.

FFAR is hosting an informational webinar about this opportunity at 11 a.m. EDT on May 20, 2025. Participants must register to attend.

Additional details about the RFA are available on the Crop-Animal Systems Research Program open opportunity page.

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Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research

The Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR) builds public-private partnerships to fund bold research addressing big food and agriculture challenges. FFAR was established in the 2014 Farm Bill to increase public agriculture research investments, fill knowledge gaps and complement the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s research agenda. FFAR’s model matches federal funding from Congress with private funding, delivering a powerful return on taxpayer investment. Through collaboration and partnerships, FFAR advances actionable science benefiting farmers, consumers and the environment.

Connect: @FoundationFAR