SARE Partnership grant webinar
October 14, 2026 1:00PM - 2:00PM
Contact: Contact Sarah Zeiler at szeiler@msu.edu or Katie Brandt at brandtk7@msu.edu for more information.
SARE Partnership Grants
Farm educators and agriculture professionals can team up with three or more farmers to apply for SARE Partnership Grants up to $50,000. These grants support on-farm research, demonstration, and education activities related to sustainable agriculture. Proposals should address all three aspects of sustainability, including:
- Farmers’ economic viability
- Natural resources
- Quality of life of farmers and their communities
The North Central Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program (NCR-SARE) 2027 Partnership Grant Program Call for Proposals is now available online.
About this Program
NCR-SARE’s Partnership Grant Program is intended to foster cooperation between agriculture professionals and small groups of farmers and ranchers to catalyze on-farm research, demonstration, and education activities related to sustainable agriculture.
Individual grants are limited to $50,000 total funding request per application is allowed. NCR-SARE anticipated funding roughly 20 Partnership grant projects this year.
NCR-SARE will accept online submissions for the Partnership Grant Program. The call for proposals provides more information about the online submission system.
To Apply
Interested applicants can find the call for proposals as well as useful information for completing a proposal online.
NCR-SARE will accept online submissions for the Partnership Grant Program. The call for proposals provides more information about the online submission system.
Learn more about sustainable agriculture and see past funded projects.
Eligibility
Wondering if your idea is a good fit for an NCR-SARE Partnership Grant? NCR-SARE's Partnership Grant Program foster cooperation between agriculture professionals and small groups of farmers and ranchers to catalyze on-farm research, demonstration, and education activities related to sustainable agriculture.
Review the basics of the grant, then take an eligibility quiz to find out.
Deadline
The deadline for Partnership Grant Program proposals is December 3, 2026, at 12pm Central Time. The call for proposals is online.
Attend a Webinar
A Partnership Grant Zoom webinar will occur on October 14, 2026, at 1pm Eastern time (12pm Central Time). NCR-SARE intends to record the Zoom session and post it online.
Register for the Zoom online at: https://umn.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_qHPyYPKjTNKEzhSrsz1Fww.
Funding Decisions
NCR-SARE administers each grant program with specific goals, audiences, and timelines. Funding considerations are based on how well the applicant presents the problem being addressed, its relevance to sustainable agriculture in the 12-state North Central region, farmer-rancher engagement in the project, and how well it aligns with NCR-SARE's goals.
A regional Administrative Council (AC) makes funding decisions, with review from a grant review committee.The Administrative Council is a collection of producers, university representatives, nonprofit group interests, Extension and NRCS people, other government employees, and agribusiness representatives. This group sets research priorities and recommends projects for funding.
Awards made under this Call for Proposals are contingent upon NCR-SARE receiving federal funds from the United States Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA-NIFA).
Assistance
For questions or additional information regarding the Partnership Grant Program, contact Betsy Wieland at 612-626-6556 or North-central-partnership@sare.org.
Each state in SARE's North Central region has one or more SARE State Coordinator who can provide information and assistance to grant applicants. Interested applicants can find their SARE State Coordinator online.
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