SARE Research & Education Grant deadline
December 3, 2026
Contact: Contact Sarah Zeiler at szeiler@msu.edu or Katie Brandt at brandtk7@msu.edu for more information.
SARE Research & Education Grants
NCR-SARE’s Research & Education Grant program funds "projects that explore and promote environmentally sound, economically viable, and socially responsible food and/or fiber systems (with) a strong outreach component and significant farmer/rancher or other end-user involvement from the inception of the idea through the implementation of the project." Funding levels of $50,000 to $250,000 fund projects up to 36 months. About 16 projects are funded per year and this is a more competitive grant than other SARE grants, with less than 10% of proposals funded in 2025.
The 2027 North Central Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program (NCR-SARE) Research and Education Grant Program Call for Preproposals is now available online.
About this Program
NCR-SARE’s Research and Education (R&E) program supports sustainable agriculture innovators with competitive research and education grants.
Individual grants range from $50,000 to $250,000. We anticipate that roughly $3.8 million will be available to fund approximately 16 grant projects, with individual grants not to exceed $250,000 total for projects lasting up to three years (36 months).
This program has a preproposal process to determine which projects will be invited to submit full proposals. In 2026, NCR-SARE received 243 preproposals, invited 43 to be developed into full proposals, and selected 16 R&E proposals for funding. The average size of funded grants was $236,000, and grant lengths ranged from 24 to 36 months. Full proposals are by invitation only and that invitations will be sent in February 2027 for projects that begin December 2027.
For the 2027 funding cycle of the R&E Grant Program, NCR-SARE will again be accepting preproposals for long-term projects. Recognizing that some research/extension systems work is complex and requires collaborative interdisciplinary work that takes many years to complete, applicants will indicate that they are applying under the long-term option. Awards under this track are selected on an exceptional basis.The long-term option allows for additional funding in subsequent 3-year cycles with satisfactory progress. See the call for preproposals for details.
To Apply
NCR-SARE is accepting online submissions for the Research and Education Grant Program. More information about the online submission system can be found in the call for preproposals.
Interested applicants can find the call for preproposals as well as useful information for completing a preproposal online.
You can find more information about sustainable agriculture and view previously funded projects online.
Eligibility
Wondering if your project idea is a good fit for an NCR-SARE Research and Education Grant?
Read the basics and then take this eligibility quiz to find out if you should apply to this program.
Deadline
The Research and Education Program preproposals deadline is December 3, 2026, by 12pm Central Time.
Research and Education Webinar
Join us for a Research and Education Grant webinar on October 13, 2026 at 2pm Eastern Time (1pm Central Time). NCR-SARE plans to record the zoom session and post it online here.
Register for the webinar online at: https://umn.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_h4NvX61rS5q9Htb9_mwE_w
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 NCR-SARE’s priorities and recommends projects for funding.
Awards made under this call for preproposals 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 Research and Education Grant Program, contact Pete Huff at north-central-re@sare.org or (612) 626-4436.
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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