Equipment Grants Program

The Equipment Grants Program provides funding to institutions of higher education, including State Cooperative Extension Systems, to acquire one shared-use piece of special purpose equipment or instrument that advances fundamental and applied research in food and agricultural sciences. The program targets equipment that is too expensive or unsuitable for support through other NIFA grant programs, with the goal of enhancing research capabilities, supporting research training, and strengthening extension activities. Emphasis is placed on instruments that will be accessible not only to the proposing institution but also to researchers, educators, and extension specialists beyond its walls, fostering collaboration and maximizing impact across the broader scientific community. Applications for this solicitation, identified as USDA-NIFA-CEGP-32987, must be submitted by June 25, 2026, and were posted on May 18, 2026. The program is administered by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture under the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and is classified under NAICS code 334516. Interested parties should direct questions regarding the application process to grantapplicationquestions@usda.gov or call 202-445-5402. The grant is open to eligible institutions nationwide, with no geographic restrictions on performance, and no specific set-aside categories apply. Additional details and the official application portal can be accessed through the Grants.gov listing.