Specialty Crop Multi-State Grant Program 2026

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Marketing Service is soliciting applications for the Fiscal Year 2026 Specialty Crop Multi-State Grant Program under solicitation USDA-AMS-TM-SCMP-G-26-0020. This program provides approximately 14.3 million dollars in competitive grant funding to support collaborative partnerships involving two or more U.S. states, territories, and non-profit entities. The primary goal is to enhance the competitiveness of U.S.-grown specialty crops in domestic and foreign markets by addressing regional or national issues such as food safety, plant pests and disease, research, and marketing and promotion. Eligible projects must demonstrate measurable outcomes and require a 25 percent non-federal cost share. Applications must be submitted electronically via Grants.gov, with deadlines of August 31, 2026, for multi-state partners to participating states, and October 16, 2026, for other eligible entities. Required documentation includes the SF-424 and SF-424A forms, a project narrative using the official template, and signed letters of verification for cost sharing and partner commitment. Proposals are evaluated through a three-stage process consisting of an initial screening, a technical merit review based on alignment, work plan, achievability, expertise, and fiscal planning, and a final administrative review. Awards are subject to a statutory indirect cost cap of 8 percent and must comply with 2 CFR Part 200 and USDA General Terms and Conditions.