Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NIFA OP 011756
The Supplemental and Alternative Crops (SAC) grant opportunity is a discretionary funding program run by USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) under Assistance Listing (CFDA) 10.200. Its main goal is to support projects that help alternative crops gain wider acceptance and perform well across more U.S. growing regions, with the practical outcome of increasing U.S. acreage planted to these crops. In plain terms, the program is aimed at moving promising non-traditional or underutilized crops closer to real-world adoption by farmers and supply chains, especially when those crops can open up new markets or provide better returns in the face of low prices for conventional commodities.
SAC places emphasis on alternative crops used for food and feed, oilseed production, and as feedstocks for industrial value-added products. The opportunity highlights several reasons these crops matter: they can create new and profitable cropping options, respond to shifting consumer demand for new plant-based or specialty agricultural products, and support emerging industrial uses. The description points to oilseed, grain, and other feedstock crops that can serve multiple functions, including improving human nutrition and animal feed, contributing to natural pest management when used as cover crops, and supplying raw materials for industrial chemical manufacturing and biofuel production.
The program also calls out the agronomic and ecological benefits of certain crop groups, especially grains and pseudocereals, as well as legumes and pulses. These crops can strengthen crop rotations, improve overall system resilience, and serve as cover crops. Beyond soil and rotation benefits, the notice also recognizes their value as habitat resources for pollinators, reinforcing that the program is not only about market expansion but also about building more sustainable and diverse agricultural systems.
Eligibility is limited to specific applicant types, including colleges and universities as defined in section 1404 of NARETPA (7 U.S.C. 3103), other federal agencies, and private sector entities. While not every organization can apply directly, award recipients are allowed to subcontract with organizations that are not otherwise eligible to apply, as long as those partners are necessary to carry out the proposed work. The notice stresses that applicants must meet all requirements laid out in the NOFO (Notice of Funding Opportunity), and that failing to meet eligibility criteria by the deadline can lead to removal from consideration or prevent NIFA from issuing an award.
Key administrative details include the Funding Opportunity Number USDA NIFA OP 011756 and an application deadline (Original Closing Date) of 2026-06-25. The award ceiling is $460,000, and NIFA expects to make about 8 awards. The opportunity category is listed as discretionary, and the funding instrument type is a grant under the Agriculture funding activity category. Applicants who are new to federal financial assistance are directed to NIFA's "About Grants" resources to better understand how federal awards work and what to expect in the application and award management process.Apply for USDA NIFA OP 011756
- The National Institute of Food and Agriculture in the agriculture sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Supplemental and Alternative Crops" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.200.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-05-08.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-06-25. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $460,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 8 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
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Supplemental and Alternative Crops (SAC) Grant FAQs
What is the Supplemental and Alternative Crops (SAC) grant?
The Supplemental and Alternative Crops (SAC) grant is a discretionary funding program run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). It is listed under Assistance Listing (CFDA) 10.200.
What is the main goal of the SAC program?
The program is intended to support projects that help alternative crops gain wider acceptance and perform well across more U.S. growing regions. The practical outcome the program is aiming for is increased U.S. acreage planted to these alternative crops.
What does SAC mean by "alternative crops" in this opportunity?
Based on the opportunity description, "alternative crops" refers to promising non-traditional or underutilized crops that can be moved closer to real-world adoption by farmers and supply chains. The description emphasizes crops that can open new markets or improve returns, particularly when conventional commodity prices are low.
What kinds of crops or end uses does SAC emphasize?
SAC places emphasis on alternative crops used for food and feed, oilseed production, and as feedstocks for industrial value-added products.
Why does the opportunity highlight alternative crops for food and feed?
The notice links these crops to creating new and profitable cropping options and responding to shifting consumer demand for new plant-based or specialty agricultural products. It also references benefits related to improving human nutrition and animal feed.
What industrial uses are mentioned in the opportunity?
The description points to crops used as feedstocks for industrial chemical manufacturing and biofuel production, and more generally to industrial value-added products.
Are cover crop and pest management benefits included in the program rationale?
Yes. The opportunity description notes that certain oilseed, grain, and other feedstock crops can contribute to natural pest management when used as cover crops.
Which crop groups are specifically called out for agronomic and ecological benefits?
The notice calls out grains and pseudocereals, as well as legumes and pulses, for agronomic and ecological benefits. It also notes these crops can strengthen crop rotations, improve system resilience, and serve as cover crops.
Does SAC consider environmental or ecosystem benefits like pollinator habitat?
Yes. The opportunity recognizes the value of these crops as habitat resources for pollinators and frames the program as supporting more sustainable and diverse agricultural systems in addition to market expansion.
Who is eligible to apply for the SAC grant?
Eligibility is limited to specific applicant types described in the opportunity: colleges and universities as defined in section 1404 of NARETPA (7 U.S.C. 3103), other federal agencies, and private sector entities.
If an organization is not eligible to apply directly, can it still participate in a project?
Yes. Award recipients are allowed to subcontract with organizations that are not otherwise eligible to apply, as long as those partners are necessary to carry out the proposed work.
What happens if an applicant does not meet eligibility requirements by the deadline?
The notice states that failing to meet eligibility criteria by the deadline can lead to removal from consideration or prevent NIFA from issuing an award.
What is the Assistance Listing (CFDA) number for this opportunity?
The opportunity is listed under Assistance Listing (CFDA) 10.200.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number for SAC?
The Funding Opportunity Number is USDA NIFA OP 011756.
When is the application deadline?
The application deadline (Original Closing Date) is 2026-06-25.
What is the maximum (ceiling) award amount?
The award ceiling is $460,000.
How many awards does NIFA expect to make?
NIFA expects to make about 8 awards.
What type of funding opportunity is SAC?
The opportunity category is listed as discretionary.
What is the funding instrument type for SAC awards?
The funding instrument type is a grant.
What is the funding activity category for this opportunity?
The funding activity category is Agriculture.
What should new applicants to federal financial assistance do before applying?
The opportunity directs applicants who are new to federal financial assistance to review NIFA's "About Grants" resources to better understand how federal awards work and what to expect during the application and award management process.
Where are the required rules and requirements for applying described?
The notice states that applicants must meet all requirements laid out in the NOFO (Notice of Funding Opportunity).
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