NIFA Update--May 27, 2026

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Maggie Lawrence, Editor

May 27,2026

Recording Now Available of Recent Terms and Conditions Webinar

A captioned recording is now available of the recent webinar introducing the newly established USDA General Terms and Conditions and highlighting key updates to NIFA’s agency specific requirements. The webinar also covered practical guidance on using SciENcv—equipping applicants, awardees and research administrators with the tools they need to confidently navigate these changes. Find the video here.

FDA Announces Availability of FY26 Grant Funding for Animal and Veterinary Innovation Centers

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) announced fiscal year 2026 grant funding for the establishment of Animal and Veterinary Innovation Centers (AVICs). AVICs are long-term partnerships intended to address critical animal, human or environmental health needs in one or more priority areas for CVM. Applications for this grant must be submitted by June 12 through the NIH ASSIST system or www.grants.gov. Find more information here.

• NIFA Awards $2.5 Million to Support Environmental and Natural Resource Economics
• NIFA Invests $990K in Response to New World Screwworm Threat and Bovine Theileriosis

Information about the following program area priorities—including program contacts, types of projects allowed and more—can be found in the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) - Education and Workforce Development NOFO.

• Education and Workforce Development Workshop Grants (A7001): Continuous throughout the year but at least 210 days before the start of the workshop and upon invitation after submission of a Letter of Intent at least 255 days before the workshop begins.

Continuously Accepted

• AFRI Rapid Response to Emerging and Re-emerging Pest and Disease Events Across Food and Agricultural Systems
• AFRI Rapid Response to Weather Events Across Food and Agricultural Systems

• Smith-Lever Special Needs Competitive Grants Program—June 1
• Renewable Resources Extension Act – National Focus Funds Projects—June 8
• Federally Recognized Tribes Extension Program—June 8
• Alfalfa Seed and Alfalfa Forage System Program—June 12
• Tribal Colleges Research Grants Program, Phase I—June 12
• Specialty Crop Research Initiative—June 15
• Resident Instruction Grants Program for Institutions of Higher Education in Insular Areas and Agriculture and Food Sciences Facilities and Equipment (RIIA and AGFEI)—June 15
• Distance Education Grants for Institutions of Higher Education in Insular Areas—June 15
• Special Research Grants Program for Aquaculture Research—June 15
• Alaska Native-Serving and Native Hawaiian-Serving Institutions Education Competitive Grants Program—June 16
• The Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program - Nutrition Incentive Program—June 16
• AgrAbility - Assistive Technology Program for Farmers with Disabilities—June 23
• Rural Health and Safety Education Competitive Grants Program—June 23
• Supplemental and Alternative Crops—June 25
• Equipment Grants Program—June 25  
• Open Data Framework—June 26
• Methyl Bromide Transition Program—June 29
• Agricultural Genome to Phenome Initiative—June 29
• Tribal Colleges Research Grants Program, Phase II— Sept. 11
• Tribal Colleges Research Grants Program, Phase III— Dec. 31

• FY 2026 Special Research Grants Program for Aquaculture Research— Thursday, May 28, 11 a.m. EDT
• FY 2026 Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program NOFO Technical Assistance Live Q&A Session—Tuesday, June 2, Noon EDT
• Technical Assistance Webinar: The Equipment Grants Program (EGP)— Tuesday, June 9, Noon EDT

Rollins Applauds Montana Governor for Submitting SNAP Waiver to Make America Healthy Again

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Brooke L. Rollins joined Montana Governor Greg Gianforte recently as the Governor submitted a waiver to USDA to ban soft drinks, junk food and candy from the state’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). These actions build on Secretary Rollins’ “Laboratories of Innovation” initiative which invites governors to propose state-driven solutions to strengthen federal nutrition programs and protect taxpayer resources. Montana joins 22 other states that have now partnered with USDA and the Department of Health and Human Services to strengthen SNAP’s nutritional integrity. Read more here.

2026 Knapp Lecture Nominations Close June 5

Nominations for the Seaman A. Knapp Lecture will close Friday, June 5. The Knapp Lecture is part of a Memorial Lecture series sponsored by NIFA and the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities.

• Talk Business: Asian Longhorn Tick Spreads Across Arkansas
• Oklahoma Farm Report: AI and Policy Take Center Stage at the 2026 National 4-H Conference
• Beef Magazine: A Search for Answers to Failed Pregnancies in Cattle Production

USDA NIFA invests in research, education, and outreach that keeps American agriculture productive, profitable, and at the forefront of innovation. Through partnerships with the Land-grant University System, NIFA leverages more than 10,000 scientists, educators, and Extension professionals to turn discovery into real-world solutions for farmers, ranchers, families, and communities.

The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) is committed to ensuring that its programs and services are accessible to all individuals, including individuals with disabilities and individuals with limited English proficiency. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in any NIFA event, please contact the appropriate Program staff no later than 10 days prior to the event. To find Program staff by event, please visit the NIFA Calendar of Events. NIFA  Language access services, such as interpretation or translation of vital information, will be provided free of charge to limited English proficient individuals upon request.

If you need interpretation or translation services, please contact sm.nifa.eeo@usda.gov no later than 10 days prior to the event.

Keep informed about NIFA, USDA, our Land-grant and non-Land-grant university partners, and stakeholders with the NIFA Update. Read past issues online, sign up for email updates or follow us on X (formerly Twitter) @USDA_NIFA, #NIFAImpacts or LinkedIn @usda-nifa.

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