Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NIFA SGP 011878
The Sun Grant Program (SGP) is a discretionary grant opportunity administered by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) under Assistance Listing (CFDA) 10.320. Its core purpose is to support a coordinated, nationwide effort to advance bioenergy and biobased products in ways that strengthen U.S. energy security, expand and diversify agricultural production, and generate economic benefits in rural communities. Rather than focusing on a single research project, the program is structured to fund subgrants and related activities that help move biobased energy and product technologies from development to broader distribution and real-world implementation.
The opportunity is designed around four main outcomes. First, it aims to enhance national energy security by accelerating the development, distribution, and deployment of biobased energy technologies. Second, it seeks to promote more diverse agricultural production systems across the United States by supporting biobased energy and bioproduct technologies that create new markets and uses for agricultural and biomass resources. Third, it targets rural economic growth by backing biobased solutions that can create jobs, increase demand for local feedstocks, and strengthen rural industries and supply chains. Fourth, it emphasizes improved coordination and collaboration to increase the overall efficiency and impact of bioenergy and biomass research and development, specifically by strengthening partnerships among USDA, other relevant federal agencies, and the nation s Land-grant Colleges and Universities.
Eligibility is narrowly defined and centered on national collaboration. Applicants must represent a consortium of Land-grant Institutions across the 1862, 1890, and 1994 categories, and the consortium must include one entity from each Sun Grant region and sub-region. In practical terms, this means the single award is intended to support a regionally comprehensive, multi-institution network rather than an individual university acting alone, and it must reflect broad geographic representation through the Sun Grant structure.
Administratively, this is a grant (Funding Instrument Type: Grant) within the Agriculture funding activity category. The funding opportunity number is USDA NIFA SGP 011878 and the title is Sun Grant Program. NIFA expects to make one award under this announcement, with an award ceiling of 2,801,160. The original closing date for applications is 2026-08-17, and the opportunity record was created on 2026-07-31. Overall, the program is best understood as a national platform for organizing and resourcing coordinated subgrant-making and collaborative activities that push forward bioenergy and biobased products while aligning research, extension, and implementation efforts across the Land-grant system.Apply for USDA NIFA SGP 011878
- The National Institute of Food and Agriculture in the agriculture sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Sun Grant Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.320.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-07-31.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-08-17. (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 $2,801,160.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Sun Grant Program (SGP) - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Sun Grant Program (SGP)?
The Sun Grant Program (SGP) is a discretionary grant opportunity administered by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). It is listed under Assistance Listing (CFDA) 10.320 and is designed to support a coordinated, nationwide effort to advance bioenergy and biobased products.
What is the main purpose of this grant opportunity?
The core purpose is to strengthen U.S. energy security, expand and diversify agricultural production, and generate economic benefits in rural communities by advancing bioenergy and biobased product efforts at a national level.
Is this funding meant for a single research project?
No. The program is structured to fund subgrants and related activities rather than focusing on one standalone research project. The intent is to help move biobased energy and biobased product technologies from development to broader distribution and real-world implementation.
What types of activities does the program support?
Based on the description provided, the program supports subgrant-making and related activities that accelerate development, distribution, deployment, and implementation of biobased energy technologies and biobased products, while also supporting coordination and collaboration across institutions and agencies.
What are the four main outcomes the opportunity is designed around?
- Enhanced national energy security by accelerating the development, distribution, and deployment of biobased energy technologies.
- More diverse agricultural production systems by supporting biobased energy and bioproduct technologies that create new markets and uses for agricultural and biomass resources.
- Rural economic growth by backing biobased solutions that can create jobs, increase demand for local feedstocks, and strengthen rural industries and supply chains.
- Improved coordination and collaboration to increase the efficiency and impact of bioenergy and biomass R&D, including stronger partnerships among USDA, other relevant federal agencies, and Land-grant Colleges and Universities.
Who administers the Sun Grant Program?
The opportunity is administered by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA).
What is the Assistance Listing (CFDA) number for this opportunity?
The Assistance Listing (CFDA) number is 10.320.
What is the funding instrument type?
The funding instrument type is a grant (Funding Instrument Type: Grant).
What funding activity category does this opportunity fall under?
The funding activity category is Agriculture.
What is the funding opportunity number and title?
The funding opportunity number is USDA NIFA SGP 011878, and the title is Sun Grant Program.
How many awards does NIFA expect to make?
NIFA expects to make one award under this announcement.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling is 2,801,160.
When is the application closing date?
The original closing date for applications is 2026-08-17.
When was the opportunity record created?
The opportunity record was created on 2026-07-31.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is narrowly defined. Applicants must represent a consortium of Land-grant Institutions across the 1862, 1890, and 1994 categories.
What does the required consortium composition include?
The consortium must include one entity from each Sun Grant region and sub-region. This means the application must reflect broad geographic representation through the Sun Grant structure.
Can a single university apply on its own?
Not under the eligibility description provided. The single award is intended to support a regionally comprehensive, multi-institution network rather than an individual university acting alone.
What does the program emphasize besides funding subgrants?
In addition to subgrant-making, the program emphasizes coordination and collaboration to improve the overall efficiency and impact of bioenergy and biomass research, development, and implementation, including strengthening partnerships among USDA, other relevant federal agencies, and the Land-grant system.
What is the overall program concept in plain terms?
The program is best understood as a national platform for organizing and resourcing coordinated subgrant-making and collaborative activities that advance bioenergy and biobased products, while aligning research, extension, and implementation efforts across Land-grant institutions.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Agriculture
Previous opportunity: FY26 Short Line Safety Institute Program
Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for USDA NIFA SGP 011878
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (USDA NIFA SGP 011878) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Increasing Market Opportunities in Vietnam for U.S. Innovative Biofertilizer Exporters Apply for USDA FAS 10960 0700 109 26 0005 Funding Number: USDA FAS 10960 0700 109 26 0005 Agency: Foreign Agricultural Service Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| Higher Education Challenge Grants Program Apply for USDA NIFA CGP 011315 Funding Number: USDA NIFA CGP 011315 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $750,000 |
| Scholarships for Students at 1890 Institutions (1890 Scholarships) Apply for USDA NIFA 1890SS 011978 Funding Number: USDA NIFA 1890SS 011978 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $5,557,890 |
| Food and Agricultural Sciences National Needs Graduate and Postgraduate Fellowships Apply for USDA NIFA HEP 011737 Funding Number: USDA NIFA HEP 011737 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $705,000 |
| Cold Chain Grants for Emergency Food Assistance Apply for USDA AMS TM CCG G 26 0001 Funding Number: USDA AMS TM CCG G 26 0001 Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $7,500,000 |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Inside Our Applicants Portal
Access Applicants Portal
- Grants Repository - Access current and historic funding opportunities with ease. Thousands of funding opportunities are published every week. We can help you sort through the database and find the eligible ones to apply for.
- Applicant Video Guides - The grant application process can be challenging to follow. We can help you with intuitive video guides to speed up the process and eliminate errors in submissions.
- Grant Proposal Wizard - We have developed a network of private funding organizations and investors across the United States. We can reach out and submit your proposal to these contacts to maximize your chances of getting the funding you need.
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Learn More
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "USDA NIFA SGP 011878", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.