Types of Grants

If after review of the different grants available, you wish to read the specific Calls for Proposals and begin your application, please click here to open a new window with our one-stop grants page or contact the office at:

or contact your State PDP Coordinator for more assistance.

1. Research & Education Grants

These grants – also known as Chapter 1 for their designation in the enabling legislation – involve scientists, producers and others using interdisciplinary approaches to address issues related to sustaining agriculture. The 2012 Call for Pre-Proposals will be issued in April 2011, with pre-proposals due in June 2011. Following scrutiny by a technical review panel of scientists, agency personnel, producers and others, presenters of the best pre-proposals will be asked to submit full proposals, due in November 2011. Full proposals will undergo technical review in January 2012, and the Western SARE Administrative Council will select proposals for funding in March 2012.

2. Professional Development Program Grants

These grants focus on training agricultural professionals to help them spread knowledge about sustainable agriculture concepts and practices. PDP Grants are limited to $60,000 for single-state proposals, while proposals with meaningful involvement from more than one state can apply for up to $100,000. Grants can run for up to three years, with the final year to be focused on project evaluation. The 2012 Call for Proposals will open in April 2011, with proposals due November 2011. Proposals will be reviewed by a technical panel in January 2012, and the Western SARE Administrative Council will select proposals for funding in March 2012.

3. Producer Grants

These one- to three-year grants are conducted by agricultural producers with support and guidance from a technical advisor. Individual farmers or ranchers may apply for up to $15,000, and a group of three or more producers may apply for up to $25,000. Producers typically use their grants to conduct on-site experiments that can improve their operations and the environment and can be shared with other producers. Grant recipients may also focus on marketing and organic production. The 2012 Call for Proposals will open in April 2011, with proposals due in December 2011. A technical review will be held in January 2012, and proposals will be selected for funding in March 2012.

4.Professional + Producer Grants

These one- to three-year grants are similar in concept to the Producer Grants with a few key differences. Instead of a producer serving as the project coordinator, an agricultural professional – Cooperative Extension educator or Natural Resources Conservation Service professional – coordinates the project. A farmer or rancher serves as the project advisor. Applicants can seek up to $50,000 and must have at least five producers involved. The Call for Proposals for Professional + Producer Grants will open in April 2011, with proposals due in December 2011. A technical review will be held in January 2012, and proposals will be selected for funding in March 2012.

5. Graduate Student Grants in Sustainable Agriculture

The Graduate Student Grants provide a maximum of $25,000 and may last for up to two years. Those eligible to apply are masters or Ph.D. students enrolled full time (as determined by the institution’s requirements) at accredited colleges or universities in the Western region. An applicant is eligible for only one grant during his or her graduate program. Proposals are typically due in May, after which they are assessed by a technical review panel in July. The Western SARE Administrative Council selects proposals for funding in August, and award notifications are made in September.