Types of Grants

If after review of the different grants available, you wish to begin your application, please click here to open a new window with our one-stop grants page. Any questions, please contact:

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 a team of scientists, producers, outreach specialists and others using interdisciplinary approaches to address issues related to sustaining agriculture. There is a new format and focus for these grants this year so be sure to carefully read the Call for pre-Proposals. The 2014 Call for pre-Proposals will be issued in April 2013, with pre-proposals due in June 2013. 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 2013. Full proposals will undergo technical review in January 2014, and the Western SARE Administrative Council will select proposals for funding in March 2014.

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 $75,000. Grants can run for up to three years, with the final year to be focused on project evaluation. The 2014 Call for Proposals will open in April 2013, with proposals due October 2013. Proposals will be reviewed by a technical panel in January 2014, and the Western SARE Administrative Council will select proposals for funding in March 2014.

3. Farmer/Rancher 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 2014 Call for Proposals will open in April 2013, with proposals due in December 2013. A technical review will be held in January 2014, and proposals will be selected for funding in March 2014.

4. Professional + Producer Grants

These one- to three-year grants are similar in concept to the Farmer/Rancher 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, for example – 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 2013, with proposals due in December 2013. A technical review will be held in January 2014, and proposals will be selected for funding in March 2014.

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. These funds are eligible for masters or Ph.D. students enrolled full time (as determined by the institution’s requirements) at accredited colleges or universities in the Western region. The graduate student is eligible for only one grant during his or her graduate program. The PI for these grants is the Major Professor, not the graduate student; however the graduate student is welcome to be the one who applies on-line. Proposals are due in May 2013, after which they are reviewed by a technical review panel in July 2013. The Western SARE Administrative Council selects proposals for funding in August 2013, and award notifications are made that September. The amount of targeted funds for these grants has doubled this year due to the rise in qualified proposals submitted over the years that Western SARE was not able to fund due to budget restraints.