2024-2025 Agricultural Fertilizer Research and Education Council Grant
This grant provides funding for research and educational projects focused on improving fertilizer use and management practices to reduce nitrate losses in Minnesota's agriculture.
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is soliciting proposals for the Agricultural Fertilizer Research and Education Program (AFREC) to support fertilizer research and outreach initiatives. The program, funded through fertilizer sales revenue from July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024, offers up to $1,200,000 for selected projects. Eligible applicants include organizations, research entities, individuals, businesses, farmers, universities, research institutions, nonprofits, urban agriculture groups, agricultural cooperatives, and agricultural businesses with relevant research capabilities. The program funds projects focused on research, education, and technology transfer related to the production and application of commercial fertilizers, soil amendments, and plant amendments. This year's priorities include studying nitrogen availability from different manure types and livestock species based on management practices, and developing best management practices for manure and fertilizer use in areas vulnerable to nitrate losses in surface or groundwater. The full Request for Proposals (RFP) will be available under Forms + Resources starting October 14, 2024. Questions can be submitted via email to Margaret Wagner by November 26, 2024, at 4:00 p.m., with answers posted on the AFREC Grant webpage. Proposals must be submitted through the MDA's online system by December 6, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. CST. Late submissions will not be considered, and applicants are responsible for ensuring timely receipt. The MDA reserves the right to cancel the RFP if deemed necessary, with no obligation to award funding.
Award Range
Not specified - Not specified
Total Program Funding
$12,000,000
Number of Awards
Not specified
Matching Requirement
No
Eligible Applicants
Additional Requirements
ELIGIBILITY Representatives of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) will evaluate all proposals received by the deadline. Proposals that fail to meet minimum requirements will not advance to the next phase of the evaluation. Respondersshall be in good standing with the State of Minnesota (no back taxes or compliance issues). Any organization, research entity, individual, or business with agricultural research capability is eligible to apply and receive funding. This includes individuals, farmers/farmer networks, institutions of higher education, research institutions, nonprofit organizations, agricultural cooperatives, and agricultural businesses with research capabilities.
Geographic Eligibility
All
Application Opens
Not specified
Application Closes
Not specified
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