# Alfalfa Seed and Alfalfa Forage Systems

Source: https://welltoldgrants.com/grants/usda-nifa-op-011738-alfalfa-seed-and-alfalfa-forage-systems/  
Official notice: https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/362094

> National Institute of Food and Agriculture offered grants of up to $300,000 (at least $150,000) to the applicants described in the notice. It expected to make about 5 awards worth $3.7 million in total. Applications closed on June 12, 2026.

| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Opportunity number | USDA-NIFA-OP-011738 |
| Agency | National Institute of Food and Agriculture |
| Status | Forecast |
| Deadline | June 12, 2026 |
| Award ceiling | $300,000 |
| Award floor | $150,000 |
| Expected awards | 5 |
| Total funding | $3.7 million |
| Cost sharing | required |
| Assistance Listings | 10.330 |

## Who can apply

- Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification)

Applicants for the ASAFS must meet all the requirements discussed in this NOFO. Failure to meet the eligibility criteria by the application deadline may result in exclusion from consideration or preclude NIFA from making an award. For those new to Federal financial assistance, NIFA’s About Grants provides highly recommended information about grants and other resources to help understand the Federal awards process. Applications for ASAFS may only be submitted by: (1) State Agricultural Experiment Stations; (2) Colleges and universities; (3) University research foundations; (4) Other research institutions and organizations; (5) Federal agencies; (6) National laboratories; (7) Private organizations, foundations or corporations; (8) Individuals who are United States citizens or nationals; or (9) A group consisting of two or more of the entities described in (1) through (8). Award recipients may subcontract to organizations not eligible to apply provided such organizations are necessary for the conduct of the project.

## What the grant funds

In FY 2026, under Assistance Listing 10.330, ASAFS will support the development of improved alfalfa seed and forage production systems, practices, and supporting technologies. NIFA is soliciting applications for FY 2026 under the following areas: 1. Increasing alfalfa forage and seed yields and forage quality through improved management practices, plant breeding, and other strategies to reduce biotic and abiotic stresses and costs of production. 2. Improving alfalfa forage and seed harvest and storage systems, including mechanization and automation that reduces labor costs, to optimize economic returns to alfalfa producers as well as end-users including milk producers. 3. Developing methods to estimate alfalfa forage yield and quality to support marketing as a livestock feed and instruments to reduce producer risks. 4. Exploring new uses for alfalfa such as fish feeds, nutritive supplements, alternative protein sources for human consumption, high-value chemical manufacturing, or other novel uses. 5. Developing improved insect, disease and weed management strategies, including spotted aphid, in alfalfa seed production and potential herbicide carry-over issues.

## Questions people ask

### Is USDA-NIFA-OP-011738 still open?

No. It closed on June 12, 2026.

### Who can apply for Alfalfa Seed and Alfalfa Forage Systems?

National Institute of Food and Agriculture accepted applications from the applicants described in the notice. The notice adds further conditions, so read its eligibility section.

### What is the deadline for Alfalfa Seed and Alfalfa Forage Systems?

Closed June 12, 2026. Applications are no longer accepted; the program's newer notices are on this page when there are any.

### How much funding is available?

Awards of up to $300,000 each. About $3.7 million in total across about 5 awards.

### Who has won Alfalfa Seed and Alfalfa Forage Systems Program grants before?

The largest recipients over five fiscal years were University of Georgia Research Foundation, Inc., University of California, Davis, North Dakota State University. The program made 21 awards worth $15.4 million in that time.