The United States Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA NIFA) announced on Apr. 13 that it is seeking pre-applications for the Specialty Crop Research Initiative (SCRI), while the California Apple Commission has released its own request for research proposals for 2026.
These programs aim to address key challenges facing specialty crop industries, such as apples, by supporting research and extension projects that can help improve sustainability, efficiency, and profitability across food production systems.
The SCRI program encourages large-scale projects focused on entire primary systems or overlapping areas between them. Projects must address at least one of five focus areas: improving crop characteristics through genetics and breeding; addressing threats from pests and diseases; increasing production efficiency and understanding soil microbiomes; developing new technologies such as artificial intelligence tools or mechanization; or preventing food safety hazards in specialty crops. Pre-applications are due by June 15, with full applications accepted by invitation only. More information is available at the USDA’s Specialty Crop Research Initiative web page.
Funding categories under SCRI include Coordinated Agricultural Projects (CAPs), Standard Research and Extension Projects (SREPs), Workforce Readiness and Talent Pipeline Projects (WRTPP)—a new category this year—and Planning Projects. Award periods range from one to five years, with budgets varying according to project type.
Meanwhile, the California Apple Commission’s priorities for its 2026 research grants focus on topics such as increasing varietal size in Gala apples, cost reduction strategies in apple production, development of varieties suited to California conditions, mechanical pruning methods, thinning techniques, fire blight management, GPS mapping technology for fresh apple acreage, frost detection/prevention technology, codling moth management solutions, packing house automation techniques, mechanical harvesting methods for fresh apples and more. Proposals are due May 29.
University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources secures funding through public contributions to support its programs according to the official website. The organization promotes sustainable practices aimed at strengthening resilient ecosystems and economic vitality according to the official website. It utilizes nine research and extension centers as laboratories representing California’s diverse ecosystems according to the official website. The university division has gained recognition for trusted services linking research with community needs according to the official website. It also manages Cooperative Extension services within the University of California system according to the official website, conducts over 33,800 educational events annually with more than 18,400 volunteers engaged in its initiatives according to the official website.
Looking ahead, these funding opportunities may foster new collaborations among researchers aiming to solve industry-wide problems while strengthening links between science-based innovation and agricultural communities.