Program Description

The Organic Center and the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR) is announcing the 2023 Organic Center-FFAR joint Organic Research Program and is inviting applications for innovative research that supports our 2023 focus on connecting soil health to farm productivity and resiliency to climate change, with a priority on projects that emphasize systems-based approaches and a commitment to cross-sector partnerships.

View the Full RFA to Apply 

Important Dates 

Pre-Application Open: April 17, 2023

Pre-Applications Due: June 1, 2023 5:00pm ET

NOTE: An approved pre-application with an invitation to submit a full application is required for submission.

Full Application Invitation: July 6, 2023

Full Applications Due: August 15, 2023 5:00pm ET

Award Notification: Fall 2023

Award Amount 

This program will award up to two grants for a maximum of $200,000 per project and applications for lesser amounts are welcomed. All projects must have planned durations ranging between one and three years. Matching funds are not required for this project, but are encouraged. 

Indirect costs are limited to 10% of the total award. 

Matching Requirements 

Matching funds are not required for this project, but are encouraged.

Program Priorities and Requirements: 

The Organic Center and FFAR seek projects that connect below and above ground ecosystem health and farm profitability, with specific examination of the relationship between soil health and crop/animal productivity, or climate change resilience.  

Applications that address the following will receive preference: 

1. Contributes to the understanding of connectivity between below and above ground ecosystem health and farm profitability. 
2. Relies on innovative, systems-based approaches with cross-discipline collaboration throughout project development and implementation. 
3. Integrates diversity, equity, and inclusion into the project design, development, and communication. 
4. Engages organic farmers in the development, implementation, and/or evaluation of the project. 
5. Serves the public good by making data open and accessible to the public and includes at least one open-access publication submission. 
6. Has a strong history of serving under-represented farmers, and demonstrate a critical lens in exploring systemic barriers.  
7. Increases tools for and success of organic dairy farmers, particularly in the Northeastern Region of the U.S. 

Eligibility 

The Organic Center and the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research welcomes applications from all domestic non-profits, higher education institutions, cooperative extension programs, US government-affiliated research agencies, tribal government entities, or any combination of the above.

Template 

 Use this budget template to show a breakdown of proposed expenses.

Questions?

Email us at ResearchGrant@organic-center.org