By Jamie Martin
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has opened the Fiscal Year 2026 application period for the Research Facilities Act Program, introducing a $125 million annual investment designed to modernize agricultural research facilities at land-grant universities nationwide.
The announcement was made during a roundtable hosted by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins and U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon with university leaders.
The funding, provided through the administration of Working Families Tax Cuts, aims to upgrade aging research infrastructure and improve the nation’s agricultural innovation capacity.
“A nation that cannot feed itself is not secure and for too long, many of our land-grant universities have faced aging facilities and mounting deferred maintenance costs that threaten their ability to conduct world-class agricultural research,” said Secretary Rollins.
“Today we are announcing a $125 million investment to ensure America’s farmers and ranchers continue to benefit from the innovation that secures our vital U.S. agriculture industry and allows us to feed, clothe and fuel not only our nation but the world,” Rollins continued.
Secretary McMahon highlighted the historic role of these institutions, said, “Agricultural advancement is not an accident of history; it is the product of generations of Americans’ hard work and ingenuity.” She noted that the new funding will help land-grant universities remain leaders in research, technology, and workforce development.
Administered by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture, the competitive program supports projects ranging from planning and facility upgrades to major construction and expansion efforts.
Grants will be available through four funding levels, beginning at $100,000 for planning activities and reaching up to $30 million for large research complexes. Institutions must provide an equal non-federal cash match, and funding is limited to one project per eligible entity.
The deadline to apply for the FY 2026 Research Facilities Act Program is July 17, 2026, giving eligible institutions an opportunity to secure funding for critical research infrastructure improvements.
For more information, visit https://www.nifa.usda.gov/grants/programs/research-facilities-act-program-rfap.
Photo Credit: usda
Categories: National