Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NIFA DAG2PI 32940
The Agricultural Genome to Phenome Initiative (AG2PI) - Research Grants is a discretionary grant opportunity run by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) under Assistance Listing (CFDA) 10.332. The program is focused on strengthening US agriculture by supporting research that connects genetic information (genomes) to observable traits and performance (phenomes) in real-world production settings. In practical terms, it aims to fund studies that help explain how genes and biology translate into outcomes farmers and producers care about, such as yield, resilience, health, productivity, and overall reliability of crops and animals under the conditions where they are actually raised.
A central goal of the opportunity is to close critical knowledge gaps in crop and animal genetics and phenomics. Projects are expected to build or advance a functional understanding of genes that matter to US agriculture, including genes relevant to animal production and agronomically important genes in crops. By improving understanding of which genes drive valuable traits, and how those genes behave across different environments and management systems, AG2PI supports longer-term genetic improvement efforts. This includes maintaining and improving the future capacity to breed or select better-performing crops and livestock that meet evolving demands, environmental pressures, and market needs.
The program also emphasizes the importance of germplasm, meaning the genetic resources and diversity present in different breeds, lines, varieties, or populations. Applicants are encouraged to investigate how diverse germplasm can serve as a reservoir of unique, potentially valuable genes that may become important as new challenges emerge. Another priority is reducing the economic damage caused by pathogens affecting crops and animals by enhancing genetic approaches to disease resistance or resilience, which can lower losses and improve biosecurity and production stability.
Dissemination is explicitly part of the program design, meaning funded projects are expected to share findings with relevant audiences rather than keeping results confined to a narrow academic context. This typically implies communication and outreach that make results usable for stakeholders such as researchers, breeders, extension professionals, producers, industry partners, and others who can apply the knowledge.
Eligibility is broad under 7 USC 3157(b)(7). Applicants may include state agricultural experiment stations, colleges and universities, university research foundations, other research institutions and organizations, federal agencies, national laboratories, private organizations (including foundations or corporations), individuals, or groups/consortia made up of two or more eligible entities. While single-entity applications are allowed, the notice encourages consortium applications, reflecting the reality that genome-to-phenome research often benefits from multi-institutional collaboration, shared datasets, complementary expertise, and access to diverse production environments.
For this specific funding notice (Funding Opportunity Number: USDA NIFA DAG2PI 32940), the application deadline is listed as June 29, 2026. The award ceiling is $900,000, and NIFA expects to make 2 awards. The funding instrument is a grant, and the activity category is agriculture.Apply for USDA NIFA DAG2PI 32940
- The National Institute of Food and Agriculture-eRA in the agriculture sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Agricultural Genome to Phenome Initiative - Research Grants" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.332.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-04-30.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-06-29. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $900,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 2 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Agricultural Genome to Phenome Initiative (AG2PI) - Research Grants
What is the AG2PI - Research Grants opportunity?
The Agricultural Genome to Phenome Initiative (AG2PI) - Research Grants is a discretionary grant opportunity run by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). It supports research that connects genetic information (genomes) to observable traits and real-world performance outcomes (phenomes) in agricultural production settings.
Which agency runs this grant program?
This opportunity is administered by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA).
What is the Assistance Listing (CFDA) number for this program?
The Assistance Listing (CFDA) number is 10.332.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this notice?
The Funding Opportunity Number listed is USDA NIFA DAG2PI 32940.
What is the main purpose of AG2PI funding?
The program aims to strengthen US agriculture by funding research that explains how genes and biological processes translate into outcomes producers care about, such as yield, resilience, health, productivity, and reliability of crops and animals under real production conditions.
What does "genome to phenome" mean in practical terms?
In practical terms, it means studying how genetic variation and biological mechanisms (genomes) relate to measurable traits and performance (phenomes), especially as they show up in the environments and management systems where crops are grown and animals are raised.
What kinds of traits or outcomes does the program emphasize?
The opportunity highlights outcomes that matter in production, including yield, resilience, health, productivity, and overall reliability of crops and livestock in real-world settings.
What are the program's research priorities?
Based on the notice summary, priorities include closing key knowledge gaps in crop and animal genetics and phenomics, building functional understanding of genes important to US agriculture, improving understanding of how genes behave across environments and management systems, and supporting longer-term genetic improvement capacity.
Does the program support research on both crops and animals?
Yes. The program description explicitly references animal production genes and agronomically important genes in crops.
How does AG2PI relate to breeding and long-term genetic improvement?
By improving functional understanding of which genes drive valuable traits, and how those genes perform across different conditions, AG2PI supports the future capacity to breed or select better-performing crops and livestock as demands, environmental pressures, and markets change.
What is meant by "functional understanding" of genes?
Within the context provided, it refers to moving beyond identifying genes to understanding how genes that matter to agriculture influence traits and performance outcomes, including how they behave under different environments and management systems.
Why is germplasm mentioned as an emphasis area?
The program emphasizes germplasm because genetic resources and diversity across breeds, lines, varieties, or populations can serve as a reservoir of unique and potentially valuable genes that may become important when new challenges emerge.
Does the opportunity address disease and pathogens?
Yes. A stated priority is reducing economic damage caused by pathogens affecting crops and animals by enhancing genetic approaches to disease resistance or resilience, which can lower losses, improve biosecurity, and stabilize production.
Are applicants expected to share results beyond academic publications?
Yes. Dissemination is explicitly part of the program design, meaning funded projects are expected to share findings with relevant audiences so results are usable for stakeholders such as researchers, breeders, extension professionals, producers, and industry partners.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad under 7 USC 3157(b)(7). Eligible applicants may include state agricultural experiment stations, colleges and universities, university research foundations, other research institutions and organizations, federal agencies, national laboratories, private organizations (including foundations or corporations), individuals, and groups/consortia of two or more eligible entities.
Are consortium applications required?
No. Single-entity applications are allowed, but the notice encourages consortium applications, reflecting that genome-to-phenome research often benefits from multi-institution collaboration, shared datasets, complementary expertise, and access to diverse production environments.
Why does the notice encourage consortia?
The notice ties this encouragement to practical research needs: multi-institutional collaboration can support shared datasets, complementary expertise, and access to different production environments that strengthen genome-to-phenome studies.
What type of funding instrument is used for this opportunity?
The funding instrument is a grant.
What is the activity category?
The activity category is agriculture.
What is the application deadline?
The application deadline listed for this funding notice is June 29, 2026.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling is $900,000.
How many awards does NIFA expect to make?
NIFA expects to make 2 awards.
What makes this a discretionary grant opportunity?
The opportunity is described as discretionary, meaning awards are made through a competitive grant process administered by USDA NIFA, rather than being automatically allocated by a formula.
What is the overall impact AG2PI is aiming for in US agriculture?
The program is designed to strengthen US agriculture by enabling research that links genetics to performance in real production settings, improves understanding of valuable traits and resilience, supports long-term breeding and selection capacity, leverages diverse germplasm, and reduces losses associated with pathogens.
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