USDA AFRI Rapid Response Funding for Weather Events Across Food and Agricultural Systems

Program Overview

Weather-related disasters—including heat, drought, wildfires, floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, and extreme winter events—can significantly disrupt agricultural, forestry, and rangeland systems. These disruptions often extend beyond production to affect processing, distribution, and food access across the supply chain.

The AFRI Rapid Response to Weather Events program supports innovative applied research, extension, and integrated projects designed to reduce vulnerability, improve resilience, and help communities respond effectively to extreme weather impacts.

Program Objectives and Focus Areas

Projects funded under this program area are expected to address the impacts of extreme weather events across food and agricultural systems, with an emphasis on timely, practical outcomes.

Key focus areas include:

• Reducing vulnerability of agricultural and food systems to extreme weather
• Improving disaster preparedness, response, and recovery strategies
• Supporting farmers, ranchers, and producers affected by weather events
• Strengthening supply chain resilience from production through consumption
• Ensuring access to safe, nutritious, and affordable food during and after disasters

Project Types Supported

AFRI supports multiple project types under this solicitation, including:

• Applied research projects addressing real-world challenges
• Extension projects delivering practical tools and knowledge
• Integrated projects combining research, education, and extension

Proposals should demonstrate clear relevance to stakeholder needs and practical implementation pathways.

Cost Sharing Requirements

Applicants are required to provide matching contributions on a dollar-for-dollar basis. Matching funds may be cash or in kind, subject to USDA NIFA rules and documentation requirements.

Eligible Applicants

Eligible applicants include a wide range of public, private, and institutional entities, including:

• State Agricultural Experiment Stations
• Colleges and universities (including junior colleges)
• University research foundations
• Other research institutions and organizations
• Federal agencies and national laboratories
• Private organizations and corporations
• Individuals who are U.S. citizens, nationals, or permanent residents
• Consortia or partnerships involving two or more eligible entities

Funding Details

Total funding available under this AFRI program area is approximately $300 million.

• Maximum Individual Award: $300,000
• Grant Types: Standard Grants and Food and Agricultural Science Enhancement (FASE) Grants
• Application Timing: Continuous submission

For full eligibility requirements, application instructions, and official updates, refer to the USDA NIFA announcement:

USDA Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI)

How LEC Partners Supports AFRI Applicants

LEC Partners supports research teams, institutions, and consortia evaluating and preparing AFRI proposals focused on climate resilience, disaster response, and food system sustainability.

• Assessing program fit and alignment with AFRI priorities
• Supporting technical and implementation feasibility
• Strengthening applied research and extension narratives
• Advising on cost-share structure and documentation
• Evaluating risks, milestones, and implementation plans

Our support emphasizes independent analysis, practical execution, and clear alignment between proposed activities and program objectives.

Questions We Commonly Address

What types of projects are a good fit for this AFRI program area?
Projects that deliver practical, timely solutions to weather-related disruptions across agricultural and food systems are well aligned with this solicitation.

Is matching funding required?
Yes. Applicants must provide matching contributions on a dollar-for-dollar basis.

Can projects combine research and extension activities?
Yes. Integrated projects that combine applied research, education, and extension are encouraged when they effectively address stakeholder needs.

Further Reading