USDA Agricultural Genome to Phenome Initiative (AG2PI) Research Grants – FY 2026 Funding Overview

Program Overview

The USDA Agricultural Genome to Phenome Initiative (AG2PI) supports research projects that improve the ability to predict and select superior crop cultivars and livestock traits through the integration of genomics, phenomics, engineering, and data science.

Administered through the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), the program is designed to strengthen agricultural productivity, resilience, and long-term viability by advancing understanding of how genetic variation translates into observable performance in real-world production environments.

The initiative reflects growing interest in applying advanced analytics, predictive modeling, and biological data integration to improve agricultural systems facing challenges tied to productivity, disease pressure, climate variability, and resource efficiency.

Research Objectives and Focus Areas

The AG2PI program is intended to support integrated research efforts that:

• Study agriculturally important crops and livestock in production environments
• Improve understanding of agriculturally relevant genes and phenotypes
• Advance predictive tools and models tied to genetics and production performance
• Support future genetic improvement of crops and animals important to U.S. agriculture
• Enhance resilience against pathogens and production risks
• Expand understanding of germplasm and genetic diversity
• Disseminate findings to agricultural stakeholders and research communities

The program emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration across fields such as genomics, phenomics, engineering, breeding, computational biology, and data science.

Why Genome-to-Phenome Research Matters

Modern agricultural systems increasingly depend on the ability to connect biological data with practical production outcomes. Advances in genomics and phenomics are creating new opportunities to improve crop yields, livestock productivity, disease resistance, resource efficiency, and environmental resilience.

However, translating genetic information into reliable field-level predictions remains a major scientific and operational challenge.

Programs such as AG2PI aim to bridge these gaps by supporting research that combines biological sciences with engineering, computational modeling, and applied agricultural systems.

These capabilities are becoming increasingly important across:

• Precision agriculture systems
• Advanced breeding programs
• Sustainable crop production
• Livestock health and productivity
• Climate adaptation strategies
• Agricultural biotechnology and bioeconomy development

Cost Sharing Requirements

Applicants are required to provide 100% matching contributions for all federal funds awarded under this funding opportunity announcement. Developing a clear and well-supported match strategy early in the proposal process is often critical to project competitiveness and application readiness.

Eligible Applicants

Eligible applicants include:

• State agricultural experiment stations
• Colleges and universities
• University research foundations
• Research institutions and organizations
• Federal agencies and national laboratories
• Private organizations, foundations, and corporations
• Individuals
• Consortia composed of two or more eligible entities

Collaborative and interdisciplinary consortia are encouraged under this funding opportunity.

How LEC Partners Supports Agricultural Innovation and Bioeconomy Projects

Programs such as AG2PI often require applicants to integrate scientific research, operational relevance, stakeholder engagement, and long-term commercialization or implementation considerations into a cohesive project strategy.

LEC Partners supports organizations across agriculture, industrial biotechnology, renewable systems, and the broader bioeconomy with practical, implementation-focused advisory support.

• Technical and commercial due diligence
• Research and technology assessment
• Market and commercialization analysis
• Project development and implementation planning
• Independent feasibility review
• Funding and strategic positioning support

LEC’s multidisciplinary network includes experts spanning biotechnology, feedstocks, fermentation, advanced agriculture, bioinformatics-adjacent systems, and emerging bioeconomy technologies.

Questions We Often Get About AG2PI Funding