USDA OREI Research Projects with Extension and/or Education Components (USDA-NIFA-D113A-32481)

The USDA OREI Research Projects with Extension and/or Education Components opportunity supports integrated projects that address U.S. organic agriculture issues through research combined with education and extension or outreach. Administered by USDA NIFA, this FY 2026 program is intended to strengthen the ability of producers and processors already operating under organic standards to grow, market, and improve the resilience of high-quality organic agricultural products.

Program Overview

OREI supports integrated research, education, and extension or outreach work focused on priority challenges in organic agriculture. USDA describes the program as addressing issues affecting organic producers and processors while improving resilience across American farming systems. Priority concerns span biological and physical sciences as well as economics.

For this funding track, proposals must include research and at least one additional component from the agricultural knowledge system: education or extension and outreach. To accommodate different project scopes, the program offers three tiers. Tier 1 supports large, coordinated projects with awards up to $3.5 million. Tier 2 supports multidisciplinary national or regional projects up to $2 million. Tier 3 supports narrower or locality-specific projects up to $1 million.

Supported Activities

Supported activities typically include:

• Integrated research addressing production, processing, and market challenges in organic agriculture
• Education components that strengthen knowledge transfer to producers, processors, students, or practitioners
• Extension and outreach activities that translate findings into practical implementation
• Projects aimed at improving resilience in organic farming systems
• Work addressing biological, physical science, and economic priorities relevant to certified organic operations

Cost Share or Payment Structure

This funding opportunity requires 100 percent matching contributions for all federal funds awarded. That is a substantial requirement and should be treated as a primary proposal design issue rather than a late-stage budgeting detail.

Applicants should plan early for the source, documentation, timing, and allowability of matching contributions. For multi-organization teams, the practical structure of match can materially affect project feasibility and competitiveness.

Eligible Applicants

• State Agricultural Experiment Stations
• Colleges and universities
• University research foundations
• Other research institutions and organizations
• Federal agencies and national laboratories
• Private organizations, foundations, or corporations
• Individuals who are United States citizens or nationals
• Groups consisting of two or more eligible entities

Application Timing

Application Deadline: May 14, 2026

Letter of Intent: Not required

Because no letter of intent is required, applicants should use the full preparation window to align collaborators, finalize integrated project design, and document the required match carefully.

Official Program Link

USDA NIFA Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative

Advisory Perspective

OREI projects are often strongest when the research question, extension pathway, and education component are genuinely integrated rather than assembled as parallel workstreams. Competitive proposals typically show a clear relationship between the organic production challenge, the methods used to address it, and the pathway for adoption by producers or processors.

LEC Partners supports organizations in evaluating project fit, clarifying implementation logic, assessing practical feasibility, and identifying where cost share, partner structure, or market relevance may need additional development before submission. That support is intended to improve readiness and decision quality, not to imply any funding outcome.

Questions We Commonly Address

• Which OREI tier best fits the scale and geography of the proposed work?
• How should research, education, and extension components be integrated credibly?
• What forms of matching contribution are most practical for a multi-partner proposal?
• How should applicants frame benefits for organic producers and processors already operating under organic standards?
• What evidence best demonstrates likely adoption and implementation outcomes?