Browse Ambrook’s collection of grants, loans, discounts, cost shares, easements, and insurance for students.

Proposals are submitted online at: projects.sare.org
You must make an account to apply.

Betsy Wieland

Associate Director, NCR-SARE (Partnership Grant Program Coordinator)

The North Central Region SARE (NCR-SARE) Graduate Student Grant Program supports projects by graduate students that address sustainable agriculture issues&#x2004;and are part of the student’s degree program. NCR-SARE instituted the Graduate Student Grant Program in 2002 for officially registered graduate students (Masters and Ph.D.) enrolled at accredited colleges or universities. Projects must benefit agriculture in the North Central Region.


NCR-SARE’s Graduate Student Grant Program is a competitive grant program to fund graduate student projects that address sustainable agriculture issues. A candidate may only receive one NCR-SARE Graduate Student award during her or his graduate student career.



The North Central Region SARE (NCR-SARE) Graduate Student Grant Program supports projects by graduate students that address sustainable agriculture issues and are part of the student’s degree program. NCR-SARE instituted the Graduate Student Grant Program in 2002 for officially registered graduate students (Masters and Ph.D.) enrolled at accredited colleges or universities. Projects must benefit agriculture in the North Central Region.

NCR-SARE’s Graduate Student Grant Program is a competitive grant program to fund graduate student projects that address sustainable agriculture issues. A candidate may only receive one NCR-SARE Graduate Student award during her or his graduate student career.

The student must be officially registered as a graduate student or resident (according to their institution’s requirements) at the time the project begins. 
A student is allowed to receive only one NCR-SARE Graduate Student grant during their student career. 

A lump sum of money for a specific purpose that does not need to be paid back.

Grant

- View a sample Call for Proposals (Word)
- View the 2026 Graduate Student Grant webinar (PDF)
- Schedule an appointment with Betsy Wieland

Stewardship

Air Quality

Carbon Capture

Certification

High Tunnel

Landscape

Regenerative

Soil Health

Wildlife & Pollinator Habitat

Certified Organic

Certified Grassfed

Cover Crops

Reduced Tillage

NCR-SARE funds MAY be used for the following purposes:
- Supplies, including software.
- Labor (this includes wages or salary and benefits, other than tuition, for the student or other individuals working on the project).
- Special reference books not readily available.
- Farm equipment rental or operating charges.
- Travel and per diem necessary for the project (use your university rules for travel expenses).
- Payments for project participants (especially farmers and ranchers) who aren’t drawing salaries or wages from an employer while they’re working on your project.
- SARE limits indirect costs to 10 percent of the total federal funds (11.11% total direct costs) provided under each award. When preparing budgets, you should limit your request of the recovery of indirect costs to the lesser of your institution’s official negotiated indirect cost rate or the equivalent of 10 percent of total federal funds awarded.

NCR-SARE and/or USDA have determined that NCR-SARE funds MAY NOT be used for the following purposes:
- Payment of tuition.
- Purchase of books used in the student’s courses.
- Printing or copying of a thesis or final project paper.
- Permanent capital improvements (e.g., land, buildings, etc.).
- Purchase of motorized vehicles.
- Equipment (see note in budget section)


To apply, you must make an account with SARE (here) and apply through projects.sare.org 

Northeast SARE accepts applications once per year. Proposals are typically due in early May and projects usually start in early August. Interested students should read the detailed instructions on the website, prepare applications offline well in advance of the deadline, obtain necessary institutional signatures, and submit applications online. Proposals are reviewed by panels of farmers, researchers, Extension educators, nonprofit staff, and other agricultural professionals. Since reviewers have broad agricultural expertise but may not have a deep understanding of particular subject areas addressed, it is strongly recommended that applications use clear and straightforward language, avoiding jargon and acronyms.

Kali McPeters

Northeast SARE’s Graduate Student Research Grant Program supports graduate student research focused on sustainable agriculture using either or both natural and social science approaches.


Proposals should address issues of current or potential importance to Northeast farmers and the agricultural/food system&#x2004;community. Topics of interest span the full range of sustainable agriculture issues including, but not limited to, cropping systems, pest management, livestock health, social sustainability, soil quality, farm energy production, farmworkers and agricultural labor, urban agriculture, and the marketing of local food.


Projects must explore one or more of the sustainable agriculture themes of good stewardship, profitability, and quality of life for farmers and the agricultural community. We specifically seek projects that are both consistent with our [outcome statement](https://northeast.sare.org/about/) and address the program’s review criteria.



Northeast SARE’s Graduate Student Research Grant Program supports graduate student research focused on sustainable agriculture using either or both natural and social science approaches.

Proposals should address issues of current or potential importance to Northeast farmers and the agricultural/food system community. Topics of interest span the full range of sustainable agriculture issues including, but not limited to, cropping systems, pest management, livestock health, social sustainability, soil quality, farm energy production, farmworkers and agricultural labor, urban agriculture, and the marketing of local food.

Projects must explore one or more of the sustainable agriculture themes of good stewardship, profitability, and quality of life for farmers and the agricultural community. We specifically seek projects that are both consistent with our outcome statement and address the program’s review criteria.

The grant program is open to any graduate student enrolled at an accredited college, university or veterinary school in the Northeast region, including those located in Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, and Washington, D.C.

Northeast SARE encourages projects submitted from or in collaboration with Minority Serving Institutions (including 1890s and other historically Black colleges and universities, Hispanic-Serving Institutions and tribal colleges and universities) and other organizations in the Northeast region that work with socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers.

- 2024 Call for Proposals (View Past Call for Proposals)
- One-Page Program Summary
- Tips for Writing a Strong Proposal

Biofuel

Hydro Power

Solar Power

Wind Energy

Farmers Market

Trials

Weeds

Training

Local Food

Food Systems

Inputs

Nutrient Management

Because universities typically do not allow students to manage institutional grant awards, the student applicant’s faculty advisor will be named the principal investigator of the awarded grant. The faculty advisor must endorse the proposal and act as the official principal investigator; therefore, they must ensure the project and budgeted expenditures proposed are acceptable.

Proposals are submitted online at: projects.sare.org
You must make an account to apply.


Candace Pollock-Moore

SSARE Assistant Director

SARE may be a small program compared to other USDA agricultural funding efforts, but it consistently has an impact out of proportion to its budget. One aspect of the program contributing to this success is the&#x2004;high level of continued engagement researchers have with the SARE program; researchers and extension specialists routinely revisit SARE as a source of grant funding for sustainable agriculture projects.


This relationship is best illustrated through the Graduate Student Grant program. The grant was started in 2000 to give Master’s and PhD students the opportunity to conduct sustainable agriculture research projects. It has been a vehicle to apply for other SARE grants as students further their research careers.



SARE may be a small program compared to other USDA agricultural funding efforts, but it consistently has an impact out of proportion to its budget. One aspect of the program contributing to this success is the high level of continued engagement researchers have with the SARE program; researchers and extension specialists routinely revisit SARE as a source of grant funding for sustainable agriculture projects.

This relationship is best illustrated through the Graduate Student Grant program. The grant was started in 2000 to give Master’s and PhD students the opportunity to conduct sustainable agriculture research projects. It has been a vehicle to apply for other SARE grants as students further their research careers.

Graduate Student Grant proposals must meet the following basic requirements in order to be considered for funding:
- Graduate students must be enrolled full time, according to the institution’s requirements, at an accredited institution in the Southern region at the time of proposal submission. International students are welcome to apply as long as they are enrolled in an institution in the Southern region.
- Graduate Student Grant projects must address sustainable agriculture issues of current and potential importance to the Southern region.
- The proposed project satisfies the requirements of allowable expenses.
- The graduate student is only allowed to apply for one proposal to the Graduate Student Grant program during his or her graduate student program.


Graduate Student Grant funds may NOT be used for the following purposes:
- Graduate student stipends.
- Preparation of thesis copy.
- Publication costs.
- Purchase of classroom books or payment of tuition.
- Permanent capital improvements (such as land, buildings, purchase of livestock or bees, purchases of permanent irrigation or fencing, greenhouses or high tunnels, or planting an orchard)

Jeff Jordan

SSARE Director

Southern SARE’s Research and Education Grants are the flagship grants of the program. They were the first grants offered when the&#x2004;program was launched in 1988, and were the only sustainable ag grants available to researchers and educators until additional grant programs were added to SSARE in 1994.


SSARE offers two grant programs within the Research and Education Grant category: **Research Grants** and **Education Grants**. _Currently, the [Call for Proposals](https://southern.sare.org/wp-content/uploads/2023-RE-Call-for-Preproposals-Research-Only-2022-03-28-20_54_04.docx) is only open for Research Grants._


Research Grants are competitive research grants for teams of interdisciplinary researchers that encourage a [systems approach](https://southern.sare.org/Grants/Apply-for-a-Grant/Research-Education-Grants/Systems-Research) in sustainable agriculture.


Most agricultural field research is component research – analyzing a part of a system in isolation to the other system’s components to seek a solution to one problem. While good information has been gained from well-conducted component research, one of the shortcomings of a component view is that sometimes a solution to a problem creates new problems to be solved. In addition, component research provides results that often only offer short-term solutions to long-term problems.


Education Grants accommodate organizations, institutions and individuals who are interested in education-based projects, rather than research-driven projects.



Southern SARE’s Research and Education Grants are the flagship grants of the program. They were the first grants offered when the program was launched in 1988, and were the only sustainable ag grants available to researchers and educators until additional grant programs were added to SSARE in 1994.

SSARE offers two grant programs within the Research and Education Grant category: Research Grants and Education Grants. Currently, the Call for Proposals is only open for Research Grants.

Research Grants are competitive research grants for teams of interdisciplinary researchers that encourage a systems approach in sustainable agriculture.

Most agricultural field research is component research – analyzing a part of a system in isolation to the other system’s components to seek a solution to one problem. While good information has been gained from well-conducted component research, one of the shortcomings of a component view is that sometimes a solution to a problem creates new problems to be solved. In addition, component research provides results that often only offer short-term solutions to long-term problems.

Education Grants accommodate organizations, institutions and individuals who are interested in education-based projects, rather than research-driven projects.

Research Grant proposals must meet the following basic requirements in order to be considered for funding:
- Project outcomes must focus on developing sustainable agriculture systems or moving existing systems toward sustainable agriculture.
- Projects must involve a systems research approach to sustainable agriculture.
- Emphasis in Research Grants is placed on farmer participation, particularly for the production projects, on the relevance to sustainable agriculture, and on the strength of a holistic approach. At least three (3) cooperating farmers must be involved in the project, each with a unique and detailed role.
- The project’s central purpose must be research-based with an educational/outreach component to extend the project findings to the public, with specific applicability for and potential adoption by farmers.

Researchers from public and private institutions, such as 1862 and 1890 land-grant universities or other colleges and universities; government agencies, such as the Natural Resources Conservation Service or USDA-ARS; non-governmental organizations; community-based organizations; agribusiness; and individuals such as ag consultants are eligible to apply for Research and Education Grants.

Education Grant proposals must meet the following basic requirements in order to be considered for funding:
- Project outcomes must focus on developing sustainable agriculture systems or moving existing systems toward sustainable agriculture.
- The project must clearly articulate what is being taught, to whom and how the project will accomplish those goals.
- The results must be realistic, acceptable to farmers, logical, and capable of leading to the actions and benefits described in the proposal.

Education Grants strictly fund education and outreach activities related to sustainable agriculture whose outcomes are intended to benefit farmers and farming communities. There is no research involved in education grant projects.

- 2026 Southern SARE Research and Education Call for Pre-Proposals (PDF): https://www.sare.org/wp-content/uploads/2026-Southern-SARE-Research-and-Education-Call-for-Pre-proposals.pdf
- Research and Education Grants Budget Checklist (PDF): https://www.sare.org/wp-content/uploads/SSARE-Research-and-Education-Grants-Budget-Checklist.pdf
- Information Page: https://southern.sare.org/grants/apply-for-a-grant/research-education-grants/

Education

Research Grants require a two-step application process: a pre-proposal application process and a full proposal application process for those invited by the review committee to submit a full proposal. Grant Calls for Proposals open in March and are awarded February the following calendar year.

Research Grant project maximums are $400,000, limited to three (3) years.

Education Grants require a two-step application process: a pre-proposal application process and a full proposal application process for those invited by the review committee to submit a full proposal. Grant Calls for Proposals open in March and are awarded February the following calendar year.

Education Grant project maximums are $50,000, limited to two (2) years.

WSARE

Irene Grimberg

The Western SARE Administrative Council funds grant&#x2004;proposals that include creative and innovative on-farm/ranch research and educational outreach to advance Western SARE goals. All Western SARE projects must contain both research and education components. Western SARE is one of four regional SARE programs funded by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA)


This grant program involves full-time graduate students enrolled in an accredited university of Western U.S., their academic advisor and at least one producer implementing projects to address identified needs in sustainable agriculture. Projects must integrate rigorous research and education aiming to advance the three components of sustainable agriculture- environmental, economic, and social. It is expected that outcomes of funded projects will result in quantifiable benefits for producers, increase the preservation of the natural and social resources upon which agriculture relies, and be documented in scholarly journals and disseminated throughout educational outreach activities.

[Review these FAQs](https://www.sare.org/wp-content/uploads/Western-SAREGraduateStudentGrantFAQ.pdf) to learn more.

## 

## **We encourage you to contact us!**

Questions? Contact [wsare-gs@sare.org](mailto:wsare-gs@sare.org)




The Western SARE Administrative Council funds grant proposals that include creative and innovative on-farm/ranch research and educational outreach to advance Western SARE goals. All Western SARE projects must contain both research and education components. Western SARE is one of four regional SARE programs funded by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA)

This grant program involves full-time graduate students enrolled in an accredited university of Western U.S., their academic advisor and at least one producer implementing projects to address identified needs in sustainable agriculture. Projects must integrate rigorous research and education aiming to advance the three components of sustainable agriculture- environmental, economic, and social. It is expected that outcomes of funded projects will result in quantifiable benefits for producers, increase the preservation of the natural and social resources upon which agriculture relies, and be documented in scholarly journals and disseminated throughout educational outreach activities.
Review these FAQs to learn more.

We encourage you to contact us!
Questions? Contact wsare-gs@sare.org


Graduate Student projects require a team of at least three (3) people, including a Graduate Student (Applicant), a Researcher (Principal Investigator, typically the applicant's major advisor), and at least one (1) Producer.

- Graduate Student: Students must be enrolled full-time in a graduate degree program in an accredited university or college in the Western U.S. at the starting time of the project and may receive only one Western SARE Graduate Student Grant award during their graduate studies.
- Principal Investigator (PI): A researcher who usually serves as the graduate student's major advisor. The PI is responsible for carrying out its contractual provisions, all project's expenditures, and for achieving the stated research and education objectives. The PI must be associated with an organization in the Western region.
- Producer: A person qualifies as a Producer (farmer/rancher) if he/she has a for-profit operation and: their primary occupation is farming or ranching and they have a farm/ranch taxpayer identification number (TIN); or is a part-time producer with at least $1,000 documented annual income or equivalent from farming or ranching activities.

A virtual grantwriting webinar for the Graduate Student grant program will be held January 28, 2026, 4 pm Mountain Time. Registration required. Webinar will be posted afterward.
- Register for Webinar

Information for Managing Awards

Project Team: Western SARE requires that agricultural producers be involved from inception to finish in the planning, design, implementation, and educational outreach of any Western SAREfunded project, keeping in mind the inherently interdisciplinary nature of sustainable agriculture. The proposal must be written by the applicant graduate student and is not transferable to another non-applicant student. Graduate Student projects require a team of at least three (3) people, including a Graduate Student (Applicant), a Researcher (Principal Investigator, typically the applicant’s major advisor), and at least one (1) Producer. 
-  Graduate Student: Students must be enrolled full-time in a graduate degree program in an accredited university or college in the Western U.S. at the starting time of the project and may receive only one Western SARE Graduate Student Grant award during their graduate studies. 
-  Principal Investigator (PI): A researcher who usually serves as the graduate student’s major advisor. The PI is responsible for carrying out its contractual provisions, all project’s expenditures, and for achieving the stated research and education objectives. The PI must be associated with an organization in the Western region. 
- Producer: A person qualifies as a Producer (farmer/rancher) if he/she has a for-profit operation and: o Her/his primary occupation is farming or ranching and have a farm/ranch taxpayer identification number (TIN); or o Is a part-time producer with at least $1,000 documented annual income or equivalent from farming or ranching activities. An equivalent of $1,000 of agricultural production is acceptable under circumstances where food is not sold, such as through cultural/indigenous farming operations. Project Time Limit: Projects cannot exceed three (3) years (36 months). 

Please choose a start date that corresponds with the first of the month. Start dates must be no earlier than September 1, 2026, and no later than January 1, 2027. The latest possible project end date is December 31, 2029. Funded projects will not be able to request no-cost extensions past December 31, 2029. Project Funding Limit: Western SARE Graduate Student Grants provide a maximum of $30,000 (including Indirect Costs) for up to three years. Because universities typically do not allow students to manage institutional grant awards, the student’s major professor/advisor will be the Principal Investigator (PI) and the graduate student the applicant. For successful proposals, the PI’s institution (entity) will enter into a cost-reimbursable subaward agreement with Montana State University. The awarded entity is responsible for incurring approved project-related costs and regularly billing Western SARE / MSU to be reimbursed

List of Agricultural Funding for Students