Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NIFA SGP 006775
The Sun Grant Program (SGP) is a U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA NIFA) discretionary grant program designed to strengthen national energy security by advancing biobased energy and product technologies. Its core aim is to move bioenergy, biomass, and bioproduct innovation forward in ways that both diversify U.S. agriculture and improve environmental sustainability. Alongside the technical goals, the program also emphasizes rural economic development by encouraging new markets and industries tied to biobased fuels and products. Another major purpose is coordination: SGP is meant to make federal bioenergy and biomass research and development efforts more efficient by improving collaboration among USDA, other relevant federal agencies, and the Land Grant University system.
Rather than funding many separate standalone projects directly, this opportunity funds a single multi-university consortium that represents the designated Sun Grant regions. The award supports regionally organized Sun Grant Centers in the North-Central, Southeastern, South-Central, Western, and Northeastern United States, plus a Western Insular Pacific Subcenter. In practice, the consortium functions as a national framework for organizing and prioritizing bioenergy-related research, extension, and education across multiple states and institutions, while still tailoring activities to regional needs, feedstocks, and production systems.
A key structural requirement is that Sun Grant Centers and the Subcenter must regrant most of the funding outward: 75 percent of the awarded funds must be used to run competitive grant programs within each region. Those regional competitions are expected to fund multi-institutional, integrated, multistate projects that combine research, extension, and education, with an emphasis on both technology development and technology implementation. Projects supported through these competitions must address established priorities in bioenergy, biomass, or bioproducts, meaning the program is geared not only toward creating new technologies but also toward getting workable solutions adopted in real-world agricultural and rural settings.
The opportunity is listed under CFDA 10.320 and was issued by USDA NIFA. The funding opportunity number is USDA NIFA SGP 006775, and it uses a standard grant funding instrument within the agriculture funding activity category. The posting indicates an expected single award with an award ceiling of $2,700,000. The opportunity was created May 23, 2019, with an original closing date of June 27, 2019. Eligibility is not presented as a simple open category; instead it is described as "Others" with additional eligibility details referenced in the full announcement, consistent with the program design that centers on a specific type of university-led regional consortium.
Overall, SGP is best understood as an organizing and pass-through funding mechanism for coordinated, regionally grounded bioeconomy work. It funds the infrastructure of the Sun Grant Centers and requires them to distribute most of the dollars through competitive regional subawards, thereby encouraging collaboration across universities and states while aligning research, outreach, and education to accelerate development and deployment of bioenergy, biomass, and bioproduct technologies.Apply for USDA NIFA SGP 006775
- The Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture in the agriculture sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Sun Grant Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.320.
- This funding opportunity was created on May 23, 2019.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 27, 2019. (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 $2,700,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Sun Grant Program (SGP) Grant Opportunity FAQs
What is the Sun Grant Program (SGP)?
The Sun Grant Program (SGP) is a USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA NIFA) discretionary grant program focused on advancing biobased energy and biobased product technologies. It is intended to strengthen national energy security by moving bioenergy, biomass, and bioproduct innovation forward while supporting agricultural diversification and environmental sustainability.
What is the core purpose of this funding opportunity?
This opportunity funds a national, multi-university consortium designed to coordinate and prioritize bioenergy-related research, extension, and education across regions. A major purpose is to improve collaboration among USDA, other federal agencies, and the Land Grant University system to make federal bioenergy and biomass R&D efforts more efficient and aligned.
Who is the issuing agency for this opportunity?
The opportunity was issued by USDA NIFA (U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture).
What is the CFDA number for this program?
The CFDA listing for this opportunity is 10.320.
What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number is USDA NIFA SGP 006775.
What type of funding instrument is used?
The posting indicates a standard grant funding instrument under the agriculture funding activity category.
How many awards are expected?
The posting indicates an expected single award.
What is the maximum (ceiling) award amount?
The award ceiling listed is $2,700,000.
When was the opportunity posted, and what was the original closing date?
The opportunity was created on May 23, 2019, with an original closing date of June 27, 2019.
Is this opportunity intended to fund many separate standalone projects directly?
No. Rather than funding many independent projects directly, this opportunity funds a single multi-university consortium that operates as a national framework and supports regional Sun Grant Centers and a Subcenter, which then run competitive grant processes within their regions.
What is the overall program structure being funded?
The award supports regionally organized Sun Grant Centers in the North-Central, Southeastern, South-Central, Western, and Northeastern United States, plus a Western Insular Pacific Subcenter. Together, these entities function as a coordinated, regionally grounded network for bioenergy, biomass, and bioproduct work.
What regions are represented by the Sun Grant Centers?
The designated regions named in the opportunity are North-Central, Southeastern, South-Central, Western, and Northeastern United States, along with a Western Insular Pacific Subcenter.
What does the consortium do in practice?
In practice, the consortium serves as a national organizing framework for bioenergy-related research, extension, and education across multiple states and institutions, while still tailoring priorities and activities to regional needs, feedstocks, and production systems.
Is there a required amount of regranting or pass-through funding?
Yes. A key structural requirement is that 75 percent of the awarded funds must be used to run competitive grant programs within each region. This means the Centers and Subcenter must regrant most of the funding outward through regional competitions.
What kinds of projects are expected to be funded through the regional competitions?
The regional competitions are expected to fund multi-institutional, integrated, multistate projects that combine research, extension, and education. The emphasis includes both technology development and technology implementation, supporting not just creation of new solutions but also adoption in real-world agricultural and rural settings.
What topic areas must supported projects address?
Projects funded through the regional competitive grants must address established priorities in bioenergy, biomass, or bioproducts.
How does the program support rural economic development?
The program emphasizes rural economic development by encouraging new markets and industries tied to biobased fuels and products, alongside the technical work of developing and deploying biobased technologies.
How does SGP relate to environmental sustainability and agriculture?
SGP aims to improve environmental sustainability while diversifying U.S. agriculture by advancing bioenergy, biomass, and bioproduct innovation that can be integrated into agricultural and rural systems.
What is the program trying to improve in terms of federal coordination?
Another major purpose is to make federal bioenergy and biomass research and development efforts more efficient by improving collaboration among USDA, other relevant federal agencies, and the Land Grant University system.
Who is eligible to apply, based on the posting?
Eligibility is not presented as a simple open category. It is described as "Others," with additional eligibility details referenced in the full announcement. This is consistent with the program design that centers on a specific type of university-led regional consortium.
Where would applicants find the full eligibility details?
The posting indicates that additional eligibility details are provided in the full announcement.
What is the simplest way to describe SGP based on this posting?
SGP is best understood as an organizing and pass-through funding mechanism. It funds the infrastructure of the Sun Grant Centers and requires that most funds be distributed through competitive regional subawards to accelerate the development and deployment of bioenergy, biomass, and bioproduct technologies.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Agriculture
Next opportunity: Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE): Alaska Native Program CFDA Number 84.031N
Previous opportunity: Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE): Impact Aid Discretionary Construction Grant Program CFDA Number 84.041C
Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for USDA NIFA SGP 006775
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (USDA NIFA SGP 006775) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| 2020 Market Access Program Apply for 2019 11022 Funding Number: 2019 11022 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Office of Trade Programs Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Foreign Market Development Cooperator Program Apply for 2019 11023 Funding Number: 2019 11023 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Office of Trade Programs Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Quality Samples Program Apply for 2019 05 Funding Number: 2019 05 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Office of Trade Programs Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $75,000 |
| Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops Apply for 2019 04 Funding Number: 2019 04 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Office of Trade Programs Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Emerging Markets Program Apply for 2019 03 Funding Number: 2019 03 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Office of Trade Programs Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Specialty Crop Multi-State Program Apply for USDA AMS TM SCMP G 19 0005 Funding Number: USDA AMS TM SCMP G 19 0005 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing Service Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Agricultural Trade Promotion Program Apply for 2019 06 Funding Number: 2019 06 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Office of Trade Programs Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Capacity Building Program for Non-Land Grant Colleges of Agriculture Apply for USDA NIFA NLGCA 006780 Funding Number: USDA NIFA NLGCA 006780 Agency: Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $750,000 |
| Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers Apply for OPPE 013 Funding Number: OPPE 013 Agency: Department of Agriculture, DM-Office of Advocacy and Outreach Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $750,000 |
| FY 20 and FY21 SBIR Phase I RFA Apply for USDA NIFA SBIR 006790 Funding Number: USDA NIFA SBIR 006790 Agency: Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $106,500 |
| Specialty Crop Research Initiative Pre-Applications Apply for USDA NIFA SCRI 006810 Funding Number: USDA NIFA SCRI 006810 Agency: Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Distance Education Grants Program for Institutions of Higher Education in Insular Areas (DEG) Apply for USDA NIFA RIGP 006870 Funding Number: USDA NIFA RIGP 006870 Agency: Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| Burkina Faso Markets and Nutrition Activity Apply for 72068519RFA00010 Funding Number: 72068519RFA00010 Agency: Agency for International Development, Senegal USAID-Dakar Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $19,620,000 |
| Scholarships for Students at 1890 Institutions Program (1890 Scholarships) RFA Apply for USDA NIFA 1890SS 006911 Funding Number: USDA NIFA 1890SS 006911 Agency: Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| R 17.3 Deployment verification Apply for PTS R17 3 OPP1 Funding Number: PTS R17 3 OPP1 Agency: IVV Test Agency Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Liberia Agricultural Commodities Regulatory Authority (LACRA) Apply for AID 669 SS 19 00002 Funding Number: AID 669 SS 19 00002 Agency: Agency for International Development, Liberia USAID-Monrovia Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $175,000 |
| Feed the Future in Senegal, Policy Systems Services Apply for 72068520RFA00002 Funding Number: 72068520RFA00002 Agency: Agency for International Development, Senegal USAID-Dakar Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $15,000,000 |
| Niger Markets and Nutrition Activity Apply for 72068520RFA00001 Funding Number: 72068520RFA00001 Agency: Agency for International Development, Senegal USAID-Dakar Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $29,500,000 |
| Mali GFSS Implementation Apply for 72068819RFA00005 Funding Number: 72068819RFA00005 Agency: Agency for International Development, Mali USAID -Bamako Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $19,950,000 |
| Section 108 Foreign Currency Program (FY2020) Apply for 2020 08 Funding Number: 2020 08 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Office of Trade Programs Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $500,000 |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Inside Our Applicants Portal
Access Applicants Portal
- Grants Repository - Access current and historic funding opportunities with ease. Thousands of funding opportunities are published every week. We can help you sort through the database and find the eligible ones to apply for.
- Applicant Video Guides - The grant application process can be challenging to follow. We can help you with intuitive video guides to speed up the process and eliminate errors in submissions.
- Grant Proposal Wizard - We have developed a network of private funding organizations and investors across the United States. We can reach out and submit your proposal to these contacts to maximize your chances of getting the funding you need.
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Learn More
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "USDA NIFA SGP 006775", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.