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CACDFACalifornia Department of Food and Agricultureopen

Fertilizer Research and Education Program (FREP) Call for Proposals

OPENS APRIL 16, 2026 CLOSES APRIL 27, 2026
Award range
Up to $225K
Expected awards
3
Total funding
$700K
CFDA #
Instrument
Grant
Category
Agriculture

Description

FREP is now accepting pre-proposals for projects that will begin in January 2027. Pre-proposals must focus on at least one of the priority areas listed below. Applicants are required to utilize the pre-proposal template (docx). Pre-proposals are due by 5:00 p.m. (PST) on Monday, April 27, 2026. Grant funding of up to $75,000 per year is available for outreach, education and training projects and up to $100,000 per year for research and demonstration projects. The maximum grant duration is three years. Requests for projects longer than three years or higher than the award ceiling will be considered on a case-by-case basis contingent on project needs. Projects leveraging other sources of funding are strongly encouraged. FREP does not support proprietary product development, testing or promotions.CDFA encourages projects that include demonstrable benefits for socially disadvantaged farmers and farm workers. Socially disadvantaged groups include those whose members have been subjected to racial, ethnic, or gender discrimination. Socially disadvantaged groups are defined in the Farmer Equity Act of 2017. This solicitation, as well as information about FREP activities and projects, is available by contacting FREP at [email protected] or by visiting www.cdfa.ca.gov/go/FREP.

Eligibility

Business; Individual; Nonprofit; Other Legal Entity; Public Agency; Tribal Government Pre-proposals must focus on at least one of the priority areas listed in the Request for Proposals call available on FREP grant page. Applicants are required to utilize the pre-proposal template (docx). Pre-proposals are due by 5:00 p.m. (PST) on Monday, April 27, 2026. FREP does not support proprietary product development, testing or promotions.  Projects must be related to irrigation and nutrient management practices in California.