Request for Proposals Now Open
The MDA is requesting proposals for directing fertilizer research and outreach programs. Please note that there are two separate RFPs described for this round.
In the first RFP, there will be approximately $1,220,000 available for research and/or education and outreach projects. In the second RFP, a maximum of $30,000 has been set aside for the Research and Outreach Coordinator position for a one-year duration. Only one award will be made for the Research and Outreach Coordinator position.
For those considering submitting a new project proposal, the project must be highly specific to the priorities provided under Priorities for Research and Education/Outreach Grants. The vast majority of the available 2025-2026 funding will be used for "Continuations". Continuations are multi-year research projects that were funded for one year.
Any organization, research entity, individual, or business with agricultural research capability is eligible to apply and receive funding. This includes farmers/farmer networks, institutions of higher education, research institutions, nonprofit organizations, urban agriculture, agricultural cooperatives, and agricultural businesses with research capabilities.
Eligible Projects
Eligible project activities include research, education, and technology transfer related to the production and application of fertilizer, soil amendments, and other plant amendments, regenerative agriculture, and the protection of clean water. Chosen projects must contain a component of outreach that achieves a timely dissemination of findings and their applicability to the production agricultural community or metropolitan fertilizer users (Minn. Stat. 18C.71). Additional priorities for new research and education grants are included in the full RFP located under "Forms + Resources".
Questions
Please email questions to Margaret Wagner at Margaret.Wagner@state.mn.us with "AFREC RFP Question(s)" in the subject line.
Questions will be accepted until October 24, 2025 at 4:00 p.m. Answers will be posted on the AFREC RFP Questions and Answers portion of the AFREC Grant webpage.
Questions should not be submitted through other means. MDA employees are not authorized to provide advice on any applications. Applicants who solicit or receive advice from unauthorized MDA employees may be disqualified from eligibility for a grant award.
Submission of Proposal Deadline
Grant applicants are required to submit proposals through the MDA online application system. To view and submit the application, users are required to use an existing account or create a new account in the system. Once a new account is created and verified, or returning users are logged into an account, please select the "Apply" button for the "AFREC Grant Fiscal Year 2026".
All applications must be received online by 11:59 p.m. CST, on November 20, 2025. Late applications will not be considered. The MDA is not responsible for any technical or logistical problems resulting in the MDA not receiving the application on time. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that submission is received by the MDA before the deadline.
This request does not obligate the State to award or complete the work contemplated in this notice. The State reserves the right to cancel this RFP if it is in its best interest. All expenses incurred in responding to this notice are solely the responsibility of the responders.
