USDA NIFA Awards $20 Million to Boost Small Business Agricultural Research

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) announced on September 23, 2026, that it has awarded $20 million to fund small business-led research through its Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. The funding is designed to accelerate high-quality research addressing pressing challenges and opportunities across the agricultural sector, with the goal of delivering benefits that extend beyond individual businesses to the broader public.

In total, 121 awards were distributed across 10 research areas, including forest resources, plant and animal production, natural resource management, food science and nutrition, rural development, aquaculture, biofuels and biobased products, small and mid-size farms, and agricultural engineering. Biofuels and biobased products led the pack with 16 awards, while natural resources and food science and nutrition tied for second with 15 awards apiece, underscoring USDA’s continued emphasis on sustainable, science-driven innovation in agriculture.