Research & Education Grant Program 2026 Call for Preproposals
Preproposals due December 4, 2025 by 4:00 pm CT
2026 Research & Education Grant Call for Preproposal Download (Word)
NCR-SARE’s Research and Education (R&E) program is a competitive grant program for researchers and educators involved in projects that explore and promote environmentally sound, profitable, and socially responsible food and/or fiber systems. Research and Education projects include a strong outreach component and significant farmer/rancher or other end-user involvement from the inception of the idea through the implementation of the project. Grant awards range from $10,000 to $250,000. Projects may last up to 36 months. NCR-SARE expects to fund 10-14 projects per year in the twelve-state North Central Region.
A Research & Education Grant Writing Zoom Meeting will be held on October 21, 2025 at 10:00 am CT. Register here. The Zoom session will be recorded and the link will be posted on the NCR-SARE Research & Education Grant webpage.
Professional Development Grant Program 2026 Call for Preproposals
Preproposals due November 5, 2025 by 4:00 pm CT
2026 Professional Development Grant Call for Preproposal Download (Word)
The North Central Region SARE (NCR-SARE) Professional Development Grant Program supports state professional development programs and competitive grants for training agricultural professionals. Professional Development Program (PDP) competitive grants emphasize training agricultural educators in extension, Natural Resources Conservation Service, private, and not-for-profit sectors, using farmers as educators and addressing emerging issues in the farm community. Applicants are educators who often represent but are not limited to, Extension, Natural Resources Conservation Service, and non-profit groups. PDP competitive grants are awarded for state and multi-state PDP projects that emphasize cross-agency training, using farmers as educators and addressing emerging issues in the farm community. . Grant awards are up to $120,000. Projects may last up to 36 months. NCR-SARE expects to fund 10-12 projects per year in the twelve-state North Central Region.
A Research & Education Grant Writing Zoom Meeting will be held on October 8, 2025 at 2:00 pm CT. Register here. The Zoom session will be recorded and the link will be posted on the NCR-SARE Research & Education Grant webpage.
Partnership Grant Program 2026 Call for Proposals
Proposals due November 20, 2025 by 4:00 pm CT
2026 Partnership Call for Proposal Download (Word)
NCR-SARE’s Partnership Grant program is intended to foster cooperation between agriculture professionals and small groups of farmers and ranchers to catalyze on-farm research, demonstration, and education activities related to sustainable agriculture. Partnership Grants are for on-farm research, demonstration and/or educational projects and are funded for up to 24 months. Up to $50,000 total funding request per application is allowed.
A Partnership Grant Writing Zoom Meeting will be held on October 9, 2025 at 12:00 pm CT. Register here. The Zoom session will be recorded and the link posted on the NCR-SARE Partnership Grant webpage.
Farmer Rancher Grant Program 2026 Call for Proposals
Proposals due December 4, 2025 by 4:00 pm CDT
2026 Farm Rancher Call for Proposal Download (Word)
Farmers and ranchers have critical insight when it comes to improving their systems. Whether they need to limit off-farm inputs, reduce erosion, create more time for family or community activities, learn marketing skills, or find other ways to enhance their livelihoods, farmers and ranchers can turn to the North Central Region SARE (NCR-SARE) Program for grant opportunities and information. NCR-SARE's Farmer Rancher Grant Program is a competitive grants program for farmers and ranchers who want to explore sustainable solutions to problems through on-farm research, demonstration, and education projects. Projects may last up to 23 months. There are two types of competitive grants: individual grants ($15,000 maximum), and team grants for two or more farmers/ranchers who are working together ($30,000 maximum). NCR-SARE expects to fund about 40 projects each year in the twelve-state North Central Region with this call.
A Farmer Rancher Grant Writing Zoom Meeting will be held on October 14, 2025 at 12:00 pm CT. Register here. The Zoom session will be recorded and the link will be posted on the NCR-SARE Farmer Rancher Grant webpage.
Youth Educator Grant Program - NOT OPEN (Expected to open January 2026)
Sample Youth Educator Call for Proposals Download (Word)
Youth programs are a way to introduce new and exciting farming and ranching options to youth, families, and community members. The Youth Educator program provides opportunities for youth to learn about sustainable agriculture (farming and ranching that is ecologically sound, economically viable, and socially responsible). Youth Educator grants support projects by youth educators encouraging youth to try sustainable practices and explore sustainable agriculture as a viable career option. The maximum amount for grants is $6,000.
Graduate Student Grant Program - NOT OPEN (Expected to open April 2026)
Sample Graduate Student Call for Proposals Download (Word)
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 maximum amount for grants is $20,000 for up to 36 months. NCR-SARE expects to fund about 22 projects each year from around 70 applications in the twelve-state North Central Region with this call.
Helpful Resources
- NCR-SARE's Grant Programs Timelines
- Sample calls for proposals and lists of recently funded projects can be found on the NCR-SARE Recent Grant Projects page.
Visit the NCR SARE Videos webpage of past SARE Grant recipients mostly from Nebraska, but also from other states in the North Central Region. There are a number of different videos, but in general these videos explain the various SARE Grant Projects that were funded and there are also videos of tours conducted visiting the farms of SARE Grant Recipients.
Nebraskans have had success over the years in receiving both Farmer/Rancher Grants and Youth Educator Grants. Please share this information with others you think are interested.
If you have questions feel free to contact Nebraska State SARE Coordinators.
Katja Koehler-Cole
Satewide Soil Health Management Extension Educator
Eastern Nebraska Research & Extension Center
1071 County Road G
Ithaca, NE 68003
Phone: (402) 624-8042
Email: kkoehlercole2@unl.edu
OR
Ben Beckman
Cedar County Extension
101 East Centre
PO Box 368
Hartington, NE 68739
Phone: (402) 254-6821
Email: bbeckman3@unl.edu