# NIFA Awards $20M SBIR/STTR Grants

The USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) has awarded **$20 million** in Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) grants as of September 23, 2026. These grants aim to stimulate small business-led innovation across diverse agricultural sectors including plant and animal production, natural resource management, food science, biofuels, and rural development. This funding opportunity highlights NIFA's commitment to advancing agricultural research and technology through small business engagement.

- **Why this matters:** Small businesses specializing in agricultural technologies have a significant opportunity to secure federal funding to advance innovative solutions.
- Procurement professionals should note the broad scientific scope of these grants, which may influence future solicitations and contract requirements.
- Companies can leverage this funding to develop new products and services that address critical agricultural challenges, potentially positioning themselves for follow-on contracts.
- This initiative underscores USDA's strategic focus on rural development and sustainable agriculture, signaling priority areas for industry engagement.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Energy & Utilities
**Topics:** Grants & Funding
**Published:** September 24, 2026

### Government Entities
- National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA)
- United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)

### Sources
- [NIFA Invests $20M to Spur Small Business-Led Innovation | NIFA](https://www.nifa.usda.gov/about-nifa/award-announcements/nifa-invests-20m-spur-small-business-led-innovation) - NIFA