Have an idea that could help New York’s specialty crop growers thrive?
Are you tackling a production challenge, advancing research, testing new tools, or helping growers compete in the marketplace? Do your ideas benefit more than one farm, organization, or crop and have the potential to move an entire sector forward?
The New York Farm Viability Institute (NYFVI) is now accepting applications for the 2026 SCBG Program, supporting projects that improve production, spark innovation, grow markets, and help specialty crop growers meet today’s challenges. This program is ran in partnership with the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets (AGM).
What this program supports
SCBG funding supports projects that help New York specialty crop growers:
- Address critical production challenges, including pests and diseases
- Test and adopt innovative practices, tools, or equipment
- Develop new varieties or value-added products
- Improve environmental sustainability
- Strengthen markets and consumer demand
Big picture impact matters. Projects must benefit the specialty crop industry, not a single farm or business.
Each outcome has measurable indicators established by the USDA SCBG program. A focus on these outcomes and indicators is critical to a competitive proposals. The USDA document that describes these outcomes and indicators is provided here.
Who should apply
This program is a good fit for:
- Nonprofit organizations
- Colleges, universities, and research institutions
- Local or tribal governments
Farmers, businesses, and consultants are encouraged to participate as project partners.
Funding at a glance
- Grant size: $50,000–$200,000
- Projects start: Earliest projects will start January 1, 2027
- Projects end: by June 30, 2029
- Project extensions are not allowed. Applicants should give themselves ample time to complete all reporting requirements before the deadline.
- Focus: measurable, statewide benefit
Important dates
- RFP opens: January 19, 2026
- Applications due: February 16, 2026 (11:59 PM)
- Grant writing webinars: January 20 & 22
- Notification expected: April 2026
Training Webinars
[Join Grant Writing Webinar 1: Tuesday January 20, 2026 2:00-2:30pm] – Click here for recording.
[Join Grant Writing Webinar 2: Thursday January 22, 2026 9:00-9:30am] – Click here for recording.
Helpful for first-time and returning applicants.
Ready to get started?
[Apply Now]
All applicants must register on this platform.
There are two parts to the registration process. 1) A potential applicant will first be asked to register their organization or business AND then 2) create a user profile. Click on “Create New Account” to complete the registration process and create your logon credentials. It’s likely that some organizations, will be registered more than once. NYFVI will work to eliminate duplicates after Users have registered.
[Download the RFP]
The full RFP will be available after you have registered on the platform. For your convenience, a copy of the online RFP is shared via the link above as a pdf.
NY Priorities
The New York Specialty Crop Block Grant Advisory Committee, composed of farmer members of specialty crop organizations and associations, and other industry stakeholders, has developed specific research and education priorities that are aligned with the USDA outcomes:
- Research and/or education that addresses a key production problem or need specific to NYS.
- Developing and increasing the utilization of IPM strategies and programs.
- Addressing native and exotic pests and disease threats through development of pest risk assessments.
- Plant breeding for the development of crops resistant to exotic and native pests.
- Applied R&D focused on extending the growing season through new technologies, or improved practices.
- Developing new seed varieties and specialty crops with optimal performance under NYS conditions.
- Market based research that enhances the competitiveness of a NY specialty crop.
- Research, demonstration and training for innovative production practices.
Evaluation
All proposals will be evaluated by farmers with expertise in the proposed crop. The NYFVI board of directors will also evaluate the proposals and consider the input from the farmer review panels. NYFVI will submit a ranked list of proposals to AGM who will discuss the proposals with its Specialty Crop Advisory Committee and together they will make the final funding decisions. If your proposal is selected for inclusion in the NYS SCBG application to the USDA, an abridged version of your proposal, formatted as a project profile, will be used.
Scoring criteria for the program were updated to align with program goals and are available here.
Other Considerations
Definition of Specialty Crops For this call for proposals, “specialty crops” means fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, and nursery crops (including floriculture). A detailed list of commonly recognized specialty crops can be found on USDA’s web site: https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/grants/scbgp/specialty-crop
Risk Assessment
Applicants should be advised that if their project is selected for funding, the applicant organization will undergo a formal risk assessment based on standards adopted by AGM. This assessment will ensure applicants are financially responsible and have had no prior issues in their state contracting history or federal grant performance history. The assessment will also determine whether the applicant has had prior audit findings and evaluate the funding characteristics of the currently approved project. Applicants that are deemed to be ‘high risk’ based on factors in the assessment linked below, may or may not be awarded SCBG funding, even if their proposal scores highly among reviewers. Please click here to view the risk assessment guidelines.
Conditions
Funds for this program will be provided to NYFVI through NYS AGM, pursuant to an agreement with the USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service. Successful applicants will be required to comply with all applicable Federal statutes, regulations and policy requirements. A list of applicable statutes, regulations and policy requirements as well as a summary of the potential impact of certain National Policy Requirements on certain grants can be found at Rules & Regulations Agricultural Marketing Service (usda.gov)
Reporting Template The report template is provided as a fillable pdf form to all grantees. It must be used by all USDA SCBG projects funded after 2022. The same template is used for both annual and final reports. It is available here.
NYFVI Contact Information
All questions about the RFP must be submitted via email to aristow@nyfvi.org.