The Office of Foundation Relations is pleased to share this open call for funding from the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research (FFAR).
- UCSC Contact: Almut Wolf | awolf2@ucsc.edu
- Funder: Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research (FFAR)
- Program: 2026 Efficient Fertilizer Consortium
- Pre-Application Deadline: March 18, 2026, 2pm PT
- Funding: up to $500,000
Overview
The Efficient Fertilizer Consortium supports applied research that accelerates adoption of enhanced efficiency fertilizer (EEF) products and practices that increase crop nutrient use efficiency, support desired crop yield and reduce nutrient losses. This Request for Applications (RFA) seeks research for field trials to evaluate the agronomic performance and environmental impact of EEFs in targeted geographical regions and cropping systems.
Projects must consist of hypothesis-driven research in one or more of the following topic areas:
- The impact of stacking EEF(s) with field management (e.g. tillage, cover crops) and 4R Nutrient Stewardship (4RNS) practices (right source, right rate, right time and right placement of fertilizer) in nutrient management to enhance the understanding of how EEFs perform to better support producer decision making.
- Nutrient carryover effects from EEFs and crop rotations.
- Identification of EEFs that work best to support crop nutrition, yield and nutrient use efficiency in specific climates, soils and cropping systems.
- Agronomic and environmental tradeoffs resulting from the implementation of EEFs and other management and 4RNS practices.
- The impact of EEF use on soil microbial communities and function.
Eligibility:
- FFAR welcomes applications from all domestic and international higher education institutions, non-profit and for-profit organizations and government-affiliated research agencies.
- Multiple applications from the same institution are allowed.
Award:
- Maximum of $500,000
- 2 to 3 year grant period
- Matching funds are optional but desired for this funding opportunity
- Matching funds must meet FFAR’s Matching Funds Guidelines, noting that they cannot be from a U.S. federal government entity
- Indirect cost up to 15%
Timeline:
- February 19, 2026, at 7am PT Informational Webinar
- March 18, 2026, by 2pm PT Pre-Application Due
- An approved pre-application with an invitation to submit a full application is required for submission.
- April 15, 2026 Full Application Invitation and Receipt Open
- April 30, 2026, at 7am PT Informational Webinar
- June 10, 2026, by 2pm PT Full Application Due
- Fall 2026 Award Notification
Resources:
- February 19, 2026, 7am PT. Interested applicants can also register to attend an informational webinar hosted by FFAR. A recording of the webinar will be available.
- Please find a list of FAQs on the FFAR website.
- In collaboration with scientific experts, the Efficient Fertilizer Consortium has developed the Field Trial Guidelines for Evaluating Enhanced Efficiency Fertilizers.
Special Instructions:
Please notify the Office of Foundation Relations if you are interested in applying to this opportunity (fr@ucsc.edu). For support developing your pre-application, please contact the Research Development Specialist, or send a request to resdev@ucsc.edu. Within the Division of Social Sciences, please contact Ashlee Tews (ashleeac@ucsc.edu).
Call sent: February 9, 2026
The Office of Foundation Relations is a unit of University Advancement. The FR team creates and maintains mutually beneficial, long-term relationships with private organizations, matching grant initiatives with educational and research programs and centers. FR supports faculty and staff to identify and approach these and other private foundations and corporations for funding, to assist in strategic positioning of the grant application, and to facilitate funder campus visits. For a list of recent funding opportunities, please visit the FR website: FR Calls for Funding.