NIFA

The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) is a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) agency that funds and supports research, education, and extension activities in agriculture, food, natural resources, and related areas. NIFA’s work aims to address food security, nutrition, sustainable farming, and rural economic development.

NIFA was established as part of the 2008 Farm Bill, replacing the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES). It began operations in 2009 with the goal of integrating research, education, and extension under a single agency and aligning USDA’s investment in science with national priorities.

Under the USDA's Research, Education, and Economics mission area, NIFA funds and manages competitive grants and formula funding to universities, colleges, and nonprofit organizations. It collaborates with the land-grant university system, state extension services, and other partners to translate scientific findings into practical solutions for producers, consumers, and communities.

The agency’s principal programs include the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI), a major competitive grant program supporting fundamental and applied research across the agricultural and food system, and the Specialty Crops Research Initiative (SCRI), which focuses on high-value crops. Beyond research, NIFA supports education and extension activities and capacity-building to prepare the next generation of agricultural professionals.

NIFA operates with annual appropriations from Congress and maintains reporting and accountability processes. It emphasizes multidisciplinary and collaborative approaches to address national and global agricultural challenges while advancing innovation, safety, and sustainability in food systems.