The 2025 NCR-SARE Graduate Student Grant Call for Proposals is now available online at https://northcentral.sare.org/Grants/Apply-for-a-Grant/Graduate-Student-Grant/.
Proposals must be submitted using the online system by 4pm central time, May 29, 2025.
Webinar
Anyone interested in the NCR-SARE Graduate Student Grant Program can join NCR-SARE for a Zoom webinar about applying for a Graduate Student grant on April 8, 12pm Central time. Register for the zoom meeting online at: https://umn.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_evZ05XJGTkKNifpNxg-XBw
NCR-SARE intends to record the meeting and post the link online here: https://northcentral.sare.org/Grants/Apply-for-a-Grant/Graduate-Student-Grant/
About the Graduate Student Grant Program
Graduate students enrolled at colleges or universities in the North Central region can submit proposals for up to $20,000 to fund sustainable agriculture projects that will be part of their educational programs. In 2024, $400,000 will be available to fund about 20 grant projects. Individual grants are for $20,000 total (an increase from last year) and can fund projects lasting up to 36 months. We received 74 applications in 2024 and funded 22 projects averaging $18,800, with durations ranging from 12 to 36 months.
NCR-SARE will accept proposals for the Graduate Student Grant Program using our online submission system. More information about the online submission system can be found in the call for proposals.
Previously funded proposals have contributed to farmer or rancher economic viability, environmental quality, and the enhancement of the quality of life of farmers or ranchers, their communities, and society as a whole. NCR-SARE strongly encourages students to involve farmers and ranchers engaged in their Graduate Student Grant projects.
NCR-SARE’s Administrative Council (AC) members decide which projects will receive SARE funds. A collection of farm and non-farm citizens, the AC includes a diverse mix of regional agricultural stakeholders. Council members hail from regional farms and ranches, the Cooperative Extension Service, universities, federal agencies, and nonprofit organizations.
Since 1988, the SARE program has helped advance farming systems that are economically viable. environmentally sound, and good for communities through a nationwide research and education grants program. The program, part of USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture, funds projects and conducts outreach designed to improve agricultural systems.
Questions
Potential applicants can contact Betsy Wieland with questions.
Betsy Wieland
Associate Director
Phone: 612-626-6556
Email: eliza003@umn.edu