Now Accepting Graduate Student Grant Proposals

Dr. Miranda Medrano is a Ph.D. graduate student in the Veterinary Medicine program at the University of Minnesota. Her interests are in swine epidemiology and health policy development. With support from a SARE grant, Medrano has been surveying producers to learn more about the farming, management, biosecurity, and marketing practices used on farms that raise pigs outdoors.  Photo of Miranda Medrano courtesy of the University of Minnesota Swine Extension Program.

The 2024 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 4 p.m. central time, April 18, 2024.

Join us for a Webinar

Anyone interested in the NCR-SARE Graduate Student Grant Program can join NCR-SARE for a webinar about applying for a Graduate Student grant on February 21, 2024, at 12 p.m. Central time. Register for the webinar online at: https://umn.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_-NSGQdZGTU2whsaTzbei1A#/registration

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 58 applications in 2023 and funded 22 projects averaging $14,700, 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 Beth Nelson with questions at bethnelson@umn.edu or 612-626-4436.