The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) Director J. Scott Angle announced today the Agency’s $1.89 million investment in small business research grants.
“It is great to support rural small businesses. These businesses will use their investment to create something that will help farmers and ranchers throughout the country,” said Dr. J. Scott Angle, NIFA’s Director. “NIFA helps rural businesses create and commercialize new innovative ideas and existing technology, products, or processes that ultimately will strengthen America’s rural communities.”
These grants are made through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program, a competitive funding source, coordinated by the Small Business Administration and administered by 11 federal agencies, to encourage domestic small businesses to engage in high-growth research and development that has commercialization potential.
Since 2015, NIFA has funded more than $8 million in SBIR Phase I funding to support rural communities through research investments to small businesses and small to mid-size farms.
NIFA funds and administers the SBIR program, with additional funding provided by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, the Agricultural Research Service, the Economic Research Service, the National Agricultural Statistics Service, and the U.S. Forest Service.
In the coming weeks, NIFA will be investing in more small business research projects as part of its Small Business Innovation Research program. To date, NIFA has awarded ten grants to U.S. small businesses to promote and improve sustainability and profitability of small and mid-size farms and ranches, and nine grants for rural and community development.
Source: USDA