Opportunity Overview
Open now. The Kansas Department of Agriculture (KDA) is accepting applications for the FY27 Crop & Livestock Research Grant Program, a State Water Plan Fund-supported research program focused on agricultural productivity and measurable water-resource benefits for Kansas.
Funding and Deadline
The FY27 program has a $450,000 funding appropriation. Applicants may request up to $100,000 per project, and projects may run for up to three years. Awards are reimbursement-based and KDA may adjust award amounts.
Applications are due Friday, October 23, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. Central Time.
No matching funds are required. KDA encourages applicants to demonstrate organizational or partner support, including non-state financial or in-kind participation where appropriate.
Program Priorities
The program supports research that advances Kansas agriculture and aligns with the State Water Plan. Current priority areas include improving the performance and marketability of drought-tolerant crops; improving nutrient uptake and reducing nutrient runoff; maximizing agricultural water-use efficiency; improving livestock feed, forage, and water efficiency; advancing agricultural technology; and improving drought resilience in water-limited areas.
All field studies must occur in Kansas. Proposed work should produce measurable benefits for Kansas agriculture and/or the public rather than primarily benefiting one organization, institution, or individual.
Allowable and Restricted Costs
Eligible direct project costs may include salaries and fringe benefits, project travel, supplies, and qualifying equipment that directly benefits the approved research. Personnel costs may not exceed 50% of total project cost. Special-purpose research or technical equipment may be allowable; individual equipment items costing $10,000 or more require prior KDA approval.
Indirect costs are prohibited. Capital expenditures for general-purpose equipment, buildings, and land are not allowable. Conference travel is limited, and all costs must be tied to approved project activities and applicable cost principles.
Eligibility and Submission
The current RFA does not establish a simple list of eligible applicant organization types. Instead, it requires projects that meet program objectives, generate broader agricultural or public benefit, and comply with State Water Plan requirements. Single organizations, institutions, and individuals may participate as project partners, but KDA will not fund work whose products or services primarily create private profit for only one organization, institution, or individual.
Applications must be submitted through KDA’s online Submittable grant-management system. Applicants should review the current Request for Applications before submission, register for the portal early, complete all required application sections, and may include optional letters of support. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.
Evaluation
KDA conducts an eligibility and completeness review before technical scoring. The current 100-point review framework evaluates project need and State Water Plan alignment, measurable outcomes, feasibility, budget reasonableness, and project support. Final award recommendations are submitted to the Kansas Secretary of Agriculture.
Atlas Assessment
Atlas Opportunity Score: 58/100. This is a credible Kansas research opportunity with clear funding, an exact deadline, no required match, and defined agriculture/water priorities. It is strongest for universities, research institutions, public-sector partners, and collaborative agriculture research teams able to demonstrate broad Kansas benefit.
N9+ Fit: 0/100. The solicitation is focused on agricultural water, crop, livestock, and related research. It does not establish telehealth, remote physical examination, clinical care, or healthcare equipment as program priorities. Do not force N9+ into this opportunity.
QC Healthcare Fit: 0/100. No direct healthcare-service, clinical-delivery, or medical-technology pathway is established in the current program materials.
Official Sources
Kansas Department of Agriculture Crop & Livestock Research Grant Program