Partnership Grant Program Information

Northeast SARE Partnership Grant Program

The Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Partnership Grant Program supports research and education projects that address challenges facing farmers and advance sustainable agriculture in the Northeast.

The program brings together researchers, educators, agricultural service providers, and farmers to explore innovative practices, evaluate potential solutions, and develop practical information that can benefit farms and agricultural communities. Projects may include on-farm experiments, surveys, demonstrations, prototypes, and other research and education activities.

Who Can Apply?

The Partnership Grant Program is designed for individuals who work with farmers, including:

  • Cooperative Extension professionals
  • Researchers and educators at colleges and universities
  • Agricultural service providers and consultants
  • Staff at nonprofit organizations and government agencies
  • Individuals working in agricultural businesses or farm organizations

Every project must include at least one eligible farmer as a project partner. The project leader and host organization must also meet Northeast SARE’s eligibility and administrative requirements.

Projects must primarily take place in the Northeast region, which includes Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, and Washington, D.C.

Review the Northeast SARE Partnership Grant Program guidelines for complete eligibility requirements.

What Types of Projects Are Funded?

Partnership Grants support innovative research and education projects that respond to farmers’ needs and generate practical benefits for agriculture.

Projects may address topics such as:

  • Livestock production, health, and management
  • Crop production and soil health
  • Farm business management, marketing, and profitability
  • Environmental stewardship and resource conservation
  • Agricultural sustainability and resilience
  • New or improved farming practices and technologies

Funded projects must:

  • Be led by an eligible researcher, educator, or agricultural service provider.
  • Include at least one farmer who meets Northeast SARE’s definition of a farm.
  • Address a relevant challenge or opportunity identified with farming partners.
  • Explore an innovative practice or introduce an existing practice to a new audience of farmers.
  • Benefit both the farmer partners and other farms in the region.
  • Share project results with the broader agricultural community.
  • Align with Northeast SARE’s funding priorities and proposal criteria.

The program is intended to benefit farmers and agricultural communities. Projects focused solely on general public education, food donation, public awareness campaigns, or community and school gardening are not eligible.

Funding and Allowable Expenses

Funding levels, project duration, application requirements, and available awards may vary by funding cycle. Consult the official Northeast SARE Partnership Grant Program website for current funding details, application materials, and deadlines.

Grant budgets should reflect the activities necessary to complete the proposed research or education project. Depending on the project and program guidelines, expenses may include personnel time, supplies, project-specific services, travel, and activities to communicate findings.

Northeast SARE grants operate on a reimbursement basis. Project leaders and their host organizations must have the financial capacity to cover expenses before reimbursement. Applicants should review the current budget guidance and organizational requirements before applying.

How to Develop a Strong Proposal

A strong Partnership Grant proposal connects a clearly defined farming challenge with a practical research or education plan and meaningful benefits for farmers.

Consider these steps when developing a project:

  1. Identify a farming challenge. Work with farmers to identify a problem, unmet need, or opportunity that warrants investigation.
  2. Build a collaborative team. Identify farmer partners and the researchers, educators, or service providers whose expertise will support the project.
  3. Develop a clear project plan. Describe the research question, proposed activities, methods, timeline, and expected outcomes.
  4. Demonstrate the value to farmers. Explain how the project could improve farm practices, decision-making, sustainability, or profitability.
  5. Plan to share results. Identify how findings will be communicated to farmers and other agricultural professionals beyond the project team.
  6. Review the application requirements. Use the current call for proposals, budget template, required forms, and evaluation criteria to prepare your application.

Additional Resources

  • Northeast SARE Partnership Grant Program — Find current funding information, eligibility requirements, application materials, and program guidance.
  • Northeast SARE Project Database — Explore previously funded projects for examples of research questions, project approaches, and outcomes.
  • Northeast SARE Grant Programs — Compare funding opportunities to identify the program that best fits your project.
  • Partnership Grant Information Session: View the informational video on this page for an introduction to the program. Because recorded sessions may discuss a specific funding cycle, confirm current requirements and deadlines on the official Northeast SARE website.

Farmers, Extension professionals, researchers, and agricultural service providers interested in collaborative projects are encouraged to explore the program guidelines and identify opportunities to address practical challenges facing agriculture in the Northeast.