What is the Specialty Crop Research Initiative?
SCRI is a competitive program from USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture, known as NIFA. It funds research and extension projects that solve problems facing specialty crop growers, such as pests, disease, labor efficiency, food safety and production systems.
NIFA's program page describes the goals and lists current funding opportunities. Because rules and priorities are revised, always read that page before planning.
Because research awards run over several years and involve universities, expect a long timeline between idea, funding and results. The payoff is usually practical knowledge for a whole crop sector rather than a quick cash payment to one farm.
Can an individual farmer apply?
In most cases the lead applicant is a university, a research institution or a large organization with experience managing federal research awards. These projects involve scientists, reporting systems and multi-year plans.
A farmer's strongest role is stakeholder. Researchers need working growers to say which problems matter, host trials and test results under real conditions. Many SCRI proposals include letters from growers and industry groups as proof of need.
Some NIFA programs also have smaller or planning-style opportunities designed to help teams build a proposal. Check the NIFA page to see what is currently offered and whether it fits your group.
How can you take part as a grower?
Start with your land-grant university. Call the extension specialist for your crop and ask whether any team is writing or running a specialty crop proposal. Offer to join an advisory panel or host a plot.
Hosting a trial usually means following a protocol and keeping records, in exchange for access to research results before others see them. Ask what the project expects from you in time and what protections exist for your farm data.
- Join a stakeholder advisory panel
- Host an on-farm trial
- Share production records with researchers
- Attend field days and workshops
What do reviewers look for?
Reviewers want a problem that growers have confirmed, a research plan that can answer it, and an extension plan that gets the answer back to farms. A project that stays in a lab does not fit the program.
Teams often show how results will be measured in practical terms, such as lower losses or reduced input needs. Letters of support should be specific, naming what the grower expects to gain.
Ask the researchers how your input will change the plan. A good team will revise the research questions after hearing from growers, and will tell you what changed and why.
What should you ask before agreeing to join a project?
Ask who owns the data from your farm, how your name and business will be used, and whether you will be paid or reimbursed for your time and any crop risk. Get answers in writing.
Ask what happens if a trial fails. Good researchers plan for that and tell you in advance who bears the cost.
If you are part of a growers' association, consider asking the board to invite researchers to a meeting. Researchers often welcome the chance to hear problems directly and to recruit trial hosts.
How do you find out about new funding rounds?
NIFA posts funding opportunities on its website and on the federal grants portal. Your extension specialists also hear early, so keep in touch with them. State specialty crop associations often share news with members too.
Be skeptical of any outside service selling inside information about research grants. The opportunities are public and the application is free.
Many land-grant universities also employ grant development staff who help faculty prepare federal proposals, and they sometimes know months ahead which teams are forming.
What are the realistic limits of this program for a farm business?
SCRI is not a source of money for equipment, expansion or operating costs on your own farm. The funds pay for research and extension work, and any benefit to you comes through knowledge, trial results and relationships.
If you need money for your own operation, look at programs built for that, such as cost-share through NRCS or loans through FSA. Use SCRI as a way to learn and influence what gets studied, and keep it separate from your business financing plan.
Key takeaways
- SCRI is a NIFA research and extension program for specialty crops.
- Applicants are usually universities or large organizations.
- Growers contribute as advisers, trial hosts and letter writers.
- Ask about data ownership and trial risk before signing on.
- Your extension specialist is the best first call.
Sources and official links
Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Written by the Farm Money & Grants Editorial Team. Educational only, not tax, legal or financial advice. See our editorial policy.