Climate Smart Agriculture Grant Programs (CSAP)

Next steps

1. Review the program pages.

   Each program page explains:

   • Eligible applicants 
   • Examples of eligible projects 
   • Examples of projects that are generally not a good fit 
   • What the project should accomplish 
   • Funding limits 
   • Required supporting documentation 
   • How projects are evaluated 

   Applicants should review both the appropriate program page and the current Request for Responses (RFR) before beginning an application.

   If you have more than one project, you may select more than one program area. 

   Food Safety: 

   Projects that improve washing, handling, packing, storage, compliance and market access for produce and aquaculture operations. 

   Learn more: Agricultural Food Safety Improvement Program (AFSIP)

   Environmental: 

   Projects that improve water management, soil health, manure management, environmental stewardship, and climate resilience.   

   Learn more: Agricultural Climate Resiliency Grant Program (ACRE)

   Energy: 

   Projects that reduce energy use, improve energy efficiency, or to install renewable energy. 

   Learn More: Agricultural Energy Grant Program (ENER)

   Compost: 

   Projects to improve on-farm composting through equipment and infrastructure that increases efficiency, reduces environmental impacts, and improves compost quality. 

   Learn more: Agricultural Composting Improvement Grant Program (ACIP)

2. Prepare your application.

   Applicants submit one application per agricultural operation, even when requesting funding from multiple program areas.

   Applicants may:

   • Apply for one or more program areas within the same application. 
   • Request up to $50,000 per program area. 
   • Request up to $150,000 total across all program areas. 

   Projects submitted under multiple program areas must:

   • independently meet the eligibility requirements of their selected program area; 
   • function as complete, stand-alone projects if funded independently; and 
   • be evaluated separately. 

   A single project may not be divided across multiple program areas to increase the amount of funding requested.

   If a project could reasonably fit more than one program area, applicants should select the area that best reflects the project's primary purpose and expected outcomes.

   Before You Apply: 

   Before beginning an application, applicants should have:

   • A clearly identified problem or opportunity the project will address. 
   • A proposed solution that directly addresses that need. 
   • Project goals and measurable expected outcomes. 
   • An itemized project budget. 
   • Vendor quotes. 
   • A realistic project timeline. 
   • Required permits or approvals, when applicable. 
   • Ownership or lease documentation, when required. 
   • Any program-specific supporting documentation identified on the applicable program page or in the current RFR. 
   • Funding limits 
   • Required supporting documentation 
   • How projects are evaluated 

   Applicants should review both the appropriate program page and the current Request for Responses (RFR) before beginning an application.

   Strong applications clearly describe the existing problem, explain why the proposed project is the appropriate solution, identify measurable expected outcomes, and demonstrate that the project is ready to proceed.

3. Submit your application.

   1. Review the current Climate Smart Agriculture Program RFR. 
   2. Review the appropriate program page(s). 
   3. Confirm that your operation and proposed project are eligible. 
   4. Complete the online application. 
   5. Upload all required quotes and supporting documentation. 
   6. Submit your application before the deadline. 

   Only one CSAP application should be submitted per agricultural operation.

4. Wait for review.

   Applications are reviewed for:

   • Eligibility and completeness. 
   • Program fit. 
   • Project need and justification. 
   • Expected outcomes. 
   • Feasibility and readiness. 
   • Overall project value. 

   Each program area is evaluated using program-specific review criteria described on the individual program pages and in the current RFR.

   Submission of an application does not guarantee funding.