Fund Your Research
NOTE: Application period has ended for 2020 funding. Application period will open fall of 2020.
The Agricultural Fertilizer Research and Education Council (AFREC) awards grants to fund nutrient management research every year. These funds, distributed through the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, help direct fertilizer research and outreach programs for the coming year. To request an information packet, click below.
Background Information
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is requesting proposals for directing fertilizer research and outreach programs. The Minnesota Legislature established the Minnesota Agricultural Fertilizer Research and Education Program for directing fertilizer research and outreach program. The enabling legislation establishing the governing Agricultural Fertilizer Research and Education Council (AFREC) is Minnesota Statute 18C.70 and 18C.71. The Minnesota Legislature also established the funding mechanism for the program. This year, up to $991,166 generated by fertilizer sales from July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2020, is available for this Request for Proposals (RFP). Any organization, research entity, individual, urban agriculture, or business with agricultural research capability is eligible to apply and receive continued funding. This includes farmers/farmer networks, institutions of higher education, research institutions, nonprofit organizations, urban agriculture, agricultural cooperatives, and agricultural businesses with research capabilities.
Eligible Projects | Due to the decrease in funding availability, applications will be accepted only for projects previously funded in 2020 that are in good standing. Eligible project activities include research that addresses one or more of the activities as defined by Minnesota Statute 18C. 71. These activities include research, education, technology transfer related to the production and application of commercial fertilizer, soil amendments, and other plant amendments. AFREC’s goal is to have projects selected and contracts executed prior to the 2021 cropping season.
RFP is available on line at https://www.mda.state.mn.us/business-dev-loans-grants/agricultural-fertilizer-research-andeducation-council-afrec
Email: Margaret.Wagner@state.mn.us
Mail: Minnesota Department of Agriculture
ATTN: Margaret Wagner
Fertilizer Non-Point Section
625 Robert Street North
St. Paul, MN 55155
Phone: 651-201-6488
Questions will be accepted until November 19, 2020 at 4:00 pm. Answers will be posted on the Questions and Answers portion of the AFREC Grant webpage.
Questions should not be submitted through other means. MDA employees are not authorized to provide advice on any applications. Applicants who solicit or receive advice from unauthorized MDA employees may be disqualified from eligibility for a grant award.
Submission of Proposal Deadline |
Deliver responses to this RFP to the address listed above no later than 3:00 p.m. December 3, 2020 Central Time. Late proposals will not be considered. Faxed or emailed proposals will not be considered.
This request does not obligate the State to award or complete the work contemplated in this notice. The State reserves the right to cancel this RFP if it is considered to be in its best interest. All expenses incurred in responding to this notice are solely the responsibility of the responders.
RFP Overview
Click to view a brief overview of the RFP