California Fertilizer Research and Education Program

Pre-proposals are due by April 27, 2026.
The California Department of Food and Agriculture’s Fertilizer Research and Education Program is accepting pre-proposals for projects that advance efficient nutrient and irrigation management practices that minimize environmental impacts through research, demonstration, education and training. This year’s priorities include: outreach, education, and demonstration projects focused on increasing the adoption of efficient crop nutrient and irrigation management practices and technologies; evaluating challenges and barriers to adoption of management practices; the role of organic input materials in soil nutrient management; demonstrating and/or validating management practices that optimize nutrient and/or irrigation water use; filling knowledge gaps for nutrient and irrigation management in specific crops; understanding nutrient movement from the root zone; and mitigation strategies to reduce nutrient losses. Grants up to $75,000 per year are available for outreach, education, and demonstration projects and up to $100,000 per year for research and demonstration projects.