AG RESEARCH Act
The AG RESEARCH Act proposes a targeted update to the Research Facilities Act to address the backlog of deferred maintenance at U.S. agricultural research facilities. It would establish a competitive grant program under the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) to fund construction, alteration, modernization, or equipment necessary to carry out agricultural research. The bill authorizes substantial, mandatory funding transfers to support these grants (up to $1 billion per year from 2025 through 2029, tied to the federal government’s fiscal calendars) and allows on a case-by-case basis for up to 100 percent federal funding. Proposals would be reviewed with input from NIFA peer review panels, and grants would be distributed with explicit emphasis on geographic equity, diversity of institutions, variety of agricultural study areas, and institutional size. The text also provides for future appropriations to cover planning and design costs of these facilities. Overall, the bill aims to modernize and expand the infrastructure for agricultural research in order to keep the United States competitive globally, reduce maintenance backlogs, and support a broad and diverse set of research institutions.
Key Points
- 1Purpose and scope: Creates a grant program under NIFA to fund construction, alteration, acquisition, modernization, renovation, or equipment for agricultural research facilities and related equipment needed to conduct research.
- 2Funding mechanism: Establishes mandatory annual transfers to fund Section 4 (grants)—$1,000,000,000 on October 1 of 2025 and each October 1 through 2029 (fiscal years 2026–2030), available until expended; additional discretionary appropriations authorized for design and related costs in 2026–2030.
- 3Federal share and waivers: Grants may cover up to the full federal share of project costs on a case-by-case basis, beyond typical limitations.
- 4Proposal review: Adds a requirement that grant proposals be reviewed in consultation with National Institute of Food and Agriculture peer review panels.
- 5Distribution and equity: Grants should be distributed to achieve equitable geographic distribution, diverse institutions, diverse areas of agricultural study, and institutions of varying sizes; no more than 20% of funds to a single state.
- 6Administrative process: The bill sets up competitive application procedures and review/selection processes (in consultation with NIFA peer review panels).