2026 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program

Purpose: The California Department of Food and Agriculture's (CDFA) Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) funds projects that enhance the competitiveness of California specialty crops. The SCBGP is designed to support all sectors of California's specialty crop industry and improve the performance of California specialty crops within local, domestic, national, and international markets. Funding and Duration: Grant amounts for the conventional program range from $100,000 to $500,000. The maximum grant duration is two (2) years, eight (8) months, and grant funds cannot be expended before November 1, 2026, or after June 30, 2029. Projects submitted through the Additional Assistance for Limited Resource Applicants (Additional Assistance) Program will range from $100,000 to $250,000. Program requirements and submission deadlines differ for Additional Assistance Program applicants. The 2026 Request for Concept Proposals - Additional Assistance Program will be available in November 2026. Please email grants@cdfa.ca.gov for more information. CDFA reserves the right to offer an award amount different than the amount requested. Eligible Applicants: Non-profit and for-profit organizations; local, state, and federal government entities, including Tribal governments (federally and non-federally recognized); and public or private colleges and universities are eligible to apply. Individuals are not eligible to apply. Eligibility requirements for the Additional Assistance Program (opening in November 2025) differ. Please visit the SCBGP website or email grants@cdfa.ca.gov for more information. Matching Funding: Cost sharing is not a requirement of the SCBGP and is discouraged by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. CDFA includes the ability to outline cost share in proposals so that unallowable costs and/or activities (such as projects that also benefit non-specialty crops) can demonstrate that SCBGP funds will not be used for these costs. Cost share is not required and, as an unscored question, does not impact whether projects will be awarded funding.

• PSCAgriculture, Disadvantaged Communities, Education, Employment, Labor & Training, Environment & Water, Food & Nutrition, Science, Technology, and Research & Development

• 2026_request_for_concept_proposals.pdf

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  grants@cdfa.ca.gov