By on December 2, 2023

The Northeast Extension Risk Management Education (ERME) Center, in conjunction with the North CentralSouthern, and Western Centers announces competitive funding opportunities for educational projects designed to help agricultural producers improve their economic viability through targeted risk management strategies. 

The 2024 ERME Request for Applications is coming soon!

Eligibility: This announcement seeks applications from qualified public and private groups, organizations, and institutions including land grant colleges and universities, Cooperative Extension, other colleges and universities, and other public and private entities with a demonstrated capacity to develop and deliver results/impact-based risk management education projects for agricultural producers and their families. The Northeast Center serves Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia and the District of Columbia. 

ERME is soliciting applications under the following program areas:

1. Education Grants

a. Standard Education Projects
This funding opportunity focuses on educational projects designed to help agricultural producers improve their economic viability through targeted risk management strategies.   Proposed programs should address any of the five areas of risk: production, marketing, financial, legal or human. The maximum award will be $75,000 with a grant duration of 18 months to be conducted between April 1, 2024 and September 30, 2025 .  Each regional Center anticipates funding 20 – 24 new grants from this announcement, subject to the availability of funds and the quality of applications received.

b. Exploratory Projects
This funding opportunity focuses on smaller, simplified grants are for the purpose of initiating new ideas through producer education programs which address farmer/rancher risk management education needs. Exploratory projects can be used to organize and host a producer education workshop or conference or be used for development projects that lead to application for a Standard Education project in a future year.  The maximum award will be $10,000 with a grant duration of 18 months be conducted between April 1, 2024 and September 30, 2025.

2. Producers Underserved by Crop Insurance Grants

This funding opportunity is specifically designated for the delivery of risk management education to agricultural producers underserved by the Federal crop insurance program, with proposed educational programming that aligns with one or more of the five areas of risk: production, marketing, financial, legal or human.  The maximum amount of requested funding shall not exceed $100,000 for 18-month projects to be conducted between April 1, 2024 and September 30, 2025. The Northeast Center anticipates funding 15-20 new grants from this announcement, subject to the availability of funds and the quality of applications received.

To apply to these funding opportunities, click here.

2024 Award Funding Timeline:

  • September 14, 2023 – Application Open
  • November 16, 2023 – Application Deadline
  • February 9, 2024 – Award Notification