The 2026 ERME RFA

The Northeast Center will conduct an Applicant Training Webinar covering the funding opportunities on October 7, 2025 at 1:00 PM EST. Please join us to learn more about the RFA and application process. There is no fee to participate, however please register by sending an email to mmccull@udel.edu. Information regarding how to join the webinar will be emailed to registered participants.

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

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. Risk Management 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, 2026 and September 30, 2027. The Northeast Center anticipates funding 12-15 new grants from this announcement, subject to the availability of funds and the quality of applications received.

2. Exploratory Projects
This funding provide a unique opportunity to initiate new ideas and/or explore emerging risk topic areas to better address farmer/rancher risk management education needs. Exploratory projects can be used to organize and host a producer education workshop(s) or conference or be used for development projects that can lead to application for a Risk Management Education or Underutilization of Crop Insurance Projectin a future year. The maximum award will be $10,000 with a grant duration of 18 months to be conducted between April 1, 2026 and September 30, 2027

3. Underutilization of Crop Insurance Projects
This funding opportunity is specifically designated for the delivery of risk management education to agricultural producers who underutilize 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, 2026 and September 30, 2027. The Northeast Center anticipates funding 7-10 new grants from this announcement, subject to the availability of funds and the quality of applications received.

How to Apply

  1. RFA: Download and read the 2026 Northeast ERME RFA thoroughly depending on your plans for submission.
  2. Resources: View the Application Resources which have been developed to help applicants prepare a successful proposal, and which provide a full explanation for every item requested in the application. Applicants are especially encouraged to utilize the Application Tutorial.
  3. Registration Information:  If you are already registered in the RVS, skip to step 4.  To register, use this link to access the Extension Risk Management Education Results Verification System.  Select “Create New Account” and complete the form in order to create a new account.  A registration confirmation containing a link back into the system will be sent via email.  (If you do not receive the confirmation email within 15 minutes, please check your spam folder.)   To complete your registration, visit the enclosed link. 
  4. RVS: Login to RVS using your email address and password, which will take you to the “My Projects” page. To begin a new Application, select “Start New Project Application” to see all available funding opportunities.  Click the “Northeast ERME” tab to see all Northeast funding opportunities.
  5. Category: Select the appropriate grant category and click “Apply for this Grant”.  
  6. Enter the project information, including: Project Title; Project Director email, Institution Mailing Address, and Financial Contact.  You will have the opportunity to edit or update this information once you have created the application.
  7. Complete each section in the Table of Contents on the left sidebar and follow the Instructions accessible on each page of the application via the question mark (?) icon.

Whenever you wish to continue working on your Proposal, return to the Extension Risk Management Education Results Verification System and login. Your active projects will be listed on the “My Projects” page. You may edit your proposal by clicking on the pencil icon.

2026 Award Funding Timeline:

  • September 15, 2025 – Application Open
  • November 13, 2025 – Application Deadline
  • February 13, 2026 – Award Notification