By on September 15, 2025

The 2026 ERME Request for Applications

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. 

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 .  Each regional 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 Project in 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.

To apply to these funding opportunities, click here.

2026 Award Funding Timeline:

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